Lenovo will have two new Android tablets in Australia in September. The IdeaPad K1 runs Android 3.1 and pumps Tegra 2 juice for the movie and game crowd, and the ThinkPad offers a biz-oriented dock. Later this year there will also be a Windows 7-powered IdeaPad P1.
The 10.1-inch screened, half-inch thick K1 looks capable enough for those who want muscle in a slate: dual-core Tegra 2 guts, Honeycomb 3.1, 1280×800 resolution, 2 MP front and 5 MP back cameras, and—hey now!—an SD Card slot. In Australia, the K1 starts at $570 for 16GB Wi-Fi model, and $710 for the 16GB 3G model. The 32GB Wi-Fi K1 is priced at $680, while the 32GB 3G model is $810.
The ThinkPad is essentially the K1 in business attire—same Tegra 2 innards, same Android Honeycomb 3.1 soul—only pumped up with some enterprise security features, IT manager functionality, and eventually, 3G data. The ThinkPad also plugs into an optional port dock and keyboard, if you’re down with the whole laptop lite thing. The ThinkPad tablet is priced at $600 (16GB Wi-Fi), $730 (16GB 3G), and $839 (32GB 3G).
Those two tablets will arrive in Australia in September (orders start next month). The IdeaPad P1, however, isn’t scheduled to arrive here or the US until late in the year. Again, virtually the same internals (though it swaps out the Tegra 2 for an Intel CPU of unspecified provenance), but driven by Windows 7 Premium instead of Android. Windows 7 is totally fine! On a desktop or laptop. A desktop OS isn’t made for a touch tablet just in the way that a phone OS isn’t made for a touch tablet.
Sydney, Australia – July 20, 2011: Lenovo today announced its first range of tablets, the IdeaPad Tablet K1 for consumers and the ThinkPad Tablet for business customers. The new portfolio of Lenovo Tablets are the company’s first mobile internet devices featuring the Android^ 3.1 platform, adding to its award winning range of mobile notebook solutions. The Lenovo Android tablets also provide access to more than 250,000 apps in the Android Market^ as well as apps tested for the Lenovo device in the Lenovo App Shop.
“Lenovo Tablets will change computing as we know it, bringing a more personalised device to consumers and to commercial customers, a device that enables business and doesn’t restrict it. It has built-in security, manageability and flexibility. We don’t believe in a ‘one size fits all’ device, Lenovo is committed to developing tailored solutions that can be configured to users’ needs,” said Alan Munro, Vice President and Managing Director, Lenovo Australia and New Zealand.
“We’ve created a family of tablets that has something for everyone; from entertainment-friendly features and content for consumers, to business-friendly features to enhance productivity and maximise security and manageability for professionals. We have listened to our customers and are delivering Android tablets designed to meet their particular needs.”
NVIDIA Anyone?
Building on Lenovo’s heritage of innovation, quality and reliability in PCs, Lenovo’s new tablets deliver an accelerated mobile experience. The IdeaPad and ThinkPad tablets feature NVIDIA* Tegra* 2 dual-core mobile processors that offer extreme multitasking, noticeably faster web browsing with built-in Adobe* Flash Player, console-quality gaming and low power consumption for improved battery life.
“The Tegra 2 dual core processor is the perfect fit for Lenovo’s tablets,” said Michael Rayfield, General Manager, Mobile Business, NVIDIA. “Consumers can now enjoy the whole web with Flash*, console quality gaming and high definition video. These are a must have for today’s tablets.”
IdeaPad Tablet K1: Open the Box and Play
Weighing under 730 grams, the highly mobile IdeaPad Tablet K1 offers integrated Bluetooth* and 802.11 Wi-Fi connectivity. The IdeaPad Tablet K1 offers several key features and tools as standard, for flexibility, power and security to enjoy digital content anywhere. Simply put, the Lenovo IdeaPad Tablet helps users who want:
More out of the box: The Android-powered Lenovo Tablet K1 is preloaded with more than 40 apps from partners such as Amazon*, Adobe*, Electronic Arts*, Rovio*, Zinio*, Dataviz*, and others (over $50 in value), including favourites like Need for Speed** Shift, Angry Birds*, Kindle* reading app and Documents to Go*, gives users more right away:
More entertainment: Users can browse all websites and watch online videos with ease thanks to Flash 10.3.
More social networking: Users can access an entire network of friends and social sites all in one place, with Lenovo’s exclusive SocialTouch* app, which effectively creates a one-stop social connection. And since one picture is still worth a thousand words, the Lenovo IdeaPad Tablet K1 comes with a two-megapixel front-facing and a five-megapixel rear-facing webcam.
More true HD: Users can watch movies and videos in breathtaking HD on a 1280 X 800 resolution screen. The mini HDMI connection allows up to 1080p HD viewing when connected to an HDTV or monitor, resulting in a powerful visual experience.
More cloud sharing: Users can sync, store and share files, music and photos with free integrated cloud storage available with every IdeaPad K1, allowing users to rely less on their local storage.
More Apps: Users can access hundreds of thousands of apps in Android Market and apps tested exclusively for premium function on the IdeaPad Tablet K1 in the Lenovo App Shop.
ThinkPad Tablet – The Industry’s Most Advanced Business Tablet
Lenovo has created the first true business-class tablet. The ThinkPad Tablet combines superior manageability, flexibility, security and scalability, incorporated with the media and entertainment experience of the IdeaPad Tablet K1
Designed as a powerful computing device for professionals on the go, the ThinkPad Tablet includes a digitiser pen to take notes straight onto the screen, a full-size USB port, mini-USB, full-size SD card slot, and mini-HDMI for connecting to external projectors and displays, as well as an optional ThinkPad quality Keyboard Folio Case with optical TrackPoint.
Data remains safe on the ThinkPad Tablet with layered data security, and the device is easily supported by IT managers thanks to a suite of business partner solutions that include anti-theft software and the ability to disable the tablet if the device is lost or stolen with Computrace*. Additional security features include virtual desktop support with Citrix Receiver*, simple zero-touch deployment with LanDesk* and secure email support available from Good Technology*.
Offering a 10.1” WXGA (1280×800) display weighing less than 730 grams, the ThinkPad Tablet also comes with an IPS display for a 178-degree viewing angle and scratch-resistant Corning* Gorilla* Glass. This business-class device keeps professionals connected, productive and entertained while they’re away from the office and their home.
Simply put, Lenovo’s ThinkPad Tablet helps business professionals get things done:
Get more on the go: When work happens on the go, ThinkPad Tablet allows users to view and edit Microsoft Office documents with the preloaded Documents to Go app by DataViz. Or they can jot down notes that automatically convert to handwritten text with the ThinkPad Tablet Pen. When even more versatility is required, users can plug in the Keyboard Folio for fast, comfortable and accurate typing and mouse control.
Get better connected: With WiFi connectivity, and 3G models available,2GB of free cloud storage, a standard size USB port and SD Card Reader, and Lenovo’s unique file copy utility, sharing media files and documents with other people and electronic devices is easy. Presentations look even better when connecting to an external monitor via the built-in mini-HDMI port. Users can conveniently sync key files and folders with their tablet every time they plug into their Windows 7 PC. With Apps like ooVoo, dual cameras allow users to show either themselves or what they are looking at in a video conference. Users can keep in touch with friends and business contacts using Lenovo’s exclusive SocialTouch app, which puts social networks, email, and calendar notices all in one easy-to-use interface.
The 3G ThinkPad Tablet will provide speeds of up to 21 MBPS.
Get down to business: The ThinkPad Tablet can connect to a range of devices and networks without hands-on help from IT administrators. Users can utilise corporate network passwords to access their device and connect to corporate email; with the specially certified app, Good for Enterprise. IT managers can easily create access unique corporate preloads from the Lenovo Image Technology Centre as well as share and distribute company purchased or developed apps to numerous devices through a custom, corporate-controlled app store. Most importantly, users will have the ability to protect confidential data with robust security features including SD card encryption, lost device disablement and anti-theft software.
Get solid protection: ThinkPad Tablet customers will have access to Lenovo’s full portfolio of enterprise-level services, such as ThinkPlus Support, which provides business customers direct access to advanced technicians with tablet specific experience. Lenovo will also offer accidental damage Tablet Protection, which gives business customers coverage for non-warranted damage, such as operational and structural damage incurred under normal operating conditions. In addition, Lenovo’s Imaging Services help save IT departments from having to do custom images for each machine. This ensures that even with flash images, the warranty is protected and the tablet is ready-to-go right out-of-the-box.
Lenovo App Shop – Premium Ecosystem of Apps and Content Services
In addition to the hundreds of thousands of apps available in Android Market, IdeaPad Tablet K1 and ThinkPad Tablet users have access to apps in the Lenovo App Shop, a unique app marketplace, which features popular applications that have been tested specifically for Lenovo IdeaPad and ThinkPad Tablets. The Lenovo App Shop offers apps within a broad range of categories including music, movies, books, productivity, social networking, weather, printing and more.
The Lenovo App Shop will also support enterprise applications and a private corporate application store to help businesses more easily integrate tablets into their daily operations. In addition, Lenovo will offer Australia and New Zealand specific applications.
Pricing and Availability
Pricing of the IdeaPad K1 Tablet starts from AU$569.00 for the 16GB WiFi model, and AU$709.00 for the 16GB 3G model. The 32GB WiFi IdeaPad K1 is priced at AU$679.00, and the 32GB 3G model is AU$809.00. All Lenovo IdeaPad K1 Tablet models can be ordered in Australia from the first week in August, 2011, through select business partners and retail stores nationwide, or via www.lenovo.com.au. The product will be generally available in Australia in September 2011.
Pricing of the ThinkPad Tablet starts from AU$599.00 for the 16GB WiFi model, and AU$729.00 for the 16GB 3G model. The ThinkPad Tablet is also available in a 32GB 3G model for AU$839.00. There is also an optional keyboard portfolio carrying case available for AU$89.00. ThinkPad Tablet can be ordered in Australia starting August 16, 2011, online at www.lenovo.com.au or through business partners nationwide. The product will be generally available in Australia in September 2011. All prices quoted include GST.
All Lenovo tablets come with a one-year warranty. Lenovo also offers warranty upgrade options that can extend the IdeaPad product warranty for one additional year, and the ThinkPad Tablet for two additional years.