ThinkPad SL Series - Lenovo set to storm the SMB sector

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Lenovo has now confirmed  the launch of the new ThinkPad SL series, with features and support designed for the small and medium-size businesses sector. The full range of the new ThinkPad range will include models designated as the ThinkPad SL300, the ThinkPad SL 400, and the top of the range ThinkPad SL500

With prices from US$699 to $1,199, the new laptop range will feature an online backup services and a technology called LoJack to track down stolen laptops. LoJack® for Laptops from Washington based Absolute software, is a theft protection service that tracks, locates and recovers stolen laptop and desktop computers.

The new machines will be aimed at businesses with up to 99 employees that can’t afford an IT staff to troubleshoot their own laptop problems and will include an online backup service which will be a first for the entire ThinkPad line, said Charles Sune, worldwide segment manager for ThinkPad SL series..

The service will provide a way for businesses on a budget to back up their precious data.
A range of security and support tools will be provided from Lenovo’s ThinkVantage hardware and software including the Active Protection System, which protects data on a notebook’s hard drive.

Lenovo has also stolen some ideas from its consumer friendly IdeaPad laptops with the SL series, giving the new ThinkPad SL design a more stylish look. Several multimedia features are built in including a high definition video connector and Video Editing Software. That’s a real move from the ThinkPad’s traditional corporate focal point. The new look and feature set will make it more suited to both personal, home office and business use.

The Small to Medium Business (SMB) sector is growing at a rapid rate but is very price conscious. To make an aggressive entry into the market at the right price point, Lenovo has made some tradeoffs in designing the laptops, Charles Sune remarked. These do not affect the overall performance or the signature ThinkPad build quality but the SL laptops will not, as an example come with the proprietary docking stations usually found on enterprise ThinkPad’s. They will however include a USB-based port replication system and this is hardly likely to be an issue for the small business owner.

Whilst the laptops will be formally announced over the next few weeks Lenovo has declined to give specific configuration and specification details.

Lenovo has been pushing aggressively into new market sectors with high-end models like the ultra-thin ThinkPad X300 and the mobile workstation market with the upcoming new ThinkPad W700.

Lenovo  sees a huge business opportunity amongst smaller businesses that are being enabled by the very technology that laptops like the ThinkPad T61, IdeaPad U110 and the new ThinkPad SL range offers.

Charles Sune said that Lenovo will target the new ThinkPad’s at the U.S., European, Chinese  and Asia-Pacific markets. In these geographical areas SMBs will present the greatest opportunities for market penetration and opportunities for new technology to make a difference in business efficiency over the next few years. It’s an exciting area for growth and one that Lenovo will want to dominate.