Lenovo Expands Consumer PC Sales Channels

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, – July 2008: Lenovo today announced an expanded sales network for its consumer customers, as IdeaPad notebook PCs and IdeaCentre desktop PCs will now be sold through distributors, D&H Distributing and Ingram Micro Inc., as well as through hundreds of business partners in the U.S. and Canada.

“Since we launched our ‘Idea’ brand in January, we’ve enjoyed an enthusiastic response for our products’ design and innovative features,” said Stephen DiFranco, vice president and general manager, Americas Consumer, Lenovo. “We are focusing on growing the retailer and e-tailer channel, and are now working with our distributors and other valued business partners who specialize in meeting the needs of small-office-home-office, small-to-medium business and retail customers.”

The Idea-branded computers complement Lenovo’s legendary ThinkPad notebooks and ThinkCentre desktops that are renowned by business owners for their quality, durability and reliability. Lenovo’s IdeaPad notebooks equip consumers with the highest elements of style and design with their distinctive textured covers and frameless screens, along with consumer-friendly innovations such as VeriFace™ facial recognition for simple and convenient log-in, Dolby® Home Theatre sound and touch-sensitive multimedia controls. In addition, Lenovo’s debut of the IdeaCentre K210 desktop is highlighted by combining the same facial recognition technology featured in IdeaPad notebooks with other innovative features including an anti-microbial keyboard and sensors to monitor brightness based on a user’s distance from the PC.

“We’re honored to have been chosen as one of the select distributors involved in such a key launch,” said Michael Schwab, co-president, D&H Distributing. “D&H has historically excelled at working within vendor initiatives to proactively take products to both retail channels and to resellers which focus on consumer-centric computer products. Form has become just as important as function in this area, and the IdeaPad notebook PC products are very compelling.”

“In the world of business computing, Lenovo and its Think-branded products are one of the leaders in the industry, both for their technologies and their innovations,” said Mike Erwin, director, vendor management, Ingram Micro. “Lenovo is a great partner to Ingram Micro, and we are pleased to be able to offer our customers and VARs the chance to experience the new Lenovo Idea line of products.”

Lenovo business partners can offer their customers a range of PCs from the company’s acclaimed portfolio of consumer IdeaPad notebooks and IdeaCentre desktops including:

IdeaPad Y510 Notebook
This versatile notebook makes mainstream computing fun with easy facial recognition and an excellent multimedia experience. The notebook’s black, textured linen-like top cover also helps hide smudges and user wear and tear. Additionally, the notebook also comes with a range of connectivity options, built-in camera and DVD burner.

IdeaPad Y710 Notebook
Lenovo designed this entertainment-enthusiast’s notebook for high performance with an optional hot-swap secondary hard drive to complement its blue-metallic finish and halo lighting. For a richer multimedia experience, Game Zone models offer oversized directional and customizable buttons, a secondary display and choice of energy-saving and performance modes. The notebook is also equipped with an optional Blu-Ray DVD player.

IdeaCentre K210 Desktop
Lenovo designed the IdeaCentre K210 desktop with the family in mind. As the only PC maker to offer “Bright Vision” technology, the monitor detects the user’s distance from the monitor and adjusts its brightness accordingly. Like the IdeaPad notebooks, it features VeriFace™ facial recognition. It also offers an anti-microbial keyboard, helping to inhibit bacterial growth, and making the desktop ideal for the family. Additionally, Lenovo Vantage Technology helps the users recover from system crashes or viruses at the touch of a button1.

Beginning this fall, the recently announced IdeaPad U330, Y430, Y530 and Y730 notebooks will also be available to business partners to sell.