One of the key messages Lenovo has been emphasizing Accelerate 2014 – the company’s annual partner forum which kicked off Monday in Orlando – is about device proliferation. The tremendous variety of devices available infuses the market with confusion, making it difficult for VARs to figure out exactly which computer, tablet, server, etc., to sell in any given situation.
Naturally, the company unveiled two new additions to its device line-up.
While the two concepts may seem contradictory, the new products are intended to be a case of subtraction by addition. The new devices are expected to help solve the device confusion problem by providing equipment that will solve specific issues for end users.
For example, the new ThinkPad 10 tablet sidesteps the long-standing challenges of BYOD by providing business users with a business-oriented tablet computer. Rather than trying to manage a fleet of consumer devices in the workplace, controlling what software and apps are being deployed by staff and ensuring sensitive company data is secure, companies can now deploy a tablet designed from the ground up for the business user.
We’ve always been known for our business devices, says David Rabin, Executive Director Marketing, Lenovo Americas Group. “Over time we’ve realized that one size doesn’t necessarily fit all and we’ve made a range of specialized devices, the (new) tablet being one of them.”
The new 10-inch ThinkPad 10 tablet, which will start at $599, runs Windows 8.1 with 64-bit support on configurations with up to 4 GB of RAM and a 128 GB hard drive. Accessories include a digitizer pen, a stand, compact Bluetooth keyboard and a USB3.0 docking station which allow users the flexibility of four different modes of use – tablet, stand, laptop and desktop. It also uses Gorilla glass, reducing the fragility that characterises most tablet products.
The key advantages really seem to be aimed at IT managers though. The new device offers VPN access control, application deployment management and the ability to prevent users from installing prohibited apps. Basically, the goal seems to be to pre-manage the entire Mobile Device Management issue. In addition, Lenovo Services offers a suite of support packages, including sealed battery warranties, accidental damage protection and laser etching and tagging.
“Customers want a versatile device that adapts to their way of life and offers uncompromised productivity whether in the office or on the move,” said Luis Hernandez, vice president and general manager, ThinkPad, Lenovo in a statement. “Our new ThinkPad 10 tablet marries business optimized features with a unique multimode design to offer an exceptional computing experience that allows users to work, play and create in virtually any environment. ThinkPad 10 is engineered for quality you can touch and measure and is designed to adapt to be what you need, when you need it.”
The second new product is the ThinkStation P300 – an entry-level workstation that offers MSPs, VARs and end users enhanced configurability. To start with Lenovo did away with the bulky handle that was a sore point with previous Lenovo chassis designs. There is also a flex module which supports a combination of an ultra-slim optical drive, 29-in-1 media card reader, IEEE 1394 Firewire, and eSATA, essentially allowing a higher level of customization during deployment. The P300 runs on the Intel Xeon E3-1200v3 product family or the 4th Generation Intel Core processor and ECC memory support.
“Professional workstation users run very advanced, specialized applications. The ThinkStation P300 features the processing power, graphics capabilities and ISV certifications, needed to run these applications smoothly,” said Victor Rios, vice president and general manager, Workstation, Lenovo in a statement. “But the ThinkStation P300 also gives these users a new level of customization. The new FLEX module … offers customers truly unique configurations that match their specific project needs and goals.”
David Rabin knows that making things easier for the channel is critical and expects these new products to do just that. “About 85% of our business in this region flows through the partner community, so if we don’t make them successful we won’t be successful,” he said.
Our friends at Channelpro-SMB have an excellent gallery of images of the ThinkPad 10 tablet here.
