Lenovo unveils ThinkPad Android tablet for business users
Firm aiming to win over IT admins by offering easy deployment and robust security
Lenovo is to launch an Android tablet for the business market designed to ease deployment and security concerns for IT administrators and improve user productivity.
The Lenovo ThinkPad tablet will ship with a 10.1in 1,280x800 display and Android 3.1 operating system, and boasts an Nvidia Tegra 2.1GHz dual-core processor and 1GB of RAM.
Other key hardware features include a front-facing 2-megapixel camera, allowing conference calls, a rear 5-megapixel camera and a digitised pen. Internal storage of 16GB, 32GB or 64GB is also available, like the iPad 2.
Connectivity will come in the form of USB, micro-USB, mini HDMI and dock connector ports, and Lenovo provides a three-in-one card reader and the choice between Wi-Fi only and 3G models.
The 3G version weighs 730g, the same as the Motorola Xoom, and Lenovo claims that it will deliver 8.7 hours of battery life when Wi-Fi is used.
The new ThinkPad comes with the Android operating system, but Lenovo is heavily touting the business benefits for employees and IT administrators.
Pre-loaded software includes Documents To Go, allowing users to view and edit Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Adobe Acrobat documents.
Meanwhile, the MyScript Notes Mobile technology converts handwritten notes from the pen into typed text, which could encourage staff to use the device during business meetings.
Lenovo also includes its Launch Zone and SocialTouch applications to access frequently used applications and keep track of emails and messages.
IT admins will be able to deploy and provision multiple devices using Lenovo's custom imaging service and zero touch deployment software, the firm said.
Devices support the enterprise platform provided by Good Technologies as well as commonly used Cisco VPN and Microsoft ActiveSync tools. Data on devices and SD cards will be encrypted to reduce the risk of security breaches.
Lenovo unveils ThinkPad Android tablet for business users
Firm aiming to win over IT admins by offering easy deployment and robust security
Additional security is provided in the form of McAfee's Mobile Security Suite and Computrace technology, which can remotely lock and delete data.
Lenovo will also allow admins to purchase and deploy corporate applications on the Application Shops tool, much like the recently launched App Store Volume Purchase Program for Apple.
Nick Dillon, platforms and devices analyst at Ovum, noted that the use of the Android platform for business-oriented tablets is not really a surprise as the current version of Windows is not suitable.
"The next version of Windows will be useful on tablets but, to compete with the likes of the iPad and BlackBerry PlayBook at the moment, Lenovo has been left with little choice other than to use Android," he told V3.
"Lenovo has a strong brand in the enterprise and, if it can offer the ThinkPad as a compelling package, it can be successful. Pricing could be an issue, but firms are not as sensitive as consumers, and businesses will be willing to pay for a quality device."
ThinkPad tablets will be available to order from 2 August in the US and are expected to be made available worldwide starting in the third quarter.
The 16GB Wi-Fi ThinkPad Tablet is priced at $509 with the digitiser pen and $479 without. The 32GB ThinkPad Tablet (Wi-Fi model) with digitiser pen will retail at $589.
The 3G models are set to be made available shortly after launch, with pricing to be confirmed.
Lenovo will also offer a range of accessories including the Folio keyboard, which turns the device into a netbook. A dock which charges the device and includes extra micro USB, HDMI, stereo out, microphone in and a USB 2.0 ports will also be available.
In addition, Lenovo announced a Windows-based IdeaPad P1 tablet, but full specifications and prices are yet to be confirmed. The laptop will launch later this year and could prove attractive to businesses reluctant to adopt the Android platform.