CES: Lenovo to showcase Ivy Bridge ThinkPads at CES 2012

New ThinkPads include business ultrabook and X1 Hybrid

Lenovo is to introduce new ThinkPad laptops at next week's CES show, including an ultrabook for business professionals and a hybrid version of its X1 high-end laptop, featuring both Intel and ARM-based processors.

The new ThinkPad models are set to offer a choice of Intel's current Core i3, i5 and i7 processors, or third-generation Core chips based on the upcoming Ivy Bridge architecture, expected later in 2012.

Ivy Bridge is a 22nm die-shrink of Intel's current Sandy Bridge microarchitecture, which will also feature improved on-chip graphics capabilities.

Lenovo, which is now claimed to be the second largest global PC vendor, said it is focussing on innovative, progressive and lifestyle-focused models for its ThinkPad line-up for 2012.

The ThinkPad X1 Hybrid is the follow-up to last year's X1 model and is claimed to be even thinner at about 20mm thick and weighing about 1.8Kg.

Not only will the X1 Hybrid be based on Intel's latest Core chips, but it will also feature a second processor running a separate, low-power environment called Instant Media Mode.

This is designed to offer a longer battery life for tasks such as watching video, listening to music or surfing the web, according to Lenovo, where full-blown Windows 7 is not required.

In Instant Media Mode, battery life is doubled up to ten hours, Lenovo claimed.

"The way we enable Instant Media Mode is through a Qualcomm dual-core processor that has up to 16GB of memory and a custom operating system that is based on open-source technology," said Dilip Bhatia, vice president of the ThinkPad Business Unit.

Despite this feature, the X1 Hybrid is still first and foremost a business system, Bhatia added, with Intel vPro technology, encrypted hard drive and fingerprint reader. However, it also has Dolby Home Theater technology and an HDMI output.

The ThinkPad X1 Hybrid is set to ship sometime in the second quarter of 2012 and is expected to be priced from £1,025.

CES: Lenovo to showcase Ivy Bridge ThinkPads at CES 2012

New ThinkPads include business ultrabook and X1 Hybrid

Also to be shown at CES is the ThinkPad T430u, Lenovo's first ultrabook for the corporate market, which will likewise be based on the latest Core chips, including Ivy Bridge when available.

This model again weighs less than 1.8Kg and is under 20mm thick and runs up to six hours from its batteries, with the instant resume capability seen on other ultrabooks. It features a 14in HD display, with users able to switch between the integrated Intel graphics and a discrete Nvidia GPU.

Buyers will also be able to choose between SSD storage or a hard drive up to 1TB in capacity, something buyers may not find on other ultrabooks, according to Bhatia.

The ThinkPad T430u is expected to ship in June with prices starting at £545.

Lenovo will also unveil new models in its ThinkPad Edge line aimed at small-to-medium businesses (SMBs).

The Edge S430 is a 14in model, aimed at customers who value style and ThinkPad reliability, the firm said.

It features a new book hinge design and is just 22mm thick with a choice of DVD burner or a second hard drive for up to 1TB of additional storage.

Other features include Intel's Thunderbolt high-speed I/O technology, in addition to USB 3.0. It will be available from June at a start price of £480.

For mainstream SMB buyers, Lenovo is adding the Edge E430 and E530, with 14in and 15.6in screens, respectively.

Set to ship in May, both systems feature an aluminium shell and buyers will have a choice of either Intel Core or AMD Fusion chips and up to 1TB hard drive storage that can be combined with SSD. Prices for these systems will start from £224.

Finally, the Lenovo B480 and B580 are affordable 14in and 15in laptops in Lenovo's value line, with prices starting at a "very aggressive price point" of just £224.

Due in April, these models will also offer a choice of Intel or AMD chips and integrated or discrete graphics.