- Flagship IBM ThinkPad T40 notebook nearly doubles standard battery life, from 2.8 to up to 5.5 hours. New battery options create an all-day computing solution up to 9.5 hours
- ThinkPad T40 Drops Almost a Half-Pound and Gets 30 Percent Thinner, to About 1 Inch
- IBM Now Offers All-Day Computing Solutions for X, T and R Series ThinkPad Notebooks
Amsterdam, March 12, 2003 . . . IBM's completely redesigned flagship notebook computer, the ThinkPad T40, debuted today with industry-leading performance and new standards for battery life, portability, ergonomics and the most secure wireless access available on select models. IBM also announced two additional ThinkPad notebooks, the ultraportable ThinkPad X31 and new models of the ThinkPad R40.
"Customers already love the lighter weight, thinner size and extraordinary battery life of the newest IBM ThinkPads," said Steve Ward, senior vice president and general manager of the IBM Personal Systems Group. "But what really gets customers excited about IBM's new ThinkPad notebooks is ease of use. It's a notebook that finds and connects to available networks by itself, can recover data lost to viruses, and requires 50 percent less IT support than other notebooks. In fact, an initial group of 620 customers using IBM's ThinkVantage Technologies and Intel's Centrino technologies could save more than $2 billion collectively if they deploy ThinkVantage Technologies throughout their enterprises."
All three new ThinkPad notebooks offer select models with numerous IBM ThinkVantage Technologies that improve security, provide choice and ease-of-use in wireless capabilities, and simplify PC "fleet management" for IT organizations. The technologies meet new requirements for flexibility, mobility, and dynamic reconfiguration of global organizations moving toward an on-demand business model. They are tools designed to help people and companies adjust to rapidly changing business circumstances.
Select models of the ThinkPad T40, X31 and R40 feature the new Intel Pentium-M processor together with enhanced IBM ThinkVantage Design to set new standards in mobility and battery life. In addition, select models of these new ThinkPad notebooks include Intel's Centrino mobile technology, providing wireless connectivity while helping to deliver high performance and extended battery life.
Providing the Ultimate Choice
A full 30 percent thinner than its T30 predecessor, the ThinkPad T40 has a travel weight of only 4.5 pounds (1) -- almost one-half pound lighter -- and measures about 1-inch thin (2). In addition to the models featuring Intel Centrino mobile technology -- which provide integrated WiFi wireless capability based on IEEE 802.11b -- several models offer a choice of integrated WiFi dual-band a/b wireless, Cisco Aironet Wireless 802.11b, or wireless-upgradable capability (3). When used with the IBM Embedded Security Subsystem available on select models, along with industry-standard wireless encryption, the T40 provides the most secure wireless computing environment in the industry. And another new model, the ThinkPad T40p notebook, offers high-performance graphics in a thin-and-light design -- an ideal alternative to a workstation that is optimized and certified to run some of the most demanding graphics applications.
IBM also today announced its newest ultraportable for the global mobile user, the ThinkPad X31. At approximately 1-inch thin and 3.6 pounds, it boasts the longest system battery life in the industry, at up to six hours
(4) on select models. The ThinkPad X31's unique battery options also work with the system battery to deliver all-day computing for people who take their notebooks with them anywhere and everywhere, offering up to 11 hours of optional battery life. The X31 can work with the new optional X3 UltraBase with a new ergonomic design and an array of drive and battery expansion options for global travelers. Together the ThinkPad X31 and X3 Ultrabase can be packed at only 5 pounds. The ThinkPad R40, IBM's competitively priced line of ThinkPad notebooks, now offers up to 10.3 hours of battery life by combining the system battery and battery options.
It also is available in select models including Intel's Centrino
technology, 802.11 a/b wireless, or Cisco Aironet Wireless 802.11b. And the new ThinkPad R40e notebook, ideal for small businesses and educational organizations, weighs 5.9 pounds, offers a fixed optical drive.The R40 is available in 14 or 15-inch displays, with Pentium-M or Celeron processors.
IBM's 9.5 mm Ultrabay Slim Optical Drive is 31 Percent Smaller The redesigned ThinkPad T40 is an ideal machine for mobile users who need a lightweight notebook with extensive functionality. The IBM Think Strategy of innovation for business advantage has led to the creation of the Ultrabay Slim, making IBM the first adopter of the 9.5 mm optical drive -- 31 percent smaller than standard optical notebook drives. Combined with a unique thermal design to reduce system operating temperature, this innovation helped IBM to slim down the ThinkPad T40 without losing functionality. The ThinkPad T40 notebook also comes standard with DVD or CD-RW/DVD Combo drives and IBM's patented UltraNav pointing device, a multi-pointing system that combines the latest full-function TrackPoint device with an IBM-customized touch pad.
The ThinkPad T40 offers several battery choices to achieve all-day computing, including up to 9.5 hours of optional battery life when the ThinkPad T40 High Capacity Battery (standard on select models) is combined with the ThinkPad Ultrabay Slim Li Polymer Battery. The ThinkPad T40 also features the new IBM integrated HDD shock absorber. This unique feature helps protect the hard disk drive (HDD) from the most common types of shock events -- providing up to 30 percent more protection than the system case alone. (5)
Industry-Leading Wireless Security
All three models, the ThinkPad T40, X31 and R40, feature select models that are equipped with IBM's Embedded Security Subsystem (ESS), an IBM ThinkVantage Technology that combines hardware and downloadable software to authenticate users and help protect data and private information in both wired and wireless communications environments. This makes these IBM ThinkPad notebooks with ESS and wireless the most secure wireless notebooks in the industry. The security subsystem is now available with support for VeriSign Inc.'s Personal Trust Agent, which transparently handles digital certificate functions, such as key management and storage, while improving the user experience. IBM security hardware improves PTA protection. This new combination of capabilities from IBM, VeriSign and Intel are unique to ThinkPad notebooks -- enabling users to remotely and securely access their corporate network and applications in fewer steps, without a separate hardware token such as a keyfob.
Extreme Wireless Portability Around the Globe
IBM continues to define leadership in mobile computing by extending integrated dual-band wireless connectivity based on IEEE 802.11a/b (6) into select models of the ThinkPad T40, X31 and R40. Dual-band a/b allows users to take advantage of the improved data transfer speeds in the 5 Ghz spectrum, while offering compatibility at .11b rates with existing 802.11b networks including public hot-spot venues such as the local coffee shop or airport (7). ThinkPad notebooks feature the IBM UltraConnect Antenna built into the display cover for optimal signal reception (8), supporting multiple frequencies to optimize coverage and performance for improved wireless LAN connectivity worldwide. Users can also choose wireless-upgradable models and add a new IBM High Rate mini-PCI Adapter III, Cisco Aironet or Intel Pro/Wireless LAN 2100 3B mini-PCI Adapter later. And IBM Access Connections Version 2.6 location manager software utility will be preloaded on all ThinkPad T40, X31 and R40 notebooks, allowing the user to manage the broad array of connections available and automatically determine the fastest LAN connection available, wired or wireless.
Easier PC Management
All ThinkPad T40, X31 and R40 notebooks are equipped to take advantage of ImageUltra, IBM's innovative, patented image management technology and services designed to lower costs by reducing the number of software images managed by IT departments. Images on the T40 and X31 are compatible, enabling a single image to be deployed across multiple platforms. The IBM ThinkPad T40, X31 and R40 also offer the new Access IBM button, a "portal to IBM support" that taps into a rich set of onboard resources, diagnostic tools, automated solutions, and links to updates and service on-line (9). Another ThinkVantage technology, RapidRestore PC, provides one-button disaster recovery that can restore previously saved data, settings and applications after a software failure.
Pricing and Availability
Prices for the ThinkPad T40 notebook start at € 2650,00, while prices for the ThinkPad R40e start as low as €1910,00 The ThinkPad X31 notebook will be available on March 18 with prices starting at € 2600,00. For more information, see www.ibm.com/thinkpad.
Notes
IBM, ThinkPad, and ThinkVantage Technologies are trademarks or registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation.
Prices do not include tax or shipping and are subject to change without notice. Reseller prices may vary.
1. Includes battery and optional travel bezel instead of standard optical drive in UltraBay bay, if applicable; weight may vary due to vendor components, manufacturing process and options. 2. Thinness may vary at certain points on the system. 3. Can be wireless enabled with the addition of an optional wireless LAN Mini PCI Card. These systems are designed to operate only with wireless LAN Mini PCI options sold by IBM. 4. These model numbers achieved eTesting Labs, Inc's BatteryMark(TM) 4.0.1, or the Ziff Davis Media Inc.'s Business Winstone 2002 BatteryMark(TM) Version 1.0, Battery Rundown Time of at least the time shown. This test was performed without independent verification by the VeriTest testing division of Lionbridge Technologies, Inc. ("VeriTest") nor Ziff Davis Media Inc.; neither Ziff Davis Media Inc. nor VeriTest makes any representations or warranties as to these test results. Winstone is a registered trademark and BatteryMark is a trademark of Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc., in the U.S. and other countries. A description of the environment under which the test was performed is available at ibm.com/pc/ww/thinkpad/batterylife.
Battery life (and recharge times) will vary based on many factors including screen brightness, applications, features, power management, battery conditioning and other customer preferences. 5. Claim based on IBM operating tilt/drop tests. 6. Based on IEEE 802.11a and 802.11b. This wireless LAN product has been designed to permit legal operation world-wide in regions in which it is approved. This product has been tested and certified to be interoperable by the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance and is authorized to carry the Wi-Fi logo. 7. Public network access limited; subscription and network access fees may apply. 8. Requires compatible wireless enabled options, sold separately. 9. Requires Internet access; not included.
Voor meer informatie:
Anouk Bikkel
IBM Nederland
Tel +31 (0)20- 513 4612;
Mobile+31 (0)6 20435155;
e-mail anouk_bikkel@nl.ibm.com