Lenovo launches first batch of branded computers

Seven months after its local office was set up, Chinese company Lenovo unveiled its first batch of Lenovo-branded computers, positioned to compete against cheaper "clone" or unbranded computers. Previously, Lenovo Philippines had been selling ThinkPad and ThinkCentre brands since its incorporation in August. ThinkPad and ThinkCentre were once proprietary brands of IBM Corp. for its notebook and desktop lines, respectively, before the Chinese firm acquired Big Blue’s entire personal computing division for $1.75 billion, including $1.25 billion in cash and equity. On Friday night, the company launched the C100 notebook model (suggested selling price starting at P56,295) and the Lenovo J100 and J105 desktop models (starting at P46,195). Set for commercial roll out in the first week of April, the three models are included in the Lenovo 3000 product family. Clad in a sleek and silver exterior, C100 weighs 2.8 kg and is 3.3-cm thin. This carries an Intel 915 GM chipset with choice of either Pentium M or Celeron M processors, with some select models feauturing the Intel Centrino mobile technology. Available in tower or small desktop design, Lenovo J100 features a SiS 661 chipset with either Pentium 4 or Celeron D processors. Meanwhile, Lenovo J105 features an AMD Socket 754 board with either AMD Sempron or Athlon processors. Maria Victoria P. Agorrilla, Lenovo Phils. country general manager, said in an interview the "stylish and ergonomic" Lenovo models are digging into a "fairly new market," at least for branded computer makers like Lenovo. The Lenovo 3000 product family is being positioned to compete head on with clones which cost P25,000 to P30,000. "Unlike clone computers, our configuration is complete and desktop models come with the expensive LCD-TFT monitors. There is really an untapped market for Lenovo in the Philippines," Ms. Agorilla said, particularly referring to small and midsize businesses and home users. When asked whether Lenovo will bring in additional computer products other than laptop and desktop, she said: "Lenovo mobile phones are starting to be sold in a few countries outside China, but in the Philippines, we haven’t heard of any plan yet." In China, Lenovo is also known for its gadget offering such as personal digital assistants and mobile phones. - Maricel E. Estavillo/BusinessWorld