AMD strengthens global technology partnership with Lenovo

SUNNYVALE, USA: AMD celebrated an expansion of its business relationship with leading computer manufacturer Lenovo, which is introducing new AMD platform-based laptops.

The innovative PC manufacturer this week introduced the first commercial ThinkPad laptops based on VISION Pro Technology from AMD, a new extension of VISION Technology from AMD, that are designed to appeal to key enterprise, SMB and government segments: the ThinkPad X100e, an entry ultraportable starting under $500, and the ThinkPad Edge Series laptops designed for the SMB.

Lenovo also plans this quarter to introduce a new IdeaPad based on the 2009 AMD Mainstream Notebook Platform, targeted at the consumer mainstream volume market.

“VISION Pro Technology from AMD enhances our ThinkPad laptop portfolio by providing commercial customers a competitive offering and compelling visual experience,” said Rory Read, president and chief operating officer, Lenovo.

“ThinkPad is a legendary brand that has always stood for rock-solid quality, innovation and outstanding design. Our new ThinkPad Edge and X100e laptops with AMD processors deliver on that heritage of excellence. Now, the ThinkPad product family is even stronger, with more choices for more customers than ever before.”

“AMD is executing on our goal to expand our relationships with key OEM customers, in this instance by meeting the market’s need for mobile solutions that deliver the right combination of features and performance,” said Nigel Dessau, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, AMD.

“This expanded technology partnership with Lenovo highlights our ability to work together to not only understand the challenges and demands facing the visually-oriented enterprise, SMB and government workforce, but also to deliver a solution specifically tailored to meet the evolving needs of the mainstream consumer market.”

Announced in September, VISION Technology from AMD breaks the traditional model of how PC benefits are communicated to consumers, retailers and PC manufacturers by emphasizing real-world usage models that communicate the value of the whole system, not technical specifications.

VISION Pro Technology extends this well-received approach to commercial PC platforms, first to the fast-growing commercial notebook market, and reinforces the balance and synergy of AMD’s CPU and graphics processing capabilities.

“Laptops continue to gain overall PC market share, not only in the growing consumer laptop market but also in enterprise, SMB and government workplaces, but too often the purchasing process is complicated by complex technical specifications rather than actual capabilities,” said Rob Enderle, chief analyst at the Enderle Group.

“This technology and business relationship between AMD and Lenovo is proof of a smart, easy-to-understand purchase process that can help ensure their customers get it right the first time by purchasing notebooks that best meet their needs.”