Photo: kerolic / Flickr

Chinese computer manufacturer Lenovo is now the number 2 PC manufacturer in the world, leapfrogging Dell and Acer, and coming in behind only Hewlett-Packard. Two separate reports by research firm Gartner and longterm rival IDC confirmed the company’s ascendancy.

The changes at the top

According to the two research firms, the top three were HP, Lenovo and Dell, in that order. Research firm Gartner reported Hewlett-Packard commanded 17.7 percent market share in October, up slightly from the 17.3 percent it commanded at the same time last year. Lenovo leapfrogged Dell to gain 13.5 percent market share, up an impressive 2.4 percentage points from 11.1 percent during the same period last year. Dell rounded out the top three with 11.6 percent of the PC market.

Reasons for the comeup

Lenovo’s growth is on the back of aggressive marketing, as well as linking up with Japanese company NEC for laptop sales. And while the firm has been growing in its own right, the PC industry as a whole has slowed, with PC sales  increasingly being lost to a new generation of mobile devices. The devices are predominantly tablet PCs and smartphones, which are fast shaping up to be our go-to-computers in the next generation.

IDC, however, says we should expect to see PC sales bounce back throughout 2012 as the likes of Hewlett-Packard and other computer vendors start shipping ‘ultra-mobile’ computers, much like Apple’s extremely popular and high-selling Macbook Air range.

Now what, Hewlett-Packard?

Outside of Lenovo’s sharp rise, the other point of interest in the PC sales rankings reports issued by research firm Gartner and rival IDC is Hewlett-Packard. The company is still thinking over what it should do with its PC business, after announcing that plans of a spin-off or a complete sale of the unit were being volleyed about. It should be interesting to see what is eventually decided.

Photo: AMD

After going months without a CEO, AMD has hired former Lenovo chief operating officer and president Rory Read as its new chief executive officer and president. Tom Seifert, who was the company’s interim leader, will be replaced by Read, and will adopt the role of chief financial officer.

Long wait

The hiring of new AMD CEO Rory Read comes months after Dirk Meyer resigned from the post in January of this year, upon the board’s decision that the processor maker could be a more profitable firm. In this, they assumed that it would be better able to compete with Intel, too, forcing Meyer’s hand to leave and the company’s pursuit of new leadership.

Exciting times

Speaking on the hire, new AMD CEO Rory Read said: ‘I’m very pleased to be joining AMD at this important time in its history.’ He continued, saying: ‘I’m excited to be joining AMD’s employees as we write the next chapter not just for the company, but for the industry and consumers around the world.’

Why the hire?

Bruce Claflin, Chairman of AMD’s Board of Directors, said: ‘Rory is a proven leader with an impressive record of driving profitable growth.’ He added that ‘He is ideally suited to accelerate AMD’s evolution into the world’s leading semiconductor design company. As President and COO of Lenovo he helped take the company into dynamic new markets while growing market share and expanding profitability.’

Having spent 28 years in the computer industry – 23 at IBM and then 5 years at Lenovo – new AMD CEO Rory Read knows a thing or two about the information technology and computing industry.

About time

Given AMD has been without a formal chief executive officer for the almost eight months, it’s about time the company formalise its executive structure. Good luck Rory Read – the computing world, and Intel especially, will be watching your every move with keen interest.

Photo: MPO / Flickr

AMD has just appointed a new CEO, former Lenovo president and COO Rory Read. And while the board is convinced his 28 years of IT industry experience will help the firm be more profitable and competitive, especially against long-term nemesis Intel, it’s in the mobile devices space where he will face most of his challenges. And, as the likes of ARM and Qualcomm’s meteoric rise have shown, it isn’t the established big players with decades of industry experience who are guaranteed victory.

The troubles

AMD’s biggest problem is it has virtually no presence in the mobile devices industry, at both tablet and smartphone level. As such, one of new AMD CEO Rory Read’s more immediate tasks will be pushing the firm’s fairly successful Fusion PC chips onto tablet devices.

As immediate as the mobile devices push is – with market share and industry fortunes changing dramatically in just a quarter – Read will have to spend some time familiarising himself with his new business before he can start making any material, strategic decision. In the conference call announcing his appointment, he said that he would spend the first one hundred days on the job learning about AMD’s business, finding out where growth opportunities lie, and forging beneficial partnerships.

It’s beyond Intel, now

Still, the big question in the industry is whether new AMD CEO Rory Read will help his company make the transition to mobile devices so that his firm remains the number two chip maker in the world, or if ARM-based competitors like NVIDIA, who have a lot of traction on smartphones and tablets, will surpass them.

The change, if it will happen, will not be immediate, though. ‘AMD needs Android solutions to gain any traction, but there just doesn’t seem to be much interest to put Android on AMD-based tablets at this point,’ said Jim McGregor, chief technology strategist at In-Stat. If this doesn’t change under Read’s leadership, irrespective of how much AMD grows on traditional PCs, they will decline overall in the race to be the number one chip manufacturer in the world.

Photo: kerolic / Flickr

Chinese computer manufacturer Lenovo Group Ltd’s Q1 2011 earnings report blew past analysts estimates, with profits nearly doubling. Unfortunately for the world’s number three computer manufacturer, the weak global economy coupled with the Euro zone debt crisis has overshadowed the firm’s stellar performance.

Emerging markets emerge strongly

Lenovo’s net profit for the quarter was $108.8 million (£66.1m), almost double the $54.9 million (£33.4m) the firm reported in net profit at the same time last year. Even with these strong earnings, the company’s share price slid as much as 9 per cent on the heels of a broad sell-off in the tech industry, due to soft outlooks from competitors Dell and HP.

Different markets, different outcomes

However, some analysts think the tech concerns attributable to weakness on the parts of competitors like Dell are misinformed. ‘Some investors may be worried that what happened to Dell might apply to Lenovo. I don’t think that this is such a big concern for Lenovo,’ said Steve Tseng, an analyst with Samsung Securities.

Why are these concerns misappropriated? Competitors like Dell are strong in developed markets – where the weak economy is wreaking havoc – whereas Lenovo’s strength is in emerging market. Tseng pointed out that 60 per cent of Dell’s shipments are in developed markets, whereas 60-65 per cent of Lenovo sales are in developing markets. Unsurprisingly, Lenovo’s home market of China made up a large percentage of the companies sales, along with other emerging nations.

Still cautious

For its part, Lenovo covered its bases and did not overpromise on their expectations for the coming sales periods. ‘Although the worldwide PC market has shown marginal improvement and returned to growth during the fiscal quarter one, challenges to worldwide PC demand remain such as the pace of global economic recovery and the ongoing debt crisis in western Europe,’ the firm said in a statement accompanying the earnings report.

Irrespective of that, Lenovo sales are hugely impressive in this very soft PC market.

Photo: Lenovo

While Apple, Motorola, BlackBerry and several other PC or mobile device companies have had tablet PCs on the market for some time now, Chinese computing giant Lenovo has been watching on from the sidelines. We now know why they waited so long to unveil the offering with Lenovo unveiling three tablet PCs all at once.

Android tablets

With regards to Android tablets, Lenovo is introducing two devices – the consumer-focused IdeaPad tablet K1, as well as the business-orientated ThinkPad Tablet. The consumer one features a suite of entertainment software, with Netflix support being a particular highlight. The business tablet features stylus support, as well as an optional plug-in keyboard dock. Both devices have 10-inch displays, starting at $499 (£310). They go on sale this August, with pre-orders in North America having already started.

The Lenovo tablet PC family is rounded off with the all-but-abandoned Windows 7 on a tablet strategy. The company has plans to unveil the IdeaPad Tablet P1 in the fourth quarter of this year. It’s difficult to see how this makes much sense, with Microsoft planning on releasing the tablet-friendly Windows 8 OS sometime in 2012.

Why a family of tablets

In a statement accompanying the unveiling of the devices, Senior VP Liu Jun said: ‘Tablets are extremely personal technology devices’. He added ‘That’s why we’ve created a family of tablets that has something for everyone, including entertainment-friendly features and content for consumers, or business-friendly features to enhance productivity for professionals as well as security and manageability for IT managers.’

Good approach, bad approach?

Outside of the still-surprising Windows 7 strategy, I’m unsure if introducing a trio of tablets devices makes sense for Lenovo. To date we haven’t seen a single ‘enterprise-focused’ tablet PC succeeding, suggesting building a fully-featured consumer tablet PC works far better than building one tweaked for professionals.

What are your thoughts on it all?

Photo: backofthenapkin / Flickr

When Windows 8 was shown off at the D9 conference, many onlookers were pleasantly surprised by how impressive Microsoft’s new OS looks. The software functions almost like two operating systems in one, with a tiled Windows Phone 7 styled Start Menu overlaying the traditional desktop interface Microsoft’s OS is known for. This is the company’s answer to both PCs and tablet PCs all rolled in one, and it looks very promising. Lenovo’s leadership seem to agree.

Satisfying everybody

Peter Hortensius, who is president of Lenovo’s product division, has been looking over Windows 8 for some time now, and he is very excited about it. He said that the shift is ‘definitely going to be a big, bold move’, with the Windows 8 having the potential to, remarkably, satisfy both consumers of traditional PCs, as well as opening up potential for mobile, ARM-based devices, too.

Exciting stuff

Hortensius says: ‘You will see both the ARM platforms and the base Intel platforms get substantially better,’ adding that ‘We find that very exciting.’

Speaking on his particular likes, the Lenovo exec said that: ‘The part that makes me most excited is not just the new look, but along with that comes features like always-on, always-connected, which really to me addresses a big sore point of the traditional PC.’ Speaking on his previous experience, he showed displeasure with how current PCs are setup, where booting and restoring connections is unavoidable.

Touch is the big thing

Beyond speaking about the Windows 8 framework, the Lenovo executive also expressed his liking for where things are going with touch computing, and his company’s desire to reintegrate the stylus into the experience. He says: ‘The touch interface is amazing. If you are trying to quickly look through stuff it is wonderful. There are a lot of other instances where you clearly would rather use a pen.’

With Windows 7 being the revelation it was, returning Microsoft to XP and Windows ’95-esque heyday, it would be a lie to say I’m not particularly excited about Microsoft’s latest desktop OS.

Photo: xiaming / Flickr

While some tech companies like Apple, Microsoft, HP, Amazon and Google dominate all the news and steal all the limelight, others go about their business, growing market share and value for their investors. Chinese PC maker Lenovo is one such example, with the company known for its robust growth in the developing world showing it can win with PC sales established markets, too, with western Europe being one such example.

Medion acquisition boosts momentum

The company made a bid to acquire a large stake in German electronics firm, Medion AG, a move the company believes will grow its western European market share above it current level of around 7 per cent. This is what Yang Yuanqing, the Chinese PC maker’s CEO, told Reuters.

Reuters later reported that the $900 million dollar deal would double the company’s market share to north of 14 per cent in the German PC market, while shifting its overall western European market share to 7.5 per cent. It isn’t dramatic growth, but every uptick in PC sales counts.

Gearing up for a massive fight

Lenovo, who are currently the number four PC maker in the world have been growing at a faster rate than most of its competitors over the last six years. With a very strong presence in the fast growing developing world, while shoring up its presence in developed markets like western Europe, the company looks to overtake the three companies ahead of it in market share. These three manufacturers, in order from number one to number three are Hewlett-Packard, Dell Computers and Acer.

With PC sales having razor thin margins these days, the various companies have looked to other avenues for reaping more revenue. With Apple having an early grip on the burgeoning tablet PC market, and the netbook market in rapid decline, the various PC makers have looked to software and cloud computing services as areas to eke out better profits. Lenovo, for its part, has continually looked to grow its market share at the expense of others, a feat the company is accomplishing with aplomb.

Photo: Lenovo

Lenovo has had enough of watching the tablet PC wars from the side and is about to throw its name in the hat with the first Lenovo ThinkPad tablet PC. No, this does not run Windows 7 like Lenovo’s ThinkPads prior, but runs Android Honeycomb, ships with an optional stylus and even a ‘keyboard portfolio case’ for those who want to type on the run.

Big scoop

The scoop comes courtesy of This Is My Next, who got their hands on a PowerPoint presentation detailing the tablet PC for ‘on-the-go-professionals’. Other information gleaned about the device at this early stage is that it features an IPS display – this is good – as well as a dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 processor. TIMN is already calling it ‘the most interesting Android 3.0 tablet’ they’ve seen, so it’s well worth sitting up and listening.

Specs

From a hardware perspective, the Lenovo ThinkPad tablet PC checks all the right boxes. As is standard with tablets, storage is available in 16, 32 and 64GB variants. The tablet’s dimensions are 10.1-inches, with an IPS capacitive display that has a resolution of 1280 x 800. The stylus – Lenovo’s calling it a ‘true pen’ – comes with an option for sketching, as well as note-taking.

From a connectivity perspective, you get a USB 2.0 port, Micro USB port, and a mini-HDMI port, too. Lenovo’s also packed in an SD card slot to ensure all its boxes are ticked. Data wise, the expected wi-fi connectivity makes an appearance, but early indications are the Lenovo ThinkPad tablet PC will have both 3G and 4G connectivity, too.

Do the business for us – Google

From an Android Honeycomb perspective, this tablet PC needs to do the business. The platform has gotten off to something of a slow start, with the impressive Motorola Xoom selling nowhere near what estimates had pegged it at. The sooner a homerun Android Honeycomb device is launched, the sooner the tablet battle can actually become a battle. At this stage one company is dominating the space.

Photo: Stock.Xchng

Tobii and Lenovo are developing input technology that could fundamentally impact how we interface with computers – especially for people suffering from disabilities. The two companies are working on eye controlled laptops, technology that will allow your eyes’ movement to replace the mouse.

How does this work

Tobii says that its eye control input technology will allow a user to perform certain mouse and trackpad-associated functions like select, scroll and point. All the user would do is stare at a certain widget and that would select it.

Tobii and Lenovo are also touting the eye tracking and controlling laptop system as simple and intuitive, meaning functions one already performs – like looking at a specific point of your screen – will have enhanced uses built into it.

In celebration of laziness

If you have a disability, especially one that limits how you can use your hands, the benefits of this type of technology is very obvious. For the rest of us who immediately began thinking up the wonders of having a spare hand for carrying a beer while you work on your computer, we really need to get that laziness in check!
This isn’t happening soon

For those who were hoping this absolutely necessary tech was being fast-tracked, prepare to be a little disappointed. Only 20 prototypes of the eye-controlled laptops exist at present, with Tobii and Lenovo sharing the shipment evenly by getting ten each for performing additional tests and putting it to work. It’s highly likely that this could be another awesome project at a major tech company that never makes it out of the R&D play factory.

Technology is beautiful

We genuinely wonder if people take the time out to realise how wonderful and amazing technology often is. We control computing interfaces by just running our fingers on glass, we have devices that keep us alive in hospitals, and now you have prototype eye-controlled laptops available, too? Sure, this may not reach market any time soon, but the implications, especially for people with disabilities, is amazing.

Our trusty old school Lenovo notebooks will have to suffice for now, but let it be known, Mr Mouse, your days are numbered.

Photo: Masaru Kamikura / Flickr

On Tuesday, Lenovo unveiled its updated ThinkPad range. The major attraction for the Chinese computer manufacturer’s new PCs is the inclusion of Intel’s Sandy Bridge processors technology, as well as superior battery life when compared to previous models.

TLW models get TLC from Sandy Bridge

The company’s latest ThinkPad W, L and T computers run on Intel’s second generation Core i7, i5 and i3 respectfully. Not only does this mean the Lenovo Thinkpad range will get a major boost in processing prowess, the company’s power-saving features coupled with Sandy Bridge’s power-efficiency feature means the computers can run for longer, according to Lenovo’s Preston Taylor [via PC World].

That sure is a lot of battery life

Taylor gives an example of just how much juice the new Lenovo ThinkPad range has, citing the 14-inch ThinkPad T430 battery life lasting up to 15 hours. This is remarkable in itself, as well as a massive leap over the 11 hours its predecessor had.

From an Intel Sandy Bridge perspective, the silicon giant’s latest chipset features Intel’s Turbo Boost 2.0 feature, where inactive cores are automated to shutdown so as to preserve battery power.

Release date and availability

Lenovo says the range will be available around the globe in March, made of quad- and dual-core Intel Sandy Bridge Core i3, 15, 16 processors, with clock speeds ranging from 2GHz to 2.7GHz. The entry level Thinkpad T520, which has a 15-inch display starts from $999, while the most expensive unit in the range, the ThinkPad W520, starts at a princely $1,529. The ThinPad T420 and T420S start as $1029 and $1,399 respectively.

Crossed the threshold

At 15 hours battery life, the latest Lenovo ThinkPad range has pretty much reached the promised land in terms of computing juice. It means one can go the whole day working on a single charge without stressing about finding power. Given I remember days when you could only get an hour and a half on one charge – and this is just three, four years ago – the convenience factor is definitely worth consideration. We’ll put these computers through their paces once review units arrive. Given how strong the current ThinkPads are, in terms of price to capability, we’re keenly optimistic.