Lenovo to produce Olympic ThinkPads

We're not sure how many people are so into the Olympics that they're going to rush out and buy a commemorative laptop that features the Olympic logo on the case, but we assume there are at least 500, since that's how may Olympic laptops Lenovo is making. Available starting January 31 in limited editions of 250 each, the Olympic versions of the Z60M and Z60T will have features that are basically the same as their non-Olympic versions, other than those rings on the case. Pricing is set at under $2,000, so we suspect they'll have no trouble selling these, and we'll see at least a few on eBay before the Games are even over. We'd like to think that IBM never would have sullied the ThinkPad brand with cheesy tie-ins like this, but given the company's 40-year relationship with the Games, we suspect that Big Blue would be perfectly fine with the new ThinkPads. (And, of course, it's the perfect companion for the Kodak Olympic camera.)

[pableu @ Jan 26th 2006 12:08PM]

This sure sucks. How are you supposed to see something with those rings on the display? ;-)

[Devin Lussier @ Jan 26th 2006 12:44PM]

I'd imagine there's actually quite a market for these specially branded laptops. I see people with HP Livestrong laptops all over the place.

[iomatic @ Jan 26th 2006 12:52PM]

Yeesh.

And PC users who have no experience bitch about Apple laptops being superficial?

[mike @ Jan 26th 2006 2:17PM]

thats because theyre marketed as budget laptops.....i sold more of those than any other low spec/price lappy to college kids when i worked at office depot.

[no3rdw @ Jan 26th 2006 2:50PM]

No olympic tablet? Boo!

But really, if IBM was to brand anything on their laptops, it might as well be the Olympics. Much classier than another stupid car-themed laptop or Hello Kitty product ;)

[Jaydeep @ Jan 26th 2006 3:51PM]

Well, i think it's a marketing/selling tool for IBM as well, considering that they are relating themselves with the worlds most pretigious sports event.

[Ed Costello @ Jan 26th 2006 4:54PM]

Given the bitter split between IBM and the IOC in the run-up to the 2000 Games, it's highly ironic to see IBM Thinkpads tied to the Olympic Games as a result of the sale to Lenovo.

[Fire Hazard @ Jan 26th 2006 6:38PM]

aw! IBM was the last of the professional note books. I liked IBM because they never did these kinds of promotions, they were all business. I have a pre Lenovo IBM Thinkpad T40 and it rocks, very tough and very light. I hope Lenovo doesn�t take that all business thing out of IBM, I like my notebook because it isn't pretty, because it isn't shiny and silver, because it doesn't have lots of blue lights and extra "media" buttons, because there wasn�t ever (till now) a special edition IBM, and I like how it doesn't have a remote control. It is what it doesn't have that makes IBM so special to me, and since this promotion came out even though it is with the Olympics and I have nothing against the Olympics it takes away one of the things that made IBM different dare I say better. Can you say U2, Night mirror before Christmas, and HP iPod?

[Jen @ Jan 27th 2006 1:48PM]

IBM doesn't own ThinkPad anymore.

[fogd00d @ Jan 28th 2006 1:45AM]

Anyone own a pre and post-Lenovo ThinkPad that can compare build quality?

I've been buying up spare parts for my T40 ever since the news of the sale, assuming they're going to eventually bung up the quality and ride the name into the ground, or at least, out of the hands of users who care about quality, and into the hands of teenagers, their neophyte parents, and all other manner of ignorant n00bs.

Its not a promising sign they're getting gimmicky right off the start -- sure, the titanium option is cool, but I bought my ThinkPad for its durability, longevity, and its stealth factor. The "Olympic Edition" is surely going to bring the dufii out of the woodwork and to the sure-to-be-diluted former brand.

[Kreapr @ Feb 1st 2006 5:50PM]

I've used Thinkpads extensively for years. I just got a new T60p to replace my T43p and I have to say they continue to get better. From what I've heard it's all the same people doing the ThinkPads anyway. I wouldn't be surprised if they broaden their product lines to address the really low-cost space. But so far they're maintaining their high-end lines nicely. As for the Olympic Edition ThinkPads,500 is a drop in the bucket. I wouldn't take it as a big change in direction. Just a nice way to support the Olympic games. Go USA!

[Bill Anderson @ Feb 9th 2006 4:55PM]

Hey, dont you guys listen to the news. Lenovo bought the IBM people as well as the IBM Brands and recent models sucs as T60 & X32 show that it's people that make the Company, so dont expect any change to Quality because the people wont let that happen........... Think on this analogy - Kia cars want to become a big player in a Global marketplace, so they sell Kia cars across the world. Does it work, do they get massive market share..? The answer is NO. What Lenovo did was buy the equivalent of BMW with ready-made market share AND quality. Genious even with a few market frills like brushed titanium covers or a nice embossed Olympic ring-Logo. Now remember folks - it's what's under the bonnet that counts.!