Lenovo to launch consumer-oriented computers

Lenovo Group Ltd<992>, the third-biggest personal-computer maker in the world, will introduce a new line of notebook and desktop PCs. It is the first time for the company to launch a global line of consumer computers since its acquisition of IBM's PC unit, reported by sources.

The new consumer-oriented IdeaPad notebooks and IdeaCentre desktops complement Lenovo's business-oriented ThinkPad notebooks and ThinkCentre desktops. The new PCs will be initially offered in a few countries including China, the U.S., France, Russia, Singapore, Australia and South Africa.

The IdeaPad notebooks are available for sales this week, at a retail price ranging from US$799 to US$1,199 each, according to sources.

Experts support Lenovo's efforts in deploying the notebook market since notebook is obviously the fastest-growing segment in the PC market. The global sales of PCs to consumers are rising three times faster than that to corporate clients.

In 2007, Lenovo created a new consumer business unit to address the consumer market, which represents more than 40% of all PCs sold. Lenovo hopes to gain more market share in the fierce competition with Dell Inc and Hewlett Packard Co.

The company's share price has more than doubled last year.