Gene - IBM Introduces $1499 266 MHz Pentium II Notebook with TFT Display
Looks like Intel's Mobile Pentium II can fit into the low end Notebook PCs just fine.
This $1499 ThinkPad looks like an excellent bargain - much cheaper than the Compaq Media GX, K6 or Pentium II Presario notebooks.
Paul
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news.com
IBM preps $1,499
ThinkPad
By Jim Davis
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
October 13, 1998, 11:10 a.m. PT
update IBM is taking a second stab at the
consumer market for notebooks with today's
introduction of new "I" series ThinkPads, with
prices starting at $1,499 for systems with
high-quality, active-matrix screens.
Big Blue is setting its
sights on individual
consumers who want
to use notebooks as
their primary
computers, and as a
result, Compaq and
others will face stiffer
competition for
individual purchasers,
analysts say.
Compaq has targeted this market
aggressively with its Presario line of
notebooks.
The new IBM 1410 comes with a 12.1-inch
active-matrix display, a 266-MHz Pentium
MMX processor, CD-ROM drive, built-in
modem, and 32MB of memory for $1,499.
The top-line 1450 adds a 13.3-inch active
matrix display, a 266-MHz Pentium II, and
64MB of memory, and tops out at $2,499.
Most low-priced notebooks only offer
dual-scan displays at prices below $2,000,
including IBM's current low-end offering, the
380XD.
Highlights of IBM's "I" series laptops
IBM's new "I" series ThinkPads feature active matrix
displays and are priced starting at $1,499. They represent
IBM's most serious effort to date to capture a growing market
for home and small-office notebook users.
The systems have a similar design to IBM's 600 series
notebooks, but have added multimedia features such as
speakers that are housed next to the display.
The top line system has a modular bay that allows users to
add a second battery to the unit.
Source: IBM
The company's first efforts for the consumer
market came out in May of 1996 and were
basically "dumbed-down [corporate-use]
ThinkPads," said Dr. Gerry Purdy, president
of Mobile Insights.
The new systems, however, are "designed to
have the reputation and look and feel of a
ThinkPad," as well as features that
consumers want, Purdy said.
For example, the I-series ThinkPad systems
will look like the recently introduced 600
series ThinkPads but will include
consumer-oriented features, such as
speakers that are mounted on the inside of
the lid, next to the display, for better sound.
Speakers are often mounted on either side
of the notebook's wrist rest, which means
they get covered when a user is typing.
Front-mounted controls can be used to play
audio CDs when the notebook is off--a
feature first popularized on Compaq's
Presario notebooks.
The 1720 features a
modular bay so that
the CD-ROM drive
can be swapped out
for an extra battery,
according to IBM.
This is significant as
modularity is usually
reserved for higher-end business notebooks.
Future models will be available with a
DVD-ROM drive, executives said. They
declined to give a time line for introduction.
IBM is also offering a special service
program that gives ThinkPad users priority
over other callers when they make a toll-free
call for service, and software that can be
used to remotely diagnose and update
system software on the notebook.
"Compaq has been pounding away at this
market without notice. [IBM's new ThinkPad]
will set a mark that will cause Compaq, Dell,
and maybe Toshiba to respond," Purdy said.
For vendors, IBM's presence means the
battle to roll in more features at better prices
"may get a little bloody," Purdy quipped.
"This is a notebook born of watching a large
segment grow at about 30 percent annually
[and yet] go largely unserved," said Michael
Braun, the recently installed general manager
of IBM's Consumer Division. "There's no
reason we can't be No. 1 in this space."
In the fall of 1997,
IBM consolidated its
home PC division
with its commercial
PC unit after failing to
make inroads into the
consumer market.
The move also was
intended to cut the
costs of operating the
two units separately,
and has now resulted
in a cooperative venture between the mobile
computing and home divisions at IBM.
Braun said he thinks there will be pent-up
demand for an affordable ThinkPad, but the
company is also going to roll out a targeted
ad campaign that will play on radio stations
and billboards in major markets to spark
demand.
"IBM's biggest problem will be making sure
enough of these are available," Purdy noted.
IBM said the new notebooks will be available
in November at computer retailers,
mail-order catalogs, and the company's own
Web site.
Related news stories
• Online PC buying a daunting task October 1, 1998
• IBM touts new, high-clarity LCDs September 22,
1998
• High-end notebooks, low-end sales September 9,
1998
• IBM unveils new ThinkPads April 29, 1998
• Compaq is redefining the notebook June 8, 1996
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