Lenovo won't sell Surface because it sees Microsoft as a competitor
Microsoft Surface Pro 3 has proven to be very popular with business users, enough to push Dell and HP to announce that they would officially sell and support the device, alongside their own Windows offerings. Dell and HP are the third and second-largest PC vendors, respectively, so, naturally, market leader Lenovo was expected to also join the Surface Enterprise fold.
That has yet to happen, but it is not due to the lack of customer demand as some folks might be inclined to believe. The reason why Lenovo does not want to sell Surface Pro 3 is because, well, it sees Microsoft as a competitor.
Microsoft announces a string of events for new Windows 10 devices
We already knew there was a Microsoft event tomorrow in New York City and BetaNews will be there to help bring you full coverage. The event kicks off at 10am EDT and you can watch it numerous ways, including right here.
However, that's just a prelude to a couple of weeks of other events around the world. Microsoft plans to showcase new devices from a number of OEM partners -- one per day (mostly) beginning October 7th.
Apple is the best brand in the world
Interbrand has published its Best Global Brands 2015 list. As in previous years, technology companies are well-represented in the list, and this time around it is Apple that takes the top slot. The company, which just launched the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus is valued at $170 billion -- an increase of 43 percent.
Google finds itself in second place with a $120 billion valuation (up 12 percent from last year), and Microsoft is not far behind in fourth position with a valuation of $67 billion. IBM and Samsung are in fifth and seventh place, and an increase in value of 29 percent to $37 billion sees Amazon just creeping into the top ten. Further down the list there are some new arrivals to note.
Lenovo ideapad MIIX 700 is a Skylake-powered, Surface-like, Windows 10 tablet
Microsoft's Surface computers are very innovative, mixing some of the the best aspects of both laptops and tablets into one device. Heck, with the docking station, the hybrid computers can serve as solid desktops too. Unfortunately, many manufacturers have largely failed to capture the magic of the Surface line. The HP Spectre x360 is the only machine to meet, and in many ways, exceed Microsoft's tablet for a high-quality Windows experience.
Today, however, this may change. Lenovo announces the MIIX 700, with integrated kickstand and optional keyboard cover. It is largely a Surface clone, and that is a good thing. The tablet features all-new Intel Skylake Core M processors, which should make it very attractive to consumers. Besides being offered solely in black, a beautiful gold version is available too.
Lenovo Chromebook 100S is beautiful and affordable
Chrome OS is a wonderful operating system for what it is. Guess what? You can be a fan of Windows or OS X and still embrace Google's browser-focused Chromebooks. Sometimes you will be doing all of your computing in the web browser, such as email, social media, and web surfing. For that, a Chromebook might be the best tool for the job.
Choosing a model can be difficult, however. Why do I say that? Well, there are more duds than winners. Too often manufacturers release chintzy Chromebooks with poor specs or terrible build quality. Lenovo is hoping to change that with the upcoming 11.6 inch Chromebook 100S.
Lenovo refreshes ThinkPad E Series laptops -- Windows 10, new AMD and Intel chips
When it comes to laptops, there is probably no name more prestigious than ThinkPad. That branding is a symbol of quality and durability. Just as Nokia phones have a reputation of being indestructible, so too are many Lenovo ThinkPad machines.
Today, Lenovo announces a refresh to the popular E Series of ThinkPad laptops. Not only are the machines attractive and competitively priced, but they offer incredible specs, like Intel Skylake, AMD FX and AMD A-Series APUs.
Intel to touch-first early adopters: No Windows 10 for you!
"Wintel, Wintel – why hast thou forsaken us?"
It's a sad day for early adopters of Microsoft's touch-first OS strategy. Customers who bought some of the first examples of Windows 8.x hybrid systems -- the HP Envy x2 and ElitePad G1, Dell Latitude 10, Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2 and Miix series, ASUS VivoTab, et al -- will not be able to reliably run Windows 10 because the powers-that-be are refusing to release a compatible video driver. In fact, anyone with an Intel Atom z2760-based PC is fresh out of luck when it comes to Windows 10 support. As far as the hardware vendor community is concerned, the demise of Windows 8.x signals End of Life (EOL) for your systems.
Lenovo issues BIOS updates to fix security vulnerability
Lenovo has issued a BIOS fix for some of its machines, thus preventing a vulnerability which could allow potential hackers to gain control of a desktop or a laptop computer from the manufacturer.
In a press release published on the Lenovo website, the company has urged consumers to manually update their BIOS. Newer machines will have the fix by default.
Lenovo BIOS tool prevents clean installs of Windows by downloading crapware
Lenovo is no stranger to bloatware, but the latest crapware calamity is cut from a slightly different cloth. In a bid to ensure that its software is installed on its computers, Lenovo BIOSes feature a tool that automatically downloads and installs bloatware even after a clean installation of Windows.
The issue is not entirely new, having been brought to light on Ars Technica's forums, but there is renewed interest in the topic following the launch of Windows 10. Lenovo is making use of a little-known feature called the Window Platform Binary Table which can be used by manufacturers to stealthily install software via the BIOS. The 'feature' is seen by many as amounting to little more than a rootkit, and blame has been laid at the doors of both Lenovo and Microsoft.
Lenovo's ThinkPad P50 and P70 laptops have Windows 10 and Linux configurations
When it comes to laptops, there is one word that conjures visions of quality like no other -- ThinkPad. Yes, the branding made famous by IBM and carried on by subsequent owner Lenovo, is an indicator to consumers and businesses that a laptop is worthy of their dollars. While not every ThinkPad branded product has been a home run, buying one rarely results in disappointment.
Today, Lenovo unveils the latest laptops to carry the prestigious branding -- the ThinkPad P50 and P70. Both computers run Windows 10 and have impressive specifications. Are one of these notebooks in your future?
Lenovo announces new bloatware for Windows 10
When a consumer buys a new Windows 10 laptop, they will probably want the full experience. Microsoft has properly outfitted the operating system with all the settings the average user should need. Some manufacturers, however, like to customize the experience with their own branding and apps.
For many of us, this is nothing more than bloatware -- unneeded extras that are a chore to uninstall on day one. Today, Lenovo announce that is has updated some of its bloatware for its upcoming Windows 10 PCs -- version 3.0 of its Companion and Settings software.
Getting started with Windows 10 -- download the essential guide
The Windows 10 launch date is now little more than two and a half weeks away. While a lot of people have tried out the various preview builds that have been made available, the majority of people upgrading will be doing so with little to no knowledge of what to expect. Ahead of Microsoft's most important operating system launch for years, Lenovo has published a user guide that will help bring you up to speed.
Quite a lot has changed or been added since Windows 8.1, so there's much to learn. For those people who decided to stick with Windows 7 -- and there are many, many such people -- the jump is even bigger. Lenovo's guide serves as an excellent starting point for learning about what's new, how things work, and what's different. Think Windows 10 101: introducing the Start menu, Action Center, and more.
Canonical partners with Lenovo to launch Ubuntu-powered ThinkPad L450 laptops in India
Canonical, the commercial sponsor of Ubuntu, has partnered with computer OEM Lenovo to launch the ThinkPad L450 series running the Linux distro in India. Starting at Rs 40,000, the laptops will be available to purchase from selected commercial resellers and distributors.
As for the specs of the ThinkPad L450 series, users have the choice of Intel Core i3 and i5 processors, paired with AMD Radeon R5 M240 2GB VRAM Intel HD 5500 GPU, 4GB of RAM, and 500GB hard drives. The laptops sport a 14-inch display with HD (1,280 x 720) screen resolution.
Lenovo, if you make this retro ThinkPad, I'll give up my MacBook Air
It would take quite a laptop to bring me back to the Windows fold after using and enjoying a 13-inch Apple MacBook Air for nearly two years. I love the versatility Apple's device provides: it is light and portable, offers amazing battery life, has an awesome keyboard and trackpad, performs well, can run Windows and Linux alongside OS X and, on top of it all, looks quite nice as well. To be perfectly honest, there is nothing that I miss that could push me towards another laptop.
However, I am not exactly a normal person. I'll be the first to admit it. When I saw Lenovo's retro-inspired ThinkPad the first thing that crossed my mind was: "This ThinkPad is awesome. I have to have this". It just so happens that old-school-looking ThinkPads are like kryptonite to me. Imagine how I feel about this modern interpretation. There is only one problem -- this is a concept. But, Lenovo, if you make it and I can buy it, I will give up my MacBook Air to have it!
Lenovo got the magic stick -- announces diminutive ideacentre Stick 300 Windows PC
We are not far removed from a time when computers took up entire rooms in universities and government facilities. Home PCs used to be huge towers and monstrous CRT monitors. Times have certainly changed.
When 50 Cent and Lil' Kim rapped about magic sticks, I don't think they were talking about computer dongles. However, having a full-fledged computer in a tiny stick is certainly magic if you ask me. Today, that is exactly what Lenovo announces, with the Ideacentre Stick 300; a Windows PC that resembles a flash drive.
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