IBM unveils ThinkCentre family

Our Convergence Bureau
09 June 2003

Mumbai: IBM India has unveiled the first models of its redesigned PC line, the new ThinkCentre desktop offering innovative new ThinkVantage Technologies designed to reduce costs and increase productivity.

The ThinkCentre S50, M50 and A50p are ideal for all enterprises that want to drive down IT support costs, increase security, protect data and decrease the complexity of their IT infrastructure. These are robust desktops, which are designed for large enterprises, small and medium-sized businesses, small office/home office (SOHO), education and government customers as well.

All IBM NetVista desktops will now be available as ThinkCentre desktops. With this launch, IBM is finalising its move to bring all PC products and services under one name — Think. IBM''s Think offerings provide a fully integrated family of innovative offerings, capabilities, technologies and solutions that enhance productivity. IBM''s Think family of offerings now includes notebooks (ThinkPad), desktops (ThinkCentre), visuals (ThinkVision) and options and services (Think Accessories and Services).

All models of ThinkCentre come with an easy access tool-free chassis design — which means that components inside the machine, such as the hard disk and memory, can easily be removed by the customer, making the PC easily serviceable and upgradeable, helping to limit the downtime and cost associated with onsite support. Some of the new models are smaller than the average IBM desktop and there are others, which are provided with enhanced Linux support.

ThinkCentre desktops feature an innovative ''caddy'' that surrounds the hard disk drive, locking it into place without the use of tools or screws. Rubber bumpers on the caddy decrease vibration and deliver quieter operation. Other mechanical improvements have been made to the overall design of the new ThinkCentre PCs, including improved airflow and reduced noise.

Says Alok Ohrie, vice-president (personal computing division) IBM India: "Key to the Think strategy that we had announced last year, was to leverage innovative and cutting-edge technologies to make PCs more secure and easier to manage. And we are responding to customers with Think and more specifically with ThinkVantage Technologies — a set of unique software tools that are available today only with IBM PCs.