Lenovo and Novell Unveil World's First Linux-enabled ThinkPad Mobile Workstation Based on Intel Technology

Lenovo and Novell have announced the industry's first Linux-based ThinkPad mobile workstations, which will run Novell's recently released SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 operating system. The workstations are based on Intel Centrino Duo mobile technology.

Julian Pienaar, ThinkPad Brand Manager for Lenovo South Africa, says this groundbreaking innovation, the result of a two-year research and development effort between Lenovo, Intel and Novell, allows electronic engineers engaged in integrated circuit and board level design the necessary support solution for numeric intensive applications in any mobile environment.

At only an inch thin and just over 2kg, the new Linux-supported ThinkPad T60p strikes the balance between productivity and portability, giving electronic design engineers the processor speeds and memory requirements necessary for industrial-strength applications such as Computer Aided Design (CAD). Whether working with a wired or wireless connection, users now have a secure platform for this traditionally desk-locked advanced design engineering. In addition, engineers will be able to perform routine office tasks without having to switch workstations between the office and the lab.

With this new offering, Lenovo for the first time brings Help Centre assistance to Linux customers who purchase select models of the ThinkPad T60p. The Help Centre will offer support for select Lenovo ThinkVantage Technologies, drivers, basic Linux configuration and hardware issues. Novell will continue to support core operating system questions and issues.

"The ThinkPad T60p is a milestone for our collaboration and shared commitment with Novell to develop innovative and powerful workstation solutions," Pienaar says. "Engineers running intensive-based applications can now leverage these enhanced features while working remotely in the Linux environment."

Jeff Jaffe, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Novell, comments: "The ability to use a ThinkPad with SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop will open new doors for corporate desktop users. These demanding PC users now have the most advanced workstation infrastructure at their fingertips to maximise productivity at their desk, in the lab, at a site and on the road."

"The ThinkPad T60p is a result of a shared commitment to develop market-driven platform solutions, and delivers outstanding performance and wireless capability of Intel Centrino Duo mobile technology," says Doug Fisher, General Manager, Core Software Division, Intel. "With these Linux-based mobile workstations, electronic engineers now have the capability to collaborate globally on design work anywhere, anytime. By enhancing their productivity, product development cycles can be accelerated to increase competitiveness"

Several ThinkVantage Technologies, including the ThinkPad Configuration Utility, Power Manager and Access Connections are supported on the new Linux-enhanced ThinkPad T60p workstations. n addition, the ThinkPad T60p mobile workstation supports warm and cold docking while running SLED 10, supports up to 4GB memory and includes customer Help Centre support.

Lenovo has certified its ThinkPad line for many years as part of its commitment to provide customers with the information necessary to use the Linux operating system. This process ensures that a system is tested with a defined Linux distribution, allowing end users to rely on the notebook's basic functions.

With this announcement, Lenovo extends that process with support of SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 from Novell on select ThinkPad models as well as Help Centre support for these customers. In addition, Lenovo will offer drivers and utilities on the support site and provide updates for download by customers using SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10.