Lenovo, Best Buy Add Several Models To Notebook Lineup

Lenovo said on Friday that its new distribution deal with Best Buy, which went into effect over the weekend, includes three new notebook models coming to approximately 1,000 Best Buy stores. The Lenovo B560 laptop, IdeaPad Z565 and Lenovo V560 will be on offer from the U.S.-based consumer retailer, but while the first two will be available at all Best Buy stores, the Lenovo V560 will only come to select Best Buy stores.

The decision comes after Lenovo’s PC business recorded strong 2010 results , yet Lenovo remained cautious, saying its period of rapid growth has likely passed, as economic uncertainty continues to pervade markets in the U.S., and in Europe.

“Personal technology fits uniquely within a customer’s lifestyle, and today’s consumers who are wanting to see, touch and feel a PC in order to find their perfect fit can now find Lenovo models across the U.S. at Best Buy locations,” said David Bent, executive director, Sales and Marketing, Consumer Group, Lenovo North America, in a statement. “By partnering with Best Buy, we’re extending the opportunities for consumers to try Lenovo PCs firsthand and experience our PCs’ advanced computing features and seamless connectivity with immersive multimedia.”

Lenovo’s existing agreement only included Best Buy’s enterprise unit and online retail. Lenovo’s latest updated ThinkPad PCs underscores the company’s desire to bring its enterprise features to the consumer space.

Lenovo’s B560 notebook features a 15.6-inch screen with LED-backlighting, a built-in webcam and several multimedia features. In addition, it offers Lenovo’s OneKey Rescue System and a fingerprint reader for security purposes.

Lenovo’s IdeaPad Z565 notebook also features several design enhancements, as well as a 15.6-inch screen. In addition, it runs a dual-core AMD Phenom II processor and features Dolby Advanced Audio, OneKey Theatre II, and other multimedia entertainment features.

Finally, Lenovo’s V560 laptop, which launched last year among a slew of Lenovo notebook and desktop PCs, runs on an Intel Core i3 processor and features Lenovo’s OneKey Rescue System, a fingerprint reader, Lenovo Energy Management Software, a 1.3-megapixel Webcam, and built-in WiMAX support.

Lenovo’s recent expansion of its retail distribution in the U.S. follows the announcement of it’s first Lenovo reseller partner conference in North America, which will be held in Las Vegas in May. While Lenovo in February 2010 said its share of the domestic Chinese market is 33.5 percent, the company may be looking to expand its North American PC sales through multiple distribution channels.