Lenovo Debuts Line Of ThinkStation Computers
While the company made a big show of its partnership with Intel and the league, Tom Tobul, Lenovo's executive director of emerging products, business unit, declined to provide specifics regarding Lenovo's channel strategy regarding the ThinkStation.
The ThinkStation brand represents Lenovo's foray into the workstation market, which Tobul says is "surgical" and focused on particular segments like oil and gas exploration and the high-profile basketball organization. The ThinkStation S10 and D10 workstations will be available in January. The S10 comes equipped with an Intel Core 2 processor while the D10 offers a Quad-Core Intel Xeon processor 5400 series.
"The partnership between Intel and Lenovo delivers more speed and efficiency," said Thor Sewell, Intel's director of enterprise segment marketing, digital enterprise group. "Intel's relentless pursuit of Moore's Law continues."
The chips are designed to be smaller and more energy efficient. Lenovo paid particular attention to environmental responsibility. Both workstations comply with the EPA's Energy Star 4.0 requirements and contain 50 percent recycled plastic parts. The inside was also reconfigured to induct cooler air, which, along with two 120-milimeter fans, reduces noise.
Also on hand were Steve Hellmuth, executive vice president of operations and technology for NBA entertainment and basketball legend and commentator Bill Walton. Hellmuth said ever since NBA statisticians started using Lenovo's X-Series tablets the NBA has been hooked. "They immediately improved our accuracy," says Hellmuth. "These arrive at a key moment for the NBA."
The NBA is now in its second season using Lenovo PCs in all 29 arenas, used for recording every point scored, every foul recorded, and every Mark Cuban outburst. In addition to providing statistical information to a plethora of sources, Lenovo and the NBA partnered in creating the Lenovo Stat, which statistically illustrates which combination of teammates is most effective.
"These are companies who changed our world," Walton said, referring to Lenovo and Intel. "They've made me a better player." He said the Lenovo Stat is a "concrete example" of how important teamwork is.
Now retired, Walton said his new role as a lead analyst for ESPN/ABC's coverage of the NBA makes him increasingly dependent on technology. "Our job is information, our job is communication, and that's what these companies do," he said.
Hellmuth agreed. "The language of our business is statistics," he said. "Lenovo has performed flawlessly." While he said the NBA has not officially yet ordered any ThinkStations, he said he looks forward to integrating them into their environment. Walton seemed sold. "I'm gonna order one myself," he cracked.
In all seriousness, Walton says the ever-increasing ability to send, receive and collate information reminds him of the game he so loves. "It's like a basketball game -- every time down the court something different happens," he says. "The ability to change and adapt is the same as in the tech world."
Both ThinkStations will be available through business partners and Lenovo's Website. The S10 will start at approximately $1,199, while the dual-processor D10 starts around $1,739.