An SMB Notebook Monsoon From Lenovo, Fujitsu and Toshiba

Lenovo, Fujitsu and Toshiba on Tuesday all released a slate of new notebook offerings, some of which target the SMB segment and on-the-go users and all of which hope to make the best use of Intel's Centrino 2 technology.

Lenovo's latest salvo to the SMB segment is a new line of notebooks, the SL series of ThinkPads. Lenovo designed the three new books -- the SL300 (pictured), SL400 and SL500 -- with an eye toward cost savings and a suite of services like online data backup and warranty repair for the smallest companies that don't have IT staff of their own.

Starting at $899, the SL300 is the most expensive of the three SL ThinkPads, and includes an available LED backlit display in addition to the other features shared by the SL series.

Both the SL400 (pictured) and SL500 start at $799. All of the SL series ThinkPads include built-in high speed mobile broadband, WiFi, Ethernet, optional BlueTooth enhancements, optional Blu-Ray DVD on select models, a black glossy cover, and software that helps with data recovery, simplifying Internet connections and optional services like online data backup and onsite warranty repair.

In addition to its SL ThinkPads, Lenovo also introduced six new additions to other ThinkPad lines, including the R400, R500, T400, T500, X200 and W500. The T-series notebooks, such as the T500 pictured here, get a particularly strong boost, with switchable graphics and support for DisplayPort.

Lenovo also used Tuesday's announcements to debut four new IdeaPad notebooks for the consumer space. The notebooks come in a range of splashy colors, including Valencia orange, Indigo blue, Bold black and Crimson red.

The IdeaPads feature facial recognition, One-Key Rescue System to recover ideas with one touch, HDMI and optional Blu-Ray DVD players. Pricing was not available at press time.

Super-slim, the U330 is available in Indigo blue and Bold black and starts at 0.9 inches, while weighing in at just more than four pounds. Consumers can access encrypted files with up-to-date VeriFace technology as well as record video messages for other users to see. The U330 also includes switchable graphics, an LED backlit display, five hours of battery life, and Lenovo APS.

These come in Bold black or Crimson red (Y430 only), and consumers can choose between a framed or frameless screen as well as optional Blu-Ray DVD player inclusion.

Lenovo's Y730 is the next enhancement to the IdeaPad Y710, to date one of its most popular consumer notebooks. Some models -- the ones including Game Zone -- come in Valencia orange, and the rest come in Indigo blue. The Y730 supports a frameless screen, includes touch-sensitive multimedia controls, and some models feature up to two 320 GB hot-swappable hard drives.

Fujitsu's six new LifeBook notebooks are powered by Intel's Centrino 2 processor technology, juicing both performance and battery life. Many of the new LifeBooks, such as the A6210 pictured here, arrive with an eye toward lightweight, easy mobility.

Starting at $1,149, the A6210 has a high-gloss black lid, a 15.4-inch LCD display, wireless USB, faster E-SATA port and a gestured-enabled touchpad. According to Fujitsu, the touchpad translates finger movements -- such as parting two fingers to zoom in on a photo -- into screen motions.

Starting at $1,359, the E8420 boasts security features on par with a desktop PC and supports Intel Centrino 2 with vPro technology.

Starting at $1,519, the ultramobile S6520 has a 14.1-inch widescreen Crystal View display and is the lightest in Fujitsu's 14-inch class.

Starting at $1,229, the S7220 has a 14.1-inch anti-glare widescreen display and also a built-in Webcam.

Starting at $1,769, the T5010 is Fujitsu's successor to its Lifebook T4220. The T5010 and the T1010 weigh in at 4.5 pounds and 5.3 pounds respectively, yet both have a 13.3-inch display. The 5010 specifically offers a modular bay and support Intel Centrino 2 with vPro technology.

Starting at $1,229, the T1010 weighs in at 5.3 pounds and is geared toward for consumers and small businesses that don't require the same security features as enterprise-level customers.

Toshiba America Information Systems announced two new laptops outfitted with Centrino 2 with vPro. Both feature the vendor's fourth-generation EasyGuard technology, a Webcam with business card reader software and common motherboard designs. The Tecra M10 and A10 aim to "provide the real-world mobile computing features that our business customers need most -- in the office or while traveling," said Jeff Barney, general manager and vice president of Toshiba's digital products division, in a statement.

Toshiba also expanded its Satellite Pro family to include the S300, which similarly uses Centrino 2 and also offers the EasyGuard, built-in docking and the Webcam. It comes with a one-year standard limited warranty.