Lenovo launches new consumer laptops and all-in-ones

Lenovo today announced 10 new and updated laptops and desktops including the company's first all-in-ones with touchscreens. Like HP's just-announced models, these new systems include the latest Intel or AMD processors and several have features such as aluminum cases and enhanced audio typically found on higher-priced PCs.

The IdeaPad Z series is a new line of mainstream laptops. There are two widescreen (1366 x 768) sizes: 13.3 inches and 15.6 inches.

The first, the Z360, is Intel only. The second will be available with either Intel (Z560) or AMD (Z565) processors. The Z360 has dual-core Core i3/i5/i7 processors, up to 8GB of memory and Nvidia GeForce 315M graphics with 1GB DDR3. It weighs 4.4 pounds and is 0.8-1.3 inches thick.

Aside from the larger display, the Z560 has nearly identical specs but it starts with the GeForce 310M with 512MB. The Z565 offers a huge range of AMD chips from the single-core V120 to dual-core Athlon and Turion IIs to triple- and quad-core Phenom IIs. These have not been officially announced by AMD, but HP has mentioned them in recent products announcements and at least one review has already popped up. The Z565 will offer the choice of ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4200 integrated graphics or higher-end Radeon HD 5000 series discrete graphics.

Lenovo is emphasizing features that it says make the Z series feel like more costly laptops including optional Blu-ray drives, a new chiclet keyboard design, and enhanced audio.

The Z series will be available in June starting at $649.

The IdeaPad U series isn't new, but Lenovo has redesigned it and replaced the Core 2 Duos with new standard and low-voltage processors. The new designs include a chiclet keyboard and etched aluminum lid.

The U160, which has an 11.6-inch (1366x768) display, replaces the U150 and weighs only 2.8 pounds with a 3-cell battery or slightly more than 3 pounds with a 6-cell version. It will be available with ultra low-voltage processors ranging from the Celeron U3400 to the Core i7-640UM, up to 4GB of memory and Intel HD graphics.

The U460 and U460s are 14-inch models that will replace the U450p. The difference is that the U460 uses standard Intel processors, while the U460s uses the same low-voltage processors as the U160. Both configurations are less than an inch thick and have a starting weight of 3.8 pounds.

The updated U series laptops will also be available in June, starting at $699. Now word on a refresh for the 13.3-inch U350 or 15.6-inch U550, but it seems the new Z series laptops are taking over those slots.

Lenovo also introduced several new desktops.

The IdeaCentre A700 is an all-in-one with a 23-inch Full HD (1920x1080) touchscreen display, JBL speakers with Dolby Home Theatre and a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse (the latter is also a game controller and remote control). Lenovo claims the A700 is the first PC to use the Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) touchscreen technology employed in some medical applications, which the company says is more reliable and responsive. Processors range from the dual-core Core i3-330M to the quad-core Core i7-820QM.

The A700 can also be configured with up to 8GB of memory, Intel integrated graphics and Radeon HD 5000 series discrete GPUs, up to 2TB of storage and a slot-loading Blu-ray drive. The A700 will start at $999 and will be available at the end of June.

The lower-priced B305 has either a 20-inch 1600x900 or 21.5-inch 1920x1080 display, AMD Athlon II processors, up to 4GB of memory, and AMD integrated or discrete graphics. The touchscreen is also an option on the B series, which will start at $699 and will be available beginning in June.

Finally, Lenovo announced an Intel-based slim tower desktop, the Lenovo H320, and a nettop, the IdeaCentre Q150, running Intel Atom and Nvidia Ion graphics-both available starting at the beginning of June The Lenovo H320 will start at $549 and the Q150 will start at $249.

More Lenovo announcements today on ZDNet:

• Lenovo unveils IdeaPad Z, U series notebooks; start $649, $699
• Lenovo introduces IdeaCentre Q150 nettop with optional remote and keyboard
• Lenovo rolls out IdeaCentre A700 and B305 all-in-one desktop PCs
• Photo Gallery: Lenovo's June/July 2010 desktop lineup
• Photo Gallery: New Lenovo U and Z series IdeaPads