Lenovo Launches Widescreen ThinkPad LaptopLenovo Launches Widescreen ThinkPad Laptop

Lenovo launched a 15.4-inch widescreen ThinkPad notebook on Tuesday that might have special appeal to airline travelers.

The ThinkPad T60 notebook, which reportedly weighs in at 5.1 pounds, is the lightest widescreen laptop among the top five PC vendors, according to a release from Lenovo. It's part of the company's T Series of notebooks.

Aimed at the corporate road warrior, the ThinkPad T60 widescreen display is shorter in height than a 15-inch ThinkPad T60 standard display. Lenovo pointed out that the shorter display gives frequent flyers more space between the machine and the seat backrest in front of them.

The 15.4-inch display also is designed to allow 30% more data on the screen than on either the 14.1-inch or 15-inch ThinkPad T60 XGA displays. For instance, the extra screen real estate gives users four more columns for spreadsheets.

"As the widescreen PC's popularity spills over from the consumer market to business customers, the new ThinkPad T60 widescreen is giving users more choices," said Sam Dusi, a spokesman for the Lenovo Notebook Business Unit. He added that the notebook also offers multiple connectivity options and enhanced graphics.

The ThinkPad T60 offers customers wireless connectivity options including integrated 3G high-speed wireless data on Cingular or Verizon networks, an embedded WLAN card based on 802.11n technology, Bluetooth wireless technology, and infrared. It also comes with Access Connections, a ThinkVantage Technology that helps users connect to the Internet through their service provider as they switch between wired and wireless networks.

According to Lenovo, the new notebook provides up to eight hours of battery life with a nine-cell battery. It also is equipped with Intel Core 2 Duo processors. Prices for the ThinkPad T60 widescreen, which is available now, start at $1,399.