Lenovo Offers AT&T Tech Support With PCsLenovo Offers AT&T Tech Support With PCs

Lenovo is offering small and medium-sized businesses the option of having AT&T tech support bundled with select PCs.

SMBs can purchase AT&T-supported ThinkPad SL510 and T400 laptops and ThinkCentre A58 mini-desktops. Buying the PC and service bundle costs $200 less than buying each product separately, the vendors said Thursday.

AT&T Tech Support 360 offers around-the-clock online IT support, including assistance with wireless network setup, software installation and training, setup of security software, and configuration of peripherals, including personal digital assistants and printers. AT&T also offers training on Windows 7.

AT&T recently expanded its service from small businesses to medium-sized businesses with up to 50 employees. It also announced plans to include support for Intel vPro, technology integrated into the chipmaker's hardware for managing and securing PCs. VPro is scheduled to be available in laptops next year.

This marks the first time AT&T tech support has been bundled with a computer purchase. The telecommunications company claims more than 100,000 small businesses use its service, which provides support through U.S.-based technicians who troubleshoot and fix hardware and software problems by remotely connecting to and accessing customer PCs.

A one-year prepaid subscription to the AT&T service on a Lenovo PC can be purchased online or by phone through PC Mall. Customers receive a CD to install the needed software on a PC and a order number to activate the service.

AT&T did not release the price of the bundled service. Separately, the company charges $19 to $28 per month per computer. The company also offers yearly plans that start at $250 per month for 200 monthly minutes that can be used by any computer in a company.