With the new range of Lenovo PCs unveiled in Bangkok this week, it’s clear to see why the company not only continues its reign as the top PC maker, but also one of the world’s biggest and most innovative technology companies, with a portfolio that genuinely spans from the pocket to the cloud.
With the world firmly living in the Asian century, Lenovo has strengthened its foothold in Asia Pacific – and through it the world – with its latest generation of consumer, business and gaming PCs, all setting a new standard for AI-powered productivity and performance.
The range features a breadth and depth far greater than Microsoft’s tablet and laptop update launched last week, with most of Lenovo’s new models featuring Intel’s latest 14th-gen Core Ultra processors (see the deep dive video further below for a solid explanation of the on-chip AI benefits), while select models such as top-end gaming notebooks with specially equipped with powerful 13th-gen Intel Core processors, and other enhancements, feature their own dedicated AI processor, with the new Copilot key also on the keyboard.
Naturally, these are all enhanced even further by Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 operating system update, natively equipped with the generative AI Copilot assistant as just one of a raft of Windows 11 AI capabilities – with even more OS-wide AI features promised for the next big Windows 11 update coming in the second half of the year.
This ensures Lenovo’s newest generation of Lenovo Yoga, Lenovo Legion, and Lenovo LOQ laptops are firmly AI-enabled and promise heightened functionality, speed, and creativity – without compromising security and reliability.
As you’ll see in the Intel Core Ultra deep dive video below, the AI-enhancements deliver tangible on-device AI capabilities, but first, let’s take a look at Lenovo’s keynote presentation.
Featuring are top Lenovo, Microsoft and Intel executives expertly explaining and showing the new benefits and features of the innovative new models on offer, and we see why Lenovo is genuinely leading the pack on so many fronts, be it from stunning dual-screen designs, through to exceptionally clever new cooling systems and more.
It is a real challenge to the rest of the industry – please watch below to see for yourself, and then read on for more details and videos!
Leon Yu, Asia Pacific Consumer Business Lead, Lenovo, emphasised, “Consumers and our customers are at the heart of everything we do, and our latest generation of consumer PCs is testament to this ethos. We are bringing forth AI-powered innovative devices to empower users in a time where the uptake of AI-enabled technology is on the rise.
“With the latest repertoire of new consumer devices, we aim to deliver remarkable performance, versatility, and productivity, setting new standards for users across the Asia Pacific region.”
Creators:
“Creators” are a huge part of the modern world these days, so it’s no surprise to see Lenovo state it is “empowering creators with next-level innovation”.
As the creative community grows in today’s digital landscape, there’s an increasing demand for reliable tools that can help creators get a leg up in delivering quality content. Recognising the varying needs of Gen Z creators, Lenovo notes the introduction of its latest additions to the premium Yoga lineup that supercharge their creative processes.
Lenovo proudly notes its newest premium Yoga devices are powered by Intel Core Ultra processors, and are “engineered to effortlessly handle graphics-intensive tasks and heavy workloads that empower creativity for all.”
Here’s the Intel Core Ultra “deep dive” on the benefits AI natively in your processor delivers:
There are three more Q&A video sessions at the end of this article, please be sure to check them out!
Displays:
These laptops also come equipped with colour calibrated PureSight Pro displays and brilliant PureSight OLED displays.
The advantages are described as being:
- greater screen brightness
- colour contrast and accuracy
Lenovo says these features are being “demanded by creators for precise and vibrant visual work, whether it’s graphic design, photo editing, or video production.”
Battery Life:
Of course, battery life is important, too, with Lenovo noting its understanding of the importance of uninterrupted workflow.
Here, the premium Yoga lineup “features long-lasting batteries and improved keyboards, allowing creators to stay focused on their projects without worrying about power constraints and comfort.”
More on AI features and benefits:
Naturally, the Copilot key is on these new premium Yoga models too, described as “a shortcut key for Copilot in Windows, an AI-powered intelligent assistant that helps you get answers and inspirations from across the web, supports creativity and collaboration, and helps you focus on the task at hand.”
And what would AI capabilities be without even more AI features and benefits?
Lenovo says its “Yoga 9i 2-in-1” and “Yoga Pro 9i” laptops also incorporate Lenovo AI Engine+, driven by the Lenovo LA AI Core chips, which utilises software machine learning algorithms to optimise system performance.
There’s even more, with the new Lenovo Creator Zone, described as being “a privacy-focused, generative AI software that turns text or sketches into visuals.”
Select Lenovo Yoga Pro laptops will also support image training where creators can train a personalised model that learns and creates images that match their style and preferences. Lenovo Creator Zone and its features will be released in phases in the second half of 2024 in select markets across Asia Pacific.
The new Lenovo Yoga portfolio includes:
• Lenovo Yoga Book 9i (13″, Gen 9) for dual-screen productivity, ideal for always on-the-go programmers and multi-taskers.
This dual-screen computer is stunning, I had some hands-on time with it and two distinct screens with a sound bar hinge in the middle is so much better than a “folding” screen, even though these screens can fold inwards or outwards
Other new Yoga models include:
• Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i (16”, Gen 9), designed for demanding tasks such as 3D rendering and animations and Lenovo Yoga Pro 7i (14”, Gen 9) for seamless video editing and studio recording sessions.
• Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i (14”, Gen 9), ideal for professional-grade photo editing and smooth coding sessions.
• Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 (14”, Gen 9) and Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 (14” and 16”, Gen 9) for high-quality illustrations.
• Lenovo Yoga ecosystem – Lenovo Yoga Pro Bluetooth Mouse, Lenovo Yoga 600 Bluetooth Silent Mouse, Lenovo Yoga True Wireless Stereo Earbuds, and Lenovo Yoga Sleeve.
Gaming and Hyperchamber cooling:
Then there’s gaming, with AI-powers able to advance gaming performance, aided further still by a brand new thermal design.
Because this was an Asia Pacific focused event, Lenovo points to the dynamic Asia Pacific gaming market, Lenovo continues to innovate with gamers’ wants and needs at the forefront. As the demand for high-performance gaming laptops grows, Lenovo recognises the need for machines that can effortlessly handle AAA games while managing overheating issues.
Exclusive to the Intel-based Lenovo Legion 7i and Lenovo Legion 5i, Lenovo introduced the Legion “Coldfront: Hyper” thermal solution, engineered to address the challenge of managing heat within gaming laptops. By transforming the airflow within the chassis and channelling hot air from the chips through a central hyperbaric chamber, the Legion “Coldfront: Hyper” system optimises heat exchange. The bottom D-cover ensures that hot air remains separate from the cold air drawn in by dual fans, resulting in cooler hardware and higher framerates for gamers.
Also found on Lenovo LOQ laptops, the new hyperchamber thermal technology keeps processors cooler, drawing out up to an additional 25W of power in Extreme Mode while keeping skin temperatures up to 2°C cooler, and lowering fan noise by up to 2dB compared to its last generation.
The latest Lenovo gaming lineup introduces fully user-customisable AI-assisted performance boosts, setting a new standard for peak power efficiency and unparalleled gaming experiences. The latest generation of Lenovo’s Legion and Lenovo LOQ gaming laptops come equipped with the Lenovo LA AI Core Chips, enabling higher FPS and improved power efficiency, ensuring that gamers have access to top-tier gaming experiences.
The new PC portfolio includes:
• Lenovo Legion 7i (16”, Gen 9), Lenovo Legion 5i (16”, Gen 9), and Lenovo Legion Slim 5 (16”, Gen 9): For gamers needing a laptop for games and STEM apps.
• Lenovo Legion 9i (16″, Gen 9): Groundbreaking design for high-level gaming and content creation.
• Lenovo Legion Pro 7i (16”, Gen 9) and Lenovo Legion Pro 5i (16”, Gen 9): Offering the ultimate in FPS, style, and screen performance.
• Lenovo Legion Tower 7i and Lenovo Legion Tower 5i: Providing top-tier gaming tower PC horsepower.
Also new this year:
• Lenovo LOQ 15IRX9, Lenovo LOQ 15IAX9I, Lenovo LOQ 15IAX9, and Lenovo LOQ 15AHP9 laptops, alongside the Lenovo LOQ Tower 17IRR9 for gamers starting their ascent up the leaderboards.
These new models will start becoming available from now onwards!
Additional information on AI and Lenovo comes from early March, which saw Lenovo showcase the launch of its CIO Playbook 2024, titled “It’s all about Smarter AI”, with the detailed report explaining the key Asia Pacific trends amongst CIOs across the BFSI, Telecommunications, manufacturing, healthcare, government and retail sectors this year, along with the top business challenges when deploying AI in general, and so much more.
I covered that event here, not only conducting a video interview with Lenovo ISG’s SVP of Worldwide Sales, Vlad Rozanovich, but also capturing, on video, the media roundtable that did a deep dive into the report’s findings, including a range of insightful questions from the media, ably answered by Lenovo ISG executives, which you can watch and read in full, here.
Lenovo is also a technology partner for the F1, which you can read about here.
Alex Zaharov-Reutt travelled to Lenovo Innovate 24 as a guest of Lenovo Australia.
