Lenovo Ultrabooks

A Quick Guide to IBM's Lenovo Ultrabooks

Established in 1911, IBM manufactures many computers and peripherals, including the Lenovo ultrabook. The company began as the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company, a producer of business equipment such as punched cards and reader machines. It grew its business machines line to eventually include mainframe computers, personal computers, servers, and laptops, including tablets and ultrabooks.

An ultrabook features a slim, lightweight body with a fast processor and large screen. Screen sizes range between 13 to 17 inches, and most models weigh less than 5 pounds. Intel created its first Core processor for an ultrabook and coined the term in 2011.

There are many Lenovo ultrabook design options to choose from, including current and refurbished models. Both the ThinkPad X Series and the ThinkPad T Series feature ultrabooks. Other choices include Chromebooks and IdeaPads. Ultrabooks include traditional laptops and convertibles, which are hybrid designs that perform as both laptops and tablets. Consider the following items when searching for an ultrabook:

• Tasks: Consider the kind of work you will need to perform on your laptop. Whether you're taking notes in class or putting together a presentation, these tasks will determine the processor speed you need and RAM.
• Location: Determine where you need to perform your work. If you perform most of your work plugged in at the office, you don't have to worry about a shorter battery life or portability. If you travel a lot, a lighter Lenovo computer with longer battery life may be a suitable option.
• Extra features: Return to your task list. Tasks like photo editing and graphic design require a larger screen and will determine your graphics card needs. Your options for ports and drives will depend on your data transferability needs. If you store and access solely via the cloud, you can choose any ultrabook. If you need to read and write DVDs or CDs or transfer photos to and from a camera, consider an ultrabook with those features built-in.

You can choose Lenovo ultrabooks with hardware connectivity including a display port, mini display port, HDMI, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB 3.1, USB-C and/or an SD card slot. Some models come with a backlit keyboard, Bluetooth, built-in webcam, and/or touchscreen. You can choose from multiple operating systems, such as Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, and Windows 7. RAM options range from 4GB to 16GB.