ThinkPad

ThinkPad
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 1 (2012)
Developer
Developers
ManufacturerIBM (1992–2005)
Lenovo (2005–present)
TypeLaptop/Notebook computers
Hybrid tablet computers
Handheld computers
Release dateOctober 5, 1992; 32 years ago (1992-10-05)
Lifespan1992–present
Units sold>100 million (c. 2017)[3]
Operating systemWindows, Linux[4]
RelatedThinkBook, ThinkCentre, ThinkStation
Websitewww.lenovo.com/us/en/think/ Edit this at Wikidata
This article is part of a series on the
ThinkPad
IBM lines:

Lenovo lines (former/current):

Current lineup

ThinkPad is a line of business-oriented laptop and tablet computers produced since 1992. The early models were designed, developed and marketed by International Business Machines (IBM) until it sold its PC business to Lenovo in 2005; since 2007, all new ThinkPad models have been branded Lenovo instead[5] and the Chinese manufacturer has continued to develop and sell ThinkPads to the present day.

The ThinkPad line was first developed at the IBM Yamato Facility in Japan; they have a distinct black, boxy design, which originated in 1990 and is still used in some models.[6] Most models also feature a red-colored trackpoint on the keyboard, which has become an iconic and distinctive design characteristic associated with the ThinkPad line. It has seen significant success in the business market while certain models target students and the education market.[7] ThinkPad laptops have been used in outer space and for many years were the only laptops certified for use on the International Space Station (ISS).[8] ThinkPads have also for several years been one of the preferred laptops used by the United Nations.[9]

  1. ^ "IBM, LG winding down joint venture". CNET. 31 August 2004. Archived from the original on 23 April 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  2. ^ "싱크이노베이션 – LG-IBM THINKPAD X40" (in Korean). notegear.com. Archived from the original on 26 February 2019. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  3. ^ Piltch, Avram (5 October 2017). "25 Years of ThinkPad: The Best and Most Innovative". Laptop. Archived from the original on 23 April 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  4. ^ "Lenovo Launches Linux-Ready ThinkPad and ThinkStation PCs Preinstalled with Ubuntu" (Press release). Lenovo. 23 September 2020. Archived from the original on 7 December 2020. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  5. ^ "Lenovo Marks Decade of Success Since Acquisition of IBM's PC Business - Lenovo StoryHub". News.lenovo.com. 30 April 2015. Archived from the original on 28 November 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  6. ^ Richard Sapper and Lenovo ThinkPad X300. Lenovo Channel. 26 February 2008. Archived from the original on 7 July 2015. Retrieved 28 November 2016 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ "ThinkPad | IBM". www.ibm.com. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  8. ^ "IBM ThinkPads in space". IBM Archives. IBM. 23 January 2003. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  9. ^ "Provision of Laptops and accompanying accessories for UNON" (PDF). United Nations Office at Nairobi. 24 June 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2021. The United Nations has currently standardized its requirement to Lenovo ThinkPad branded laptops that are used by approximately 2,500 staff.