Microsoft, Lenovo launch "Ultimate Academic" PCs

Laptops for nerds?

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4 March 2009 10:42 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Microsoft and Lenovo are targeting an interesting market for laptops with the announcement of the "Ultimate Academic Personal Computer" range.

The two companies have teamed up to offer laptops aimed specifically at "college and university students, faculty, and staff" at what's said to be "affordable" prices.

A US-only promotion, Lenovo will offer four different ThinkPad laptops pre-loaded with tons of Microsoft software, including Windows Vista Ultimate and Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007.

The laptops concerned are the ThinkPad T400, a 14-incher with "extra durability to meet the rigours of academic life", the R500, similar but gets a 15-inch display, the X200 Tablet, and the higher-end X301, a thin and light option with a SSD drive and LED display.

"By combining Windows Vista Ultimate and Microsoft Office Ultimate software with Lenovo's durable ThinkPad laptops, we created a PC that would help students achieve academic success in an increasingly competitive environment and continue to help them as they enter the business world", said the Microsoft bod behind the scheme.

Students, faculty and staff with valid email addresses at accredited colleges and universities qualify for the Ultimate Academic PC with pricing from $999. The future of the scheme is dependent on its success.