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 Mumbai: IBM has launched a completely updated line of ThinkPad notebook computers in the US. These include new ThinkPad R50 and T41 models that have the world's first automatic hard drive protection technology.
As smaller and lighter mobile systems are at a greater risk of being dropped and damaged, IBM has developed a patent-pending hard drive protection technology to help protect people's data. The IBM Active Protection System, similar to the technology used in automobiles to deploy airbags upon impact, uses a microchip on the system board to detect system acceleration (such as in a fall). The system responds by temporarily parking the drive's read/write head until the system is stabilised. This rapid response can help prevent hard drive crashes that could occur in some falls to help prevent total data loss and reduce warranty costs. Insurance and analyst reports in the US indicate that more than 10.5 per cent of notebooks in a corporate enterprise are damaged annually, and that accidental damage accounts for the majority of PC loss claims. Of the three notebook components most prone to damage - hard drive, display and keyboard - hard drive damage results in the loss of valuable information and productivity. IBM officials say applying life-saving technology to personal computing is revolutionary. IBM says it is committed to providing its customers with the most reliable notebooks in the industry. The new technology and Rapid Restore Ultra are two great ways of doing that. The new ThinkPad R50, available in 14- and 15-inch models, has a travel weight of less than 6 pounds and measures 1.3-inches thin. It features a long-life battery, and by adding a second system battery option users can achieve almost 10 hours of battery life, providing users with a truly mobile computing experience. IBM has also announced updated ThinkPad X31, R40, R40e, and G40 models featuring faster processors, integrated wireless technology on select models, and some of the latest ThinkVantage Technologies. The ultraportable ThinkPad X31 now features integrated 11 a/b/g on select models and shares a common software image with the R50 and T41, giving flexibility to organisations purchasing various ThinkPad models by enabling a single image to be deployed across multiple platforms. Additionally, for the first time, select wireless models of the ThinkPad T40, T41, R40, R50, and X31 feature enhanced wireless security as defined by the Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) and Cisco Compatible Extensions certification programmes, providing enhanced wireless data security for organisations of all sizes. The Cisco Compatible Extensions program ensures compatibility with Cisco Aironet Access Points through independent third-party testing. New models of the ThinkPad R40 and R40e offer users a reliable, mobile computing experience at an affordable price. Both models feature Intel Pentium 4-M and mobile Celeron processors and have a travel weight of less than 6 pounds. The ThinkPad G40, with the Intel Pentium 4 processor on select models and up to 3.0 GHz of processing power, features the ThinkPad EasyPivot base and ComfortSlant keyboard, design enhancements developed for a more comfortable and enjoyable computing experience. Leveraging ThinkVantage technologies
Several ThinkPad models announced today feature updated ThinkVantage technologies including Rapid Restore Ultra, Access Connections 2.7 and Access IBM 4.0. Rapid Restore Ultra is a one-button disaster recovery solution, giving users the ability to restore their system to a previously saved state after a software crash. Access Connections saves wireless and wired network settings so that users can easily switch between networking environments. The new Access IBM 4.0 software provides easy access to on-system and online information including IBM service and support, which can reduce help desk calls and increase employee productivity and help desk efficiency. Additionally, select ThinkPad models feature the IBM Embedded Security Subsystem, consisting of an integrated security chip and downloadable IBM Client Security Software. This hardware and software-based solution provides a higher level of security for the client, providing a secure repository for storing sensitive keys, identity information and confidential data. New ImageUltra services
IBM is also announcing new features to its signature manageability service designed to make image management more efficient and less complicated for the enterprise customer. ImageUltra Builder now features six new services designed to provide IT managers with significant cost savings, security and flexibility. These new services include the support of out-of-date images by creating, verifying, modifying, and migrating images for discontinued hardware. Pricing and availability
Prices for the ThinkPad R50 start at Rs 69,000($1529); prices for the ThinkPad T41 start at Rs 74,000 ($1649) prices for the | 
