Lenovo's ThinkPad celebrates 30 years of game-changing milestones

This article was written for our sponsor, Lenovo

Lenovo is celebrating 30 years of the ThinkPad, its award-winning laptop brand that has continuously pushed boundaries of what’s possible in mobile computing since the very first ThinkPad was launched in 1992. Three decades into the vast, ever-changing technological landscape, the ThinkPad’s legacy of innovation endures as it sets new industry standards for business mobility and productivity year after year. With 200 million units sold and a ranking as the #1 business laptop of all-time, the Lenovo ThinkPad has stood the test of time because it balances a sophisticated and iconic look while prioritizing the reliability, durability, productivity and user experience that people expect from this iconic brand.

“Whichever model you have, it will do what you need it to do, when you need it, and where you need it, without fuss or fanfare,” writes Jerry Paradise, Lenovo’s vice president of global commercial portfolio and product management

Every model and every new innovation connects to the ThinkPad’s core purpose: to address specific user challenges simply and efficiently, and to open up new ways of working. By consistently delivering on those goals, customers remain fervent loyalists to the ThinkPad brand.

Revolutionary firsts forge a leading global brand

From the very beginning, the ThinkPad has consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible.

The 1992 ThinkPad model was the first laptop with a thin film transistor display, which offers a full range of colors and hues. Within a short time, it garnered hundreds of awards and caught widespread corporate attention. Since then, ThinkPad’s product evolution spawned a series of historic firsts:

In 1993, it was the first laptop to soar into space with NASA.

In 1994, it was the first laptop with a built-in CD-ROM.

In 1995, it came with the transformative butterfly keyboard design.

In 1997, it was the first laptop with a built-in DVD-ROM.

In 2000, the I series was the first personal computer with built-in Wi-Fi.

In 2001, it was the first laptop with embedded security.

In 2004, it was the first laptop with fingerprint readers.

In 2008, it was the world’s lightest full-function 13-inch laptop.

In 2020, it was the world’s first foldable PC.

These innovations and the ThinkPad’s subsequent popularity helped earn Lenovo a reputation for sensible, durable and reliable product design.

Lenovo has also grown, with a 2021/2022 fiscal year revenue of more than $71 billion, making it one of the leading technology companies in the world.

ThinkPad’s legacy in North Carolina

The remarkable success of the ThinkPad from 1992 to today is a result of a tight-knit community involving the designers and engineers, the partners and suppliers — many of whom have been collaborating since the ThinkPad’s early days here in North Carolina.

The earliest models of the ThinkPad were assembled at Lenovo’s site in Whitsett. Today, much of the innovation and design of the ThinkPad happens right here at the Lenovo headquarters in Morrisville, which has been Lenovo’s home since 2005.

“With innovation at the core of everything we do, a dynamic, skilled workforce who can collaborate is critically important. The Triangle’s longstanding cultural mindset of collaboration and innovation – coupled with North Carolina’s outstanding higher education institutions — has made Morrisville an ideal hub for Lenovo,” said Vlad Rozanovich, President, Lenovo North America.

ThinkPad’s next 30 years

The latest ThinkPad models reinforce Lenovo’s strategy to deliver Smarter Technology for All by delivering PC technology that brings real value to today’s users.

Focused on enhancing the fundamental features that power hybrid working, the latest laptops deliver enhancements including Dolby Voice® and FHD cameras for video conferencing, as well as optimized Wi-Fi connectivity and a variety of battery options on select models for the best choice between lightweight mobility and the flexibility of extended battery life.

In honor of the ThinkPad’s 30th anniversary, Lenovo is offering the ThinkPad X1 Carbon 30th Anniversary Edition laptop in limited quantities. A small number of special edition numbered units are still available.

The woven carbon fiber top cover has the retro ThinkPad logo in red, green, and blue. A commemorative 30th anniversary etching sits below the keyboard, and the right hinge cap contains each unit’s unique serial number.

Intel’s new 12th Generation Intel Core i7-1270P vPro Processor, an enhanced display, and a sharper webcam elevate user productivity and experience. As for power and functionality, PC Magazine recently declared ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 as "the world’s best laptop."

The special edition packaging is 100% compostable and reflects Lenovo’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, which will continue to be a guiding principle for the brand.

Latest ThinkPad models feature more sustainable materials such as recycled aluminum and vegan leather, and post-consumer recycled plastic, as well as renewable packaging made from bamboo and sugarcane. The ThinkPad Z Series features sustainable materials in the product and packaging without compromising on durability or performance.

As Lenovo continues to unlock even more of ThinkPad’s potential, the company is applying many of the lessons learned in its 30 years of success to pioneer emerging territories in the tech universe. The company unveiled many cutting-edge innovations at Tech World 2022, including rollable smartphones and laptop PCs. Luca Rossi, president of Lenovo Intelligent Devices Group, presented proof of concepts for these products on Lenovo’s YouTube channel.

"I believe form factor innovation is a very dynamic space, and you will continue to see Lenovo’s innovation here," Rossi said in the YouTube video.

From United Nations meetings and all around the globe, from Morrisville to Outer Space, the ThinkPad has set itself apart as a dominant and innovative presence in technology. And, as Paradise noted in his birthday tribute to the ThinkPad, the driving force was simply the customer. The ThinkPad recognizes and addresses the needs of the user. That was the foundation, and that is the driving force between continued innovation.

This article was written for our sponsor, Lenovo