Following in the footsteps of other major computer manufacturers such as Dell, Lenovo (formerly IBM's PC division) is set to launch a new line of notebooks at the end of the year which will come pre-loaded with Novell's SUSE Linux operating system. Customers will be able to obtain direct support and updates for the hardware and software running Linux, with the machines being offered to both commercial firms and individuals. This announcement coincides with the start of the LinuxWorld conference in San Francisco earlier today and should help to mix things up with Microsoft a little bit as the open source competition continues to gain momentum.

US software giant Microsoft said yesterday it will set up its first joint research facility with Lenovo Group, in Beijing(China). The facility will be based in Lenovo's research and development center in the capital, with around 40 engineers from Lenovo and tools, training and some staff from Microsoft. "Based on our common understanding that personal computers will extend to every part of people's work and life, we believe our cooperation will bring many many opportunities to Lenovo and Microsoft," said George He, senior vice-president and chief technology officer of Lenovo. Craig Mundie, chief research and strategy officer at Microsoft, said the two companies will try to identify opportunities in the consumer and mobile markets such as digital photography, digital media and the Internet. He also noted that the joint center will develop products for Lenovo in areas like corporate computing, digital homes, Windows value-added services, as well as ultra-portal computing devices and smart handheld devices.

Greenpeace has produced a new report in which it ranks Chinese-based computer manufacturer Lenovo as the world's most eco-friendly electronics firm, beating other environmentally friendly companies such as Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Dell and Samsung. Out of the fourteen different companies detailed in the report, Apple Inc. came last. The companies are ranked according to the amount of toxic chemicals that are used when producing their electronics, not how energy efficient the devices themselves are, something that is beginning to become a major problem in countries such as China where many of these electronic devices are manufactured. Unsurprisingly, Apple responded by saying "We disagree with Greenpeace's rating and the criteria" as part of a statement.

On March 1, 2007, Lenovo voluntarily recalled certain 208,000 9-cell lithium-ion batteries. These batteries were manufactured for use with ThinkPad notebook computers that shipped worldwide between November 2005 and February 2007. All ThinkPad R60, R60e Series, ThinkPad T60, T60p Series and ThinkPad Z60m, Z61e, Z61m, and Z61p Series with 9-cell 10.8V, 5.2 Ah batteries with part number FRU P/N 92P1131 are being recalled. All affected batteries will be replaced free of charge. Lenovo suggests those computers with defective units remove the battery and use the AC adaptor until a replacement has arrived.

The Inquirer reports that IBM has sold off more than a quarter of its shares in the Chinese computer maker Lenovo.

Lenovo gave IBM the shares as part payment when it bought IBM's PC outfit last year.

IBM sold 300 million shares at a fairly low price, triggering a seven per cent share slide before there was a suspension in sales.

IBM made $123 million by selling the shares which made up about 3.5 percent of Lenovo's holdings.

Lenovo had seen its stock increase in value this week, unfortunately, IBM's sale has wiped out most those gains.