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The new ThinkPad Z-Series, the first widescreen multimedia ThinkPad notebooks. ThinkPad Z-Series is designed for mobile and small business users who rely on one notebook computer for both work and life demands.

In addition to the classic black ThinkPad design, the new Z Series is available in a special edition brushed titanium cover. 2 Titanium offers a sleek new look, durability, and scratch resistance to one of the world's most well-known notebook brands.

Weighing just 4lbs and just over an inch thick when closed, the Z60t offers a 14" wide screen. Battery life, according to Lenovo, is up to 5.5 hours.

Alternatively, the Z60m is a more sedentary machine aimed at the desktop replacement market that still needs to leave the office sometimes. It is available with a wide 15.4" screen and offers a range of multimedia options to appeal to both the home and business user. It has a 1.4" depth when closed and weighs 6.6lbs. Battery life is said by Lenovo to be up to six hours.

Offering additional protection from being dropped from overhead lockers the Z-Series features a new inner armour chassis that 'may', according the Lenovo, reduce the amount of stress on internal components when the notebook is dropped by up to 30 percent. The internal components themselves, including the hard disk drive, are mounted in one-piece magnesium cage that forms a more protective shell than the standard casings.

Both machines feature either a Pentium M or Celeron M Processors with the Intel 915GM Express Chipset, PCI Express Integrated Graphics, one Secure Digital card slot, and one PC Card slot. Outdoing Henry Ford, both models are available in either in a black or titanium finish.

The top of the range models in the Z-Series also sport WiFi wireless support, Bluetooth technology, Gigabit Ethernet, dial-up modem, 3 USB ports, IEEE 1394 and a secure digital card reader.

The 14-inch ThinkPad Z60t is available immediately, while the ThinkPad Z series widescreen will be available in November, with prices around £600.