IBM launches new 'ThinkCentre' range of desktop PCs

 

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By Steve Malone

Posted on 22 May 2003 at 15:43

IBM has announced a new name and a new range for its desktop PCs. Now capitalising on the 'Think' brand the new ThinkCentre machines are based on the new Intel 865 (nee Springdale) chipset which supports the software hyperthreading capabilities of the Pentium 4.

There are three basic models in the range: The ultra small ThinkCentre S50, the workhorse M50 and the multimedia specialist A50p. IBM says they are aimed at corporate sites and offer easy access, tool-free chassis design and single image deployment across the whole range. Subsystems, like the hard disk and memory, are said to be easily user upgradeable.

The ThinkCentre S50 is the ultra small machine in the range and measures just 309 x 359 x 85mm and can be stood as either a desktop or minitower. In this small space IBM says it has managed to pack an internal power supply, two full-size PCI slots, three bays, and an industry-standard desktop optical drive.

The M50 range Pentium 4 processors are available in a variety of flavours ranging between 2.4 and 3.0GHz. Each is supplied with a 40Gb hard disk, CD-ROM drive, built in networking and either 256 or 512Mb of RAM as standard.

The 'multimedia' A50 series has the same range of processors but are offered with a variety of optical drive options and bigger hard disks - up to 120Gbyte.

All new ThinkCentre models announced today are equipped with IBM ThinkVantage Technologies such as Rapid Restore PC.

Prices for the ThinkCentre S50 start at £740, and for the ThinkCentre M50 £640. Prices for the ThinkCentre A50p start at £1,110. More at IBM.