Lenovo Updates Multiple Budget Laptops and Multimode Notebooks

Kids might still be a month or more away from graduation but Lenovo is getting ready for back to school season with two new affordable 15.6-inch laptops, updates to the multimedia Z-series and two new additions to Lenovo's FLEX family of dual mode laptops.

For starters, the new FLEX 2 laptops will be available in 14-inch and 15.6-inch models. These laptops feature 300° hinges that give users the flexibility to switch between a traditional 'Laptop mode' for work and 'Stand mode' for watching movies or presentations.

Inside the Flex 2 series, you'll find a full HD 1920×1080 widescreen display and 10-finger multitouch screen on select models. Users can also choose NVIDIA GeForce graphics on models with up to 4th generation Intel Core i7 processors or opt for models with AMD Radeon R5 M230 discrete graphics and AMD APU processors all the way up to the newest AMD A8 models.

If storage space and speed matter to you then you'll be pleased to know the Flex 2 notebooks come with a variety of storage options - up to a 1 TB traditional hard disk drive or hybrid SSHD storage or up to 256 GB SSD storage. Lenovo isn't making any specific battery life claims for the Flex 2 series at this point other than 'longer battery life.'

If a low price tag is more appealing than a multimode screen then the 15-inch B50 and G50 laptops starting at $399 might be just what you need. The B50 starts with a basic HD 1366×768 display but can be upgraded to either an HD 1366×768 anti-glare touch display or a FHD 1920×1080 screen.

Users can select models with up to 4th generation Intel Core i7 processors and optional NVIDIA GeForce 820M graphics or up to an A8 AMD processor and either AMD integrated or AMD Radeon R5 M230 graphics. The B50 and G50 also have a DVD burner/player and up to 1 TB of hard drive or hybrid SSD storage.

Pricing and Availability

Last but not least, the Lenovo Z40 and Z50 laptops offer a more compelling multimedia experience at a low price. At under an inch thin, they come equipped with an optional FHD 1920X1080 display, a DVD player/burner, high-capacity storage options, Dolby Home Theatre with a 720p webcam. The updated Z-series features up to AMD's newest, high-end APU processor with up to R7 discrete Radeon graphics.

The new FLEX 2 14-inch and 15.6-inch start at $799 and $429, respectively. The FLEX 2 laptops are available beginning in June while the Lenovo B50 and G50 laptops both start at $399 and will be available beginning in July. The Lenovo Z Series start at $579. The Z40 will be available beginning in May via www.lenovo.com, and the Z50 will be available beginning in August via Lenovo retailers.