Lenovo LaVie Z Laptops: "Lighter Than Air Ultraportables"

Lenovo is introducing two new products to its LaVie Z series – the HZ550 and Convertible HZ750 ultraportable laptops.

“We are thrilled to bring our first NECP products outside of Japan with the LaVie Z, two of the world’s lightest PCs in their class,” said Roderick Lappin, president and CEO, NEC Lenovo Japan Group and vice president, Lenovo. “The LaVie models are a true triple play – on the cutting-edge for thin, light and powerful – and the HZ750 adds another advantage – 360° mode flexibility – making these devices real game changers that stretch the bounds of innovation.”

The LaVie Z series laptops are not only extremely thin, but also very light at just over 2lbs or less in weight. The LaVie Z HZ550 Notebook is 16.9mm thick, weighs only 1.72lbs, and features:

Super light Magnesium-Lithium (Mg-Li) Alloy case
Vibrant 13.3″ wide power saving panel up to Full QHD Resolution
Exclusive “Forged” case engineering technique
Unique chassis design with keyboard and panel built in
180-degree lay flat hinge
5th Gen Intel® Core™ i5 Processor
4GB LPDDR3 RAM
Intel® HD Integrated Graphics 5xxx
128GB SSD
Wi-Fi, BT, HD (720p) Webcam, USB 3.0, HDMI out, SD Card, Headphone Jack

The LaVie Z HZ750 Convertable Ultrabook is 16.9mm thick, weighs 2.04lbs, and features:

Super light Magnesium-Lithium (Mg-Li) Alloy case
Vibrant 13.3″ wide power saving panel up to QHD Resolution
Specialized Film type light Touch screen
Exclusive “Forged” case engineering technique
Unique chassis design with keyboard and panel built in
Direct bonding of frameless touch panel.
360-degree hinge
5th Gen Intel® Core™ i5 or i7 Processor
4GB or 8GB LPDDR3 RAM
Intel® HD Integrated Graphics 5xxx
128GB SSD
Wi-Fi, BT, HD (720p) Webcam, USB 3.0, HDMI out, SD Card, Headphone Jack

Both devices are Lenovo’s first NEC products available outside Japan, resulting from Lenovo’s joint venture with NEC since 2011 and are expected to be available in May 2015 for $1299 (HZ550) and $1499 (HZ750).

FULL PRESS RELEASE

Lenovo and NECP Introduce Two Lighter Than Air LaVie Z Ultraportables

World’s lightest 13-inch convertible and laptop at mere 2-pounds and less
Lenovo strengthens collaboration with NECP with its first products outside of Japan

Las Vegas, Nevada―January 5, 2015: Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) and NEC Personal Computers (NECP) 2 today announced at the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show two new mobile PC models that redefine lightweight computing, both weighing less than a 32-oz water bottle. The Lenovo LaVie Z HZ550 takes the title of world’s lightest 13-in laptop PC at just 1.72-lbs¹., while the Lenovo LaVie Z HZ750 claims world’s lightest 13-in convertible PC at just 2.04-lbs¹.

Thin, Light, Powerful & Adaptable for Whatever Life Brings
The LaVie Z HZ750 not only gives consumers incredible portability, but also a new level of flexibility with its 360-degree hinge pioneered by Lenovo in its original YOGA family of convertibles. The LaVie Z offers an incredible two-in-one experience: work in Laptop mode with the comfortable keyboard or rotate it 360° to Tablet mode for closer, more interactive computing.

Both devices are Lenovo’s first NECP products available outside Japan, resulting from Lenovo’s joint venture with NEC since 2011. The new LaVie PCs leverage Lenovo’s global “innovation triangle,” utilizing the strength of Lenovo’s research and development teams in China, the U.S. and Japan. Known in Japan for a focus on light weight, the two new PCs bring the benefits of the LaVie line to consumers now in the U.S.

Not only lightweight, both models of the LaVie Z are extremely thin, measuring just 16.9 mm. Despite their record light weight and incredible thinness, they’re also unbelievably strong. Both machines use a specialized magnesium-lithium (Mg-Li)³ body construction along with specialized technologies including a Magnesium Lithium forged back cover. The materials are 50 percent lighter than aluminum and as strong as any heavier typical Magnesium alloy laptop materials resulting in unsurpassed quality engineering.The HZ750 also has a direct bonded touchscreen that uses a film instead of cover glass.

While the LaVie exceptional ultra-portable experience ranks light in weight, it comes in heavy in terms of performance, starting with a brilliant 13.3-in optional WQHD touch screen for vivid, lifelike images. It has a powerful up to 5th Generation Intel® Core i7™ processor (on the HZ750) that’s great for running multiple programs and applications simultaneously, Microsoft Windows 8.1 Update for maximum productivity, fast and responsive 128 GB SSD storage and battery life for all day computing. The LaVie Ultraportables are a perfect daily mobile companion, excelling in both work and play.

Quote
“We are thrilled to bring our first NECP products outside of Japan with the LaVie Z, two of the world’s lightest PCs in their class,” said Roderick Lappin, president and CEO, NEC Lenovo Japan Group and vice president, Lenovo. “The LaVie models are a true triple play – on the cutting-edge for thin, light and powerful – and the HZ750 adds another advantage – 360° mode flexibility – making these devices real game changers that stretch the bounds of innovation.”

Price and Availability⁴
In the U.S., the new Lenovo LaVie Z HZ550 and HZ750 will be available beginning in May 2015 with models starting at approximately $1,299 and $1,499, respectively via www.lenovo.com. In Japan, the new LaVie Z models will be available in spring 2015. Pricing will be announced later.

Products may only be available in selected markets. Lenovo reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice.

About Lenovo
Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is a $39 billion global Fortune 500 company and a leader in providing innovative consumer, commercial, and enterprise technology. Our portfolio of high-quality, secure products and services covers PCs (including the legendary Think and multimode YOGA brands), workstations, servers, storage, smart TVs and a family of mobile products like smartphones (including the Motorola brand), tablets and apps. Join us on LinkedIn, follow us on Facebook or Twitter (@Lenovo) or visit us at www.lenovo.com.

¹The world’s lightest 13-inch laptop (HZ550) and convertible (HZ750). Source by NECP as of Dec 1st 2014.
²Lenovo entered into a joint venture with NEC in 2011 to sell NEC-branded PCs and tablets in Japan, the world’s fourth largest PC market, where it is ranked No. 1. Lenovo holds a 51 percent interest in the joint venture company and recently extended the terms of its agreement through 2026.
³Mg-Li is used for display top cover and bottom case of the PC unit.
⁴Prices do not include tax or shipping and are subject to change without notice and is tied to specific terms and conditions. Reseller prices may vary. Price does not include all advertised features. All offers subject to availability.