Mainstream ThinkPads Getting Sandy Bridge CPUs

Lenovo has launched its AMD Zacate-based ThinkPad X120e, which is a great low-cost roadwarrior machine.

For those looking at a more full-sized affair, however, Lenovo also announced teo new laptops for small-to-medium business users (and those who just love ThinkPads) that are packing the new Sandy Bridge family of CPUs.

The 12.5-inch E220s measures less than one inch thick and weighs less than 3.5 pounds. The slightly larger 14-inch E420s starts at just one-inch and four pounds. They both feature metal accents that frame the black, soft-matte exterior.

The ThinkPad Edge E220s and E420s laptops have a new feature called Enhanced Experience 2.0, which Lenovo boasts is an exclusive technology for rapid boot up times into Windows 7. The technology speeds up boot time by 30 percent on select models with Rapid Drive, which uses an SSD for faster boot speed. Lenovo also optimized the preload, drivers and BIOS for speedy start up.

The ThinkPad Edge E220s and E420s will be available beginning in April at approximately $899 and $749, respectively.