IBM focuses on wireless, security in updated PC line

NEW YORK: International Business Machines Corp. on Tuesday plans to unveil

new versions of seven lines of personal computers that include enhanced

security, wireless features and other technologies it says will save

corporations money.

Analysts say the move will give IBM a stronger offering to enable it to

compete in the corporate market with No. 1 personal computer maker Dell Computer

Corp. IBM is launching software called ImageUltra that will help reduce the cost

of managing personal computers by streamlining management of desktop images as

part of the effort, said Jon Judge, general manager of IBM's Personal Computing

division.

IBM said it has several updated versions of the Thinkpad notebook computer

including a new line, the R series, which has IBM's lowest price yet for a

Notebook computer at $1,249. The line tops out at $2,099 and goes up for sale

Oct. 30.

IBM also has redesigned the Thinkpad A series, which lists at $1,599 to

$3,649, that includes wireless functions and an embedded security system that

makes using a wireless network more secure. In addition, IBM is offering its

ultra-portable Thinkpad X series, which is small and light that includes these

wireless and security features for the first time at $1,949 to $2,399.

The Thinkpad T series is also available with prices ranging from $2,849 to

$3,749, including wireless capabilities. The A, X and T series are available

immediately.

It is the first time Armonk, NY based IBM has introduced new PCs since it

combined its Thinkpad notebook and Netvista desktop development teams in March,

Judge said. It is introducing a new M series Netvista desktop computer that it

says has better performance with enhanced security for prices from $999 to

$1,999.

IBM has upgraded its Netvista A series, which ranges from $699 to $1,999 and

also said its Netvista X series was improved at prices from $1,499 to $2,549.

IBM stopped selling PCs through retail stores about 18 months ago as margins

decreased. A price war mounted by rival Dell has since decreased those margins

further. Compaq Computer Corp. and Hewlett-Packard Co. , which sell PCs to both

consumers and retailers, agreed on Sept. 4 to merge.

"Clearly IBM is positioning itself against Dell with this kind of

technology," said Rob Enderle, an analyst for Cambridge, Massachusetts,

based Giga Information Group.

(C) Reuters Limited 2001.