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IBM has announced a fall lineup of desktop NetVistas and ThinkPad notebook PCs that focus on the growing wireless and security needs of businesses, and is putting an emphasis on selling services as well as systems.

Introduced are four desktop lines that include seven new NetVista computers. IBM also introduced four ThinkPad notebooks that launch three additional lines. Most are available now, and all are scheduled to ship by the end of October.

IBM has expanded and reorganized its PC catalog. An expanded "M" series of NetVista desktops, with prices ranging from $999 to $1999, is designed as "workhorse" models of PCs offering stability and advanced security features. The "X" series of desktops featuring a hard drive and processor integrated with a flat-panel monitor was overhauled for a more streamlined appearance. Prices for that line range from $1499 to $2549. The NetVista PCs start at $599 for the budget-class "A" series.

The ThinkPad notebooks also feature a new line, the "R" series of entry-level-priced notebooks, and include new models in three of its other lines. The new notebooks are joining IBM's "A" series of modular and versatile notebooks, the "X" series of extra-lights, and "T" series of laptops for frequent travelers.

All use Intel CPUs, in line with IBM's recent decision to drop AMD chips from its PCs.

Support Enhanced

IBM is also promoting its associated computing services, including streamlined technical support offerings. Most are aimed at businesses, and several are more focused on large businesses. But new service offerings are apparently an IBM priority.

The company has long maintained that as PC hardware becomes a commodity, IBM must pay closer attention to complete PC service solutions. The company apparently is making that especially a priority in the current sluggish market.

"In order to thrive in this environment, it is going to take a lot more than PCs that are just good enough," said Jon Judge, general manager of IBM's personal computing division. He says competing on PC prices alone is a flawed strategy and IBM is committed to stability of systems and unique technologies.

Another easily identified trend in the new systems is wireless support. Because wireless connectivity is a growing reality for business and consumers, Big Blue is shipping its ThinkPads wireless-ready for the 802.11b standard, with radios and antennas built in. For desktops, IBM will offer a 802.11b wireless PCI card option that will facilitate living in a wireless network environment.

System Specifics

The new "M" series of NetVista desktops comprises IBM's performance line of PCs and feature Intel Pentium 4 processors. The lowest priced system starts at $1169 and has a tower design. It comes with a 1.6-GHz Pentium 4 processor, 128MB of memory, a 40GB hard disk, CD-ROM, and 16MB NVIDIA TNT2 Vanta graphics card.

IBM's economy A series desktops range in price from $599 for an Intel Celeron-based system, to $1349 for a 1.8-GHz Pentium 4 desktop. The entry level system ships with a 1-GHz Celeron processor, 128MB of memory, a 20GB hard disk, an integrated video card, and Microsoft Windows Me.

Notebook prices start at $1214, IBM's lowest introductory price for a ThinkPad, with its "R" Series. The base model ThinkPad weighs about 5.5 lbs and ships with a 900-MHz mobile Intel Celeron processor and a 13.3-inch active matrix TFT display. The notebook also has a 10GB hard disk, 64MB of memory, a CD-ROM drive, and both an analog and Ethernet modem. If you want to add integrated wireless 802.11b technology, it will cost you an extra $115.

On the high end of the ThinkPad family is the "T" Series, which starts at $2199 with the Economy ThinkPad. That notebook ships with an 800-MHz Mobile Pentium 3 processor, 128MB of memory, a 10GB hard disk, a 13.3-inch active matrix TFT display, and a CD-ROM drive. It weighs about 5 pounds.

The "X" Series delivers integrated wireless and security features in a smaller, ultra-portable chassis, and pricing starts at $1949. The A Series delivers integrated wireless options, Web navigation keys, and IBM's Embedded Security Subsystem, and its prices start at $1299.

Pushing Services

IBM's fall lineup is accompanied by a selection of services emphasized as a way to cut the cost of system management in businesses, especially large companies.

One feature is designed to help consumers and businesses alike. If your system crashes and data is apparently lost, you can invoke Rapid Restore PC to restore your PC's operating system to a time when it worked properly. Rapid Restore PC works by saving critical data and system files to a partitioned portion of your hard drive.

IBM has also patented a new way for large companies to custom-configure employee desktops without going through internal technical support.

Called Image Ultra services, the service takes a user on a new PC through a series of questions about their computing needs. The correct desktop software is automatically installed from one master image hosted on a company's server.

A third service, called Access Support, consists of a searchable database of commonly reported problems and fixes for specific IBM PC models. It is free with purchase of the new systems.

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