The VAR Guy

Lenovo has tapped Polycom to add its RealPresence video and voice collaboration software to a wide range of Lenovo’s laptop computers and even some tablets. If you’re a Lenovo VAR who also happens to be working the unified communications (UC) space, this partnership could be a match made in heaven. Here’s why …

CES 2012 turned out to be a smorgasbord of technology, bucking expected trends while simultaneously exceeding expectations of others. But instead of digging through tech specs and product highlights, The VAR Guy has the straight dope. Here’s the CES 2012 wrap-up for the week …

Lenovo has launched an armada of notebook computers targeting a wide range of uses, including a new “hybrid” version of the ThinkPad X1, a rugged and educational specialized ThinkPad Edge and the new ThinkPad Edge series specifically for small-business users. Highlights and hallmarks of the Lenovo brand follow …

Resellers working in the digital signage space now have another arrow in their quiver thanks to a partnership between Tech Data and Saddle Ranch Digital.

Lenovo is continuing its tradition of inspiring PC designs with the IdeaCentre Q180, which, according to Lenovo, is the the “world’s smallest fully functional desktop PC.” In reality, the Q180 is just a very compact nettop, but what does it have to offer? Here are some thoughts …

When Dell announced Q3 2012 fiscal results today, The VAR Guy took a closer look to get a feel for how Dell’s server, storage, networking and cloud services businesses were evolving. Sure, The VAR Guy still cares about traditional PCs and server sales. But ultimately, acquired offerings like Boomi, Compellent, EqualLogic and Force10 Networks promise far more growth for Dell PartnerDirect channel partners. Here’s the update.

Is Lenovo looking to take the ultrabook and super-thin notebook world by storm? New leaked Lenovo roadmap pictures have come to light that suggest Lenovo may be building a line of notebooks that could seriously compete with the sexy and slim Apple MacBook Air and other ultrabooks. Is a new notebook trend coming ahead of Windows 8?

Yawn. It’s just past midnight here in New York. The VAR Guy is getting ready to go to bed — with a big bowl of ice cream, of course. But before our resident blogger signs off for sweeter pursuits, here are six pieces of high-tech news that The VAR Guy didn’t have time to write for the week ending Nov. 4, 2011.

I have a hunch the touchscreen all-in-one desktop will see a surge in popularity when Windows 8 comes out and I have a hunch Lenovo sees that, too. That could by why Lenovo has launched the C325, designed to be a super-affordable all-in-one unit, with a touch screen. Here are the touchy details …

Corporate America has had a love-hate relationship with all-in-one computers – although they love the idea of the small footprint of the all-in-one, they hate the fact that traditionally the machines are more expensive, difficult to service and don’t support additional monitors.

Dell is showing the love for its European customers by offering multi-vendor PC support, expanding the services benefit it U.S. customers currently enjoy. The VAR Guy sees the move as an attempt by Dell to streamline its customers’ services by offering one-stop shopping, so to speak. If you live in Europe and you use a non-Dell PC, Dell will now support that hardware to make your life, or your IT admin’s life, much easier. Read on for the quick rundown on Dell’s lovefest with competitors’ products …

Our team here at Lenovo is very excited about our ThinkPad Tablet, which have started shipping. We know that we have great hardware, but our tablet announcement is much more than hardware. I argue that we have the industry’s first business-class tablet because we are the only vendor who can provide a full suite of services to make our customers more productive and secure.

New AMD CEO Rory Read carries one heck of a crystal ball. To wit, Read seems to have predicted — three months ago — that Hewlett-Packard may exit the PC industry. Skeptical? Take a look at this exclusive FastChat video from The VAR Guy, filmed in May 2011. Right around the 2 minute and 18 second mark, Read — a Lenovo executive at the time — seems to predict Hewlett-Packard will eventually exit the PC industry.

Yes, The VAR Guy can be a name dropper from time to time. A case in point: The VAR Guy knows new AMD CEO Rory Read (pictured). And Read — formerly Lenovo‘s president and chief operating officer — is a channel-friendly guy. In fact, Read is as channel-friendly as they come.

The news that HP is set to sell or spin-off its consumer electronics division has rocked the industry, fueling an onslaught of speculation and commentary. But for The VAR Guy, here’s one question comes to mind: Will Microsoft be able to work as closely with Hewlett-Packard’s PC division as the HP seeks to either spin-off the PC business or sell it to a third-party?

Anybody want to buy a $40 billion PC business? While you ponder that offer, here are six channel partner blog entries The VAR Guy didn’t have time to write for the week ending Aug. 19, 2011.

Okay, so I just dated myself with that title. Worse yet, now I have that stupid song stuck in my head. But I digress. It used to be the case that some products were just too sexy for the business space — they were seen as consumer-focused, and therefore, not ideal for the typical solution provider to sell. You know the vendors: Apple, Logitech, Google. As consumers, you want them because they have tuned functionality and intuitive design. Plus, let’s face it, you just feel a whole lot cooler using them. Yet the channel traditionally hasn’t led with them or kept them top of mind. It made me stop and think: What makes a product sexy for the channel?

Lenovo has been keeping the PC alive in the post-PC world, and now it’s keeping the local server super-cheap in an offsite cloud computing world. The company is continuing to capture the SMB market with its two new ThinkServers, the TS130 and TS430, and maybe a few cubicles with the new ThinkCentre M71e. Tech specs and a little channel information to follow …

Lenovo and De Lage Landen — two Channel Finance 25 companies — continue to expand their financing programs for VARs and managed services providers. The latest example: The Lenovo Partner Credit program, in partnership with De Lage Landen, now offers U.S. resellers up to 60 days of interest-free credit. The program involves such distributors as D&H, Ingram Micro, Synnex and Tech Data. The bigger long-term question: Will Lenovo continue marching forward and perhaps even launch a hardware as a service (HaaS) effort for VARs and MSPs? Here are some early insights.

The VAR Guy hopes to watch this evening’s Miami Heat-Chicago Bulls Game 3 showdown. But before our resident blogger turns his attention to South Beach, Miami, here are six channel partner-related blog entries that The VAR Guy didn’t have time to write for the week ending May 20, 2011.

You may have heard of crossover vehicles, but you probably haven’t heard of the crossover PC. The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 laptop is designed to blend business and play, while being thin and super-efficient. Lenovo is aiming the new laptop at the “business professional” who “demands the best in performance, mobility and entertainment.” Sound like your kind of PC? Read on for the tech specs and my personal hardware analysis …

How’s this for ironic: Lenovo President and COO Rory Read (pictured) spent roughly seven years as a top leader within IBM Global Services. But he somehow kicked the IT services habit when he joined Lenovo. In fact, Read publicly vowed — multiple times today — that Lenovo will never build or buy an IT services organization. In a FastChat Video with The VAR Guy, Read explained why Lenovo will continue to focus on product innovation while leaving IT services to channel partners.

Lenovo is launching its Cloud Ready Client technology for Enterprises that work with the Lenovo Secure Cloud Access, a delivery method to improve cloud-based interaction between devices. What is a Cloud Ready Client, and what implications could it have for the channel? Read on for the details.