IBM leaps into laptop bonanza

NEWS IBM today launched a host of new laptops, hot on the heels of similar announcements by competitors Sony and Toshiba. Big blue launched four new ThinkPad notebooks - a beefed up X series, and new T, R and A series. The X Series, now offers integrated wireless capability and security features and is available for £1,646. The new A Series, boasts wireless functions, such as 802.11b and Bluetooth, and an enhanced display. Yesterday Sony in the US unveiled new notebooks designed to address the business market not yet touched by their highly popular Vaio notebooks. So far the Vaio has had its biggest impact in the consumer market. According to newswires Toshiba, a set of new XP pre-loaded notebooks with improved features will be available by mid-October.