ThinkPad goes wide-screen

Looks like those rumors about a wide-screen ThinkPad were true: Lenovo has revealed the ThinkPad Z series, with two wide-screen models. The Z60t has a 14-inch WXGA display, measures 1.1 inches thick, and weighs 4.5 pounds. The 15.4-inch Z60m offers a choice of screen resolutions (WXGA or WSXGA+), measures 1.4 inches thick, and weighs 6.6 pounds. Those who loved ThinkPad's boxy, matte-black case will be disappointed: the Z series models have rounded edges, and for an extra $25, you can buy a scratch-resistant titanium cover.

As with other ThinkPads, the Z series will be highly configurable, with processor options ranging from 1.4GHz Celeron to 2.13GHz Pentium M, up to 2GB RAM, and 5,400rpm hard drives in 40GB to 100GB capacities. The larger Z60m also offers a choice of Intel or ATI graphics processors. The most notable option, though, is the integrated wireless antenna that lets Z-series laptops connect to the Verizon EV-DO network--which means ThinkPads promise the fastest integrated cellular we've seen. (Sony laptops, such as the VAIO T350P, use Cingular's slower EDGE network.)

In case any of these major changes failed to shock you, the pricing surely will: the Z60m will start at $799, while the smaller Z60t starts at $1,099.

Update: For the curious, the Z60t will ship September 20, while the Z60m is set to ship October 11.