Article by Ayman Alheraki on January 11 2026 10:38 AM
In 2005, Lenovo, a Chinese company, acquired IBM’s personal computing division, including the famous ThinkPad brand. The deal, valued at $1.25 billion, granted Lenovo the rights to manufacture and develop ThinkPad laptops. (news.lenovo.com)
After the acquisition, Lenovo continued producing ThinkPads, maintaining their reputation for quality and reliability. Over time, Lenovo also introduced a new series called ThinkBook, aimed at users seeking a balance between performance and affordability.
| Feature | ThinkPad | ThinkBook |
|---|---|---|
| Build Quality | Rugged design meeting MIL-STD-810H standards | Sleek metal design, but not MIL-certified |
| Performance | High-end CPUs, ECC memory, professional GPUs | Mid-range CPUs, standard memory, integrated GPUs |
| Security | Advanced security: fingerprint reader, TPM | Basic security features, some models lack TPM |
| Battery Life | Long battery life, up to 15 hours on some models | Moderate battery life, up to 10 hours |
| Price | Higher, reflecting performance and build quality | Affordable, targeting value-conscious users |
ThinkPad: Ideal for professionals or users in environments requiring reliable, high-performance machines, such as programming, design, or business applications.
ThinkBook: Suitable for students, small- to medium-sized business employees, or anyone seeking a stylish laptop at an affordable price.
Even though Lenovo acquired the ThinkPad brand from IBM, it has maintained the quality and reliability that made ThinkPad famous. The ThinkBook series represents a more budget-friendly, mid-performance option, while ThinkPad remains the best choice for professionals who need durable, high-performance laptops.