Even With Tablets and LTE on the Horizon, Sprint Gives WiMax and Netbooks Another Shot

Despite the growing importance placed on 4G LTE and tablets in the consumer tech space, Sprint isn’t quite done with its 4G WiMax technology and the concept of netbooks for those who are looking to do some lightweight, connected computing while mobile. The Now Network had said that it is giving up on releasing new WiMax smartphone models in the future and is instead focusing on LTE technology, that doesn’t quite mean that it is giving up on WiMax entirely for other areas, in particular the netbook space. Sprint is now releasing a subsidized Lenovo S205s netbook with WiMax at the cost of $200 with a two-year contract.

The device will pack in a dual-core Intel Pentium chipset clocked at 1.33 GHz along with Windows 7 Home Premium, and will come with an 11.6-inch display, 2 GB RAM, 250 GB HDD, and about 5 hours of battery life. The device weighs just 3.26 pounds.

Users can pick up the IdeaPad S205s from Sprint retail stores, Business sales, Telesales, and through Sprint.com.

Press release:

Ultra-portable mini notebook packs it in with Sprint 4G, a powerful Intel Pentium dual-core processor and Windows 7 Home Premium

The affordably priced Lenovo IdeaPad® S205s is an ultra-portable mini notebook, featuring an Intel® Pentium® dual-core U5600 processor, Windows 7 Home Premium and 3G/4G (WiMAX) network capabilities from Sprint that lets the user purchase a single device for all their computing needs.

Priced at just $199.99 (excluding taxes) with a new line or eligible upgrade and two-year service agreement, after a $100 mail in rebate via reward card1, Lenovo IdeaPad S205s makes the perfect travel companion by bringing music, videos and user content alive. It is available in Sprint direct ship sales channels, including Sprint Stores, Business Sales, Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1 [Call: 1-800-SPRINT1]) and Web Sales (www.sprint.com).

Featuring a slim 18mm profile and lightweight 3.26-pound body with an 11.6-inch display, it combines a chic, ultraportable design and AccuType keyboard, making it the perfect Internet companion to take anywhere.

Lenovo IdeaPad S205s offers a built-in webcam and VeriFace® facial recognition technology that allows users to log into their mini notebook with their face, instead of having to remember lengthy passwords. VeriFace can also be used to record video messages and conduct web calls, making the notebook the one device for connectivity, entertainment and extreme PC portability.

Lenovo IdeaPad S205s will come preloaded with the Intel AppUpSM center that allows users to browse a centralized catalog of applications for purchase or download to their netbook or other personal computing device. It features thousands of apps for gaming, entertainment, finance, business and education from a variety of different categories, including social, education, entertainment, communications and more.

Key features include:

• Intel® Pentium Dual Core U5600 Processor (1.33GHZ, 3MB cache)
• Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium – 32-bit
• 2GB DDR3 Memory
• 11.6-inch, 1366 x 768 HD LED widescreen display
• 250GB Hard Drive
• AccuType keyboard with individually rounded, finger-friendly key shape and ergonomic spacebar
• Multi-touch touchpad for easy scrolling and zoom
• Lenovo’s OneKey™ Rescue System can help recover user data or device settings
• Wi-Fi® 802.11a/b/g/n
• 0.3-megapixel Webcam with integrated microphone
• Ports: 2 USB 2.0 ports, 1 eSATA, HDMI output port, VGA, 1 3.5mm headphone jack, 1 microphone jack
• 6 x1 card reader (SD/SD pro/MMC/MS/MS pro/xD)
• Stereo speakers
• 6 cell – 4400 mAh for an estimated 5 hour battery life (depending on usage)
• (WxDxH): 11.4 x 7.6 x 1.0-1.5 inches (290mm x 193mm x 26.3-37.6mm)
• 3.26 pounds (1478.7 grams) with the 6-cell battery

To help users be more productive wherever they are, Lenovo IdeaPad S205s includes Energy Management for long battery life. Designed by Lenovo, Energy Management is a power management utility that fine-tunes the power consumption by coordinating the activity of the hardware and software. It offers four preset schemes, and the ability to modify any of those four to create a personalized energy management program.