This article is contributed by Varinderjit Singh, General Manager at Lenovo Malaysia.
Those of us in the manufacturing industry have already come to terms with a difficult truth: manufacturing output is set to shrink by 3.2% this year. Stringent regulations and decreased consumer demand are proving very trying in a recessionary environment.
And many manufacturers still find themselves short-staffed. They are tasked with doing more with less. Upping output without the talent and financial resources they relied on in the past.
I see only one way forward: doing whatever we possibly can to create a streamlined working environment. Organizations that get hung up on what they don’t have will fall behind. Smart organizations think laterally. They understand that they have the means to effect change on their environments. And that seemingly small changes quickly add up.
Creating a streamlined, productive environment is the way forward. Increasing operational efficiency has never been as crucial as it is at this moment in time. Organizations that take action to create this kind of environment now will reap the rewards and come out stronger.
The three building blocks of an efficient environment
1. Making the most of your assets with IT and OT convergence
As a reminder, IT is Information Technology, tools that process data. OT is Operational Technology, tools for managing physical assets. IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) technology can bring IT and OT together. With IIoT tools like smart sensors, digital twins, and machine learning, physical assets come to life in the IT space. When leadership can see crucial data and insights on how machines are doing, they can ensure that they make the most of them. A great example of a product that can assist with making the most of your assets through IT convergence is the ThinkPad® X1 Carbon Gen 11, powered by Intel® Core™ i5-1335U processor (13th Gen), built for what IT needs and users want.
Utility consumption monitoring is a great example of the benefits of converged IT and OT. Electricity, water, and gas make up a significant part of any manufacturer’s budget. Sensors on the factory floor can detect when a process consumes more power than necessary. This data is then acted on in real time – and the process is automatically adjusted until it’s optimal. For example, temperature and water use can automatically be controlled to create an environment that supports efficient energy use. Where equipment needs to be warmer to operate, they can automatically be switched on when the time’s exactly right – eliminating the wastage that comes with guessing the wrong timing. Sensors that detect compressed-air leaks allows leadership to act before more energy goes to waste.
The cumulative savings tend to make a profound difference to utility bills. Even better: IIoT helps manufacturers get closer to their ESG goals and safeguard the environment.
2. Staying a step ahead with predictive maintenance
The technological advances in predictive maintenance are some of the most exciting I’ve seen in my career. Instead of waiting for machines to break down, we can now proactively prevent them from reaching a state of disrepair. There’s now no reason for manufacturers to be wrong-footed by ‘cranky’ or ‘moody’ machinery.
In order to reap the benefits of predictive maintenance, manufacturers need to have the right solutions in place. High-quality sensors, reliable and fast connectivity, and servers that can process asset data and allow it to be analyzed, fast.
Naturally, I’m a big advocate of Lenovo’s ThinkEdge servers, powered by Intel® and enabled by AI. These servers have the processing power required to make quick work of asset data. They are rugged and sturdy and can withstand extreme temperatures, dust, and vibration. My clients store these servers on the floor, close to where data is generated. This reduces latency between data collection and a resulting insight – allowing leadership to act fast when an AI alerts them of a potential issue or a worrisome trend.
3. Keep quality high with virtual inspection
In manufacturing, high-quality products are what we live for, and inspection is a crucial process for any manufacturer. More and more, I’m seeing manual quality assurance become a thing of the past.
Continuous, virtual inspection means that manufacturers can track every process, part, and final product. If a quality issue arises on the floor, IIoT technology means that a real-time notification will trigger necessary corrective actions for related processes or down-the-line tasks – including dynamically adjusting product runs.
This kind of intelligent inspection leads to time and money saved. Fixing potential issues before they lead to defective products is obviously much less costly than tossing out goods that are not up to standard. But it’s more than that: a smart factory floor with integrated IT and OT means that AI is continuously learning to improve and streamline processes. This allows manufacturers to create products they can be proud of, keeping their customer experiences high while boosting their productivity. It’s a win-win.
Lenovo is showing off its latest line up of laptops at MWC 2024! The new laptops come equipped with Intel’s latest generation Core Ultra processors which not only promise top notch performance but also long battery life. The newly refreshed Lenovo ThinkPad T Series, the Think Pad X12 and the ThinkBook 14 are bringing more than just a hardware refresh this year. Together with an updated CPUs, it’s going to be coming with a whole slew of AI-powered features that will utilise the dedicated NPU in Intel’s new Core Ultra processors.
Lenovo ThinkPad T Series
The ThinkPad T series will be coming with new entries into the ThinkPad T14, T14s and T16 lineups. These laptops are built for business users who are looking for reliable, durable devices with some of the latest features for enhanced productivity. The new updates come with a Communications Bar which houses a 5-megapixel webcam and microphones. These laptops also adopt a simple one-handed lip for easy opening and closing of the device. The laptops will also make things a little more accessible with tactile markings making it easier for the visually impaired to navigate the keyboard. These markings were first introduced with the ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2-in-1 Gen 9 and the X1 Carbon Gen 12.
Repairability and sustainability have become core tenets of Lenovo’s product lineup. The new ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 and T16 Gen 3 have been designed to be repair-friendly. Lenovo did this with insights from iFixit Solutions team. These laptops feature a battery without cable connectors, a fully socketed DIMM design and replaceable SSD and WWAN cards. The laptops also have visual indicators to ease the repair process.
Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable Gen 2 & ThinkBook 14 2-in-1 Gen 4
The Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable Gen 2 is designed to be a sleek productivity partner for life on the move. With a durable 3:2 display, powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra U series processors and an integrated AI engine, it effortlessly adapts to your needs. With up to 32GB Dual Channel LPDDR5x memory, multitasking becomes a breeze. The detachable folio keyboard, three-button TrackPad, and optional magnetic pen enhance versatility for professionals on the go. It comes with a 5-megapixel camera with an Infrared sensor that allows you to sign in to Windows with Windows Hello and an 8MP World-facing camera so you can capture and scan documents. It also comes with CAT16 4G WWAN support.
Lenovo’s ThinkBook 14 2-in-1 Gen 4 redefines portable computing with its sleek design and intelligent features. The innovative drop hinge design, measuring just 16.85mm in thickness and weighing 1.64kg, sets a new standard for portability. The 14-inch display, with a four-side narrow bezel, achieves an impressive 90% screen-to-body ratio, delivering an immersive visual experience. Enhancements like a 1.5mm key travel on the keyboard and a glass-like Mylar touchpad contribute to comfortable and precise user interaction. The Magnetic Slim Pen adds a touch of convenience, while security features like the Match-on-Chip fingerprint reader and optional Infrared camera ensure data safety. Intelligent computing is at the forefront with features like Smart Power for balanced performance and Smart Meeting for improved conferencing. Lenovo’s commitment to sustainability is evident through the use of recycled aluminium and Post Consumer Content plastic materials. The ThinkBook 14 2-in-1 Gen 4 seamlessly blends powerful performance with a thoughtful and eco-friendly design.
AI-Imbued for Maximum Battery Life and Productivity
Powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra processors and equipped with Windows 11, these laptops create an advanced AI ecosystem. They prioritize security, energy efficiency, and immersive user experiences, seamlessly integrating with a variety of software applications leveraging dedicated AI acceleration support. Notable features include Copilot in Windows and a physical Copilot key, optimizing daily tasks for unparalleled ease and speed.
This marks a significant step in the AI PC revolution, showcasing Lenovo’s commitment to delivering tailored AI solutions. The laptops redefine personalized PC experiences, elevating collaboration, customer interactions, and data analysis. With AI-enabled software tools, these ThinkPad and ThinkBook laptops set a new standard, enhancing creativity and efficiency across diverse workflows. Lenovo’s innovation reflects a transformative approach, ushering in a new era of intelligent and engaging computing solutions.
Pricing & Availability
The new slate of Lenovo laptops will be available starting from March 2024. The ThinkPad T14 will also be available with AMD’s Ryzen 8040 series processors with Ryzen AI.
Model
Availability
Starting Price (USD$)
Starting Price (RM)*
ThinkPad T14 i Gen 5
Starting April 2024
$1,199
RM5,727.51
ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 AMD
Starting May 2024
$949
RM4,533.28
ThinkPad T14s Gen 5
Starting April 2024
$1,399
RM6,683.13
ThinkPad T16 Gen 3
Starting April 2024
$1,219
RM5,823.25
ThinkPad X12 Detachable Gen 2
Starting April 2024
$1,399
RM6,683.13
ThinkBook 14 2-in-1 Gen 4
Starting March 2024
$1,169
RM5,584.40
*Pricing in Malaysian Ringgit (RM) isestimated based on conversion rates on XE.com on 26 February 2024 [USD$1 : RM4.7771]
Lenovo‘s innovation is taking centre stage as the company is showing off a proof of concept device at MWC 2024. The concept? A transparent display on a laptop; more specifically, the company calls it the “ThinkBook Transparent Display” Laptop.
Being a ThinkBook, the device is a larger form laptop with a 17.3-inch display. It really brings that cyberpunk or “Minority Report” aesthetic by going all in on the transparent aesthetic. The display is a completely transparent, borderless 17.3-inch Micro-LED. The transparent keyboard area also adopts this aesthetic.
Lenovo is touting that the ThinkBook Transparent Display Laptop is a glimpse of the future as companies continue to leverage micro-LED technology. The technology allows companies like Lenovo to create transparent displays thanks to the high colour saturation and contrast and its 1000-nit brightness. The combination provides good visibility in both indoor and outdoor environments.
That said, the laptop is also a proof of concept that integrates virtual and real environments. Lenovo believes that the transparent surface provides an excellent surface for AI-generated content and collaboration. The transparent surface allows users to overlay digital information naturally within its environment. You’ll even be able to switch between a keyboard and a drawing board that supports input from a stylus. You’ll even be able to interact with data and applications in new ways according to Lenovo.
This article is contributed by Varinderjit Singh, General Manager at Lenovo Malaysia
Production and manufacturing processes are becoming more complex and demanding as customers expect higher quality, lower cost, and faster delivery of products. To meet these challenges, manufacturers need to leverage the power of advanced technologies, such as high-performance computing (HPC), artificial intelligence (AI), and spatial computing. In this article, we will explore how a workstation can increase productivity for production and manufacturing processes by using spatial computing solutions, data science and client AI solutions, NVIDIA Omniverse, and remote workstation solutions. Examples of noteworthy workstation options include the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 G2, Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tower and the Lenovo ThinkStation P620 Tower operating on Windows 11 Pro. Use Windows 11 Pro for Workstations to blaze through workloads with lag-free multitasking across your most demanding applications.
Spatial Computing Solutions
Spatial computing is a technology that can digitize the spatial relationships between machines, people, objects, and environments, and enable and optimize their operations and interactions. Spatial computing can help manufacturers with product design, quality control, safety, and efficiency. For example, spatial computing can enable digital twins, which are virtual replicas of physical assets or processes that can be used for simulation, testing, and optimization. Spatial computing can also facilitate augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) applications, which can enhance the visualization and collaboration of design and engineering teams, as well as provide immersive training and guidance for workers. A workstation that can handle spatial computing tasks should have a powerful GPU, a large memory, and a high-resolution display. A possible choice is the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Mobile Workstation, which has an NVIDIA® RTX 5000 Ada graphics card, an Intel® Core™ i9-13950HX processor, and up to 192GB of memory.
Data Science and Client AI Solutions
Data science and client AI solutions can help manufacturers analyze and utilize the vast amounts of data generated by production and manufacturing processes, such as sensor data, quality data, customer data, and market data. Data science and client AI solutions can help manufacturers with demand forecasting, inventory management, process optimization, anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, and customer satisfaction. For example, data science and client AI solutions can help manufacturers create and fine-tune foundation models, which are large and versatile AI models that can perform multiple tasks, such as natural language processing, computer vision, speech recognition, and more. Data science and client AI solutions can also help manufacturers interact with and explore data through conversational interfaces, visualizations, and summarizations. A workstation that can handle data science and client AI tasks should have a fast and reliable processor, a large and expandable memory, and a flexible and scalable storage system. A possible choice is the Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tower Workstation, which has a 13th Gen Intel® Core™ processor, up to 128GB of memory, and up to 32TB of storage.
NVIDIA Omniverse
NVIDIA Omniverse is a platform that enables the creation and operation of complex, AI-enabled virtual environments, or digital twins, for factory and warehouse design. These virtual replicas facilitate real-time collaboration among teams and are the key to unleashing operational efficiencies with predictive analysis and process automation. NVIDIA Omniverse allows manufacturers to import and export data from various sources, such as CAD tools, simulation software, and IoT devices, and create realistic and interactive simulations of production and manufacturing scenarios. NVIDIA Omniverse also supports ray tracing, physics, and sound rendering, which can enhance the quality and realism of the virtual environments. A workstation that can handle NVIDIA Omniverse tasks should have a powerful graphics card, a high-performance CPU, and a large memory. A possible choice is the Lenovo ThinkStation P620 Tower Workstation, which has up to 64 cores CPU, a 10Gb Ethernet port, and plenty of storage capabilities.
Remote Workstation Solutions
Remote workstation solutions can help manufacturers access their physical workstations from virtually anywhere with rich graphics acceleration via leading remote visualization tools. Remote workstation solutions can help manufacturers with remote design, engineering, and collaboration, as well as reduce the cost and maintenance of physical workstations. Remote workstation solutions can also provide security and compliance features, such as encryption, authentication, and auditing. A workstation that can handle remote workstation tasks should have a low-latency frame encode, accelerated desktop capture, headless graphics support, and leading pro-ISV certifications, like the majority of the Workstations from Lenovo. The Lenovo remote TGX solution is the best way to connect to your Workstation cluster from anywhere in the world.
Wrap up
A workstation can increase productivity for production and manufacturing processes by using various technologies, such as spatial computing, data science and client AI, NVIDIA Omniverse, and remote workstation solutions. These technologies can help manufacturers improve their design, engineering, simulation, production, and collaboration workflows, as well as reduce their costs, risks, and environmental impact. A workstation that can support these technologies should have a combination of hardware and software features, such as a powerful GPU, a fast CPU, large memory, flexible storage, and a reliable network. Lenovo offers a range of workstation solutions that can meet the needs of different production and manufacturing scenarios, such as the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Intel (16″) Mobile Workstation, the Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tower Workstation, the Lenovo ThinkStation P620 Tower Workstation, and the TGX Remote Workstation.
Lenovo’s YOGA lineup has always been one where innovation takes the centerstage. Having already changed the way we use our laptops with multimode laptops nearly a decade ago, the company is still turning up the volume when it comes to laptops in the lineup. From design to functionality, the YOGA series of laptops is keeping us on the edge.
The new YOGA Slim 7i Carbon is in a league of its own when it comes down to it. Well, not exactly on its own. Only because it’s bringing some of the killer features from Lenovo’s ThinkPad line to the YOGA series. The YOGA Slim 7i brings the durability of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon to a more affordable price point and it also brings some of the most striking design cues we’ve seen in the YOGA Slim to date.
But, we’re not here for all the dancing lights and fancy features. We’re looking to answer the questions: “Is this laptop worth the money?”, “Does it have the features you need for productivity?”, “Can it serve my needs?”. You’ll have to keep reading to find out in our in-depth review of the Lenovo YOGA Slim 7i Carbon.
Design
Let’s not beat around the bush, if anything, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Carbon lives up to its name. It’s one of the slimmest laptops available on the market right now. Coming in at only 14.25mm thick. Together with its 0.966 kg weight, the laptop is the epitome of thin and light.
It’s also the sleekest when it comes to design. Lenovo has opted to mellow out the hard edges of the YOGA lineup with sleek, curved lines that bring a softness to the laptop lineup. With premium carbon fibre build – yes, that’s where the “Carbon” comes from – the laptop isn’t sacrificing anything to become the thinnest YOGA to date.
The YOGA Slim 7i Carbon isn’t sacrificing sturdiness with its carbon fibre build. The laptop can take a beating – of course, we don’t recommend it. It does come with MIL-STD810H certification which means that you can actually toss it around without damaging it much. The laptop is also pretty dense, it feels a lot heavier than it is. This and the build quality make the Slim 7i a go-to for those needing a thin and light option.
The laptop comes in a stunning white finish. One that left us gawking at it for a good long few minutes. The sleek, slender build is accentuated by the glowing Moon White colourway. You get to experience the Slim 7i in all its glory complete with Intel IRIS Xe Graphi and a comparatively compact power bring. However, it’ll be nice to see this get pushed a bit harder when it comes to graphical prowess.
Hardware
The Lenovo YOGA Slim 7i isn’t just about the aesthetics, it’s built for productivity. To achieve this, Lenovo has packed the laptop with insides that put productivity first without sacrificing aesthetics.
Specifications
LENOVO YOGA SLIM 7i CARBON
As tested
Processor (clock)
Intel® Core™ i7-1360P processor 2.80 GHz quad-core with Turbo Boost (up to 4.70GHz) and 12MB cache
Intel WiFi 6E Bluetooth 5.1 1Thunderbolt™ 4 USB-C® 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Audio Combo Jack
Battery
50Wh lithium-polymer battery Up to 10 hours of battery life 65W Type-C power adapter
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro 64-bit
Miscellaneous
HD camera IR Camera Camera Shutter Backlit Keyboard 2 x 2W Harman Kardon® Speakers Dolby Atmos® Audio Dual Microphones DisplayPort over USB-C Thunderbolt 4 MIL-STD 810H Certified
Features
It would seem like the only highlight of the Lenovo YOGA Slim 7i is its design and build. However, Lenovo did spend some time bringing features that complement the lightweight productivity house. It comes with features like Lenovo AI+ that give it a mind of its own and seamlessly optimises the laptop in the background for the best performance and battery life.
Built for Wireless Work
Lenovo’s YOGA Slim 7i is undoubtedly built for working from anywhere. It’s thin and light and is equipped with all the essentials you’ll need for a nomadic life. It supports WiFi 6E for high-speed wireless internet. WiFi 6E is a step above WiFi 6 in that it provides a larger number of bands for higher data transfer speeds.
Complementing this is Bluetooth 5.1 which allows you to connect to a myriad of accessories. Mouses, keyboards or even your phone for wireless connectivity or to utilise Windows features like Phone Link. Phone Link is perhaps one of the best Windows complements to Bluetooth 5.1. It allows you to seamlessly message, use apps and even view pictures on your connected device.
Together with these, the laptop comes with an HD webcam for online meetings over Zoom or Microsoft Teams. The dual mics complement the camera with intelligent noise cancellation and crisp sound.
Lenovo AI Engine+
AI’s the word when it comes to laptops this year and beyond. With more companies integrating some form of AI automation and sensing to help users draw the most from their laptops. Lenovo’s AI Engine+ is the latest generation of AI automation to come to Lenovo laptops.
The AI Engine+ will keep an eye on your computer’s performance for you. It will intelligently optimize the settings on your laptop to make sure you get the best performance regardless of your battery level. In fact, this engine may be the reason behind the long battery life of the YOGA Slim 7i.
It may seem like a small thing to talk about, but these optimisations are key to having the best experience possible. Of course, it does come with a few quirks like sudden changes in screen brightness as it optimises your settings. That said, it’s a small trade-off for the extended battery life of the laptop.
Lenovo’s AI Engine+ is also behind some of the privacy features that come with the Lenovo YOGA Slim 7i Carbon. It uses things like the HD webcam and the IR camera to detect if you’re in front of the laptop. If you’re not, it will automatically lock your laptop to protect your data.
Light Weight Durability
Of course, the hallmark of the Lenovo Slim 7i is the durability that the carbon fibre brings to the laptop. The choice of materials allows you some peace of mind when carrying the laptop around as you go about business. It’s also lightweight, a very welcomed feature when it comes to people who work on the go as we don’t end up sacrificing our backs with the hefty laptops that are usually around.
The lightweight durability of the laptop is complemented by a flexible hinge that is able to give up to 180° of articulation. This means you’ll be able to lay the laptop absolutely flat if you ever need to. Of course, it goes without saying that this isn’t a multimode laptop so, please don’t go overextending this hinge… It will break!
Performance
When it comes to performance, the Slim 7i isn’t a slouch. While it’s not going to give your gaming laptops a run for their money, it’s packed with enough power to cater to larger workloads. With Intel’s 13th Generation i7 processor, the laptop can handle a little bit of heavy lifting. That said, it may not be able to handle things like video editing without breaking a sweat.
During our review period with the Slim 7i, we were pushing the limits a little bit. Since the laptop was my personal on-the-go rig, I inevitably ended up using it for simple video edits and photo editing. While video editing on programs like Capcut, there were no issues with the laptop at all. However, heavier editing even on programs like Adobe Rush bogged the system down severely. Of course, this would be highly dependent on the resolution you’re editing in. During this period, I was primarily editing with source footage being either 1080p or 4K. The latter made the laptop struggle for its life. 100% would not recommend the workload – no cap.
However, with photos the laptop was able to cope pretty well. It was able to use a good selection of apps from the built-in Windows Photos app to Adobe Lightroom and even Adobe Photoshop without much hassle. It goes without saying that apps like Canva and Adobe Express have no issues running at all.
Web browsing and multitasking were not much of an issue with the Slim 7i. I was able to use my Mozilla Firefox browser with about 30 tabs before it started bogging down the system noticeably. With Google Chrome it was affected with about 20 tabs open. That said, not many of us will have that many tabs open at once. Working on Excel sheets, PowerPoint and word processing is a breeze on the laptop.
If you really want to, you’ll be able to get away with gaming on the YOGA Slim 7i. It will be able to handle light games like Lords of Water Deep or even This War of Mine should run without issue. I was able to play Final Fantasy VIII remastered without much issue. However, don’t expect the laptop to be able to handle games like No Man’s Sky.
Battery life on the 7i Carbon is very, very, very good. On a regular day with simple word processing, emails and browsing, I was able to get at least 8 hours of battery life easily. With heavier workloads, the battery life dwindled to about 5 hours. However, it was easy to top up the charge with a GaN charger even when the original charger wasn’t around thanks to USB-PD.
Display
The 2.5K resolution display of the laptop is a highlight no matter how you slice it. The screen is vibrant with accurate colour reproduction. But, more importantly, it gives you sizeable pixel real estate to multitask. Of course, this will be limited by your eye’s health thanks to the smaller 13.3-inch size.
That said, thanks to low blue light emittance, I found my eyes less strained. I also set the display size to about 125% so that it was more legible. However, thanks to the number of pixels, I was able to read more at a glance. This made reading and writing a tad bit easier. Editing videos and photos was also easier to do thanks to the colour calibration of the laptops.
Where the display really shone was when used to view videos. The deep blacks and vibrant colours allow for a really immersive experience second only to a proper OLED TV. The display was, of course, complemented by the Harman Kardon speakers that come built-in for a commendable sound experience.
Thin and Light Never Looked So Good
The Lenovo YOGA Slim 7i is a contender for anyone looking for a thin and light laptop. Especially if you’re looking for a light laptop. The carbon fibre used in its build lends itself to the overall reduction of weight which many other laptops are undoubtedly going to vie for. However, it doesn’t compromise on durability. It comes with a dense, sturdy overall build with insides that cater to nearly all workloads. It’s also a real looker when it comes to design.
This article is contributed by Varinderjit Singh, General Manager, Lenovo Malaysia
While I think most of us would expect large organizations to include forward-thinking technology in their overall business strategies, we’re starting to see this with SMBs as well, including relatively small companies, to different degrees around the world.
Not only do customers expect customized on-demand services, so do employees.
Businesses therefore seek to leverage technology to drive faster results and adapt to new market trends. At the heart of this strategic thinking is understanding the new roles emerging technology has around taking on the tasks of time-consuming day-to-day activities so that high-value and skilled executives and employees can focus on driving growth engines.
In a way, we are back to where computing first started, which was to automate processes and make them simpler and faster. What is different today of course is that technologies are so much more advanced, and are continually improving and increasingly embedded into strategy development – very different from the older business model where technology was a cost assigned to operations.
This is therefore about taking teams to the next level in our increasingly AI and digitally-driven world, requiring businesses to find a balance between implementing emerging technology and providing personalized experiences for their customers.
In assessing which technologies perhaps play the biggest parts, I suggest the following.
Hi-speed network infrastructure
Connectivity is clearly essential to any distributed workforce. Without it, device technology is expensive and inefficient, collaboration breaks down, productivity drops, and customers and employees go somewhere else. Wireless technologies like Wi-Fi 6E and 5G will be instrumental in delivering high bandwidth, ultra-low latency connectivity, and power to devices all over the world and will expand the landscape of solutions for businesses that want to grow.
Design and engineering teams must also offer new possibilities for thinner and more flexible designs for mobile employees working in hybrid workspaces. Companies like Lenovo are designing unique laptops with a built-in secondary e-Ink screen in the top cover or foldable displays that extend versatility and mobility. An example is the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold operating on Windows 11 Pro. Use Windows 11 Pro for Workstations to blaze through workloads with lag-free multitasking across your most demanding applications.
The key here is technology equipped with always-on, always-connected capability.
Personal AI transformation
In the near future, PCs that currently provide AI-enabled enhanced video, audio, and security capabilities will transform into full AI PC devices. They will not only have the power to provide a personalized digital assistant experience but also learn over time, adapt and predict tasks, and offer solutions for improving workload management using intuitive natural language interaction.
Personal AI technology is expected to be instrumental in helping workers maintain high levels of productivity while also promoting healthy and sustainable work habits. By assisting with task prioritization and workload management, Personal AI can offer more predictive and insightful answers to questions or tasks.
While Cloud LLMs and Personal AI may differ in functionalities, they can offer diverse and complementary benefits to different users. Used together, they can provide a more comprehensive and personalized smart assistant experience that will accelerate speed and efficiency at every stage of workflow, ultimately helping businesses gain a significant competitive edge.
AI-enabled services and products
The last six months have seen the world wake up to the opportunities of AI-enabled services. For example, some workplaces have incorporated AI chatbots to provide employees with resources around the clock, adding convenience for those seeking answers to common questions about employee benefits, scheduling, insurance, vacation availability, and sick time. By allowing some HR processes to be accomplished without human intervention, chatbots offer a better allocation of HR staff members’ time toward addressing more complex employee inquiries. The use of such AI chatbots however has raised concern in some areas. Since most are public cloud-based resources, the issues of data integrity, security, and privacy are crucial considerations. AI services can help assess and guide the appropriate solutions and areas of investment in regard to Cloud, Private, or Personal AI models.
And we are already seeing that companies that smartly adapt to incorporating AI-enabled services and products have a competitive advantage. AI and machine learning can enable targeted data analysis, so employees can focus on creative and social tasks that AI simply cannot.
To take organizations to the next level, businesses must strategically implement technology such as infrastructure, cloud, and AI tools that will help them scale. Businesses need the ability to integrate new technologies and workloads efficiently and seamlessly, often within resource, budget, and capital restrictions.
That in turn requires new strategic thinking around the impact and opportunities that emerging technology enables.
This article is contributed by Varinderjit Singh, General Manager, Lenovo Malaysia
The manufacturing industry is shifting from hands-on to virtual with AR & VR, to increase efficiency, enhance employee training & cut costs.
As augmented (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies expand beyond the gaming world, they are seeing increased awareness and adoption across a variety of industries – particularly manufacturing. In an era dominated by data and one that is constantly shifting to adapt to the needs of the new workforce, emerging technologies have the opportunity to completely disrupt the manufacturing industry as we know it.
AR/VR enables a new generation of workers to be smarter, faster, and more capable by connecting people and computers in real-time, hands-free scenarios. This new wave of immersive computing enables workers to access technical knowledge and data on the go, interact with 3D models to collaborate and innovate with peers and dive into digital experiences that enhance engagement and learning. By empowering employees to do more, AR/VR technologies allow enterprises to solve problems in unexpected and inventive ways.
Lenovo’s ThinkReality solutions are making it easier than ever to build, deploy and manage enterprise AR/VR solutions. ThinkReality is a scalable cloud and device-agnostic software platform supported by Lenovo’s expert consulting, deployment and support services. As the global manufacturing industry prepares to adjust to new challenges and opportunities, ThinkReality is ready to support it.
In addition, the Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 operating on Windows 11 Pro is an excellent choice for businesses and employee training. Use Windows 11 Pro for Workstations to blaze through workloads with lag-free multitasking across your most demanding applications.
Manufacturing’s New Reality
The manufacturing industry now has approximately 2.72 million workers in Malaysia, accounting for about 18.1% of the workforce, and continuing to grow. With a transitioning workforce, globally, the manufacturing industry is forecasting a deficit of 7.9 million workers by 2030, resulting in an unrealized economic output of $607.1 billion (RM 2.8 trillion) if current initiatives remain unchanged.
According to Korn Ferry’s Future of Work study, “Developing countries with strong manufacturing centres may begin to struggle due to significant talent shortages – by 2030, Brazil could suffer manufacturing worker deficits of 1.7 million and Indonesia could see worker shortages reach 1.6 million. The United States already struggles with shortfalls in highly skilled manufacturing talent and this deficit is expected to increase over the next decade, reaching a 2030 shortfall of 383,000 such workers, equivalent to more than 10% of the highly skilled workforce.”
As a result, the manufacturing industry, which has traditionally been slow to evolve, is moving at rapid speeds towards AR/VR integration to help solve for the skilled workforce gap. IDC forecasts worldwide spending on AR/VR will reach $160 billion (RM 759.7 billion) this year, up significantly from the $16.8 billion (RM 78.8 billion) forecast for 2019, with the five-year compound annual growth rate for AR/VR spending reaching 78.3%.
The uptick in AR/VR enterprise growth will be a direct result of manufacturing’s growth, where companies are using technology to boost productivity, increase security and ensure accuracy in the industry.
Hands-on Training
According to Deloitte, the number of new jobs in manufacturing is expected to accelerate and grow by 1.96 million workers by 2028. This job surge calls for the industry to keep up with the demand for new talent and to quickly adapt and integrate new technologies—to boost both revenue and employee productivity.
Technicians need to quickly adapt to this environment and determine efficiencies across their entire operations. One such way is by enabling new technologies that enhance employee training.
In most manufacturing environments, hands-on training is difficult because shutting down equipment or a production line to brief new employees is unrealistic. Additionally, there are certain pieces of equipment that might be too expensive to purchase just to dedicate solely to training new hires.
However, with VR, on-the-field training is possible, as new employees can be placed in a virtual environment that mimics the work they would be doing on the ground. Allowing employees to learn through real-life experiences leads to increased knowledge retention and gives them the ability to practice complex scenarios they would normally not have access to in traditional training environments. The technology also allows employees to absorb the information through real-time application, save time in traditional forms of training and equip them with the expertise they need to fill the industry skills gap. Companies also benefit because virtual training prevents disruption in normal operations.
Safety & Maintenance
Being able to train employees from a distance boosts learning, saves employers money long-term and, most importantly, provides a safer environment. While company manuals and training courses exist, there needs to be other resources employees can take advantage of to effectively prepare for the variety of high-risk situations they might face over their careers. With AR technology, employees are able to experience potentially dangerous scenarios repeatedly, helping to avoid injury and equipment damage.
As an example, aerospace manufacturers are using AR technology to increase efficiency and improve quality control at their installation and inspection facilities. Employees use augmented reality glasses to see digital mockups over images of real systems to identify faulty parts which helps ensure safety and speeds up the maintenance process. AR helps ensure accuracy while also speeding up the process of daily inspections.
Worker Productivity & Business Efficiency
The result of a more experiential onboarding and training process is employees who are more prepared for their daily tasks, which leads to increased productivity. Beyond training, AR/VR solutions help businesses work smarter and more efficiently. For example, manufacturing company leaders can use VR to reskill their employees to learn new skills, or alternatively, AR solutions can give engineers access to interactive 3D renderings to more quickly assemble a specific component.
Additionally, over the years these technologies have evolved to help businesses be even more efficient. For example, to adapt to the increasingly mobile and technologically-driven workforce, these solutions now come in the form of hands-free head-worn devices that can be used to deploy both simple and complex AR solutions for enterprises – reducing error rates, improving time to build a system and minimizing costs.
Looking Ahead
ThinkReality is conceived for today’s world and the future. The Lenovo ThinkReality platform provides a proven, scalable, and streamlined path from proof of concept to productivity for enterprise AR/VR applications. The platform is a complete solution that lets you focus on problem-solving by working across diverse hardware and software. Build, deploy, and manage applications and content on a global scale, with global support.
While AR/VR technologies are still facing integration roadblocks in the industry, they hold a substantial role in propelling the manufacturing industry forward in the coming years. Ensuring employees are properly trained, productive and safe is just the starting point for the future of AR/VR in the manufacturing industry. As we look ahead, enterprises will continue to see the value of AR/VR in enhancing operations. By building in smarter technologies into the enterprise ecosystem, businesses will transform the manufacturing industry as we see it today.
The season of holiday gifting and sales are upon us! If you have been thinking about spending your hard-earned money on your loved ones (including yourself), here’s the first of many gift guides to look forward to this month.
Whether it is a gift for a gamer-on-the-go or a serial multitasker, Lenovo is highlighting a collection of their tech this holiday season:
Lenovo Legion Go (Price TBA – available soon on Lenovo Malaysia’s official stores)
Legion Go is Lenovo’s answer to a handheld gaming device with the guts of a PC. It’s got detachable controllers for ultimate flexibility. It also comes with a 10-point touchscreen for intuitive controls, and enough juice to last thanks to Super Rapid Charge.
Lenovo Yoga Book 9i (RM9,499)
The Yoga Book 9i is a dual-screen laptop that folds, flips, and flexes. Its Multimode+ feature turns it into everything you need – whether it be a laptop, a tablet, or an e-reader. It’s portable and comes with a whole ecosystem of accessories, allowing you to work creatively wherever you are.
Lenovo Legion 9i (RM16,039.01)
For serious gamers and content creators, this powerhouse of a laptop comes with a self-contained liquid cooling system. It boasts buttery smooth performance and packed with high-end specs. Of course, this also means that this beast comes with a similarly high-end price tag.
Lenovo Tab P11 (2nd Gen) (RM1,699)
The Tab P11 is a versatile tablet for streaming, designing, and even some light gaming. For multitaskers, split-screen mode allows you to easily tackle two tasks at once. The Lenovo Precision Pen 2 is also a perfect accessory for jotting down notes or doodling. Looking to do some emails or want a boost in productivity? Just snap on a keyboard and you have a tablet for both work and play.
Lenovo R27fc-30 27″ Monitor (RM849)
Immersion and low-latency is important to enjoying gaming and viewing content. If you’re looking to do either, consider this 27-inch curved monitor monitor. It comes with 280Hz refresh rate and 0.5ms response time for smooth video performance. Want to set up multiple screens? No problem. The LTPS stand lets you adjust it to your preferred viewing angle, so you can game, create, and enjoy in comfort.
This article is contributed by Varinderjit Singh, General Manager, Lenovo Malaysia
For years, consumer electronics have been viewed as replaceable rather than repairable. Quickly consumed and then easily considered disposable, devices are often discarded, sometimes well before what could be considered a standard end-of-life period.
While recycling has long been the go-to method for minimizing waste in various other sectors, it isn’t as widely embraced in technology. According to a report from Statista, more than 53 million metric tons of electronic waste was generated globally in 2019, up from 33 million in 2010. Only 17.4% of which was documented to be collected and properly recycled.
While efforts to improve recycling rates of e-waste should undoubtedly continue, as someone who has dedicated their life to innovation, the question I pose is, how can we extend the useful life of devices until they truly are ready to be recycled? To answer that question, we must first examine what drives people to dispose of their devices.
Our replacement ecosystem
Today, the lifecycle of devices is largely influenced by technology and user preferences. As new versions of products that meet new needs are introduced, there is a natural desire to replace what is owned with the new. This replacement ecosystem can in turn generate waste. As an example, consider the main motivation someone has for buying a new smartphone or laptop.
Often, such an action is taken when the battery life deteriorates. Years ago, when PCs had batteries designed to be easily removed and replaced, the user could just pull it off and attach a new one. Now, it’s not that simple, largely due to user preferences that have shaped our technological landscape.
As devices have become exceptionally sleek to meet the needs and wants of consumers, they’ve become less easy to repair in the process. So, when a user’s experience with the device is negatively impacted by poor battery performance, the easiest available choice seems to be to replace the device with another, with many opting for something new.
In this lifecycle, an expectation to constantly produce is placed on manufacturers, leaving the user to desire what’s new rather than attempt to enjoy a long-term experience with the product.
Though many people choose to replace their old devices with something new, it isn’t inevitable that devices be scrapped once their initial useful life appears to be over. As we’ve become used to an ecosystem that’s less accommodating of device reparability over the past decade, I revisit the question I initially posed, how can we extend the useful life of devices?
The Cynic’s Response
When I’ve discussed the aforementioned question in forums, I’ve occasionally been met with cynicism.
The cynicism is underpinned by the belief that products are designed to be replaced after several years since they regenerate sales. Looking at how device usability can be extended isn’t seen as being commercially viable in this particular instance.
While I acknowledge there are always people who will want the latest devices, I want to put forward the idea that the “old device” has the potential to still be phenomenal. It has a lot of value in its ability to be reused either by family members or others in the community, for example.
A great example of a device is the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon operating on Windows 11 Pro. Boost employee productivity with modern Windows 11 Pro devices for business. Focus, create, and collaborate with ease from any location with natural workflows and intelligent experiences.
Getting to circular
It’s obvious to me that people want to feel good about what they do. When given the choice, many people would prefer to purchase a sustainable alternative to be more eco-friendly.
The question, at least in my mind, is, to what extent are people willing to be inconvenienced for more sustainable features? Whether it’s a marginally higher price point, time spent waiting for a repair or embracing modularity instead of buying the hottest new device, there’s a lot to unpack. The question alone encapsulates a guiding mission for device manufacturers to do everything possible to make it easier for consumers to make sustainable choices.
To act on this, I think we need to design in-feature capabilities that will make it easier to improve reusability and extend usability in general. This is why we’re designing our products to be more durable, where, as an example, we’re embedding longer lifespan batteries into our products. We must, however, ensure the user experience isn’t being compromised in the process.
Then, there’s the aspect of reparability. At its best, I think of reparability as Lenovo’s partnership with Kramden Institute, an organization that refurbishes machines and gives them to families who don’t have computers, extending the life of valuable technology and closing the digital divide.
We’ve also made it easier for our customers to get more long-term use of their products through three-year standard warranties and five years of replacement parts for many of our products. By offering advanced support services, products can be quickly repaired to minimize interruption and hassle. For those who want to repair their own devices, we offer service and maintenance manuals, as well as part removal and replacement videos.
These are, of course, in addition to recycling the device and leveraging recycled materials in the manufacturing of products. As stated in our recent ESG report, this has been a key focus at Lenovo, where we’ve greatly increased the integration of new recycled materials (e.g. magnesium, aluminium and ocean-bound plastics).
Now, Lenovo manufactures 248 products that use closed-loop recycled plastic (an increase from 103 in 2021). As part of our product recycling approach, Lenovo offers product take-back programs and an Asset Recovery Services program that provides companies with a sustainable disposition strategy that will help mitigate the environmental and data security risks associated with end-of-life device disposal.
Ultimately, at Lenovo, we are working to increase the number of products, components, and materials that are reused, repaired, and recycled. In doing this, we extract the greatest amount of value from products while they’re in use. Keeping products in use for longer, recycling materials, and reusing products in new ways are the staples of transitioning from a replacement ecosystem to a circular one.
From an engineering standpoint, balancing the need to increase the deployment of more eco-friendly resources with the ability to engineer efficiency in manufacturing is how we will win on the road to doing better.
While I don’t see us moving back to the thick, heavy design that characterized yesterday’s devices, there’s definitely an opportunity where we can replicate the reusable functionalities while also having minimal impact on design. I’m excited to see how we can go a lot further with this than where we are today.
Motorola recently made big announcements at Lenovo Tech World 2023, including a new bendable concept phone and a new AI platform called MotoAI.
MotoAI – Motorola’s foray into AI
MotoAI is Motorola’s answer to AI personal assistants and is being developed to power its future PCs and smartphones. The platform is expected to include a variety of AI features, including personalisation unique to the user, a sophisticated personal assistant, and enhanced data privacy.
This AI model will never stop learning and is able to adapt to the user’s habits and preferences over time. This will allow MotoAI to provide users with more helpful suggestions on top of unique personalisation. Naturally, this means there will be enhanced data privacy to give users more control over their data.
It’s unclear when the MotoAI will be fully released to the public, but it will be interesting to see what Motorala has in store in the near future. With how they have been investing heavily into AI and other innovative tech like their bendable phones, it seems like Motorola aims to play in the same leagues as the other big AI players.
