Bad News For ThinkPad Lovers

I've long heralded the superiority of IBM's ThinkPad line of notebooks over other PC laptops. It looks like those days are over:

China's largest personal computer maker, Lenovo Group Ltd., said Wednesday it is buying control of IBM's PC-making business for $1.25 billion, capping the U.S. tech giant's gradual withdrawal from the business it helped pioneer in 1981.

The deal closes an era for the world's largest computer company and kicks off a new age in which China's top PC maker Lenovo steps onto the world stage as a major PC brand and IBM partner.

The sale of IBM's PC desktop and notebook computer lines frees the company to focus on higher-margin businesses such as computer services, software, more powerful server computers, and storage as well as computer chips, analysts have said.

For Lenovo, which is battling intense competition in its home market, the deal with the world's largest computer company marks a breakthrough in its efforts to build its business overseas. It would also make the company part of a small but growing group of Chinese manufacturers buying overseas brands.

Is it possible that Lenovo will be able to match IBM's quality control and customer service? Yes. Would I bet my next $2000 on it? Nope. This may be the last straw that pushes me to a Powerbook.