Lenovo to unveil ‘netbook’

Lenovo Group Ltd., China’s biggest maker of personal computers, said it would start selling “netbook” laptops designed to run basic applications to enter a market that’s forecast to rise more than twentyfold over five years.

The IdeaPad S10 computer, equipped with Intel Corp.’s Atom processor and a screen measuring 10.2 inches diagonally, will be available in October starting at $399 each, the Morrisville, N.C.-based company said.

The Chinese PC maker also plans to introduce netbook models geared for students and educators, it said.

Demand for low-end notebooks, designed to run applications such as Web browsing and e-mail, may increase to 9.2 million units in 2012, from 430,000 last year, Lenovo said, citing estimates from research firm IDC.