1 Entrepreneur, 10 Engineers, and $25,000
Lenovo was a pioneer in the global PC market when it was founded four decades ago.
With an initial investment of just $25,000, Lenovo has since grown to become not only
the world’s largest PC maker but also a global technology leader in fields such as
corporate sustainability.
Lenovo’s story begins in a dusty room in Beijing in 1984, the same year IBM launched its
first 'portable' computer, the IBM Portable PC, weighing a hefty 30lbs (13.60kg). The history
of the two companies became intertwined over the coming years.
Lenovo Timeline
Explore the highlights of Lenovo’s 40 year history of innovation.
1984
Lenovo released and sold its own branded PCs and became the top brand in China with a market share of 30%
1986
Created the first Chinese character card, which enabled computers to process the Chinese language
1990
Operating under the name Legend, Lenovo launched first self-branded computer in China
1992
ThinkPad firsts – color TFT screen and later embedded security chip – innovations that became industry standards
1999
The first internet PC for China, providing the first direct connection between PC and phone line
2003
The Company was rebranded as ‘Lenovo’
2005
Lenovo acquired IBM’s PC division, including ThinkPad
2008
Lenovo provides the technology backbone for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Game
2013
Lenovo became the world’s #1 PC company
2015
Lenovo was listed among the top 100 global brands by Interbrand
2018
Lenovo launched Lenovo Foundation, the company’s charitable and philanthropic arm
2020
Lenovo introduced the Yoga 5G, the world’s first PC with revolutionary 5G connectivity.
2022
Lenovo announced its plan for Net-Zero emissions by 2050
2023
Lenovo ranked #1 in Gartner Asia/Pacific Supply Chain, Top 10 for second time
2024
Unveiled Lenovo’s world’s first AI PCs across consumer, commercial, and SMB
