Our History

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

A small concrete building in China during the 1980s

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

Lenovo‘s first self-branded computer in China, called Legend

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

A 360-degree hinge that pioneered the convertible category

Lenovo became the world’s #1 PC company

2015

Lenovo was listed among the top 100 global brands by Interbrand

2018

A closeup of the camera on a laptop computer

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

The world’s first foldable PC and clamshell smartphone

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

A young man working on his Lenovo laptop in the office

Unveiled Lenovo’s world’s first AI PCs across consumer, commercial, and SMB

More to Explore

Corporate Responsibility in Action

Learn about our impact >

Find Out Where We are Located Around the World

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Innovation is What We Do Best

Learn about what we do >

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