ThinkPad users in despair over IBM's PC sale

In the wake of Wednesday's announcement that Lenovo will buy IBM's PC business - since which the Chinese's company share price has fallen by as much as seven per cent - ThinkPad users, particularly in the US, have no thought but for the future quality and innovation of their cherished machine.

The websites devoted to Big Blue's laptop are filled with apprehension and talk of doom.

One devotee wrote in the chat room on popular user site ThinkPads.com: "Let me be brief. After buying ThinkPads for my company for the last 10+ years, I've purchased my last ThinkPad." Another said simply: "ThinkPads will no longer be ThinkPads!"

On this side of the Atlantic, the IBM laptop has never quite achieved the prestige and following that it has in the US where it's seen as a top accessory for business users.

IBM has successfully built the ThinkPad into a premium brand through the quality of its build, good online support and the company's ability to bring out those innovations users most want.

One user described the notebook's appeal on ThinkPad.com: "The bottom line is ThinkPad owners intentionally pay more for ThinkPads because we demand quality: light laptops that run for hours without frying your lap or wrists, bright-crisp screens, metal cases, hard drives that protect themselves from damage, tight system security, etc."

The consensus among posters was that the ThinkPad would lose its edge as IBM's PC business is moved to China.

But here and there calmer posters noted the design team will stay where they are, close to the US customers, and pointed out that many of the latest machines already have 'Made in China' stickers.