Lenovo announced that the Lenovo ThinkSmart Core Gen 2, one of the first AI-optimized compute devices purpose built to run video conferencing room systems, will be available soon locally.
Powered by the Intel® Core™ Ultra processor[i] with an integrated NPU, the ThinkSmart Core Gen 2 is ready for AI-heavy meeting room workloads, delivering unparalleled performance for intuitive collaboration and enhanced productivity, all in a protected and user-friendly solution.
Smarter AI for All Means Smarter Collaboration
Under Lenovo’s vision of Smarter AI for All, the company remains firmly dedicated to equipping organizations and individuals with the right tools to put AI to work for them. While the role of collaboration technology has never been more critical, especially in developing economies like the Philippines, many customers are continuing to redefine meeting spaces and how work is done.
Given this, the integration of AI into collaboration tools presents a transformative opportunity to connect people and improve productivity.
As Lenovo brings more compute power to collaboration, end users will be empowered by enhanced predictive capabilities that anticipate user needs, suggest relevant resources, or actions before they’re requested. AI-driven analytics will also provide real-time feedback on productivity and team dynamics, enabling more informed decision-making and fostering a more agile and responsive work environment.
For IT managers in the Philippines, collaborative AI tools hold the potential for even greater automation, proactive management, and strategic insight. AI is expected to further reduce the manual workload by automating more complex maintenance tasks, predictive monitoring, and security measures, allowing local IT teams to focus on innovation rather than spend majority of their time on routine operations.
Moving forward, as these AI-enabled collaboration tools continue to evolve, they will increasingly become essential resources in daily tasks for meeting participants while helping reduce complexity and workloads for IT managers.
Lenovo ThinkSmart Core Gen 2
Lenovo ThinkSmart Core Gen 2
One of the first AI-optimized compute devices purpose built for video conferencing room systems, the Lenovo ThinkSmart Core Gen 2 elevates every meeting experience—no matter the room size or setup. This intelligent device combines AI-optimized technology and unparalleled performance for intuitive collaboration and enhanced productivity, all in a protected and user-friendly solution.
Powered by the Intel® Core™ Ultra processor on the Intel vPro® platform, the ThinkSmart Core Gen 2 efficiently manages heavy AI workloads right on the compute device, with up to 40% lower power consumption than its predecessor.[ii]
For a complete room solution right out of the box, ThinkSmart Core Gen 2 Full Room Kit is a single-SKU option that adds the intelligent ThinkSmart Bar 180, enabling Intelligent Speaker functionality. Installation and deployment are quick and convenient, and ample ports allow for quick and easy connection to different devices. No matter what configuration IT teams create, every collaboration is more secure, thanks to the advanced hardware-based protection of the Intel vPro® platform and automatic Windows 11 security updates.
The ThinkSmart Core Gen 2 offers an incredible array of smart features to enable smarter meeting rooms.
Intelligent Power – Powered by the Intel® Core™ Ultra processor and Intel vPro® platform the ThinkSmart Core Gen 2 efficiently manages heavy AI workloads with up to 40% lower power consumption. The unique NPU architecture built on Windows 11 IoT accelerates compute tasks and data transfer, optimizing AI performance and making operations more efficient, reliable, and secure.
Smart Assistance – Supporting Microsoft Teams Rooms or Zoom Rooms on Windows, the ThinkSmart Core Gen 2 boosts collaboration with AI-enabled features through Microsoft Copilot or Zoom AI Companion. AI-enabled experiences like intelligent framing of meeting participants, auto voice detection, smart name tags, meeting summaries, and real time assistance are just some of the smart features to look forward to in the future.[iii]
Purpose Built – The versatile built-in cable management system locks wires in place or detaches completely for a sleeker, more compact setup, and an integrated EDID management facilitates improve connectivity with room displays. ThinkSmart Core Gen 2 is tested to run 24/7/365 in a wide temperature range (5°C to 40°C), withstanding a crowded server room and boasts a quiet fanless enclosure to go unnoticed behind a conference room display.
Inherent Flexibility – With Windows 11 IoT, ThinkSmart Core Gen 2 offers the flexibility to choose from a variety of peripherals. To make installation easier, the smart device comes with either the Lenovo IP Controller or the ThinkSmart Controller to suit a variety of room setups. For a truly flexible experience, the intelligent device offers users the ability to easily plug in their laptop if needed and run a meeting in BYOD mode, regardless of the UC platform.
“Smart collaboration technology continues to advance rapidly with the introduction of AI-enabled features,” said Shannon MacKay, General Manager of Worldwide Smart Collaboration Business, Lenovo. “Customers are looking for more compute power and flexibility to future-proof meeting spaces and take advantages of solutions available now and just over the horizon.”
Customer Support & Professional Services
The ThinkSmart Core Gen 2 comes preloaded with ThinkSmart Manager software with the Intel vPro® platform for remote manageability in real-time to save IT teams’ resources. And, for additional security, the Lenovo ThinkShield offering adds an extra layer of security through its OS-to-cloud solutions.
For ongoing support, the new AI-optimized video conferencing compute devices includes a three-year Lenovo warranty with Premier Support and one-year ThinkSmart Manager Premium license. Also included is Lenovo Smart Collaboration Professional Services Deploy and Maintain to ensure fast, efficient rollout.
Stay Tuned for Pricing and Availability
The Lenovo ThinkSmart Core Gen 2, designed to revolutionize AI-powered collaboration and video conferencing, will soon be available in the Philippine market. Offering enhanced computing power, seamless connectivity, and smarter meeting room solutions, this device is set to transform hybrid work environments. Pricing and availability details will be announced soon.
Technical Specifications
| Performance | Processor | Intel® CoreTM Ultra 7 165H processor on Intel vPro® platform
Intel® CoreTM Ultra 5 135H processor on Intel vPro® platform |
| Operating System | Windows 11 IoT Enterprise GAC | |
| Memory[iv] | 16GB (Dual-Channel) DDR5 5600MHz SODIMM
32GB (Dual-Channel) DDR5 5600MHz SODIMM |
|
| Storage[v] | 256GB PCIe TLC SSD | |
| Graphics | Intel® Arc™ graphics | |
| Security | TPM 2.0
Kensington™ MiniSaver lock slot Removable Cable Management |
|
| Connectivity | Ports | 1x HDMI Ingest
2x HDMI-Out 1x RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 1x USB-A 2.0 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 1x USB-C Ingest 1x Standard Think Power |
| Wifi | WLAN 802.11 AC (2×2)
Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE) 5.0 |
|
| Design | Dimensions (WxDxH) | 185 x 220 x 38 mm/7.28 x 8.66 x 1.50 in (with cable management)
185 x 140 x 38 mm/7.28 x 5.51 x 1.50 in (without cable management) |
| Weight | 1.01 kg/2.23 lbs (with cable management)
0.86 kg/ 1.90 lbs (without cable management) |
|
| Manageability | ThinkSmart Manager |
[i] Available with Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 processor or Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 processor.
[ii] Up to 40% lower processor power with AI enhanced virtual camera with an Intel Core Ultra 7 165H processor versus 13th Gen Intel Core i7-1370P as measured by SoC package power using XSplit VCam for background removal, auto framing, enhanced lighting, and chair removal using NPU.
[iii] The ThinkSmart Core Gen 2 is pending certification for Microsoft Teams Rooms and Zoom Rooms on Windows.
[iv] Actual available user storage and internal memory capacity is less and varies due to many factors, including formatting, partitioning and operating system, etc., which utilize part of this capacity. The available capacity may change with software updates.
[v] Actual available user storage and internal memory capacity is less and varies due to many factors, including formatting, partitioning and operating system, etc., which utilize part of this capacity. The available capacity may change with software updates.
