Lenovo today announced its entry into the global consumer PC market with the launch of a new line of notebook and desktop PCs. Its IdeaPad Notebooks come with facial recognition log-in and authentication. Users can make their face their password with VeriFace™ Face Recognition to log into their PC and other applications. “The combination of the VeriFace software and an embedded camera can recognize a user’s face for log-in and help eliminate the need to remember passwords.” Already, some IBM notebooks come with biometric digital identification and verification using fingerprint login capability.

Lenovo feels its new consumer-oriented IdeaPad notebooks and IdeaCentre desktops complement its business-oriented ThinkPad notebooks and ThinkCentre desktops. The new PCs will be initially offered in countries including the U.S., France, Russia, South Africa, India, Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, China, the Philippines and Singapore. Why the entry into the consumer market? The company cites an IDC study that reveals the worldwide consumer PC market is expected to grow by an average of nearly 10 percent annually through 2011. Recommended pricing for the IdeaPad Y510 and Y710 starts at $799 and $1,199, respectively. The IdeaPad U110 notebook will be available in April.