Lenovo has expanded its line of servers for small to medium sized enterprises with new models using Intel's Nehalem-based Xeon 5500 processor chips.

The new ThinkServer models consist of the tower-format TD200 and TD200x, plus the rack-mounted RD210 and RD220 models. The rack-mount models are available immediately, while the TD200 and TD200x will be available later in July.

With Nehalem processors, the new systems are up to three times faster than their predecessors, according to Lenovo. The company introduced its first range of ThinkServer models last autumn.

The new models support up to 128GB of high-speed DDR3 memory, and up to 12 drive bays in the rack-mount models, while the tower models accommodate up to 16.

Power efficiency and easier management are also key features of the new servers. Select ThinkServer models are compliant with Energy Star for Servers 1.0, and reduce power consumption by as much as 30 per cent compared with older systems, according to Lenovo.

Management support is provided by an Integrated Management Module, providing out-of-band access via a web-based console. This allows a manager to reach a system even if the server has crashed or is powered off.

"Our second generation of ThinkServers makes giant leaps in both performance and usability for small and mid-sized businesses, while offering new virtualisation and energy efficient features leading to a substantially lower cost of ownership," said Lenovo executive director of Enterprise Systems Tom Tobul.

Like the existing ThinkServers, the new models are backed by services and support to aid small companies that may not have an IT department. This includes a 90-day free trial of ThinkPlus Priority Support, which provides a 24/7 hotline.