IBM’s successful lineup of notebooks as well as technologies found in those laptops will continue to be developed in Yamato Laboratory in Tokyo, Japan, even after IBM’s PC business unit buy-out by Chinese Lenovo Group, according to IBM’s representatives in Tokyo.

The president of IBM’s Yamato laboratory Sakamoto Hironori told PC Watch web-site that no changes were planned to happen with the Yamato lab: all of its 600 employees are projected to be hired by Lenovo Group and would continue to work further on development of ThinkPad laptops. It is unclear, where the forthcoming IBM ThinkPad notebook will be made; currently IBM outsources majority of ThinkPad production to Chinese GreatWall company, a rival of Lenovo.

IBM ThinkPad laptops are among the most innovative mobile computers in the world that feature special technologies to prevent HDD damage, biometrical security capabilities, special materials to prevent case damages and a number of others.

IBM and Lenovo last week announced plans to merge PC businesses of each other. The transaction will result in Lenovo’s buy-out of IBM’s PC Business for about $1.75 billion and will allow Lenovo to become the world’s No. 3 maker of PCs with strong presence across the world.

Under the terms of the agreement Lenovo will not only be able to sell desktops and notebooks under IBM and “Think” brand-names for the next five years, but will also get IBM’s sales network. Additionally, Lenovo will become preferable supplier of computers to IBM, who will then offer the PCs to its business clients worldwide. Furthermore, IBM’s leasing and maintenance units will be preferable providers of appropriate services to Lenovo and its clients.