"I love it when a plan comes together" was an oft-repeated line by the A-Team's John Smith. I'm guessing that's what Lenovo's Chief Executive Bill Amelio must have been thinking when they decided to drop the IBM brand name from their product line two years earlier than planned. As explained by Erica Ogg's over at CNET:

Turns out, Lenovo doesn't need the reputable computer brand to sell its notebooks and desktops anymore.

Re-branding is always a pain, especially when your company buys one the oldest, arguably most respected, and indeed most recognized brands in the business. (In case you don't know, Lenovo bought IBM's PC and laptop manufacturing division for $1.75bn in 2005).

Lenovo started dropping the IBM logo from its ThinkPad line of laptops earlier this year (it still has rights to that product brand name). I'm guessing that went well. And I guess they're confident enough to finally, firmly break from their past (i.e. their acquisition) and stand on their own with their own brand. Good for them.

It is good when a plan comes together.