Big Blue adds models, disk protection system IBM on Monday is adding two systems to its ThinkPad roster of notebooks and boosting the capabilities of several others.Big Blue is releasing the R50 and T41 models, both of which come with a new Active Protection System (APS) that is designed to better protect hard drives. Comparing APS to automobile air bags, IBM officials explained that the system can detect sudden motion — such as the notebook being dropped or jerked because of a kicked power cord — and react by stabilizing the head of the hard drive.“APS is a microchip that we put on the system board that senses acceleration. It parks the head of a hard drive inside a tenth of a second. You get four times greater impact with APS than you do without it,” said Joe Doria, manager of IBM’s ThinkPad product line. Doria added that APS will protect the data in a hard drive, and IBM hopes it will reduce downtime and support costs.In addition to APS, the R50 is available in 14- and 15-inch models. The systems weigh in at fewer than 6 pounds, and IBM claims are capable of a battery life reaching nearly 10 hours.Customers can elect to use the Intel Centrino chip in the R50 and T41 notebooks, Doria said, as well as integrated 802.11 a/b/g wireless functionality. Big Blue also upgraded the X31, R40, R40e, and G40 models with faster processors and integrated wireless technology. Technology IndustrySmall and Medium Business