Windows 8 is still shipped with the machines, in the form of a bundled disc. The Register reports Lenovo learned the trick after it got burned with Windows Vista downgrades, so this time around it is preinstalling a downgraded OS by default.
Lenovo is still interested in Windows 8 touchscreen devices, such as its ThinkPad Helix convertible. However, the Helix is rather pricey and fancy hybrids won’t make up the bulk of Lenovo ThinkPad shipments anytime soon.