Windows 8 Device Lineup Expansion from Lenovo
Windows 8 Device Lineup Expansion from Lenovo by UCStrategies Staff
Lenovo is introducing more hybrid and touchscreen devices to its Windows 8 touch-enabled tablets and laptops, as interest in these develops.
The Miix tablet was launched by the company last week, and comes with an Intel Atom dual-core processor and runs Windows 8. It has a 10.1-inch screen with 1,366x768 resolution, and has a detachable folio case with built-in keyboard; the hybrid product can therefore act as a laptop.
The new tablet also has 10 hours battery life and comes with 64 GB of built-in eMMC storage, a microSD slot for 32 GB of expandable memory, weighs 1.2 pounds, is 0.4 inches thin, and includes Bluetooth 4.0 and Wi-Fi, with an optional 3G-GPS connectivity. Pricing starts at $500, and will be available from the summer onwards.
Previous hybrid models like the ThinkPad Helix and IdeaPad Yoga have also been introduced by Lenovo, and whereas the company has previously pushed Android tablets, it is now driving forward with Windows 8 touch devices.
The company has also unveiled five “touch-enabled” Windows 8 laptops for its consumer-oriented IdeaPad line including the S400 Touch, S500 Touch, S210 Touch, U330 Touch and U430 Touch.
In the S series, the three laptops are 0.8 inches thin, weigh only 3 pounds, and have third-generation Intel Core processors. Intel Core i5 processors are included in the IdeaPad S400 and S500 Touch laptops, which have 14-inch and 15.6-inch HD display screens respectively. The IdeaPad S210 is equipped with an 11.6-inch HD screen and Intel Core i3 processor.
The Lenovo U series laptops have 0.77-inch thin Ultrabooks, including the U330 Touch and U430 Touch, and both have Intel's latest fourth-generation Core i7 processor. The U330 has a 13.3-inch display screen, and the U430 has a 14-inch screen; both come with HD or FHD display. Both are also scheduled for release this summer for $799 and $899 respectively.
Sunnytech is a Lenovo partner based in Woburn, Massachusetts, and the company’s sales director, Joe Lore, notes that the tablet-notebook hybrid device trend is here to stay. By being able to attach a keyboard to a laptop, hybrid devices are multi-functional and can be used for a variety of business purposes, according to Lore.
Lore stated: “I believe they are big sellers in the commercial market and have proven their popularity. It has the convenience of a tablet or a laptop to type up a Word document.”
Consumers are targeted with the company’s IdeaPad line, whereas the ThinkPads are more business-focused. The lines between both, however, are blurring, due to the consumerization of IT.
Lore added: “You have people that are doing BYOD at their companies, and when a company doesn't want to spend $1,800 on a [Lenovo] Helix, the employee is willing to pay for it. The employee is happy because he can do his work, log into his network but also have it for personal use.”
Lore thinks that Lenovo will be successful with tablet and touchscreen devices, particularly as it is well-established as a company within the IT market.
Lore said: “The hybrid devices are great because it combines technology and keeps costs down. It allows you to decide to use one device in more than one place. I hope to see increased demands from schools and the corporate environment.” (CY) Link