The CES 2011 was not only marked by entrance of “new” and “first time” announcements on the latest and innovative gizmos and gadgets, it was also marked by a huge revival of an equally “new” and “innovative” device: Lenovo’s IdeaPad U1 Hybrid.
Last year at the CES 2010, Chinese computer colossus Lenovo made quite a buzz when it announced its very unique tablet / netbook U1 Hybrid (which will run under Windows when docked and Lenovo’s Skylight Linux when in tablet mode). The idea never came to a fruition though as the company, for some unknown reason, has decided to put everything on hold– much to the dismay of consumers– and eventually cancelled it altogether. But now, its back!
The China-based multinational computer technology corporation unveiled its bifunctional IdeaPad U1 Hybrid that serves as a laptop and a touch-screen tablet known as LePad slate. The LePad slate is a tablet computer in itself but operates as a laptop screen when plugged in to its dock.
According to Liu Jun, senior vice president, Idea Product Group, Lenovo the IdeaPad U1 and LePad truly fits the mobile lifestyle. “Use the light-weight slate when you’re mobile, and then simply slide it into the U1 base when you need to create and edit content. Consumers shouldn’t have to adapt their lifestyle to technology, and this product definitely delivers twice the functionality and fun in one device,” he said in the issued product press release.
Lenovo product manager Leo Li agrees when he told AFP that “It is one device to balance life and work,”. He also noted that “A keyboard is more important and Windows software more powerful for a lot of things you need to work, especially productivity and creating content. At the same time, people want to enjoy music, see videos, go to websites, read e-books, and play games in their personal lives.”
The IdeaPad U1 Laptop is powered by a 1.2GHz Intel Core i5-540UM (with an optional i7) and runs under Windows 7. The LePad tablet, on the other hand, is powered by Android 2.2 software and a Snapdragon chip from Qualcomm. As reported, switching from Windows to Android just requires disengaging the latch on the base — the flip to Android is basically instantaneous, while getting back to Windows takes a few seconds.
The LePad tablet PC sports a 10.1 (26 centimeter) 1280 x 800 capacitive multitouch display. Weighing less that two pounds (one kilogram), it comes with Bluetooth, Adobe Flash 10.1 support, a front-facing camera, 3G connectivity and Wi-Fi. Lepad tablet PC promises atleast eight hours of battery life.
The Lenovo IdeaPad U1 hybrid with LePad table slate PC will be available in China by the end of March at the price tag of 8,888 Chinese yuan (about $1,340). The company has recently announce that buyers can also purchase the tablet separately for 3,499 Chinese yuan ($528). As reported, this baby won’t be available in the United States until next-generation Android mobile software is available for use in the tablets.
