Lenovo has announced its ThinkPad Helix, a Windows 8 convertible laptop and tablet Ultrabook and we’ve had a quick play on the device here at CES.
The firm said the ThinkPad Helix has a 'rip and flip' design and called it the 'ultimate Windows 8 convertible'. The ThinkPad Helix will launch in late February with a price tag in the US of $1,499. See also: CES Unveiled 2013 in pictures.
Peter Hortensius, senior vice president at Lenovo, said: "The ThinkPad Helix gives business professionals two devices in one incredible form factor."
The ThinkPad Helix is powered by a third generation Intel Ivy Bridge processor, up to Core i7 and up to 8GB of DDR3 1600MHz RAM. Aiding performance is an SSD of up to 256GB so its performance is top-notch. You’ll be able to choose between Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro.
Lenovo has equipped the Helix is an 11.6in screen protected by Gorilla Glass with a Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution. The touchscreen supports up to 10-point multi-touch with Windows 8 along with a digitizer pen.
Like the Lenovo IdeaPad Yogo, the Helix can be used in four different modes but the screen can be detached from the keyboard section. Both have batteries built-in and Lenovo touts a total battery life of 10 hours, five for just the tablet.
As well as some high-end core specifications, there is mobile technology including NFC and optional 4G LTE although we don’t know if this will be an option in the UK.
It’s not the lightest tablet at 835g but it’s got the specifications of a high-end laptop. If you include the docking station, the ThinkPad helix weighs a reasonable 1.6kg. The hybrid is nice and thin at 20.4mm.
Physical ports between the tablet and base consist of USB 2.0, two USB 3.0, ethernet, mini-DisplayPort and mini-HDMI. Rounding off the ThinkPad Helix is a five-button glass trackpad and full-size keyboard.
