CES: Lenovo lightens up

The world’s lightest 14‚” Ultrabook was unveiled by Lenovo today at the 2014 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

At the 2014 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, PC computing market leader Lenovo today announced the world’s lightest 14 inch Ultrabook, as well as a new premium tablet and docking solution.

The Ultrabook, a third generation ThinkPad X1 Carbon, and the ThinkPad 8, a premium 8 inch tablet offering a full PC experience on the move, were introduced alongside the new ThinkPad OneLink Dock Pro, an enhanced docking solution through a single cable connector.

‚”Our obsession in the pursuit of perfection is evident with these smarter devices designed to enhance the way people interact at home and at work,‚” said Peter Hortensius, SVP and president, Think Business Group, Lenovo. ‚”The ThinkPad X1 Carbon delivers a stunning user experience with the best professional display and new interactive methods and represents another step in our PC plus journey.‚”

The X1 Carbon weighs only 2.8 pounds, and is being hyped up by Lenovo as being ‚”virtually indestructible‚”. They claim it is ‚”born from the same stock as aircrafts and racing cars‚”, forged from Carbon Fiber, which weighs less than magnesium and aluminum but is stronger than both.

‚”The X1 products have a reputation for pushing boundaries, both in design and usability, and the new X1 Carbon is no exception. It actually adapts to the way users work thanks to technology which is a whole generation ahead,‚” Lenovo added in a press release.

The New X1 Carbon features the Adaptive Keyboard, which dynamically adjusts based on the software or application being used to highlight the most relevant keys. It also integrates voice and gesture control, allowing users to interact with their PC in both new and familiar ways.

A new ColorBurst Display provides sharper, brighter images at higher resolutions with better viewing angles. It utilises Rapid Charge technology, providing an 80% charge in under an hour. Coupled with up to 9 hours battery life (more than 70% improvement over the last generation) and optional built-in 4G capability, the new X1 Carbon meets both mobility and connectivity needs.

For an improved docking experience, the nX1 Carbon uses the OneLink connector that eliminates cable clutter. This allows users to get power, Gigabit Ethernet, and dual display support through a single cable via ThinkPad OneLink docking solutions.

High Performance Docking Through a Single Cable

The new ThinkPad OneLink Pro Dock combines all necessary docking features and functions, including power, through a single cable connection to Lenovo notebooks equipped with an OneLink connector. The ThinkPad OneLink Pro Dock includes multiple USB ports, audio and Ethernet connections and driver-free dual video support through DisplayPort and DVI on selected models. The integrated 90W AC adapter also provides power for the notebook, supports rapid charge and can also charge other devices such as a smartphone.

ThinkPad 8 Professional-Ready Tablet with Three Modes

A premium 8 inch tablet constructed of machine-cut aluminum, the compact ThinkPad 8 caters to those who want a more portable device without sacrificing the ability to connect to a keyboard and display for a full PC experience. It can be used in Tablet Mode on the go, connected to an optional keyboard base, dock or monitor for Desktop Mode, or flipped with an optional Quickshot Cover over the tablet to convert into Tent Mode.

The Quickshot cover can be peeled back to expose the 8 MP high definition camera, triggering the camera app to open. Users can view and edit photos and videos on a super bright 8.3 inch 1920×1200 display and transfer them wirelessly using Miracast technology or view them via a cable using its microHDMI port.

ThinkPad 8 is armed with the latest Intel Bay Trail Quad Core processor, up to 128GB of storage, a microUSB 3.0 port, LTE connectivity and a full Windows8 Pro experience.

Pricing and Availability

Models of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon start at $1299 and availability will begin late January. The OneLink Dock Pro is available now at $179.

ThinkPad 8 convertible tablet configure to order models start at $399, available in the USA late January. South African availability has not yet been announced.

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