CES: Lenovo unveils LePad tablet-laptop hybrid

Innovative device could pique interest of business users

Lenovo has become the latest big name vendor to enter the tablet market with the LePad, an innovative device which, when combined with the Ideapad U1 laptop, turns into a full business-ready laptop.

News of Lenovo's tablet had been widely reported, but the firm waited until CES in Las Vegas to show off its answer to Apple's iPad. The device looks almost identical to Apple's unit, up to and including a single button on the front.

Beneath the 10.1in, 1,280 x 800 screen, Qualcomm's Snapdragon chip powers the LePad, along with 1GB of RAM, 16GB or 32GB of flash storage and wireless and 3G connectivity as standard.

The LePad is no lightweight, weighing 760g. The tablet runs Android 2.2, and Lenovo claims a battery life of eight hours, comparable to that of the iPad.

Where the LePad differs from its rivals is in its dual use as a laptop, which could make it a hit with business professionals looking for something they can also use in their leisure time.

The Ideapad U1 laptop acts as a docking station for the tablet, providing a full Qwerty keyboard and transforming the LePad into a full laptop.

A switch on the device turns the Android tablet into a Windows 7 laptop, powered by an Intel CULV processor backed up by 2GB of RAM and a 320GB hard drive, the whole combination weighing 1.8kg.

Lenovo is pricing the LePad at $520 (£335), with the option of a LePad and Ideapad U1 for $1,300 (£835).

China will be the first market for the Lepad Ideapad U1 combo. Lenovo has not disclosed when Europe and the US might see the devices in stores.

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