CES 2013: Lenovo announces string of new Windows 8 machines

Lenovo has taken CES 2013 by a storm with the announcement of a range of Windows 8 hardware. The personal technology company has announced several new Ultrabooks, laptops, desktops and a mobile display at CES in Las Vegas in addition to the 27-inch ‘interpersonal PC’ Horizon.

It looks like Lenovo has a plan up its sleeve to bring everyone from hardcore gamers to small-business owners to the Windows 8 fold. “We’ve aggressively integrated touch across our consumer PCs so that we have one of the largest portfolios of Windows 8 touch products available,” said Peter Hortensius, President – Product Group and Senior Vice President, Lenovo.

Lenovo’s signature U series Ultrabooks top the list of new devices with the U310 and U410 sporting 10-point multitouch LCDs. The Ultrabooks are thin and mobile with the U310 Touch having a 18 mm thickness, weighing 3.85 pounds and sporting a 13.3-inch screen. The U410 Touch, on the other hand, is 21 mm thick, 4.4 pounds and has a 14-inch screen.

More from News & Analysis

What is the US HIRE Bill and why is India’s $250-billion IT sector worried? Is the internet dead? What's this theory that OpenAI's Sam Altman says might be true?

Waking up from sleep in just one second with Instant Resume, the Ultrabooks come packed with up to a 3rd gen Intel Core i7 processor, the latest NVIDIA GeForce graphics with DirectX 11 and an extended battery life for all day computing. The U310 will be available in March with prices starting at about $780 (Rs 42,900 approx.) The U410 hits in April with prices starting at about $850 (Rs. 46,750 approx.)

The ThinkVision LT1423p

The Z Series IdeaPad Z400 and Z500 machines too were announced at the more cost-centric audiences. Coming at price beginning at $699 (Rs. 38,445 approx.), both the Z series machines come with up to 3rd gen standard voltage Intel Core i7 processors and include the latest NVIDIA GeForce graphics technology. The Z400 Touch is 29.15 mm thick, 5.3 pounds and comes with a 14-inch screen and the Z500 Touch is just slightly thinner at 28.75 mm, but weighs in at 5.7 pounds and has a 15.6-inch screen.

Lenovo has also updated its ThinkPad line for business users with the E431 and 531. Despite not having the 10-point multitouch sensors, the laptops boast a 14 and 15.6 inch screen respectively with ClickPads that are said to ‘enhance’ Windows 8 gesture controls. This line will start shipping in May for around $540 (Rs. 29,700 approx).

The machines will support the new Lenovo OneLink system that will eliminate cable clutter. The OneLink Dock will be the first device to make use of this technology that will require connectivity through just one cable connection, centralising connectivity for charging, external video and audio, and USB connections. The OneLink dock will cost $100 (Rs. 5,500 approx).

Also announced by Lenovo is the ‘slim and sleek’ ThinkVision LT1423p Mobile Monitor Touch that at 13.3-inches is touted to be super portable. A wired version will cost $350 (Rs. 19,250 approx), while a wireless one will cost a $100 more.

The monitor will be protected by Corning Gorilla Glass and will weigh 1.6 pounds. The 1600 x 900 display will predictably support 10 point multitouch for Windows 8 and will come with a digitiser pen to write and draw using digital ink. The ThinkVision LT1423p Mobile Monitor Touch will be available during Q2 2013 and the price will be approximately $449 (Rs. 24,695 approx)

The Monster Lenovo Erazer X700

Lenovo, known for its line of all-in-ones, has announced a new flagship model, the IdeaCentre A730 as well as the more affordable C540. The A730 will be available in two resolutions – 2560 x 1440 and 1920 x 1080. The 27-inch, 10-point multitouch system is just 24.5 mm thick and will support up to Windows 8 Pro, includes choices of the 3rd gen Intel Core family of processors and features large storage options up to 1TB. It will burn a hole of about $1,500 (Rs. 82,500 approx.) in your pocket and will start shipping in June.

The C540, on the other hand, will cost a very affordable $550 (Rs. 30,250 approx.) and will start shipping in February. The only drawback is that if you want touch-sensitive C540s, you may have to wait till June. What may also pose a problem to some despite the cheap pricing is that the C540s will have Intel Core i3 processors.

Last but by no means the least, is the Lenovo Erazer X700, a complete gamers’ delight. With its diamond-cut and cold blue lighting design, the desktop caters to ‘enthusiast-level gamers and those who run intensive multimedia applications’. The desktop comes with Lenovo’s exclusive Onekey Overclocking feature that allows users to maximise processor performance at the click of a button while simultaneously preventing the PC from overheating thanks to its liquid cooling system, without requiring users to set in the BIOS.

Thanks to the AMD Eyefinity technology, the Erazer X700 will allow users to connect up to six monitors to enjoy the panoramic display and add up to 4TB of storage without tools while the PC is still running. The desktop also comes with 32GB of memory, dual graphics support (NVIDIA GeForce or ATI CrossFireX1, up to dual AMD Radeon HD and the latest Intel Core family of processors). The Erazer X700 will be available starting June. Models start at approximately $1,499 (Rs. 82,500 approx).