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CES 2013

ThinkPad Helix Business Ultrabook Convertible (Video)

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Today at CES Lenovo introduced its newest Ultrabook convertible for business or users who want a 1080p tablet that also functions as a notebook, the ThinkPad Helix.

The new Lenovo ThinkPad Helix is an 11.6-inch Windows 8 convertible Ultrabook with a 1080p “rip and flip” display and the latest Intel Core i processors with vPro security features.

Unlike other convertibles from Lenovo, the screen of the Helix completely detaches from its keyboard to act as a tablet. As a tablet the Helix will last about five hours on battery. The tablet weighs 1.84 pounds, about half a pound heavier than the iPad 4 and is only slightly thicker.

ThinkPad Helix Hands On Video

The video below highlights the ThinkPad Helix Ultrabook Convertible, highlighting the ability to remove the tablet from the notebook base and the traditional ThinkPad keyboard to carry an Intel Core i7 powered notebook in the palm of your hands.

The 11.6-inch display features a 1080P HD display, higher than the typical business display, especially for an 11.6-inch notebook. The tablet carries a 400nit brightness rating, so it’s easier to use in bright lighting.

The keyboard base of the ThinkPad Helix holds another battery, which adds another five hours and another 1.84 pounds. Lenovo estimates the Helix will get just over 10 hours of battery life when docked. The ThinkPad Helix can either attach to the keyboard in notebook mode or reversed for tablet mode. The keyboard dock also includes two extra fans so the device remains cool.

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The ThinkPad Helix includes a Pen so business users can take notes on the go.

Like other Lenovo tablets the ThinkPad Helix also includes a digitizer pen for using WIndows 8 gestures as well as taking notes. Lenovo doesn’t offer the pen with the IdeaPad Yoga 13 or ideaPad Yoga 11S Ultrabooks, both of which are aimed at consumers. The ability to use the ThinkPad Helix without the keyboard and to take notes with a digitizer pen should increase the appeal to business users.

The keyboard is the traditional ThinkPad keyboard with a new trackpad layout. The new ClickPad trackpad replaces the five buttons around the traditional trackpad with five click areas on the ClickPad. The new design gives the trackpad a more streamlined look and gives users more room for Windows 8 gestures on the trackpad.

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The ThinkPad Helix separates from the ThinkPad keyboard for enhanced mobility.

The Lenovo ThinPad Helix includes 4G LTE on an unspecified network that requires a separate data plan. It also includes NFC for easy device pairing, Bluetooth, two USB 3.0 ports, Ethernet, mini-Display port and a mini-HDMI port. The two USB 3.0 ports are on the keyboard base, and the tablet holds one USB 2.0 port.

The ThinkPad Helix can support up to 256GB of SSD storage, and up to 8GB of RAM.

Lenovo expects to ship the ThinkPad Helix in late-February with the base model starting at $1499.

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