It’s official. Windows Netbook-y machines are dead. Long live Tablets and Hybrids!
It looks like people are starting to get Windows 8, and no company has showcased the benefits of Microsoft’s newest operating system than Lenovo. Even during the worst of the PC sales slump, Lenovo was floating almost zero loss in sales. Any change as drastic as this you would expect consumers to react negatively (just ask Apple about their painful transition to OSX), but Lenovo floated steady. Buoyed by a line up of flex-y and twisty computers which wonderfully showed off Windows 8’s strengths.
Now with Windows 8.1 on the horizon, Microsoft’s strategy is incredibly clear. They aren’t trying to walk into the traditional Tablet market. They aren’t trying to “save” the PC market. They’re trying to redefine both and combine those markets. Why have a slate for fun little apps and a laptop for work when you could have both?
Lenovo’s playing into this round with one of the most affordable tablets to hit Microsoft’s ecosystem. The Miix 2 is an 8″ slate powered by an Intel “Baytrail” quad-core Atom processor and 2GB of RAM. Miix2 will feature front and rear cameras, and like previous 8″ Windows tablets it includes the Home & Student edition of Office. Prices start at $299 for a 32GB model, and there are also some great accessories announced alongside. Users can pick up an optional keyboard cover and stylus to further improve their productivity.
So there you have it folks. High-end netbook guts in an almost pocket-able mini slate which runs a proper version of Windows and arrives at a price point which competes against consumer Android mini tablets. It even undercuts the iPad Mini by $50 while offering up twice as much storage. It’s a pretty solid play by Lenovo, and it should be available later this month.
Full specs and PR after the jump.
Measuring only 8.35mm thick and weighing a mere 350g, the Lenovo Miix2 8-inch tablet delivers a 16:10 widescreen experience that deftly balances visual experience with portability. The 10-point multi-touch WXGA display delivers an 800 x 1280 resolution and its impressive 178-degree viewing angle means no one is left out of the fun. Equipped with two webcams, one in front (2MP) and one in back (5MP)1, the tablet is designed for effortless video chatting and photo sharing. Pre-loaded with Windows 8.1, the Lenovo Miix2 8-inch brings all the enhancements of Microsoft’s latest operating system, including enhanced searching and sharing; improved Web-surfing with the new IE 11, touch optimization and the return of the popular “Start” button.
Underneath the hood, Lenovo Miix2 8-inch packs a powerful punch with an Intel®Bay Trail-T Quad Core processor, based on Intel® Atom™ S architecture and integrated Intel HD Graphics (Gen7) with Clear Video HD technology for smooth video performance. This combination of speed and responsiveness separates the 8-inch tablet from the tablet pack, while making the most of the Windows 8.1 OS. With up to 128GB of eMMC onboard storage (expandable up to 32GB with micro-SD slot)2 for videos, music and photos, the Miix2 is standout tablet designed for users “on the go.”
The Lenovo Miix2 8” also encourages productivity outside the office. The device comes pre-installed with Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013, allowing users to easily view, edit and manage their documents right out of the box. The tablet also offers the option of a stylus and detachable cover. The cover protects the screen when not in use and doubles as a stand for viewing content on the device. The stylus is a perfect companion for drawing, sketching or taking notes and further enhances productivity.
“Many users want the convenience of a smaller screen tablet, but do not want to lose the performance and convenience of a powerful, quad core Windows 8.1 device. With the Lenovo Miix2 8-inch, users can take advantage of a small, light form factor without sacrificing performance,” said Bai Peng, vice president and general manager, notebook business unit, Lenovo Business Group. “The Lenovo Miix2 8-inch is a great example of how thoughtful design can deliver the best of both worlds.”
The Miix2 8-inch will be available later this month beginning at approximately $299.3
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About Lenovo
Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is a US$34 billion personal technology company – the largest PC maker in the world and an emerging PC Plus leader – serving customers in more than 160 countries. Dedicated to exceptionally engineered PCs and mobile internet devices, Lenovo’s business is built on product innovation, a highly-efficient global supply chain and strong strategic execution. Formed by Lenovo Group’s acquisition of the former IBM Personal Computing Division, the Company develops, manufactures and markets reliable, high-quality, secure and easy-to-use technology products and services. Its product lines include legendary Think-branded commercial PCs and Idea-branded consumer PCs, as well as servers, workstations, and a family of mobile internet devices, including tablets and smart phones. Lenovo, a global Fortune 500 company, has major research centers in Yamato, Japan; Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, China; and Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information see www.lenovo.com.
1 3G connectivity available in select countries
2 32 and 64GB will be available in the US.
3 Prices do not include tax or shipping and are subject to change without notice and is tied to specific terms and conditions. Reseller prices may vary. Price does not include all advertised features. All offers subject to availability. Lenovo reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice.