Hewlett-Packard

HP introduced three Windows 8 devices at the IFA show, the HP Envy x2, a hybrid PC with an 11.6-inch display; the TouchSmart Ultrabook 4, which features a 24-inch multi-touch high-definition display; and the Spectre XT Touchsmart Ultrabook, a higher-end model with a 15.6-inch display.

HP says the tablet, which weighs 1.5 pounds on its own, connects to the keyboard via an “innovative hinge with magnets that smoothly guide the tablet into place.” Front and back cameras, near-field communication (NFC) technology and Beats Audio are also included. HP will begin selling the device in time for the holidays.

The Spectre has a width of 0.7 inches, weighs 4.77 pounds, features the latest Intel Core processors and an mSATA solid-state drive (SSD) with Intel Rapid Start technology, and is the first HP device to feature an Intel Thunderbolt port for speedily transferring data. The laptop will sell for $1,399.99, starting in December.

The TouchSmart measures 0.9 inches thin, weighs 4.77 pounds, has a battery that lasts eight hours and is packed with HP software, such as its CoolSense technology and Connected Music and Backup offers. It will also arrive in time for the holidays at a yet-unknown price.

Lenovo introduced three Ideatab tablets at the show, the most high-end of which is the S2110, a “premium entertainment tablet” with a detachable keyboard dock. When connected to the dock, battery life is 20 hours. Without the dock, it weighs 1.3 pounds, measures 0.3 inches thick, features WiFi connectivity and runs Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). It’s available now for $399.

The 7-inch A2107 is a paperback-sized tablet with a metal alloy roll cage inspired by Lenovo’s ThinkPad line. It’s available with WiFi-only or also 3G, has an FM radio, a microSD slot, GPS capability and a battery life of 10 hours. It will be available in the United States later this year. Lenovo hasn’t shared pricing.

As the name suggests, on the A2109, the display jumps to 9 inches. The tablet, like the A2107, runs the Android Ice Cream Sandwich OS, but uniquely features a Nvidia Tegra 3 CPU and graphics card. It weighs 1.3 pounds, supports a microSD card up to 32GB, and boasts front and rear cameras, two speakers, dual microphones, GPS and micro USB, and High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) ports. It’s available now for $299.

Lenovo also showed off three IdeaPads—the S300 and S400, which feature third-generation Intel Core i3 and i5 processors, respectively, and the S405, which runs an AMD A8 quad-core processor. They’re available now, starting at $499.

The new IdeaPads include features like Lenovo instant-on functionality, which connects users to the Internet in seconds, and Lenovo’s OneKey Rescue system—a brainless way to back up and secure data. “Customers don’t just want a functional product … they want one that speaks to their sense of style and individuality,” a Lenovo executive rightly noted in a statement.

A flip-hinge touch-screen enables this Ultrabook to convert into what 10 years ago would have been called a slate, but which Dell refers to now as a tablet. It will go on sale in late October following Microsoft’s debut of Windows 8. Pricing hasn’t yet been announced.

The XPS 10 is a 10-inch, ARM-based tablet built to run WindowsRT.

According to Dell, the One 27’s Wide Quad HD display features twice the pixel density of any other 27-inch AiO. Dell also says its new XPS devices were designed with bring-your-own-device lifestyles in mind. With its Waves MaxxAudio 4 technology and Infinity Premium speakers, the One 27 can transition from home office workhorse to movie night facilitator.

The One 27 was designed to take up the least space possible, whether on a desk, a kitchen counter or a living room console.

Sony introduced an Xperia Tablet S and three new Xperia smartphones, the Xperia T, J and V. The highest-end of these, the Xperia T, is James Bond’s smartphone of choice in the upcoming film.

Sony introduced an Xperia Tablet S and three new Xperia smartphones, the Xperia T, J and V. The highest-end of these, the Xperia T, is James Bond’s smartphone of choice in the upcoming film.

No one could confuse an Xperia Tablet S with an Apple iPad. The Sony tablet can be used be a universal remote to control devices from a number of electronics brands, runs Android 4.0 and features a distinctive wedge back that lightly suggests a tablet of paper with a few pages folded over. It goes on sale Sept. 7; a 16GB model goes for $399, a 32GB for $499 and a 64GB for $599.

Samsung was among a handful of electronics makers that sought to answer the “laptop or tablet?” question by offering a mix of the two. Its Series 5 and Series 7 Slates feature 11.6-inch displays that connect to a keyboard to offer a true laptop user experience.

While the HP Envy x2 relies on a hinge with magnets, the Samsung Slates feature a “mechanical hinge” that reportedly enables a user to carry the device with one hand, without fear of the parts disconnecting.

Acer’s IFA contribution to the sudden tablet-laptop market is the Iconia W5. It introduced the device, which features a 10.1-inch touch-screen, along with a W7 tablet with an 11.6-inch display and a 27-inch all-in-one PC called the Aspire U.

The Acer M3 pairs a 15.6-inch 10-point touch-display with an Nvidia GeForce GT640M CPU (a first for an Acer Ultrabook) and the latest Intel Core processor. An instant-on feature wakes it from sleep in 1.5 seconds and it can hop online in 2.5 seconds. It weighs 5 pounds and measures 0.9 inches thick.