At Intel’s IDF Show, Convertible PCs Take Center Stage

At Intel’s IDF Show, Convertible PCs Take Center Stage

by Jeffrey Burt

Lenovo’s ThinkPad Helix Can Be Used in 4 Modes

The convertible Ultrabook works as a traditional laptop, as a tablet, in a standby mode where it’s tented, and in what Lenovo calls the Tablet+ Mode for more power, ports and battery life.

Dell’s XPS 12 Offers a ‘Ferris Wheel’ Style

This two-in-one can be used as a laptop, and then it’s screen is flipped and folded down to become a tablet. Coming soon will be the XPS 11, with the screen folding back to create a tablet.

Dell’s XPS 12 Becomes a Tablet

After flipping the screen, Dell’s laptop becomes a tablet.

Asus’ Taichi Folds Back on Itself

Asus has been among the most aggressive two-in-one vendors, and included in its lineup is the Taichi. At IDF, CEO Jerry Shen came onstage with an upcoming system that he said will run Windows 8.1 and Android. “Everything plays on this platform,” he said.

Asus’ Taichi as a Tablet

Once the screen is folded back, the notebook becomes a tablet.

HP’s Split x2 Comes With 2 Batteries

Hewlett-Packard’s convertible is powered by Intel’s Core i chips and includes the Beats Audio technology and two batteries—one for the screen and one for the keyboard.

Lenovo’s Yoga and Its Flexible Hinge

Lenovo’s Yoga convertible includes a hinge that lets it be used as a laptop, folded back as a full tablet or tented so it can stand up. Intel officials showed off an upcoming Yoga Pro 2 that will be aimed at business users.

LG and Its Upcoming Slider

According to Intel representatives, this two-in-one—which features a screen that can slide up to go into laptop mode or slide down to make it a tablet—has yet to ship.

Sony Puts a Vaio Convertible Demo on Display

Like the LG system, the Vaio two-in-one offers a screen that slides into place to create a tablet.

Toshiba’s Portege Screen Detaches

Toshiba makes a line of Portege convertibles that can be transformed from a laptop to a tablet by detaching the screen.