While most PC OEMs are exploring new chipsets and adding mobile modems into their designs for 2021, Lenovo and its partner NEC have come up with a wholly new concept that looks to redefine gaming on a personal computer.
At CES this year, Lenovo rolled out its LAVIE MINI which is the company’s new portable Nintendo Switch-like convertible gaming PC. The 8-inch touch convertible comes with the latest 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1180G7 chip pushing Intel Iris Xe graphics.
LAVIE MINI
The LAVIE MINI isn’t just portable in name, it’s one of the lightest PCs Lenovo offers at 1.28lbs. Interestingly enough, Lenovo ditches its U-smile key shape for a completely circular design for the MINI’s keyboard, fortunately, they keep the backlit aspect of their trusted keyboard setup.
However, the MINI’s biggest selling point is its convertibility (which now has to become a term used for future devices of this nature.) The MINI comes with a wireless attachable controller for “on-the-go gaming,” that attaches to the bottom of the screen to create a Switch-like gaming experience on the 8-inch screen. When holding the MINI becomes too cumbersome, it can be docked and connected to a much larger screen for a full 4K 60fps gaming experience via HDMI. Since the LAVIE MINI is a PC at heart it can also be paired with a gamer’s favorite Bluetooth controller. On the specs side, the MINI comes with an impressive 16GB of LPDDR4x soldered on memory, 256 GB of PCIe memory, support for Intel’s High-Definition Audio, and 2 USB-C Gen 2 ports when undocked and an additional 2 USB-A, 1 USB-C 3.1, and Gen 2 HDMI ports.
LAVIE Pro Mobile
Starting at $1,699.99
In more straightforward PC news, Lenovo and NEC are also offering the LAVIE Pro Mobile which is sleek looking midnight blue laptop that weighs about 1.96lbs and uses a new structure carbon material for the chassis. NEC is claiming up to 10hrs of battery life with all the familiar Ultrabook accouterment such as 11th Gen Intel processor, 512GB SSD, 16GB of memory, 13.3 FHD display, backlit keyboard, and rapid charge technology.
- The NEC LAVIE MINI ultra-portable convertible is a prototype with no pricing or availability.
- The NEC LAVIE Pro Mobile laptop starts at $1699.99. Details on U.S. availability to come
