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Topic: Hardware

Intel offers a sneak peek at a hybrid tablet ultrabook running Windows 8

Summary: Maybe Windows 8 will reimagine hardware more than I initially thought.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

By for Hardware 2.0 |

Intel has posted a video showing highlight from the Intel Developer Forum 2012 held in Beijing, China last week. In that video is an interesting looking hybrid tablet ultrabook running Windows 8.

The hybrid system, called Letexo, transforms from a tablet into a system which has a keyboard and a screen propped up on a stand.

Here's the system in "tablet" mode:

And here it is in "ultrabook" mode:

This design makes a lot for sense for a device where you're going to be prodding at the screen since it give the screen added stability. One of the biggest problems with touch on notebooks is that prodding the screen sends the device rocking back and forth, a flaw that makes placing precise touches on the screen tricky. This design cleverly solves that problem.

This looks like a thinner, sexier version of the Toshiba Portege M930.

Here's the full video:

Maybe Windows 8 will reimagine hardware more than I initially thought.

Related:

Topics: Hardware, Intel, Laptops, Mobility, Tablets

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24 comments
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  • That's a lot like my Asus EEE Pad Slide

    Only with Windows 8 rather than Android and a Core i5 rather than a Tecra. I would imagine that would mean trading off considerable battery life in exchange for having a true desktop operating system.
    Michael Kelly
    Reply Vote

    • With ivy bridge and beyond Intel soc chips will be lower power.

      Intel is going for 10x arm perf at lower power in 2013. On top of that W8 has vastly better power management than android so even with this years intel chips W8 tablets should have at least battery life parity android tablets.
      Johnny Vegas
      Reply Vote

      • Look at Samsung State for indication of what is possible with power

        And later devices will only be better.
        Patanjali
        Reply Vote

  • Reimagine?

    That's basically an ASUS Slider running Win 8. Not that imaginative... and certainly not re-imaginative.
    dsf3g
    Reply Vote

  • This is all stuff that's been known for a while.

    The stuff in the video from Intel has been known about since CES, and before. I think instead of paying attention to the products that are actually being developed and displayed by these companies, you've been making assumptions based on your already negative outlook of Win 8's chances.
    jaboonday
    Reply Vote

    • Bingo

      Good post.
      sjaak327
      Reply Vote

  • Nice!

    Shut up, and take my money!
    The one and only, Cylon Centurion
    Reply Vote

  • Will weigh twice as much as iPad

    Probably more.
    http404
    Reply Vote

    • And even at 2 - 3 pounds

      will do way more than an iPad can. The convenience of a tablet with the power of a full Operating System behind it.
      bobiroc
      Reply Vote

      • And have all the vulnerabilities of a Windows OS

        Oh wait because it IS a Windows OS.
        http404
        Reply Vote

      • Sorry buddy but Windows is rock solid

        By many measures, it is the most secure OS going. If you don't install Flash or Java, you are pretty much bullet-proof.
        x I'm tc
        Reply Vote

    • Compare to MBA

      Since it has a keyboard built in, the comparison to the MacBook Air would be appropriate. I would like to see a model with removable screen/tablet and leave the keyboard behind until needed.
      mstrsfty
      Reply Vote

      • compare to an MBA?

        Maybe if you duct tape an ipad to the cover of the MBA. I'm sure it will be magical for you though.
        mep01378
        Reply Vote

      • Already exists

        Perhaps what you are looking for is something like this?
        http://eee.asus.com/eeepad/transformer-prime/features/

        It doesn't run a "full PC" operating system (android 4.0), but presumably it won't be long until we see Windows 8 on something like this. I haven't ever used one, but those who have seem to really like it.
        use_what_works_4_U
        Reply Vote

    • Yeah I am sure it will

      It will also provide an x amount more raw power and a much more compelling Os and a wider choice of applications, of course it probably be a tad more expensive and offer a few hours less battery, a small price to pay.
      sjaak327
      Reply Vote

    • What vulnerabilities ?

      According to secunia, there are no known, unpatched vulnerabilities in either Windows 7 or Windows 8. And as we already know, Apple is slow patching theirs.

      Of course I don't complain, the jailbroken ipad2, which I am typing this on, pwnd by a drive by download pdf flaw at least makes ios remotely usable :)
      sjaak327
      Reply Vote

  • Writings on the wall.

    Win 8 will kill android tablets and relegate ipad to less than 10 percent in short order of time.
    owllnet
    Reply Vote

  • Starting to hear the marketing speak.

    Intel: "best of a clamshell and best of a tablet"

    Still trying to figure how this thick, heavy, expensive, cumbersome clamshell running a full OS is the best in the tablet world. Or the best of Notebooks. Can someone fire the person who came up with that marketing and the "no-compromise" one?
    dave95.
    Reply Vote

  • This is novel?

    Ever hear of the Transformer Prime? The form factor isn't new.

    While having an x86 processor on board carries significantly more power, it also carries a significant price tag.

    http://www.tech-thoughts.net/
    sameer_singh17
    Reply Vote

    • x86 Processor carries significant price tag

      I am not so sure about this. When you can have a decently powerful x86 processor powered laptop for about the same price I think an x86 powered device could remain competitive. I think the main issue with an x86 powered device will be battery life. Intel, AMD, and Microsoft are committed to making their products more efficient but I still think with the added power you may have to sacrifice some battery life so you may only get a 7 hour battery out of an x86 device compared to 10 hours on a tablet only device. Small price to pay in my opinion to have the flexibility of a full OS.
      bobiroc
      Reply Vote
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