The many faces of the modern PC (Gallery)

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Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro

The original hybrid design and the quintessential shape-shifter against which all others are measured.
See: Once-mighty PC industry tries to shape-shift its way back to health

Published: September 9, 2015 -- 11:36 GMT (04:36 PDT)
Caption by: Ed Bott
Microsoft Surface Pro 3

They say it takes Microsoft three tries to get a product right. In this case, that's certainly the truth. A Surface Pro 4 could be announced as early as October.
See: Once-mighty PC industry tries to shape-shift its way back to health

Published: September 9, 2015 -- 11:36 GMT (04:36 PDT)
Caption by: Ed Bott
Lenovo Miix 700

No, that's not a Surface, but Lenovo has done a remarkable job of cloning Microsoft's design, with a kickstand and a keyboard/cover that snaps magnetically to the screen.
See: Once-mighty PC industry tries to shape-shift its way back to health

Published: September 9, 2015 -- 11:36 GMT (04:36 PDT)
Caption by: Ed Bott
Dell Latitude 11

Microsoft Corporate VP Nick Parker gave a sneak peek of this good looking 2-in-1 at during his IFA 2015 keynote address in Berlin.
See: Once-mighty PC industry tries to shape-shift its way back to health

Published: September 9, 2015 -- 11:36 GMT (04:36 PDT)
Caption by: Ed Bott
Acer Revo Build

Think tiny PC meets Lego, with building blocks that snap magnetically to instantly expand storage and add other capabilities.
See: Once-mighty PC industry tries to shape-shift its way back to health

Published: September 9, 2015 -- 11:36 GMT (04:36 PDT)
Caption by: Ed Bott
Acer Jade Primo

It's a phone. It's a PC. It's still a prototype, but it was enough to get Acer CEO Jason Chen to declare it's "the first phone PC that really works."
See: Once-mighty PC industry tries to shape-shift its way back to health

Published: September 9, 2015 -- 11:36 GMT (04:36 PDT)
Caption by: Ed Bott
ASUS VivoStick

The competition for that second or third HDMI port on your big-screen TV is getting fierce. Can we interest you in a full PC on a stick, with two USB ports?
See: Once-mighty PC industry tries to shape-shift its way back to health

Published: September 9, 2015 -- 11:36 GMT (04:36 PDT)
Caption by: Ed Bott
Acer CloudBook

At $169, this device is clearly designed and priced (and even named) to compete in the education market with Chromebooks.
See: Once-mighty PC industry tries to shape-shift its way back to health

Published: September 9, 2015 -- 11:36 GMT (04:36 PDT)
Caption by: Ed Bott
Toshiba Dynabook

It's still just a prototype, but this super-thin, super-light convertible was the highlight of Microsoft's keynote at IFA 2015.
See: Once-mighty PC industry tries to shape-shift its way back to health

Published: September 9, 2015 -- 11:36 GMT (04:36 PDT)
Caption by: Ed Bott
Toshiba Radius 12

Toshiba can still deliver some impressive hardware, as this fully adjustable, well-built hybrid with a slick aluminum finish and a 4K display proves.
See: Once-mighty PC industry tries to shape-shift its way back to health

Published: September 9, 2015 -- 11:36 GMT (04:36 PDT)
Caption by: Ed Bott
Acer Predator 17

You want to kill monsters at insane frame rates on a big screen that you can carry? Then this monster laptop is your new best friend.
See: Once-mighty PC industry tries to shape-shift its way back to health

Published: September 9, 2015 -- 11:36 GMT (04:36 PDT)
Caption by: Ed Bott
Dell Inspiron

The industry will probably sell 100 million generic tower PCs next year. There's something to be said for familiarity and standardization.
See: Once-mighty PC industry tries to shape-shift its way back to health

Published: September 9, 2015 -- 11:36 GMT (04:36 PDT)
Caption by: Ed Bott
HP Envy 17

You want a clamshell laptop? We got clamshell laptops in every size, shape, and color. They're the bread and butter of the PC industry, even if the innovation is going elsewhere.
See: Once-mighty PC industry tries to shape-shift its way back to health

Published: September 9, 2015 -- 11:36 GMT (04:36 PDT)
Caption by: Ed Bott
HP Stream Mini

Tiny PCs like this HP device are a great fit (literally) in dorm rooms and cramped city flats. But it's hard to imagine these tiny workhorses spreading into the mainstream.
See: Once-mighty PC industry tries to shape-shift its way back to health

Published: September 9, 2015 -- 11:36 GMT (04:36 PDT)
Caption by: Ed Bott

Pick a form factor, any form factor. Can new, shape-shifting designs restore the PC industry to its former glory? Or will boring old desktops and clamshell laptops continue to define the PC?