Lenovo Launches Two Consumer Tablets, ThinkPad Tablet For Business

Lenovo's new ThinkPad Tablet features an Nvidia Tegra 2 processor and security features tailored to IT managers supporting multiple devices. Digitizer pen and keyboard options are available for increased functionality, and all ThinkPad Tablet owners get access to Lenovo's enterprise-level services including access to tablet technicians, additional warranty coverage and imaging services for the corporate environment.

The IdeaPad K1 also features an Nvidia Tegra 2 processor, but is aimed at consumers. It comes pre-loaded with over 40 applications, including SocialTouch, Lenovos's own social media aggregation application. The K1 features a 10.1-inch display and weighs 1.63 pounds.

Lenovo's consumer-oriented IdeaPad P1 features an Intel Atom processor and comes with Windows 7. Lenovo expects this model to appeal to users that use Microsoft Office and other productivity applications.

The three tablets support streaming Netflix video. Lenovo is the first Android tablet maker to offer streaming Netflix on a tablet, a deal that required the company to build an internal Digital Rights Management (DRM) module into the tablet hardware, Engadget reported on Wednesday.

Lenovo touted the integration with Netflix as a major differentiator in a statement on Wednesday, but Gurpreet Kaur, a tablet analyst at Gap Intelligence, is not sure the feature will stand out in a crowded tablet market.

"Netflix is good, but is it enough? Questionable," said Kaur. "At the end of the day it is about how companies get their message across and the type of expectation consumers have for a brand."

Both the ThinkPad Tablet and IdeaPad K1 run Android 3.1. They share front and rear facing cameras, 2 megapixel and 5 megapixel respectively, as well as a native HD resolution of 1280 x 800. Ports include mini HDMI, USB 2.0, SIM and SD card slots. Lenovo is now taking pre-orders and will ship the ThinkPad and IdeaPad K1 tablets in August.

The ThinkPad and K1 tablets currently available are Wi-Fi only, and 3G versions will be available shortly, according to Lenovo. The 16 GB ThinkPad Tablet is $479 without the $30 digitizer pen that can lock into the side of the tablet. The 32 GB IdeaPad Tablet K1 is $499. Pricing is not yet available for the IdeaPad Tablet P1, which Lenovo says will be available in the fourth quarter.