Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet: Windows 8 Pro, Office 2013

With Apple preparing to release an iPad Mini and Google capturing critical acclaim for its $199 Nexus 7 device, the current focus of prominent tablet makers appears to be on the lucrative sub-$500 segment of the market.

However, popular hardware firm Lenovo is heading in a different direction. Its new ThinkPad Tablet 2, running Microsoft's upcoming operating system (OS), Windows 8, takes a significantly higher-priced approach.

Lenovo is well-known for its durable, high-performance ThinkPad laptops marketed to business types.

It plans to release its high-end ThinkPad Tablet 2 on October 26, 2012 (the same day Microsoft launches Windows 8).

Premium Price, Premium Features

The new Lenovo device will retail for a rather pricey $799, and provides a 10.1-inch screen with a 1366x768 resolution, a complete version of Microsoft Office 2013, and a powerful Intel Atom Clover Trail 1.8GHz processor. (Source: cnet.com)

Lenovo also says the new tablet computer includes an 8 megapixel camera and up to ten hours of battery life.

Other features of the new device include an optional dock and Ethernet port, a mobile keyboard, three USB ports, and an HDMI output. Each of these features are rarely found on budget-priced tablet computers.

Even better, the ThinkPad Tablet 2 ships with Windows 8 Pro already installed. Because the Lenovo device uses a full version of Windows 8 instead of Windows 8 RT (installed on many upcoming budget-priced Windows-based tablets), it will be able to run more applications.

ThinkPad Tablet 2: The UltraTablet?

Clearly, this isn't your average tablet PC. In effect, the ThinkPad Tablet 2 is a direct rival of ultrabooks rather than lower-priced tablet computers. (Source: technobuffalo.com)

Lenovo is gambling that consumers will pay more for a device that features superior hardware options (keyboard, multiple USB ports, high-power processor) plus a premium software package including a pre-installed version of Office 2013 and Windows 8 Pro.

Many analysts believe Lenovo may eventually cut the mobile keyboard and special software from the package, and reduce the new tablet's price to as little as $599. Lenovo, however, has not announced such a pricing option. (Source: zdnet.com)