Chinese technology giant Lenovo Wednesday revealed the industry's first hybrid PC for consumers, the IdeaPad U1 hybrid notebook, featuring a groundbreaking detachable screen.

The IdeaPad U1's unique design provides consumers in one device with two PCs, which work together with their own processor and operating system and work independently as either a clamshell laptop or a multi touch slate tablet, according to Lenovo officials.

"The IdeaPad U1 hybrid notebook is a game-changing technology in the PC industry that lets user switch their PC experience within a single device to match their dynamic lifestyle," said LiuJun, senior vice president of Idea Product Group, Lenovo.

"By fusing the functionality of a notebook with the slate tablet's rich multi touch entertainment and mobile Internet experience, U1 provides consumers the freedom to choose the device they prefer for any activity," he said.

When the IdeaPad U1 is in its traditional clamshell form, the system boasts an 11.6 inch HD LED screen and runs Windows 7. When the 1.6 pound, multitouch screen is removed, it becomes an independent slate tablet with a powerful ARM processor, running Lenovo's customized Skylight operating system.

The IdeaPad U1's fashionable scarlet exterior has a footprint just smaller than a piece of notebook paper and is paired with an equally impressive 3.8 pound thin and light design.

(Xinhua News Agency January 7, 2010)