Lenovo shows off its new magnetic notebook/tablet hybrid

Lenovo has shown off the Miix 2, new magnetic notebook/tablet hybrid, at the Consumer Electronics Show today. The device works in multiple modes, including a reverse mode where the keyboard acts as a stand, with a speaker array on the rear rim for watching movies. Slated for release this quarter, it’s available in 10- and 11-inch models, starting at $499 for the 10-inch device, and $599 for the 11-incher. It runs Windows 8.1.

PC makers have tried all sorts of approaches to make notebooks work as tablets — bending, twisting and more. At a preview of the Consumer Electronics Show today, Lenovo showed a hybrid notebook/tablet, the Miix 2, where the keyboard attaches and detaches from the screen using a magnetic connection. It’s the latest attempt by PC makers to accommodate the dual tablet/notebook nature of Microsoft’s Windows 8. Take a look with our quick video preview below, with details from Lenovo product manager Yang Chun.