Lenovo announces a prototype PC that can attach to Switch-style controls

Lenovo announced a new type of convertible PC ahead of CES 2021, though you can't buy it.

What you need to know

• Lenovo announced the LAVIE MINI ultra-portable PC and the LAVIE Pro Mobile laptop.
• The LAVIE MINI is a prototype PC that can be docked to a game controller or HDMI dock.
• The LAVIE Pro Mobile is a traditional laptop built for business professionals.

Lenovo announced two new LAVIE computers ahead of CES 2021. While both PCs are from the LAVIE lineup from NEC Personal Computers, a joint venture company of Lenovo and the NEC Corporation, they vary dramatically in form factor and availability. The LAVIE MINI is a prototype device with an 8-inch screen that can be docked to several accessories. In contrast, the LAVIE Pro Mobile is a traditional laptop that starts at $1,700. The LAVIE Pro Mobile doesn't have a release date at this time.

The LAVIE MINI is a unique pocket-sized convertible PC. It runs on up to an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 mobile processor with Intel Iris Xe graphics. It has a smaller 8-inch (1920 x 1200) touchscreen and weighs just 579 grams (1.28 lbs). What makes the LAVIE MINI stand out is its ability to dock to other devices. You can attach the PC to an optional gaming controller that includes offset joysticks.

Alternatively, you can dock the LAVIE MINI to its optional HDMI-connected dock that includes several USB-C and USB-A ports. The dock also charges the minute PC.

Even the keyboard of the LAVIE MINI is unlike most laptops. It has circular keys that look more like typewriter keys than a traditional laptop, though there are some other devices that feature circular keys, like the Pixel Slate.

Category	LAVIE MINI	LAVIE Pro Mobile
OS	Windows 10 Home	Windows 10 Home
Processor	11th Gen Intel Up to Core i7-1180G7	11th Gen Intel Up to Core i7-1165G7
RAM	16GB LPDDR4x Dual-channel	16GB LPDDR4x Dual-channel
Graphics	Intel Iris Xe	Intel Iris Xe
Storage	256GB M.2 PCIe SSD	512GB M.2 PCIe SSD
Display	8 inches 1920x1080 (FHD) Touch, 400 nits	13.3 inches 1920x1080 (FHD) IPS
Ports	Two USB-A 3.1 Two USB-C 3.1 HDMI	USB-A 3.1 Two USB-C 3.1 HDMI 2.0 3.5mm audio microSD card reader
Audio	Dual 1.5W speakers	Dual 2W speakers
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.1	Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.1
Security	IR camera	IR camera
Battery	26Wh	49Wh
Dimensions	7.87 x 5.79 x 0.67 inches (200mm x 147mm x 16.95mm)	12.10 x 8.5 x 0.66 inches (307.2mm x 216mm x 16.7mm)
Weight	1.28 pounds (579g)	1.96 pounds (889g)
Color	Crystal White	Navy Blue

On the other end of the spectrum, the LAVIE Pro Mobile is a traditional laptop built for professionals. The display of the LAVIE Pro Mobile is 13.3 inches. The laptop has a lift-up hinge that raises the display when you open the laptop and can be opened up to 180 degrees.

The LAVIE Pro Mobile is a light laptop, coming in at just 889 grams (1.95 lbs). It runs on up to an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor with Intel Iris Xe graphics.