Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2 Coming With Windows 8

When Windows 8 rolls out in October, Microsoft will have at least one big name offering Windows 8 tablets. Lenovo just announced the ThinkPad Tablet 2, a Windows 8 tablet designed for enterprise applications and daily life.

The 9.8-millimeter thick tablet is filled with promising parts and features, like an upcoming (planned, but unannounced) Intel Atom mobile processor, a 10.1-inch touch display designed for use with fingers and stylus, and 3G and 4G wireless connectivity with the recently announced pay-as-you-go Lenovo Mobile Access. Optional features, like Near Field Communication, TPM security and fingerprint reader only further flesh out the newly announced tablet.

The ThinkPad Tablet 2 is slated to come with Windows 8 Pro, and designed to integrate easily into existing enterprise IT structures with desktop support for existing applications and VPN access. Internal and external encrypted storage is also available, as is an optional SmartCard reader.

Measuring 0.39 by 10.3 by 6.5 inches (HWD) the ThinkPad Tablet 2 is slim and portable, weighing a mere 1.3 pounds. The tablet is equipped with one full-size USB 2.0 port, a mini HDMI output, combination mic and headphone jack, and microSD card slot. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity are joined by mobile 3G and 4G options. A front-facing, 2-megapixel camera is paired with a built-in dual-mic array with noise cancellation, designed to work seamlessly with video-conferencing services such as Skype or Lync (Microsoft's enterprise video-conferencing service). An 8-megapixel, rear-facing camera has auto-focus and an LED flash for easy photos on the go. An optional digitizer and pen provide simple handwriting and drawing in addition to on-screen keyboard input, and storage for the pen is built right into the tablet.

Accessories include a portable docking keyboard, which features an optical TrackPoint for mouse navigation. A desktop dock is also available, letting you connect the tablet to desktop displays and peripherals. Pricing for the Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2 has not been announced, but the tablet is expected to be available on or near the of Windows 8.

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