Lenovo shows concept PCs behind closed doors

We were also shown a physical mock up of a very cool PDA sized device (which Dave managed to break, sorry Lenovo), and sort of tweener model that was a bit too big for a PDA but too small to be an actual notebook. This tweener device was a bit reminiscent of the poquet PC (remember that thing) with a keyboard resembling a notebooks but a screen like a PDAs. These devices seemed a bit father out than some of the other we were shown, but we were pleased with the direction they're heading with these designs.

Home PC's not just for your home office anymore

The final device presentation was delivered by Lenovo's design leader in Beijing, Yao Yingjia. Here's where the presentation took as dramatic turn from the office to livingroom. Yao assaulted us with a barrage of consumer devices that ranged from a futuristic PC's that looked more like a toaster than a PC, to wall mounted PC's and monitors that attached to their mounting brackets magnetically and could be moved and recofigured at will. Clearly on the consumer side the company has decided to be a bit more experimental, and were willing to open up their designs a bit more.

We were also shown several conceptual mobile phones and a some recent award winning products (namely their Yoga notebook and Sundial PC).

We were intrigued by what we saw, the company is clearly embracing the upcoming tidal wave of demand for media centric PCs, and we like the fact that they're experimenting with alternate deisgns for entertainment devices. While more computer makers are still fooling around with livingroom PCs that look like VCRs, Lenovo is forging ahead with devices that can be wall mounted under your flat panel TV. Very cool.

Summing it up

A couple of days before this meeting we got a demonstation of Lenovo's newest ThinkPad X60 and T60 notebook PCs and were extremely impressed. So we went into this meeting with some pretty high expectations. It's safe to say, we were blown away. When Lenovo acquired IBM's PC division last year it wasn't clear what was going to happen to the venerable ThinkPad line, clearly or fears were for naught.

Not only has Lenovo continued to deliver impressive new notebook PCs with their new Z60, T60 and X60 devices, but their concept PCs are nothing short of world class. We were invited to meet their design team because the company wants to send the message that they take design seriously. Mission accomplished. Keep your eye on Lenovo, they already make the best notebook PCs on the planet, and they want to make the best PCs in just about every other segment as well. We'll certainly be watching, and for the record, we think they just may be able to pull it off.