Lenovo ThinkPad 10 Preview

Lenovo today announced the ThinkPad 10, a 10.1-inch tablet that is a successor of sorts to the ThinkPad Tablet 2. But the ThinkPad 10 is much more interesting, with a full-sized screen, a more powerful quad-core Atom processor, and a full slate of useful accessories, including a pen and a docking station. Best of all, it comes with a 64-bit version of Windows 8.1.

The ThinkPad 10 can be used as a standalone tablet or, when combined with an intriguing Ultrabook Keyboard, as an Ultrabook-style PC. But Lenovo is billing the ThinkPad 10 as a "multimode" tablet because that accessory is flexible and can transform into different usage modes like a Yoga, including Tablet, Stand, Laptop and Desktop. It can also be docked to a ThinkPad 10 Tablet Dock (or USB 3.0 docking station) and used with external accessories, including a display, mouse and keyboard.

Here are the key details about the ThinkPad 10.

Quad-core Atom processor. The ThinkPad 10 features a quad-core Intel Atom Processor Z3795 SoC (System on a Chip).

Memory. The ThinkPad 10 can be outfitted with 2 GB or 4 GB of RAM.

Storage. 64 GB of 128 GB of eMMC 4.51 storage with microSD expansion.

Screen/digitizer/pen. The ThinkPad 10 features a 10-inch IPS screen running at 1920 x 1080 (Full HD). It also includes a 10-point multi-touch capabilities which supports the included "digitizer pen." I suspect this is not a high-quality electromagnetic stylus, but I will try to find out.

Battery. Lenovo says the ThinkPad 10 is rated at 10 hours of battery life.

Ports. Dock port, 1 USB 2.0 port, micro-SD and micro-HDMI.

Windows 8.1 x64. The ThinkPad 10 utilizes Windows 8.1, not Windows RT 8.1, for a "full PC experience." But it's also the 64-bit version of Windows 8.1, so unlike most Atom-based tablets to date, it can be expanded past a basic 2 GB of RAM.

ThinkPad 10 Ultrabook Keyboard. This $129 accessory lets you use the ThinkPad 10 like an Ultrabook.

ThinkPad 10 Tablet Dock: This $119 accessory provides two USB 3.0 ports, HDMI out, and Ethernet connectivity.

ThinkPad 10 Quickshot cover: This useful $59 cover works like the similar Quickshot covers for the ThinkPad 8, with a "peekaboo" folding cover that lets you use the camera.

ThinkPad 10 Rugged Case: This will cost $69 and will be available in sometime this summer.

ThinkPad 10 Touch Case: This $119 accessory, due this summer, looks and works somewhat like the Surface Touch Cover, providing a case with an integrated touch keyboard.

Based on the high-quality of ThinkPad devices and my positive experiences with the ThinkPad 8 and Miix 2, I'm expecting this to be an interesting option, and great competition for the Dell Venue 11 Pro, which also has some good keyboard accessories.