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The table PC when it's flat. Lenovo

Lenovo Sunday unveiled what it calls the first "table PC" — that's right, table PC, not tablet PC — which lets the computer lie flat on any surface so that two or more people can use the screen at the same time. This 27-inch, Windows 8 Pro machine is definitely one of the more unusual products to be announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.



It's officially called the IdeaCentre Horizon Table PC, and Lenovo — which is also announcing a lineup of more conventional computers, including new IdeaPad and ThinkPad touchscreen Windows 8 notebooks — should be available "beginning in early summer," with a starting price of $1,699.

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The back of the table PC. Lenovo

Lenovo's IdeaCentre Horizon Table PC. Lenovo

"Horizon makes personal computing interpersonal computing with shared, collaborative experiences among several people,” said Peter Hortensius, president of Lenovo's product group, in a press release. "Now many people can enjoy different photos, music and video on the same screen, and they can play games with our special accessories that blend physical and digital interaction."

The touchscreen PC takes advantage of Windows 8's touch-based features to support touchscreen multi-player gaming, for instance. When you're not too busy collaborating, the computer can "easily transform into a 27-inch, high-performance desktop." It will use NVIDIA GeForce graphics and have "heart-pounding" Dolby Home Theatre v4 audio.

The trade-off? Just two hours of battery life when you're away from a wall-socket. Good thing, at 17.8 lbs., you're likely not going to be away for even that long.

If you don't have a table for your brand new table PC, Lenovo has thought of that, too. The Horizon Multimode Table will let users change the angle and height of the PC from flat to a "straight-up, 'wall-like mount' at 90 degrees."



No word yet on pricing for the table PC's table add-on.

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