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Lenovo has just revealed most of the details on the ThinkPad Tablet 2, a 9.8mm-thick Windows 8 Pro tablet first shown earlier this year in prototype form whose details we published recently. 3G and AT&T LTE models will be available along with an optional digitizer (for "precision" pen input), keyboard, and dock. It'll be a full x86 device — Lenovo calls a "joint effort" with Intel and Microsoft — that clocks in at 1.3 pounds with a 10.1-inch 1366 x 768 display. It's billed to have 10-hour battery life, which would be impressive for a device only 9.8mm thick. The standard model is Wi-Fi-only, but there will also be carrier versions including one with AT&T's LTE connectivity.
We got to spend some time with the device Lenovo called "the tablet the industry has been waiting for" at an event in New York City today. We came away relatively impressed, despite the fact that Lenovo doesn't appear to be doing anything differently from other OEMs when it comes to Windows 8. When attached to the keyboard dock the device does legitimately feel like a laptop — the dock uses the same keyboard as many of Lenovo's recent ultrabooks, which is a very good thing — but by itself the device is a light and sturdy tablet. The pen input works well, though Windows 8 is so gesture-reliant that occupying your whole hand with a pen can be tough. It's a sturdy and well-made device that's comfortable to hold in one hand, and as we navigated through Windows 8 and a handful of Lenovo's own apps everything was fluid and fast.
Unlike many other blue-chip Windows OEMs, Lenovo has been doing very well recently — and the Tablet 2 will likely be expected to do heated battle with Microsoft's own Surface in the waning months of the year. Look for it to launch in October around the same time as Windows 8 (likely even the same day); pricing is yet to be announced.
Update: The ThinkPad Tablet 2 will cost $649 at launch.
David Pierce contributed to this report.
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