What you need to know
- Lenovo announced the LAVIE MINI ultra-portable PC and the LAVIE Pro Mobile laptop.
- The LAVIE MINI is a prototype PC that can be docked to a game controller or HDMI dock.
- The LAVIE Pro Mobile is a traditional laptop built for business professionals.
Lenovo announced two new LAVIE computers ahead of CES 2021. While both PCs are from the LAVIE lineup from NEC Personal Computers, a joint venture company of Lenovo and the NEC Corporation, they vary dramatically in form factor and availability. The LAVIE MINI is a prototype device with an 8-inch screen that can be docked to several accessories. In contrast, the LAVIE Pro Mobile is a traditional laptop that starts at $1,700. The LAVIE Pro Mobile doesn't have a release date at this time.
The LAVIE MINI is a unique pocket-sized convertible PC. It runs on up to an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 mobile processor with Intel Iris Xe graphics. It has a smaller 8-inch (1920 x 1200) touchscreen and weighs just 579 grams (1.28 lbs). What makes the LAVIE MINI stand out is its ability to dock to other devices. You can attach the PC to an optional gaming controller that includes offset joysticks.
Alternatively, you can dock the LAVIE MINI to its optional HDMI-connected dock that includes several USB-C and USB-A ports. The dock also charges the minute PC.
Even the keyboard of the LAVIE MINI is unlike most laptops. It has circular keys that look more like typewriter keys than a traditional laptop, though there are some other devices that feature circular keys, like the Pixel Slate.
| Category | LAVIE MINI | LAVIE Pro Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 Home | Windows 10 Home |
| Processor | 11th Gen Intel Up to Core i7-1180G7 | 11th Gen Intel Up to Core i7-1165G7 |
| RAM | 16GB LPDDR4x Dual-channel | 16GB LPDDR4x Dual-channel |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Xe | Intel Iris Xe |
| Storage | 256GB M.2 PCIe SSD | 512GB M.2 PCIe SSD |
| Display | 8 inches 1920x1080 (FHD) Touch, 400 nits | 13.3 inches 1920x1080 (FHD) IPS |
| Ports | Two USB-A 3.1 Two USB-C 3.1 HDMI | USB-A 3.1 Two USB-C 3.1 HDMI 2.0 3.5mm audio microSD card reader |
| Audio | Dual 1.5W speakers | Dual 2W speakers |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.1 | Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Security | IR camera | IR camera |
| Battery | 26Wh | 49Wh |
| Dimensions | 7.87 x 5.79 x 0.67 inches (200mm x 147mm x 16.95mm) | 12.10 x 8.5 x 0.66 inches (307.2mm x 216mm x 16.7mm) |
| Weight | 1.28 pounds (579g) | 1.96 pounds (889g) |
| Color | Crystal White | Navy Blue |
On the other end of the spectrum, the LAVIE Pro Mobile is a traditional laptop built for professionals. The display of the LAVIE Pro Mobile is 13.3 inches. The laptop has a lift-up hinge that raises the display when you open the laptop and can be opened up to 180 degrees.
The LAVIE Pro Mobile is a light laptop, coming in at just 889 grams (1.95 lbs). It runs on up to an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor with Intel Iris Xe graphics.
Sean Endicott is the news writer for Windows Central. If it runs Windows, is made by Microsoft, or has anything to do with either, he's on it. Sean's been with Windows Central since 2017 and is also our resident app expert. If you have a news tip or an app to review, hit him up at sean.endicott@futurenet.com.
