Lenovo Pitches IdeaCentre Horizon as First "Interpersonal PC"

Microsoft likes to point out that Windows 8 represents a re-imagining of the Windows platform, and going along with that theme, Redmond's OEM partners are stepping outside the bounds of what constitutes a typical PC. A good example of this is Lenovo's IdeaCentre Horizon Table PC, or the world's first interpersonal PC, as Lenovo describes it.

Based on the same concept as a convertible notebook, the Horizon can lay flat on any surface, but it's far too large to call a tablet. The 27-inch display allows for two or more people to use the screen at the same time and is ideally suited for touchscreen game-play among several players, Lenovo says.


"We've seen technology shifts across the four screens, from the desktop to the laptop, tablet and smartphone, and yet, while people have more computing power than ever before, there is still room for technologies like Horizon that bring people together. Horizon makes personal computing interpersonal computing with shared, collaborative experiences among several people," said Peter Hortensius, president, Product Group, Lenovo. "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. Horizon reflects our commitment to delivering the innovative products that define the PC Plus era."


Those accessories Lenovo touches on include an e-dice and four joysticks and strikers. It's a unique take on the concept of a home PC for the family, and it will be interesting to see if game developers embrace the idea.


As for the hardware, the Horizon sports a 27-inch backlit Full HD 1080 multi-touch display, up to a 3rd Generation Intel Core i7 processor, up to 8GB of DDR3 memory, NVIDIA GeForce GT 620M graphics, up to 1TB of hard drive storage (64GB SSD optional), 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB 3.0 and HDMI connectivity, and Windows 8.


Lenovo will begin selling the Horizon in early summer starting at $1,699.