Posting from Las Vegas: Notebooks that convert into tablets aren’t new, but Lenovo is turning heads here at the Consumer Electronics Show this week with a new twist on the concept — or maybe it’s a better to call it a new backflip.

Rather than swiveling or popping off, the screen on the company’s newly unveiled IdeaPad Yoga will literally bend over backwards to convert from a slim ultrabook into a 13.3 inch tablet. Lenovo is showing it here running Windows 8, and it could be a launch device for the new Microsoft OS. The Yoga is slated to be available in the second half of the year starting at around $1,200.

Here’s the full description from Lenovo.

Created for the convergence of professional and personal lifestyles, the IdeaPad YOGA multi-mode notebook introduces an intuitive design that optimizes the user experience of both an ultrabook and tablet across four different usage modes – notebook, tablet, stand and tent. Compared with conventional convertible form factors, YOGA’s patented 360 degree dual- hinge flip design is more stable and durable and enables an overall thinner and lighter hardware design. YOGA is the industry’s thinnest convertible ultrabook measuring 0.67” (16.9mm) thin at 3.1 lbs (1.47kg).  Powered by the Intel Core Processor family with a Windows 8 operating system, YOGA supports eight hours of battery life with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD. As a full-size notebook, YOGA’s svelte design includes small but meaningful details such as soft touch rubber paint on the exterior for strong grip, a leather cover on the palm rest, and side buttons designed for easier access for all usage modes.

As a multi-mode notebook, IdeaPad YOGA delivers a comfortable and natural user interaction when using it in any position. To enjoy multi-player touch-based gaming and social media on-the-go, the user simply  folds back YOGA’s screen for a portable 13.1“ HD+ (1600 x 900) tablet with 10-point capacitive touch. For entertainment, reading, and web browsing, users can flip the YOGA’s screen panel into a convenient stand or tent mode that saves space and brings the screen closer to the user. YOGA’s versatile multi-mode form factor strikes an ideal balance between creating and consuming content, while at the same time, offering consumers an optimal experience of a notebook and tablet in a single device.

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