As a partnership between Lenovo and NEC, it feels like LaVie often gets a little more freedom to have fun with the design of its devices, so for CES 2021, LaVie created a concept device that looks like someone took a Nintendo Switch , added a few pieces to the PC, and then gave it a steampunk-reminiscent finishes.
Based around a 8-inch 1920 x 1200 display, in normal use, the LaVie Mini concept is very similar to the old netbook. However, when you add its distinctive white and gold scheme, along with its backlit circular keys, the LaVie Mini starts to look like something that could have been designed in Bioshock universe.
Although it’s just a concept for now, the LaVie Mini is also programmed to have pretty decent components, including an 11th-generation Intel Core i7 processor with Iris Xe graphics, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD storage, Wi-Fi -By 6 and a 26 WHr battery. And even if the system is too small to have a full-size touchpad, there are even a small piece of postage stamps and a few thin mouse buttons to help you navigate.
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However, the real party trick of the LaVie Mini is the ability to fold its keyboard back and attach an optional game controller, effectively turning the LaVie Mini into the PC equivalent of a Nintendo Switch. With its controller attached, you get the full standard range of controller buttons, including a D-pad, two joysticks, and a assortment of face buttons and a few triggers on the shoulders. and, like the Nintendo handheld, the LaVie Mini has its own dock that you can use reload the system or download video to a nearby screen.
Following the massive success of Nintendo Switch, LaVie Mini is not the first attempt we have seen by device manufacturers to create a hybrid console on their computer (see The Dell UFO concept at CES 2020), but because no computer manufacturer was able to use the formula, the LaVie Mini concept isns a nice and is tempting.
Unfortunately, LaVie just come up with a design. Next comes the hardest part: taking this concept and turning it into a real production device. There is currently no timetableflash for when the LaVie Mini will go on sale, and if this is anything like the Dell UFO concept, chances are you’ll never do it. And unfortunately, that’s kind of downer for what could be a really interesting device.
And if you want to see more new gadgets and devices from CES 2021, click here to read our full coverage.