Lenovo Pocket Yoga: a new form factor in the making
After a photo leaked that appeared to show an unspecified Lenovo netbook last week, Lenovo gladly came forward to discuss just what the photograph depicted.
Johnson Li, director of Lenovo's Beijing Innovation Center, said the leather-bound, dual-folding netbook was an experiment that is now "finished." It is a 2007 concept that Lenovo created, called the "Pocket Yoga" notebook. The device's shape is based around a 360 degree hinge conceived by one of the company's New Zealand-based designers.
When folded one way, the Pocket Yoga could be used as a tablet, if folded the other way, it would open like a standard clamshell notebook. The device seems like it would be similar to the old magic wallet. Johnson said the full concept included a detachable keyboard and leather closure strap which turned into a mouse when removed. Lenovo did not say that it planned to manufacture any such devices.
While the Pocket Yoga's main attraction is its soft hinge system, it is nonetheless interesting to see that Lenovo chose to execute the design in the "rear view mirror" form factor that Sony debuted with its Vaio P, and that Intel showed off with its Moorestown concept device.
Are these differently shaped devices going to become yet another nameless form factor in the lightweight PC market? Even though there are now hundreds of devices built in the netbook style, the term still cannot take root, and there is yet no classification for ultra-thin, but still fully-profiled low-power notebooks like Apple's MacBook Air or Dell's Adamo.
Looking at these designs, you can't help but wonder if companies are just trying to find the line between "too small" and "big enough."
The Panasonic FH-2000 (1986): Too Small?
The Sony Vaio P (2009): Big Enough?