LAS VEGAS -- Remember the old Microsoft Surface, the one that was basically a big "table" PC? Lenovo thinks that idea deserves a second try, unveiling the IdeaCentre Horizon, a Windows 8 touch-screen PC that users can lay flat for shared experiences such as games.
Claiming the Horizon to be the world's first "interpersonal PC," Lenovo has packed the machine with a suite of games and apps -- including a Windows 8 version of Monopoly -- from the likes of Electronic Arts, Ubisoft and Bluestacks. It even comes with special accessories, such as e-dice and four joysticks for multiplayer gameplay.
The screen measures 27 inches, and can be moved to a "normal" angle, transforming the Horizon into a regular all-in-one PC. Lenovo will also be showing off the IdeaCentre "Gamma" at CES -- a 39-inch monster PC that's based on the same collective-experience concept.
The Horizon is powered, in part, by Lenovo Auro, a proprietary interface that supports multiple users. It automatically engages when the screen is laid flat, and also has a built-in link to Lenovo's App Shop, which will offer apps optimized for the Table PC experience.
Some of the apps that are either pre-loaded or are part of the "exclusive access package" for the Horizon are:
Monopoly
Draw Race 2 HD
King of the Opera
Stagelight, where players create music
FilmOn TV, with access to 120 streaming channels
Painting and coloring apps
The IdeaCentre Horizon is powered by an Intel Core i7 processor, packs Nvidia GeForce graphics and includes Dolby Home Theatre v4 audio. It's planned for a summer launch, and will cost $1,699.
What do you think of Lenovo's take on digital gaming for friends and families? Yea or Nay? Let us know in the comments below.
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