NetbookShow

Did Lenovo just redefine the ultraportable? In a way, yeah. Typically we set the bar for this category as being under 4 pounds with a 11 to 13-inch display. And that’s exactly how we’d describe the new 11.6-inch, 2.8-pound IdeaPad U160.  But that’s not as interesting as the new U460 and U460s, which sport 14-inch displays yet weigh 3.8 pounds. That’s very light for such relatively large screens. All three new models feature textured aluminum top covers along with chiclet-style keyboards, and the machines’ U-shaped outlines make them look like books while lying on their sides.

While the U460 has a standard voltage processor under the hood (up to Core i7), Lenovo equips the U160 and U460s with ultra-low voltage CPUs, with choices ranging from Celeron and Pentium on the low end to Core i3, i5, and even i7. Other perks include an Active Protection system for the hard drive, an ambient light sensor, and data recovery tools. The U160 also features DirectShare software for syncing with a primary PC and Dolby Advanced Audio. Its 3-cell battery is rated to last 3.5 hours on a charge, but the 6-cell battery should double that runtime. (No word yet on the endurance of the U460 or U460s). According to Lenovo, all three systems will start at $699 beginning in June.