Many lawyers are quick to adapt new technology, such as Apple Inc.’s iPad, to their law practice. But lawyers can resist upgrading gear long after the benefits run their course, e.g., Research in Motion’s BlackBerry SmartPhone (circa October 2011). At what point will the iPad lose its luster, or perhaps fall from grace, and follow the old BlackBerry smartphones? Lenovo, manufacturer of the popular ThinkPad line of laptop computers acquired from IBM Corp., would like to say “today” with the release of its ThinkPad 8 tablet.
The ThinkPad 8 runs Google Android or Microsoft Windows 8 operating systems. The ThinkPad 8 is a business tablet because it uses an Intel Atom processor (aka Bay Trail), which supports local programs running Windows 8.1, such as Office 2010 and 2013. The tablet has three modes of operation: as a traditional tablet mode, which you can hold in one hand and operate in the other; in tent mode, where the laptop is supported by its wide edge and an inverted, optional cover; and in PC mode, using an optional USB 3 docking station or external monitor.
