Lenovo is unveiling the world’s lightest 13-inch convertible and laptop, the new LaVie Z line of devices take these honors. Introducing the LaVie Z HZ550 which is just 1.72 pounds and the LaVie Z HZ750 comes in at just 2.04 pounds. These are the first products from Lenovo and NEC Personal Computers joint venture to be available outside of Japan, and they are certainly a welcomed addition to the US market. In the United States the Lenovo LaVie Z HZ550 and HZ750 will be landing in May 2015 with models starting at around $1,299 and $1,499. They will land in Japan sometime in the Spring of 2015.
The LaVie Z HZ550 is lightest convertible in the world and it is very portable. It has a 360 degree hinge that is similar to the one found in the YOGA line of products. You can work in a Laptop mode or turn the hinge and rock the device in Tablet mode. Both LaVie Z devices come in at under 16.9 millimeters thick. They are built from a magnesium-lithium 3 body that is 50 percent lighter than aluminum. In terms of hardware you get up to 5th Generation Intel Core i7 processor, Windows 8.1, a 128GB SSD, plus you can upgrade to a WQHD Touch Screen 13.3-inch display!
The LaVie Z lineup is very nice and it is great to see that both Lenovo and NEC Personal Computers are striving for a very lightweight and portable design. You can see a full gallery and press release below. Stay Tuned To NJTechReviews For More Coverage Of The 2015 Consumer Electronics Show!
Gallery
Press Release
Lenovo and NECP Introduce Two Lighter Than Air LaVie Z Ultraportables
World’s lightest 13-inch convertible and laptop at mere 2-pounds and less Lenovo strengthens collaboration with NECP with its first products outside of Japan
Las Vegas, Nevada―January 5, 2015: Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) and NEC Personal Computers (NECP) 2 today announced at the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show two new mobile PC models that redefine lightweight computing, both weighing less than a 32-oz water bottle. The Lenovo LaVie Z HZ550 takes the title of world’s lightest 13-in laptop PC at just 1.72-lbs1., while the Lenovo LaVie Z HZ750 claims world’s lightest 13-in convertible PC at just 2.04-lbs1.
Thin, Light, Powerful & Adaptable for Whatever Life Brings
The LaVie Z HZ750 not only gives consumers incredible portability, but also a new level of flexibility with its 360-degree hinge pioneered by Lenovo in its original YOGA family of convertibles. The LaVie Z offers an incredible two-in-one experience: work in Laptop mode with the comfortable keyboard or rotate it 360° to Tablet mode for closer, more interactive computing.
Both devices are Lenovo’s first NECP products available outside Japan, resulting from Lenovo’s joint venture with NEC since 2011. The new LaVie PCs leverage Lenovo’s global “innovation triangle,” utilizing the strength of Lenovo’s research and development teams in China, the U.S. and Japan. Known in Japan for a focus on light weight, the two new PCs bring the benefits of the LaVie line to consumers now in the U.S.
Not only lightweight, both models of the LaVie Z are extremely thin, measuring just 16.9 mm. Despite their record light weight and incredible thinness, they’re also unbelievably strong. Both machines use a specialized magnesium-lithium (Mg-Li)3 body construction along with specialized technologies including a Magnesium Lithium forged back cover. The materials are 50 percent lighter than aluminum and as strong as any heavier typical Magnesium alloy laptop materials resulting in unsurpassed quality engineering. The HZ750 also has a direct bonded touchscreen that uses a film instead of cover glass.
While the LaVie exceptional ultra-portable experience ranks light in weight, it comes in heavy in terms of performance, starting with a brilliant 13.3-in optional WQHD touch screen for vivid, lifelike images. It has a powerful up to 5th Generation Intel® Core i7TM processor (on the HZ750) that’s great for running multiple programs and applications simultaneously, Microsoft Windows 8.1 Update for maximum productivity, fast and responsive 128 GB SSD storage and battery life for all day computing. The LaVie Ultraportables are a perfect daily mobile companion, excelling in both work and play.
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“We are thrilled to bring our first NECP products outside of Japan with the LaVie Z, two of the world’s lightest PCs in their class,” said Roderick Lappin, president and CEO, NEC Lenovo Japan Group and vice president, Lenovo. “The LaVie models are a true triple play – on the cutting-edge for thin, light and powerful – and the HZ750 adds another advantage – 360° mode flexibility – making these devices real game changers that stretch the bounds of innovation.”
Price and Availability
In the U.S., the new Lenovo LaVie Z HZ550 and HZ750 will be available beginning in May 2015 with models starting at approximately $1,299 and $1,499, respectively via www.lenovo.com.
In Japan, the new LaVie Z models will be available in spring 2015. Pricing will be announced later.
