This is Toshiba’s new Satellite Radius 11, a convertible PC-cum-tablet. Yes, it looks a lot like a Lenovo Yoga — but if you’re on a budget and need a (quite literally) flexible computer, it might be for you.
The previous incarnation of the Radius had a 15.6-inch screen — hardly a practical option for carrying around as a tablet unless you’re the Incredible Hulk. Now, shrunk down to 11.6 inches, it seems a far more practical option. In terms of converting the thing, you get a two-axis hinge that rotates 360 degrees. That means the screen bends all the way back, but also allows it to spin around and convert into a tablet with a quick twist.
Inside, the laptop can be configured with the latest Intel Pentium or Celeron chips, up to 4GB of RAM, and either a 32GB flash drive or a 500GB hard drive. The latter is probably one of it’s biggest selling points, allowing you to use the device as a tablet and workhorse laptop, too. There’s also the other connectivity you might expect — USB 3.0, HDMI, SD card slots and the like. It runs Windows 8.1.
But perhaps the best part is the price. Available from $US330, the Radius 11 is pretty cheap. So if you’re on a budget and aren’t quite sure if a laptop or tablet is the right choice for you, this may be just the ticket. It goes on sale October 26. Australian pricing and availability is yet to be announced.