The ThinkPad Tablet can run software such as IBM's Lotus Notes Traveler, a push e-mail service. Users can write using a stylus, and the tablet includes software that can convert handwritten notes to text. Other features include a touch-enabled drag-and-drop utility to move data from a USB key to internal storage or an SD card.

The tablet is expected to be available in the U.S. in August, a Lenovo spokeswoman said. The company said it will become available worldwide in the third quarter, though no specific date was provided. A 16GB Wi-Fi model is priced at US$499, and for an additional $30 users can buy a model with a digitizer pen.

With the tablet, Lenovo hopes to ride on the success of ThinkPad laptops, which are targeted at businesses. Enterprise tablets are already available from Cisco, which recently shipped the communication-focused Cius tablet, and Hewlett-Packard, which offers the Slate 500 based on the Windows 7 OS.

The IdeaPad K1 consumer tablet focuses on entertainment and is certified to work with Netflix, which can stream high-resolution 1080p movies directly to the device, said Ninis Samuel, global director for mobile and digital home product marketing at Lenovo.

The K1 interface provides quick access to key entertainment features. The Launch Zone application provides one-touch access to Web browser and other multimedia applications. An application called Social Touch puts e-mail and social network contacts in one place.