"We decided the time was right in the U.S. because what we gain is speed. We're really close to the customer. We can provide services and customizations that frankly if I'm doing it an ocean away it's hard to do that," Hortensius said.

But the quicker delivery of laptops or services may depend on what the customers are willing to pay. Components are made and shipped from other countries, which could increase the cost, Hortensius said.

"The reality is if you take this [laptop] apart, you'll see parts from everywhere. Designed in different places, built in different places. It's a very international, very Asia-based supply chain, no doubt about that," Hortensius said.

However, the company has taken that into account. "You have to make the thing make sense economically on its own. We think we have a way to do that, and as we wrap that factory, we expect to be able to show that," Hortensius said.

Lenovo is the world's second-largest PC maker behind Hewlett-Packard with a strong market presence in Asia-Pacific and Europe. The company has been growing in the U.S. on a distribution channel expansion in recent years.