No, we are not time-travelling back to 2005 when we last saw these machines.  Newer, sleaker versions were seen at CES 2011 a few weeks ago, including those that operate on two different systems (the Lenovo IdeaPad Hybrid U1, for example, runs Windows Home Premium while docked and Android when used as a tablet (last year, it was said that the tablet would run on Linux, but that machine was never launched).  To some people, they’re just cumbersome – many machines require the screen to be popped out before it becomes a tablet, while to others, it’s just plain gimicky and just another fad.  Price range is going to be over $1,000, which I think is pretty reasonable, considering that you’d be paying more if you were buying separate laptops and tablets.  

Lenovo Hybrid U1:

Samsung Slider:

So what do you think of these “hybrids”?  This is not something that I’d purchase right now – I’d like to see if it holds out, first.  As I mentioned, we’ve all seen this before, and they did not last.  However, people weren’t buying them a few years ago because they added too much bulk to laptops, making them heavier than normal and therefore not as “portable.”  These computers, on the other hand, weigh about the same as a standard laptop when the tablet is in place, probably around 3 lb.  Size wise, many are slightly bigger than the typical netbook at around 11″.    Other hybrids launching include the Samsung Sliding PC7 (video 1, runs Windows on both modes) and Asus’s Eee Slate EP121.