Gigabyte Intros 3-in-1 Laptop With Unique Dock

In addition to introducing its new gaming laptop on Thursday, Gigabyte also revealed a three-in-one laptop called the U21MD. While the name isn't all that catchy, the device itself looks rather snazzy, especially when it's parked in the "innovative" docking station. Pricing and availability are unknown at this point, but additional details are expected to be provided next week.

As with Gigabyte's other models, the U21MD will have multiple configurations. On the processor front, the laptop has an Intel Core i5-4200U (1.6 GHz, 2.6 GHz) or an Intel Pentium 3558U processor (1.7 GHz). There will also be either 4 GB or 8 GB of DDR3L memory (2 slots up to 16 GB), and Intel HD Graphics. The 11.6 multi-touch screen has a resolution of 1366 x 768.

Surprisingly, this notebook features a dual-storage system. There will be four possible configurations, one with a solid state hybrid drive with 500 GB to 1 TB of storage capacity, an mSATA SSD and hard drive combo, and so on. Capacities range from 128 GB to 1.5 TB.

In addition to the storage configurations, the laptop has two USB 3.0 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI output, an SD card reader, a SIM card slot, and jacks for earphones and a microphone. There's also Wireless N and Bluetooth 4.0 +LE connectivity, an HD camera, and a Li-polymer 40 Wh battery.

As for the dock, this device provides three USB 3.0 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, a docking connector, and jacks for a microphone and headphone. The laptop comes with a chicklet keyboard as well as an optional backlit keyboard.

"For those who seek ultimate multimedia experience, U21MD has the best audio and visual experience a 3-in-1 laptop could offer," reads the PR. "The equipped Dolby Digital Plus Home Theater technology eliminates sound distortion, enhances volume and reinforces even the smallest details of the sound. Enjoy a fantastic audio experience on the U21MD, which is great for music, movies and games."

Thanks to a special hinge on the laptop, this device can be used as a tablet by rotating the screen 180 degrees, as a notebook and as an office PC when docked. This notebook is ideal for those who want the traits of an entertainment PC but also the quick and light functionality of a tablet. Want a gaming laptop? Check out the new P15F v2 instead.