CES 2014: HP, Lenovo betting on Android PCs

Tech giants HP and Lenovo have both unveiled PCs running Google’s Android operating system during the 2014 International CES in Las Vegas.

While both companies also unveiled new desktop PCs running Windows 8.1, the news is certain to cause alarm for Microsoft, which has historically dominated the desktop PC operating system market.

HP’s Slate 21 PC, which will be targeted at the business market, is an all-in-one PC based on a 21.5-inch display and uses Citrix XenMobile security software to help enterprises manage and secure business data.

“The HP AiO PCs announced today highlight how businesses of any size can increase employee productivity by leveraging the growing Android ecosystem, all while being budget friendly,” HP Commercial PCs senior vice president Enrique Lores says in a statement.

The new PC will be available in the US from March, with a price tag of $US399, although no Australian release has yet been announced.

Rivals Lenovo also unveiled an all-in-one Android PC, the N308 Table PC, which runs Android 4.2.2 JellyBean, features a 19.5-inch multitouch display and a 500 gigabyte hard disk.