Lenovo launches its first consumer PC in the US.....

Lenovo, which is best known for its Thinkpad business notebooks released its first consumer low-priced PC outside of China- the Ideapad K210. Among the unusual features in the desktop model is facial-recognition technology that allows users to log on by having the computer's camera recognize their faces. Also, another feature Lenovo is hoping to use to differentiate the product in a crowded market is an anti-microbial keyboard that uses special material to inhibit bacterial growth. The keyboard is expected to be useful in environments where multiple people use the same computer.

The K210 also includes Lenovo's system-recovery technology, which saves data on a special system partition in the event of a failure. Specifications of the new machine include an Intel Core 2 quad-core processor and GMA 3100 integrated graphics. In addition, the computer has an optional Blu-ray DVD drive and the option of upgrading to an ATI Radeon 2600 XT graphics card for PC gaming.

The IdeaCentre K210 is available in US retail stores. Prices start at $379, after a mail-in rebate. A 19-inch monitor is available for an additional $229, and a 22-inch display for $299. Both prices are after a mail-in rebate.