In person, the Helix design is a bit less clunky-looking than some of the detachable screen clasp/hinge setups we've seen, but I'm still not sure the demand is there for a small Windows 8 laptop with a detachable screen.

When the Helix's keyboard is detached from the screen the keyboard doesn't look like the most sightly of things thanks to various metal protrusions, and popping the it back into place can also be a little fiddly to ensure both left and right sides meet symmetrically.

The Lenovo Helix is solid, made with the same level of attention to detail that the full ThinkPad line always is. When we took a few minutes to literally carry the device around for a while, we noticed it was relatively light and felt solid above all else.

In tablet mode, the Helix is well served by that slight form factor. At just under 12-inches, it's easy to handle.

Despite my criticisms, I must admit that I’d love to try the Helix for a couple of weeks and put it through some real-world tests. I suspect I can live with the foibles in return for getting an Ultrabook with ten hours of battery life and such a good keyboard.

The Lenovo ThinkPad Helix feels like a hybrid roadwarrior. It's reasonably light, especially in its class, offers great build quality and careful attention to detail in its construction. It may not be a beauty, but it's one of the better full Windows 8 hybrid designs out there.

It's a great design and one that feels sturdy in its various modes. The design and finish is pure ThinkPad with a simple appearance, and the tablet is slender given the specification inside. The keyboard is, as you'd expect on a ThinkPad, excellent.

Overall our opening impressions of the Helix are positive. However, costing over $700 more than other cheaper convertible laptop-tablet hybrids, we're unsure whether the Helix will be able to attract anyone but the wealthiest of users.

Lenovo will ship the Helix in February at $1,499. That’s more than most consumers will pay for an 11.6-inch laptop and, frankly, the IdeaPad Yoga 11S will prove a better choice for home users. The Helix is aimed at business travelers – and it may well be the perfect convertible for them.