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The IdeaPad range will initially come in three models: the U110, Y510 and Y710, equipped respectively with 11in, 15in and 17in widescreen displays - all of which will feature a 1.3 megapixel webcam, facial recognition software, and touch-sensitive media keys.

The ultraportable U110 will weigh just over 1kg and feature a choice of hard disk or solid state

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drives. The ultraportable will also utilise the shock sensor technology found on ThinkPads, intended to protect the hard drive in case of falls or jostling.

The Y510 is targeted at families, and will come with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, integrated graphics, WLAN, and a Blu-ray drive. The beefier Y710 is Lenovo's attempt to crack the gamer market, and will be equipped with an ATI Mobility Radeon HD2600, up to 4GB of ram and a 500GB hard disk.

Pricing has yet to be confirmed, though the company plans to display the laptops at next week's CES show in Las Vegas.

"We're now bringing Lenovo's expertise in design and engineering to consumers with our IdeaPad notebooks. We are confident we will grow our consumer business by blending innovative technologies like facial recognition with stylish designs to enhance the way people use technology in their personal lives," says Liu Jun, president of consumer business group at Lenovo.