Lenovo’s counter to the iPad is here, touted as packing: “What You Love About Tablets, What You Love About PCs.”

On Thursday, Lenovo formally unveiled its ThinkPad Tablet 2, which will be equipped with the forthcoming Windows 8 operating system from Microsoft. Windows 8 is due out in October.

Details about the tablet leaked earlier this week as Lenovo launched celebrations of the ThinkPad line that dates back now 20 years when IBM hatched the laptops.

Here are specs as disclosed by Lenovo:

  • Extreme Mobility

Measuring less than 10mm, the 10.1″ ThinkPad Tablet 2 goes everywhere you go. And, with up to 10 hours battery life, it keeps going for as long as you need it to. Use 3G and 4G* support to stay connected to colleagues, family and friends.

  • Desktop and Windows 8 Apps

Besides the new, fun and immersive Windows 8 Apps, the ThinkPad Tablet 2 will also run productivity ones, including: Adobe® Photoshop®, Quicken®, TurboTax® and more.

  • Full Microsoft Office Support

View, edit and create MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint files without the need to convert file formats. Easily transfer files wirelessly to your PC.

  • Protected Sharing

Create a visitor ID for your overnight guest, a restricted child account for your 3-year-old or even allow a friend with their own Microsoft ID to log in with their roaming Microsoft Profile.

  • Multiple Windows, Multiple Displays

True multitasking is not just switching from app to app or playing music in the background. Work with two, four or more open applications all at the same time.

  • Full-size USB Port & Windows Accessory Support

Thanks to a full-size USB port, you can plug in any printer, monitor, USB drive or DVD burner.

  • Full Corporate Compatibility

Other tablets claim to be business-ready because they allow you to access corporate email and files, but the ThinkPad Tablet 2 lets you access much more — securely join the corporate domain, browse the company intranet, run special applications and log-in to your company’s online databases.

  • Optional Digitizer Pen

Allows signature capturing, annotaing documents and note taking.

Details are leaking around the world about Lenovo’s counter to Apple’s iPad in the booming tablet market.

A Busy Week

In Beijing on Monday, Lenovo also unveiled a lighter, quicker ThinkPad notebook computer inspired by the convenience of tablets and smartphones.

Lenovo followed up with a formal press event in New York on Wednesday.

The world’s No. 2 PC manufacturer, which operates its executive headquarters in Morrisville, says the new ThinkPad X1 Carbon will go on sale later this month.

[LENOVO ARCHIVE: Check out six years of Lenovo stories as reported in WRAL Tech Wire.]