In role reversal, Chinese PC firm to manufacture in U.S.

Wait... if Lenovo can make a ThinkPad Tablet 2 in the U.S., couldn't Apple make an iPad?

(Credit: Lenovo )

China's largest PC maker, Lenovo, made a stunning announcement this week when it said it will make laptops, tablets, and desktops in the U.S.

So, why in the world would China's largest PC maker decide to manufacture devices here when America's two premier digital gadget suppliers, Apple and Hewlett-Packard, make virtually nothing in the U.S. and almost everything in China and/or Asia?

Needless to say, the answer is more complicated than "growth opportunities" in the U.S. -- as Yuanqing Yang, CEO of Lenovo, said in a statement.

And the move comes as the Obama administration ratchets up rhetoric on Chinese investment in the U.S.

But if this is indeed more than a publicity stunt, it raises some interesting questions, not the least of which is, why is Lenovo making this announcement and not HP or Apple?

"The U.S. manufacturing line will be capable of turning out some of Lenovo's newest and most innovative products, such as the recently announced ThinkCentre M92p Tiny des... [Read more]