First look: Toshiba 5-in-1 hybrid laptop concept

Aside from the Toshiba Chromebook, the Japanese vendor didn't have much to show off in the way of actual laptops at CES 2014. But Toshiba had an interesting piece of forward-looking tech to display on the show floor. This is Toshiba's concept for the first 5-in-1 detachable hybrid laptop, and it's interesting, to say the least.

While a mere mock was shown behind glass, here's the idea behind Toshiba's latest hybrid: Thanks to acustom motherboard tucked inside the large base that doubles as an extended keyboard deck, the laptop will have five different use modes.

Lastly, note the tiny, silver mouse button on the detachable keyboard and trackpoint mouse button crammed in between those silver keys, giving this concept a professional bent. While the design is super experimental, Toshiba is also very interested in bringing something like this to market.

Frankly, I'm somewhat confused by Toshiba's 5-in-1 hybrid laptop concept. Admittedly, I'm a purist when it comes to laptop designs. Products like the dual OS ASUS Transformer Book Duet are slightly off putting, and this first take makes me equally uneasy.

Five different use modes just seems unnecessary, especially in a professional-grade device, if that's where this concept is headed. This is one gorgeous prototype, with its all-magnesium alloy construction, but it needs more focus. We don't need more modes – we need modes that make more sense. At any rate, the Toshiba 5-in-1 hybrid laptop concept shows potential for a seriously sharp device.