Lenovo has decided to change its Linux distribution to install Google's Android in its upcoming U1 Hybrid and Skylight smartbooks.

Apparently the outfit hopes that Android will increase the performance and usability of its devices. Last year it was showing off two smartbooks powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and ran on a proprietary form of Linux.

Lenovo is banking upon the popularity of the Android OS and the growing Android Market for the success of its smartbooks. Reviewers criticised the Lenovo gear for lacking performance, in spite of having a decent user interface. Lenovo believes the shift to the more consumer friendly Android will fix this.

In a statement to Laptop Mag, Lenovo said: “As a result of Lenovo’s strategic shift towards open standards such as an Android kernel-based environment, the company has shelved its plans to release the initial version of the Skylight smartbook that featured a proprietary Linux-based OS.”