One of the major themes of Lenovo's IFA product releases is the push into multi-mode computing which amounts to convertible PCs such as its Yoga series with 360-degree hinges. Two of the new multi-mode computers are the consumer focused Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro and the ThinkPad Yoga for business users. Both devices will be available later this year.
Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro
The Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro is a 13” convertible ultrabook measuring 12.99” x 8.66” x 0.61” and weighing 3.06 pounds. The system is an update to the original Yoga, and maintains the dual hinge design that allows the display to fold all the way back into tablet mode.
The Yoga 2 Pro has a QHD+ touchscreen display with a resolution of 3200 x 1800 and 350 nit brightness. Other external features include a backlit AccuType keyboard, trackpad, stereo speakers, and a 720p webcam. There are several IO ports situated around the sides of the notebook including one USB 3.0, one USB 2.0, one combo mic/headphone audio jack, one SD card slot, and one micro HDMI video output.
The convertible ultrabook is configured with an Intel Haswell Core i7 ULT processor, 8GB of DDR3L memory, a 512GB SSD, and a battery rated at 6 hours of 1080p video playback with the display at 150 nits brightness. It also comes equipped with 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 radios. The Yoga 2 Pro will come pre-installed with Windows 8.1 Pro. Users can control the Yoga 2 using the touchscreen, keyboard and trackpad, voice, or motion controls. Lenovo further includes software that will automatically list Windows applications on the Start Screen depending on the mode the “multi-mode” computer is in (tablet, laptop, tent, ect).
The Yoga 2 Pro will be available in October for $1099.99 (starting MSRP).
Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga
Beyond the Yoga 2 Pro, Lenovo is introducing the Yoga form factor to the business market with the new ThinkPad Yoga. The system is smaller than the Yoga 2 Pro but a bit thicker and heavier. It does make several trade-offs versus the consumer Yoga 2 Pro to integrate business-friendly features such as digitizer support. Interestingly, the two systems are priced similarly, and the starting MSRP on the ThinkPad Yoga is lower than the Yoga 2 Pro.
The upcoming ThinkPad Yoga is a 12.5” notebook with a magnesium alloy chassis that is 0.74” thick and weighs 3.48 with everything installed. Users can choose between an HD display covered by Corning Gorilla Glass or a 1920 x 1080 IPS touchscreen display with support for an optional Wacom digitizer pen. Unfortunately, there is no QHD+ option on this business-class multi-mode PC. Other features include a backlit keyboard, five button glass trackpad, stereo speakers, a 720p webcam, and “all day battery life.” Specifically, the ThinkPad Yoga is rated at 5.3 hours with an Intel Haswell i7 or 8.3 hours with an Intel Haswell i3 processor. IO on the ThinkPad Yoga includes a single audio jack (mic+headphone), SD card reader, two USB 3.0 ports, a mini HDMI video output, and a DC-in OneLink dock adapter port.
The other interesting feature that is exclusive to the ThinkPad version of the Yoga is a keyboard that uses what Lenovo calls a “lift and lock” system to secure the keyboard while the system is in tablet mode. When the display is rotated all of the way back into tablet mode, rubber bumpers and the frame around the keyboard lift up. The keyboard frame lifts up to be flush with the top of the keys. Meanwhile, the keys themselves lock into place such that they cannot be pressed down. This is a useful feature as it creates a stable base and removes the worry that keys would accidentally be pressed during a key presentation (even if the existing Yoga already ignores key presses, having a hardware lock in place gives some piece of mind).
Internally, the ThinkPad Yoga can be configured with up to an Intel Haswell Core i7 processor, 8GB of DDR3L memory, a 1TB hard drive plus 256GB SSD, large battery, and Wi-Fi, and NFC radios. The OneLink dock will allow users further expansion options by adding Gigabit Ethernet, USB ports, and additional display outputs.
The ThinkPad Yoga will be available in November starting at $949. You can find photos of the new PC at the IFA show in Berlin over at Engadget.
Which would you choose, the Yoga 2 Pro with high resolution display or the ThinkPad Yoga with Wacom digitizer and locking keyboard?
Does the 3200 x 1800 laptop
Does the 3200 x 1800 laptop have enough GPU horsepower to actually RUN the display?
The desktop? sure. Gaming at
The desktop? sure. Gaming at the native resolution? heck no :).
Watch a video that resolution
Watch a video that resolution and watch the slide show…
I needed a laptop that can
I needed a laptop that can run ArcGIS and I’ve been struggling with the fact that the previous laptops either capped out at 4gb, or had screens that were too small to be functional like the Helix.
Looks like the Thinkpad Yoga or the Sony Flip will be exactly what I need. I was hoping for better than 5hrs battery life though, but I’ll take what I can get.
We definitely have similar
We definitely have similar needs. I want to run ArcGIS also, need more RAM and certainly longer battery life. The Thinkpad Yoga is still my pick as it adds a wacom digitizer.
The Thinkpad Yoga is a wanted
The Thinkpad Yoga is a wanted upgrade from my T400 which grinds out ArcGIS models.
Microsoft should make Lenovo
Microsoft should make Lenovo their hardware maker.
3200 x 1800….uhhhh
3200 x 1800….uhhhh
Digitizer 100%. Why every
Digitizer 100%. Why every convertible doesn’t do it is mind-boggling. They attempt to emulate the experience of a spiral notebook or notepad, then they take away the one thing that notepads are for.
I absolutely agree. I really
I absolutely agree. I really wanted to get the yoga 2 pro, since i MUCH prefer the larger screen for personal purposes and usage… but given the no digitizer support, it’s basically a wash.
Ditto that. Of all the
Ditto that. Of all the convertible mechanisms, the Yoga 2 Pro 360 degree fold-over type seems like the most practical. But the lack of an active digitizer kills it for me.
I do not understand why they
I do not understand why they just can’t include the optional Wacom digitizer pen with the Yoga Pro 2 or better yet increase the resolution and screen size of the Thinkpad Yoga.
Everyone just keeps cutting something out of each product leaving the consumer wishing that they could get “that” other feature with “this” product 🙁
1. Can´t you get the wacom
1. Can´t you get the wacom digitizer for the Yoga pro 2?
2. do you have to have a HD in the thinkpad or can you just go all SSD?
I bought yoga 2 today. im
I bought yoga 2 today. im typing on it now. I bought it for its form factor/price/power. not too many can compete. I was also looking at xps. I didn’t care for the screen, and at the store I didn’t think the screen looked so great, in face some icons looked to small. so, I get home and turn it on. the license agreement screen comes up – black screen with white text. My eyes literally had an orgasm. literally, not figuratively. hands down the cleanest easiest to read. gorgeous text ive ever read on a screen. that being said – the post is as stupid as Lenovo for having an either or option. the only option is both. after using this screen I will never be able to back to anything else. but, no digitizer is like having Angelina jolie after her mastectomy. the most perfect face in the world, giant succulent lips but no tits. I apologize for the crass and too-soon analogy, but that is literally the best description. this is like saying would you rather have a beautiful woman with no tits, or tits without a woman – the answer is simple, you would take either individually, but you would never choose either one over both…