Lenovo is going after different segments of the laptop-buying public with its new Yoga convertible laptops and Flex laptops with 360 and 300-degree hinges so they can be used in less traditional orientations than simply as a clamshell laptop. The new systems leverage their HD touch screens and innovative chassis design to help Windows 8 users find new uses for their PCs, according to PCWorld.
Following last year's Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13, the Yoga 2 Pro is an evolution of the Yoga concept with a sharper QHD+ 3,200-by-1,800 resolution screen, blowing away the previous model's 1,600-by-900 resolution display. The new Yoga 2 Pro's IPS screen features a 178-degree wide viewing angle and is rated at 350-nits of brightness. The Yoga 2 Pro is also smaller than the previous model, with an 0.61-inch thick chassis, and chip options go up to a fourth-generation Intel Core i7 processor.
The Yoga 2 Pro includes new functions, like voice control, built-in WiDi, and the new Yoga Picks utility, which detects the orientation of the screen and consequently suggests apps that will work best in that mode. The Yoga 2 Pro can be equipped with a 128-512GB SSD for speedy app loading and boot up times. The laptop also has a backlit keyboard and is available in grey or a new Clementine Orange color. The Yoga 2 Pro will be available in October, and will start at $1,099.99.
The second new Yoga product is the Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga, which brings the Yoga form factor to the SMB market. The ThinkPad Yoga has all the same modes as the other Yoga laptops, with a 360-degree hinge that allows laptop, tent, stand, and tablet modes so the user can view the screen from many different angles. The ThinkPad Yoga has a 12.5-inch HD or full HD IPS screen, with optional digitizer and pen available for the full HD screen option.
The laptop comes with Windows 8.1, dual pointing devices, and a 10-point touch screen. A backlit keyboard is available, and NFC (Near Field Communication) is an option. The ThinkPad Yoga works with Lenovo's OneLink dock, which can pass USB and HDMI signals through to peripherals that stay at your desk, PCWorld says.
One ThinkPad Yoga innovation addresses one touchy-feely issue that users had with the original Yoga: The keyboard deck features a lift and lock system while in tablet mode, which makes the keyboard a relatively flat surface. When in tablet mode, keys are locked flush with the keyboard deck, so it will feel like a flat surface to users, with the added benefit of protecting the keys from snagging on clothing or surfaces while the system is in tablet mode. The ThinkPad Yoga is available with up to a 1TB hard drive or 512GB SSD. It will be made available in November starting at $949.
Lenovo's dual-mode Flex 14 and Flex 15 also flip open like the Yoga laptops, but they are limited to 300 degrees of lid rotation. This makes manufacturing and use models a little simpler; the system can work in laptop or stand mode primarily. The Flex 14 (14.1-inch) and Flex 15 (15.6-inch) systems can be equipped with 1,366-by-768 HD screens or optional 1,920-by-1,080 Full HD screens. Both have 10-point touch, and both come with fourth-generation Core processors from Core i3 up to Core i7 ULT.
The Flex 14 and Flex 15 are equipped with up to 1TB of hard drive space, SSD, or a combination of a hard drive with Flash storage to meet ultrabook specs. The Flex series laptops can be equipped with Nvidia GeForce GT 740M discrete graphics or use the Intel HD Graphics built into the Intel Core processor. The Flex series laptops also feature voice controls and comes primarily in black with a silver or Clementine Orange accents on the lid. Boasting up to nine hours of battery life, the Lenovo Flex 14 and 15 will be available in late September starting at $629.99.
