Ideapad Yoga?

Done quite a bit of searching on the forums, surprised not to see a thread on this laptop yet.

IPS Screen, 1600x900 13.3" display, convertible tablet, ultrabook like specs for size and weight.

Granted it's not a conventional Lenovo Thinkpad laptop, but with those kinds of specs, I'm incredibly excited.

More info:

Lenovo's IdeaPad Yoga convertible tablet runs Windows 8, is set to arrive later this year for 'around $1,000' -- Engadget

 

If they put that IPS screen into a remake of the X30x series, then I'd be excited.

 

I personally also am very excited.

With the way technology is heading now, it would be great to have access to the tablet and traditional laptop computer.

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I am disappointed that they are not releasing it as soon as Ivy Bridge comes out but rather waiting till Windows 8. I would hope this is because Windows 8 is going to be better suited to a touch screen than Windows 7 so Lenovo is waiting till they can show the full potential of their laptop rather than "it's great but just wait till Windows 8 is out and it will be sooo much better, oh yeah by the way that will be however much to upgrade to Windows 8 thanks".

 

I'm excited too!! I can't wait to hear more about release dates.

AnandTech reports that Yes, the Yoga will have IPS display AnandTech - Lenovo?s IdeaPad Yoga 13 with Windows 8: This Is the Ultrabook We Want

 

the more IPS panels Lenovo throws into their product, the more happier camper I'll be

 

wish this thing had at least low end dedicated graphics

 

Why, that would add weight, reduce battery life and increase the price. It is built to ultra book specifications and price and while it is a little more expensive it does offer some nice flexibility and I am seriously considering this for my tablet needs.

Does anyone know of any sites/stores taking pre-orders for this?

 

Anyone remember the Lenovo IdeaPad U1 Hybrid from CES 2010 and CES 2011? It's still vaporware.

The Ideapad Yoga is an interesting concept that solves many key issues with the touchscreen PC. But after the IdeaPad U1, which for all I know, might still be headed to market, I'm not going to be very quick to jump on the bandwagon.

 

Well, that's depressing. Here's hoping Lenovo will see this through... especially with Win8 Metro and touch interface, hopefully MS is encouraging this and other similar models.

I just bought the U300s (which I love!) but I would seriously consider upgrading again to the Yoga if it comes out 2nd half of 2012 like they advertized at CES.

 

Engadget just posted info on a UK Lenovo Yoga release...

"pegged at £1,200 ($1,900) -- a nudge above previous estimates -- while a meatier Core i7 model will set you back £1,500 ($2,380)."

YIKES!!
Lenovo prices IdeaPad Yoga in the UK, reveals a few more laptops on the side -- Engadget

 

Yikes is right, that is way way over the top for something like that. As much as I really do want the yoga I will not be paying anywhere near that much for it.

Besides, I thought part of being an ultrabook (I know Lenovo said it was built to ultrabook specifications but isn't technically an ultrabook) was that it had to be one thousand dollars, at one thousand nine hundred dollars it is nearly twice that of any other ultrabook and so far its only difference is that really cool hinge and touch-screen.

 

Exactly. The good news is if Lenovo is estimating it to be $1900, it will likely sell for $1400 or so... That's what happened (and is still advertised pricing) for the U300s.

 

That's just the "official" price that no one in their right minds would pay. Most models are on permanent "sales" with prices hundreds of dollars cheaper, and there are occasional real sales on top of that as well. Just look at the U300s, listed for $1599. It's been actually sold for $1099 or lower pretty much since launch.

That, and US prices are lower than UK prices. I'd imagine that the Yoga's final price would likely be around $1200 in the US for the base model.

EDIT: Beat me to it...

 

I don't care what the official name is. I am calling it the Yoda. And buying a Jedi is expensive.

 

I think this laptops idea is genius. Its the future.
As it is now I have a smartphone, a netbook (10 inch) and a laptop (13 inch). I dont have a tablet because its too many devices for me.

I think the Yoga is amazing because it will feel a gap. Of course the screen should be able to go all the way around and become a tablet. this needs to be on every laptop. standard for windows 8. everyone could have this.




I too wish it had dedicated graphics with optimus. switchable graphics does not take away the battery when not using it. This would be my most wanted product if they could have made it with this. damn shame.


Does it have a backlit keyboard?

 

The problem is that it is not designed to be a mobile powerhouse, it is designed to meet Intel's ultrabook specifications and putting a discrete graphics card in there would blow that right out of the water. If Lenovo was to carry this design over into their higher end laptops then sure, put a discrete graphics card in there and load it up with high end gear but there is also a need for this kind of funky stuff on the low end of the scale.

I love that it can folder back on its self but I am torn between whether that is the best solution or should it swivel in the middle of the screen and fold back down onto the keyboard.

 

I like what they say about the double hinge being stronger, but I do worry about the life of the keyboard and trackpad after a year of having it exposed on the underneath. It's still a genius design, and I want one!

As for the graphics, per the new benchmarks for Ivy Bridge and the Intel 4000 graphics, it's worlds higher performance than current gen.. I really don't think it needs higher graphics, this is certainly not a gaming machine.

 

I bet having two hinges is stronger than having one and the keyboard and touchpad are suppose to be set lower than the rest of the palm rest area so when they screen is flipped back and it is set down nothing rubs against the keyboard and touchpad but still, that is the theory for when it is laying on a nice flat surface and not every time you lay it down when it's folded with it be on a nice flat surface.

 

Price of the Yoga is around $1900 USD.

 

Many have stated that is Lenovo's "valued at" price because that price is way to high otherwise.

 

who knows, but given that the U300s did cost like 1500 dollars, then the 1900 USD for a Yoga with that impressive touchscreen doesn't sound that much far fetched.

 

Looks like we're getting closer! October 26th for official release date:
Windows 8 IdeaPad Yoga 13 shown on Lenovo's online store - Neowin

here it is on Lenovo US: Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 | Convertible Laptop & Tablet | Lenovo Yoga Laptop (GB)

Looking beautiful, but no way at $2300... A month or so back there were leaks of a second RT version (that's running ARM processor for lower end consumer versions of win8), hopefully much cheaper.

Let's resurrect this thread, I'm excited for the Yoga, it's lookin beautiful, and my U300s is ready for an upgrade! (even though it's less than a year old...)

 

The Yoga is finally anounced. Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 shipping this month for $1,099, ARM-powered Yoga 11 coming in December -- Engadget Nice to see a 13" IPS panel.

 

this is one of the most inovative designs, I like the price very much!

 

$100 less than a MBA 13...considering it offers Ivy Bridge, a 900p IPS panel, the innovative hinge, and a touchscreen, that's nothing to sneeze at.

 

no indeed it isnt! and with the coupons floating around often, you could snag one with a bargain price.

 

exciting! and good price indeed. I'm just waiting for the reviews until I place my order...

 

If they're anything like the U300s, then you'll be in great shape... Awesome build quality and design. Lenovo has a real winner here!

A few things not mentioned in the release news... available ports on the 11" ARM version? Also, we know the 13" has an incredible 1600x900 IPS display, but what about the 11" ? If I had one complaint about the U300s, it's the lack of good viewing angle for the screen (brightness is fine).

$799 is too much for a small 11" ARM with such limitations... let's hope you're right about coupons and deals. I'm thinking $499 would be more reasonable.

Still, if the Surface comes out actually at $199, that's way too much savings to pass up.

 

New article out... the 11" is NOT IPS. Bummer.
Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga pictures and hands-on - Pocket-lint

 

i wish they could put this hinge in all laptops.

back in the day, hinges opened 180*

i hate the 120* hinges of today.

 

$999 through best buy... this might be getting worth it.
Lenovo - IdeaPad Touch-Screen Ultrabook 13.3" Laptop - 4GB Memory - 128GB SSD - Silver - YOGA 13 - 59340248

 

Ultrabook style laptops are a little new to me. Ideally, I would upgrade to a 512gb SSD. I know its not out yet, but anyone have any ideas on the logistics of doing that on the Yoga?

 

Honestly I wouldn't worry about upgrading the SSD instead I would use an SD card to store my media on.

 

It is sad to see that the ideapads are more innovative than thinkpads in the tablet space.

 

I played with one of these at best buy today, and it was pretty slick IMHO. The screen was nice (viewing angles ftw!) and the touchscreen seemed to be quite responsive (not that I would use that feature often). I didn't try to bend the screen all the way around since the anti-theft device was in the way.

P.S. Is this model supposed to come with a backlit keyboard because it didn't seem like it had one, although I could be mistaken? The feel of the keyboard was great though since it was not too shallow, and I was happy to see the dedicated home/end/pg up/pg down buttons.

 

These hybrid tablets are the trifecta of impracticality- heavier, wobblier, more expensive.

In the spirit of "keeping it simple, stupid", I would get a separate cheap tablet and sync it with a regular laptop.


However, besides the upside down keyboard, I think the Yoga has the best implementation of hybrid tablet because it has tent mode.

As long as the whole thing doesn't slide when in tent mode, it addresses the issue of wobbly hinges when touching the screen. It appears tent mode makes a pretty solid stand.

 

Lenovo IdeaPad 13.3" 3rd Gen Intel i5-3317U Ultrabook (YOGA 13) - Silver : Ultrabooks - Future Shop
futureshop has it for $1199, with 8GB RAM.

 

I look at the Yoga as a Windows 8 ultrabook. If you are more interested in a tablet, then a hybrid with a removable keyboard is the way to go. But I want an ultrabook, one that would better allow me to take advantage of Windows 8, the Yoga looks perfect for this and so I want one (13" with max mem and SSD).

 

4 cell battery.... Lenovo's estimation of 8 hour battery life is wishful thinking.

 

battery life has nothing to do with # of cells.

it's the whr rating that matters.

you have 6 cell 72whr batts and 8 cell 72whr batts. Same batt life.

 

Couldn't disagree more. The Samsung S7H is nearly a perfect hybrid. It has a 1080p 11.6" IPS display that will put most notebook displays to shame. It is powered by an I5/I7ULV CPU and has HD 4000 graphics (identical to any ultrabook and as powerful as the X1C with a better display). It adds touch functionality and a Wacom Pen. All for the price of an X1C or less.

 

This seems the one to buy until or unless somebody comes out with one that is better for $999. i5, IPS 1600x900, etc..

Lenovo Yoga IdeaPad Ultrabook 13.3" TouchScreen Laptop 4GB Memory YOGA 13 - 59340248 - Best Buy

 

promo video:
The Pursuit: Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga (Director's Cut) - YouTube

"unboxing":
Lenovo Unboxed: IdeaPad Yoga - YouTube

 

Awesome unboxing video, thank you Don Blubb!! I'm drooling over this thing. My U300s is still wonderful, but that Yoga is awesome.

I saw the bestbuy link above (thank you Don1)... anyone else see preorder info? I remember a year ago finding the model numbers for the U300s so we could all search. 59340248 looks like the 4gb silver.

 

Looks like you can pre-order direct from Lenovo now, but no 256 SSD yet.

 

and no orange. I like the pricing, and I especially like that you can choose 8gb with only a 128gb ssd. Still not sure if I'm going to take the plunge, I do wonder if Newegg and Amazon will have it cheaper like last year.

Also, the Yoga 11.6 will be out in a few months... It's WinRT and no IPS, but will be much cheaper.

 

watch out, the $999 one is an i3 model. for $100 more, you get i5 (with turbo boost) and 8GB ram. well worth it.

 

For you guys who do protection plans... Lenovo has their 3-year in home repair + accidental for around $135 compared to Best Buy at about $330 for 2 years. I think I'm going to order direct this time. I hope it doesn't take to long to ship.

 

order this sticker too-