Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 Review Discussion

Theprincipal feature mentioned in sales materials for the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 is the 360-degree pivoting screen which allows this 13-inch Ultrabook to transform into a tablet or one of two other presentation modes for displaying content. While the ability to filp into different positions makes the Yoga pretty special, is it more of a warrior pose or downward facing dog?

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Hey, you asked

That said, I think it's a good offering, though I don't find it nearly as compelling as the XPS 12 or the Vaio Duo 11. My two gripes with the Yoga 13 are the 900p screen, which is better than most 13" laptops but behind the competition for Windows 8 convertible tablets (both the XPS 12 and the Vaio Duo 11 use 1080p IPS on smaller displays) and the ergonomics of having the keyboard on the back in tablet mode (when holding a tablet this large while standing or walking, I have either my hand or my forearm underneath it, and with the Yoga they would be on the keyboard instead of a solid surface).

 

I think the Duo 11 or classic X230t are the best hybrid designs.

I liked the thought of the Yoga, but then all these reviews are talking about the keyboard on the back, and I have to say I didn't think of that and now that I DO think about it, it would be a huge problem in terms of comfortability.

Lenovo should really just make a thinner and lighter model of the X230t. I think the swivel top design is great, it's just that currently those are too thick to really use in your hand as a true tablet. Perhaps with the next generation processors they'll do that.

 

They do: it's called the Thinkpad Edge Twist. Lenovo is risking General-Motors-style self-cannibalization, but nobody can fault the variety of Win 8 touch models they offer or are about to release. Thinkpad Tablet 2 (Clover Trail tablet); Thinkpad Edge Twist (inexpensive portable swivel convertible); Thinkpad X230t (business-class swiver convertible); Thinkpad Helix (ultraportable high-performance hybrid); IdeaTab Lynx (inexpensive hybrid); Yoga 11 (Windows RT folder convertible); Yoga 13 (Ivy Bridge folder convertible).

 

I won't speculate on the financial situation with Lenovo but if they are indeed facing "General-Motors-style self-cannibalization" maybe you can fault the variety of models. GM realized it had to trim the fat (or the number of models that it was producing which basically competed with its own models). I'm not saying Lenovo should try to be like Apple, but seven or more convertible tablets might be five or more too many for a single manufacturer in this day and age.

PS: I'm glad someone picked up on my yoga pose reference.

 

Fair point. In the short term, it probably makes sense for an OEM to have one lightweight-and-portable tablet running Clover Trail or ARM with a detachable keyboard, and one Ivy Bridge ultrabook that slides/twists/folds but keeps the keyboard attached. Sony doesn't have enough variety and Lenovo probably has too much. Dell seems to be hitting the happy medium with the XPS 10 (Windows RT 10.6" detachable), Latitute 10 (Clover Trail 10.6" slate), and XPS 12 (Ivy Bridge convertible tablet).

Glad to oblige.

 

I think Lenovo (and other OEMs) are experimenting with the different form factors that Windows 8 opens the door to, and seeing what will work out the best in terms of popularity, practicality, and profitability. I'm quite excited about the Helix form factor and what it can bring to the table, although the Lynx looks quite good as well.

 

I have got yoga 13 inches. It is not worth the money spent. for the same amount you can pickup mac air. Speed of ssd put in lenova is 190mb per second where as that of mac air 690 mbs per second. So mac rocks and lenova sucks

Further the quality of lenova hardware are no match to that of mac. the keyboard sucks and i have changed twice within one year of purchase. Lenvoa is just looting the customer with some substandard stuff. probably this experience i will touch any lenova product with lot of doubts