So it looks like those rumours about touchscreen ultrabooks were true. Lenovo’s Yoga is the first such device of its kind (that being a Windows device), equipped with a multitouch panel capable of tracking 10 fingers. And though I’ve been dismissive of such devices, it wasn’t nearly the awful experience I thought it would be.
On the surface, the Yoga looks like the U300s, except with an unsightly hinge. But that hinge allows the Yoga to fold all the way back on itself and become a de facto tablet that is aided in large part by Windows 8′s Metro UI. The palm rest on the keyboard is covered in a pebbled, presumably scratch-resistant surface which makes it suitable for setting down on a surface when in tablet mode.
Under the hood, Lenovo didn’t have much to say except that it would fully adhere to Intel’s ultrabook spec. That means a sub-one-inch thickness, a weight under 1.36kg, Intel Core CPU, and up to 8GB of RAM.
I didn’t get lots of time with the Yoga, but one thing was apparent. The apps and UI were fast and fluid, and the screen was extremely responsive. Using the paint app, the 10-finger tracking was accurate, and little flourishes, such as the rectangular power connector (for a slimmer body), and the placement of the power button along the outer rim of the laptop are well-conceived ideas. Lenovo says we won’t see the Yoga until later in the year when Windows 8 launches, but they expect it to be priced similarly to the U300s (which is currently $US1200). [Lenovo]
Chris
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 12:11 PMoooh i want one! … minus the fugly hinge :P
Steve
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 12:46 PMlooks like an awesome filler between the full tablet and the full laptop families – something I’d definately be interested in!
light487
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 1:10 PMAs much as I like the idea of having an ultra or net book with a touchscreen .. Even before I seeing the ASUS Transformer and now the new Toshiba (? I think it was toshiba), I’ve wanted something like that.. I think that the way forward is a detachable keyboard rather than a fixed one. Before the Transformer, the idea of a Tabelt with a dock soundned terrible.. I’ve seen those little Bluetooth and USB keyboards you can get for other tablets and they are horrible.. but something that is made specifically for the tablet and the tablet made for it, so that when joined they become a better device than the sum of its parts, an Ultra Book with a touchscreen (or a netbook with one) just seems so outdated..
TSH
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 1:50 PMI was thinking the same thing, except that an “ultratablet” like this will include all the power of an ultrabook (which is light years ahead of the most beefy tablets out there). No doubt a device like Transformer Prime with Win8 will be the better slate, which can serve as an underpowered ultrabook as needed. I really like Lenovo approaching the bridge from the other direction: this will definitely be the better notebook, which can serve as an overpowered slate as needed.
Which would I buy? Tough call, especially given the price difference… but now I’m leaning towards the Lenovo.
Craig
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 1:34 PMThis article just saved me $1400…
Which I’ll save for one of these. :) Awesome.
David
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 7:55 AMI hope linux runs on this machine.
Ash
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 9:21 AMWhat an ugly keyboard. They should have made it the same colour as the outer shell.
Crofty1111
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 6:44 PMYeah but when will be out