Seeing a lot of larger IPS panels on portables this year. Looks like displays with wide viewing angles will become standard for mid-range consumer notebooks this year. It's about time!
I wouldn't say we're seeing a "lot" of IPS panels. But we're finally seeing more of them atleast.
This ultrabook is definitely one i'd consider getting. Either this or a Win 8 tablet with a keyboard dock that also extends battery life. I'm sure there will be Win 8 devices like this, and also have IPS displays being as it's pretty standard for tablets to have IPS. Wouldn't be surprised if they had 1080p displays too, like the upcoming Android tablets. But with Win 8 they would be the ultimate device.
You're right about it keeping the PC from sliding (that's what Lenovo told us), but I believe they did say it was soft-touch plastic and not leather. I thought it was leather at first as well and even asked, "Is that leather on the palm rest?", and was informed that it is not.
The screen is still very thin on the Yoga; if you want detachable, the screen component obviously becomes much thicker. Lenovo does have an IdeaTab that has a detachable screen (Tegra 3 hardware), but I have to say that it felt more like an original ASUS Transformer in terms of quality (as opposed to the Transformer Prime).
The Prime is around 18mm thick with the dock isn't it? Thats roughly ultrabook thickness. Being as the dock is just a keyboard and battery they should be able to make these kind of docks even thinner if they tried. I see no reason why Win 8 tablets + docks wouldn't be 18mm or under as they'd run on the exact same kind of hardware.
If the screen flips 360 degrees, doesn't that leave the keyboard open at the bottom, to then pick up dust, dirt, liquid etc. from whatever you set the device down on? It sounds to me like a disaster waiting to happen.
According to other forums, one user mentioned "I also saw during a couple of demos that when the unit is in tablet mode (completely folded) that it can be laid down on a table without damaging the keys because the keyboard is recessed, there is a double coating of lettering paint on the keys, and the surface around the keyboard is soft."
Having an IPS display immediately vaults this device to the top of the Ultrabook pile, and puts it first for purchase consideration. I hope all manufacturers follow suit and start adopting IPS/PLS/PVA (i.e. anything but TN) in their laptops.
The ultrabook I want is one, that has a 11" form factor, has a Kepler-generation Nvidia mobile GPU in Optimus configuration and enables some lighter gaming and 3D Vision on external displays. And of course a matte screen, doesn't have to be IPS.
Let's hope there is someone in those companies to prepare something like this.
Hmm, now I'm not sure what to do. I was thinking a Windows 8 tablet + keyboard dock so I can have a tablet and a portable machine that I can play Starcraft 2 on (runs on Sandy Bridge graphics, so ivy should be fine). This tempts me greatly however...
Nah. Just give me ThinkPad-quality Tablet PC, Lenovo X-series Tablet. Quality and real hinges, dual digitizer if any but don't waste your time on Metro, even Microsoft's own apps won't "blend" and they will just continue to develop older apis and their Ribbon API and framework/toolkit. If I have to use touch in classic MFC, WPF, Ribbon UI it's no point why why not brake down the barrier instead of creating a full screen start menu.
The new Lenovo X is a great disappointment weighing 3.9 lbs., pathetic battery and no backlit keyboard. I won't be getting it for those reasons. Oh, and the $1,500 pricetag.
This looks really great hardware wise. My only reservation aside from the price, is whether there will be sufficient apps available to compete with android tablets.
You can't get the traditional ThinkPad style keyboard into this sort of form factor (re: ultra-thin). The keyboard felt decent to me in the limited time I spent withe the Yoga, but obviously that's not really sufficient for me to come to any real conclusion. We'll see what the system is like when it actually launches.
I expected that the form factor was driving the use of a bad keyboard. But why have this kind of laptop/tablet, at least for touch typists and those who wanna be, if the primary interface is bad.
One of Lenovo's laptop primary advantages has been its excellent keyboard. So, if goes with this keyboard then one of their primary advantages is gone.
Just have to look at other products who understand that a great keyboard can be THE deciding factor.
But this does have a great keyboard... compared to fake touch-screen keyboards on most tablets. Comparable typing speed is probably something like 90 WPM on top of the line keyboard, 70 WPM on this "crappy" thin keyboard, and 30 WPM on an Ipad. Sounds like a fair compromise.
I am a bit concerned that all the news about this device do not mention an active digitizer and stylus. It is a must have, the price bump it would bring is ok.
Also, I am happy that finally some ultrabook, and especially a tablet convertible, has been confirmed as launching with Ivy Bridge. All the "new" models that have been announced with a plain old SB CPU are quite disappointing. Speaking of which, when will Ivy Bridge actually launch? I feel like Intel is purposely delaying it to move its SB parts for a good profit first.
Anyway, I will manage to survive the wait for Ivy Bridge somehow... but why do Lenovo wan to test my patience even more than that? The quoted "by the end of the year" is a terrible thing to say during January. It does match estimates of Windows 8 final release, but Lenovo should not wait for Windows 8. I'll be happy to have this with Windows 7 as soon as Ivy Bridge becomes available, and if other similar tablets launch earlier Lenovo will lose my sale.
Lastly, I wonder exactly what CPU and GPU this tablet will have. I recall AT reporting there are a slower and a faster version on the desktop, but only the faster one for mobile Ivy Bridge. Then again, a tablet like this may use some ULV mobile chip, which may launch later than the already announced models and have slower speeds... Can you find some details about this?
It will have ULV IVB when it launches. I believe the time frame for IVB launch is March or April, so that's when the exciting stuff comes out. Note that there are a lot of laptops with IVB at the show, but pre-CES Intel's directions were that manufacturers could not come out and say, "This will launch with Ivy Bridge." I think Intel changed their stance this week, but not everyone got the memo. Also, if I'm not mistaken, the touchsreen supports up to 10-finger multitouch; does that answer your question in regards to whether or not there's an active digitizer? (But no stylus AFAIK.)
An active digitizer is one that uses a special stylus which can send info about pressure level from a pressure-sensitive tip, orientation of the pen so you can use the other end as an eraser or rightclick, and often position above the display when it isn't even touching it completely for mouse-over without click. I guess technically I should have asked about "dual digitizer" as purely active one would not have finger touch sensitivity, and I do want that part as well.
The lack of stylus and the stupidity of waiting for final Win 8 before this launches practically kills it for me. I am way too spoiled from my TM2 tablet, perfectly usable with Win7 btw. Even though I am not an artist and don't use it for drawing, I really love the stylus when playing normal windows apps and games that require a mouse. (Mainly Eve Online now, in laptop mode instead of folded in tablet mode because of the chat and weapon shortcuts, but there are lots of other games that work well too; Civ 5 is the last example of a game that was quite suited to tablet mode, but would still need a stylus for the smaller bits).
Anyway, thank you for the info. The only thing I am left wondering is how is the ULV Ivy Bridge GPU performance-wise, but I guess we'll see some reviews soon.
I wish they'd release something like this under the thinkpad brand and have it with HDD protection and a trackpoint. I can't stand trackpads, as good as they are.
But I don't really understand why aren't they writing better drivers for the trackpoint for windows, since it only allows you to scroll certain windows, you can never get "raw" scroller input out of it. Seems odd, since this makes it a bit more problematic to use everyday, but it works perfectly in linux, youhave the third (middle) mouse button and you can scroll anything you could with a normal mouse.
As a user that just bought (and will be returning) one of the Yoga's on Win8 launch day, let me point out that you can't get more than a 128gb SSD in the device. Lenovo carves that into 8 separate partitions used for recovery and other undisclosed uses (and hides from OS) leaving you with two partitions of 63gb and 24gb. On the 24gb is the drivers and the recovery software, so that can't be nuked to be added to the main partition. The main partition after personalizing is left with 43gb of usable space. Don't know about you, but that's certainly NOT enough to be workable for me. Nice device from a hardware standpoint, and I'm primarily a Mac user so I appreciate quality hardware and can make a decent (and fair) judgement but in this day and age a 128gb SSD is on the bottom end of usable on a good day, not letting me use all of it is a showstopper. So if a grand total of 60gb of usable space is good for you hit the associated "buy" button I guess, as the rest of the package is fairly nice. Bottom cover is held on with screws and appears removeable, I'll let someone else void their ability to return/warranty to open it up to see if anything inside is upgradeable. I'd nuke all the partitions personally and boot it from USB to do a fresh install but frankly At the $1k price tag I'm averse to nuking it too far and sadlling the merchant with a machine that can't be put back on the shelf in factory condition - and given there's no documentation on why 8 (WTH?) partitions it could be more work to blow it down for a clean install than it's worth. Especially since it has a recovery button in hardware that ties in.
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solipsism - Thursday, January 12, 2012 - link
Seeing a lot of larger IPS panels on portables this year. Looks like displays with wide viewing angles will become standard for mid-range consumer notebooks this year. It's about time!B3an - Thursday, January 12, 2012 - link
I wouldn't say we're seeing a "lot" of IPS panels. But we're finally seeing more of them atleast.This ultrabook is definitely one i'd consider getting. Either this or a Win 8 tablet with a keyboard dock that also extends battery life. I'm sure there will be Win 8 devices like this, and also have IPS displays being as it's pretty standard for tablets to have IPS. Wouldn't be surprised if they had 1080p displays too, like the upcoming Android tablets. But with Win 8 they would be the ultimate device.
ImSpartacus - Thursday, January 12, 2012 - link
Yeah, this is basically the first generation of the ultimate do-it-all mobile device.And is that soft touch plastic on the hand rest? I'm a total slut for soft touch plastic.
Digobick - Thursday, January 12, 2012 - link
I believe that's actually leather on the hand rest. It keeps the PC from sliding when used in "tablet" mode.JarredWalton - Thursday, January 12, 2012 - link
You're right about it keeping the PC from sliding (that's what Lenovo told us), but I believe they did say it was soft-touch plastic and not leather. I thought it was leather at first as well and even asked, "Is that leather on the palm rest?", and was informed that it is not.agent2099 - Thursday, January 12, 2012 - link
The screen needs to be able to completely detach and then I'm interested.ImSpartacus - Thursday, January 12, 2012 - link
Yeah, ASUS's Transformer form factor is definitely compelling. I think you'll get your wish within a year or two in the form of Win8 tablets.JarredWalton - Thursday, January 12, 2012 - link
The screen is still very thin on the Yoga; if you want detachable, the screen component obviously becomes much thicker. Lenovo does have an IdeaTab that has a detachable screen (Tegra 3 hardware), but I have to say that it felt more like an original ASUS Transformer in terms of quality (as opposed to the Transformer Prime).B3an - Thursday, January 12, 2012 - link
The Prime is around 18mm thick with the dock isn't it? Thats roughly ultrabook thickness. Being as the dock is just a keyboard and battery they should be able to make these kind of docks even thinner if they tried. I see no reason why Win 8 tablets + docks wouldn't be 18mm or under as they'd run on the exact same kind of hardware.seapeople - Friday, January 20, 2012 - link
Yeah, then pop in an ARM CPU and similarly crappy graphics chipset and we're set, right?Oh wait, maybe a full blown Intel top of the line CPU and solid state drive with SATA 3 capability are selling points here?
NetShroud - Thursday, January 12, 2012 - link
If the screen flips 360 degrees, doesn't that leave the keyboard open at the bottom, to then pick up dust, dirt, liquid etc. from whatever you set the device down on? It sounds to me like a disaster waiting to happen.fatpolomanjr - Thursday, January 12, 2012 - link
According to other forums, one user mentioned "I also saw during a couple of demos that when the unit is in tablet mode (completely folded) that it can be laid down on a table without damaging the keys because the keyboard is recessed, there is a double coating of lettering paint on the keys, and the surface around the keyboard is soft."r3loaded - Thursday, January 12, 2012 - link
Having an IPS display immediately vaults this device to the top of the Ultrabook pile, and puts it first for purchase consideration. I hope all manufacturers follow suit and start adopting IPS/PLS/PVA (i.e. anything but TN) in their laptops.prdola0 - Thursday, January 12, 2012 - link
The ultrabook I want is one, that has a 11" form factor, has a Kepler-generation Nvidia mobile GPU in Optimus configuration and enables some lighter gaming and 3D Vision on external displays. And of course a matte screen, doesn't have to be IPS.Let's hope there is someone in those companies to prepare something like this.
althaz - Thursday, January 12, 2012 - link
Hmm, now I'm not sure what to do. I was thinking a Windows 8 tablet + keyboard dock so I can have a tablet and a portable machine that I can play Starcraft 2 on (runs on Sandy Bridge graphics, so ivy should be fine). This tempts me greatly however...Penti - Thursday, January 12, 2012 - link
Nah. Just give me ThinkPad-quality Tablet PC, Lenovo X-series Tablet. Quality and real hinges, dual digitizer if any but don't waste your time on Metro, even Microsoft's own apps won't "blend" and they will just continue to develop older apis and their Ribbon API and framework/toolkit. If I have to use touch in classic MFC, WPF, Ribbon UI it's no point why why not brake down the barrier instead of creating a full screen start menu.Saidas - Saturday, January 14, 2012 - link
The new Lenovo X is a great disappointment weighing 3.9 lbs., pathetic battery and no backlit keyboard. I won't be getting it for those reasons. Oh, and the $1,500 pricetag.frozentundra123456 - Thursday, January 12, 2012 - link
This looks really great hardware wise. My only reservation aside from the price, is whether there will be sufficient apps available to compete with android tablets.claytontullos - Thursday, January 12, 2012 - link
Why is it the apps?It's running a full blown windows operating system! Anything a windows pc can do so can this laptop/tablet.
seapeople - Friday, January 20, 2012 - link
But do they have web browser apps for Windows nowadays? That's important for me, I hope there's a good app store in Windows 8 for this type of stuff.LifeInFocus - Thursday, January 12, 2012 - link
I have a ThinkPad that I have been using for four years and because it has the best keyboard for touch typists I keep upgrading it.This new machine looks great BUT look at the keyboard. There is no way I would buy that machine with that kind of chicklet style keyboard.
The reason people want a laptop and tablet is so they can type and do touchscreen. If the keyboard is bad why bother.
Are you listening Lenovo? Go back to your best keyboard otherwise this will be a flop.
JarredWalton - Thursday, January 12, 2012 - link
You can't get the traditional ThinkPad style keyboard into this sort of form factor (re: ultra-thin). The keyboard felt decent to me in the limited time I spent withe the Yoga, but obviously that's not really sufficient for me to come to any real conclusion. We'll see what the system is like when it actually launches.LifeInFocus - Thursday, January 12, 2012 - link
I expected that the form factor was driving the use of a bad keyboard. But why have this kind of laptop/tablet, at least for touch typists and those who wanna be, if the primary interface is bad.One of Lenovo's laptop primary advantages has been its excellent keyboard. So, if goes with this keyboard then one of their primary advantages is gone.
Just have to look at other products who understand that a great keyboard can be THE deciding factor.
seapeople - Friday, January 20, 2012 - link
But this does have a great keyboard... compared to fake touch-screen keyboards on most tablets. Comparable typing speed is probably something like 90 WPM on top of the line keyboard, 70 WPM on this "crappy" thin keyboard, and 30 WPM on an Ipad. Sounds like a fair compromise.Visual - Thursday, January 12, 2012 - link
I am a bit concerned that all the news about this device do not mention an active digitizer and stylus. It is a must have, the price bump it would bring is ok.Also, I am happy that finally some ultrabook, and especially a tablet convertible, has been confirmed as launching with Ivy Bridge. All the "new" models that have been announced with a plain old SB CPU are quite disappointing. Speaking of which, when will Ivy Bridge actually launch? I feel like Intel is purposely delaying it to move its SB parts for a good profit first.
Anyway, I will manage to survive the wait for Ivy Bridge somehow... but why do Lenovo wan to test my patience even more than that? The quoted "by the end of the year" is a terrible thing to say during January. It does match estimates of Windows 8 final release, but Lenovo should not wait for Windows 8. I'll be happy to have this with Windows 7 as soon as Ivy Bridge becomes available, and if other similar tablets launch earlier Lenovo will lose my sale.
Lastly, I wonder exactly what CPU and GPU this tablet will have. I recall AT reporting there are a slower and a faster version on the desktop, but only the faster one for mobile Ivy Bridge. Then again, a tablet like this may use some ULV mobile chip, which may launch later than the already announced models and have slower speeds... Can you find some details about this?
JarredWalton - Thursday, January 12, 2012 - link
It will have ULV IVB when it launches. I believe the time frame for IVB launch is March or April, so that's when the exciting stuff comes out. Note that there are a lot of laptops with IVB at the show, but pre-CES Intel's directions were that manufacturers could not come out and say, "This will launch with Ivy Bridge." I think Intel changed their stance this week, but not everyone got the memo. Also, if I'm not mistaken, the touchsreen supports up to 10-finger multitouch; does that answer your question in regards to whether or not there's an active digitizer? (But no stylus AFAIK.)Visual - Friday, January 13, 2012 - link
An active digitizer is one that uses a special stylus which can send info about pressure level from a pressure-sensitive tip, orientation of the pen so you can use the other end as an eraser or rightclick, and often position above the display when it isn't even touching it completely for mouse-over without click.I guess technically I should have asked about "dual digitizer" as purely active one would not have finger touch sensitivity, and I do want that part as well.
The lack of stylus and the stupidity of waiting for final Win 8 before this launches practically kills it for me. I am way too spoiled from my TM2 tablet, perfectly usable with Win7 btw. Even though I am not an artist and don't use it for drawing, I really love the stylus when playing normal windows apps and games that require a mouse. (Mainly Eve Online now, in laptop mode instead of folded in tablet mode because of the chat and weapon shortcuts, but there are lots of other games that work well too; Civ 5 is the last example of a game that was quite suited to tablet mode, but would still need a stylus for the smaller bits).
Anyway, thank you for the info. The only thing I am left wondering is how is the ULV Ivy Bridge GPU performance-wise, but I guess we'll see some reviews soon.
nevertell - Thursday, January 12, 2012 - link
Where's my trackpoint ?I wish they'd release something like this under the thinkpad brand and have it with HDD protection and a trackpoint. I can't stand trackpads, as good as they are.
But I don't really understand why aren't they writing better drivers for the trackpoint for windows, since it only allows you to scroll certain windows, you can never get "raw" scroller input out of it. Seems odd, since this makes it a bit more problematic to use everyday, but it works perfectly in linux, youhave the third (middle) mouse button and you can scroll anything you could with a normal mouse.
pip7345 - Friday, January 13, 2012 - link
I would buy this if it can stream HD movies from Netflix or similar service without video lag or overheating.http://www.philbreedlove.com
mgl888 - Saturday, January 14, 2012 - link
It run ivy bridge... HD videos should be a piece of cake!CCrew - Friday, October 26, 2012 - link
As a user that just bought (and will be returning) one of the Yoga's on Win8 launch day, let me point out that you can't get more than a 128gb SSD in the device. Lenovo carves that into 8 separate partitions used for recovery and other undisclosed uses (and hides from OS) leaving you with two partitions of 63gb and 24gb. On the 24gb is the drivers and the recovery software, so that can't be nuked to be added to the main partition. The main partition after personalizing is left with 43gb of usable space. Don't know about you, but that's certainly NOT enough to be workable for me.Nice device from a hardware standpoint, and I'm primarily a Mac user so I appreciate quality hardware and can make a decent (and fair) judgement but in this day and age a 128gb SSD is on the bottom end of usable on a good day, not letting me use all of it is a showstopper. So if a grand total of 60gb of usable space is good for you hit the associated "buy" button I guess, as the rest of the package is fairly nice. Bottom cover is held on with screws and appears removeable, I'll let someone else void their ability to return/warranty to open it up to see if anything inside is upgradeable. I'd nuke all the partitions personally and boot it from USB to do a fresh install but frankly At the $1k price tag I'm averse to nuking it too far and sadlling the merchant with a machine that can't be put back on the shelf in factory condition - and given there's no documentation on why 8 (WTH?) partitions it could be more work to blow it down for a clean install than it's worth. Especially since it has a recovery button in hardware that ties in.