Convertibles have become the new trend among notebook manufacturers Windows – based computers. Lenovo takes time exploring this area successfully, and now comes with a robust and ambitious model that can be especially attractive to business users.
This is the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga, a convertible in which this manufacturer has introduced interesting innovations. Among them it is certainly its OLED screen with 1440p resolution, making it a particularly innovative team in this regard. A screen that is joined fingerprint reader, its ability to function as a tablet and certainly a line of ThinkPad range faithful to the design.
A convertible ThinkPad remains a ThinkPad
Computers on the ThinkPad family have always had a clear identity, and they remain in this new model as much as the new heir of the family also bet on that ability to be used in other ways that are not of a pure laptop.
The first thing that stands out is its robustness team. Themselves responsible for Lenovo explained that the laptop has passed the certification MIL-STD 810Gwhich makes them suitable for government and military applications in the United States.
Those tests put the team in situations where you must demonstrate splash resistance, falls, extreme temperatures or dust. In addition ThinkPad X1 keyboard Yoga has splash resistance and even cascading liquid , an option that can save us a few scares.
The ThinkPad X1 Yoga makes use of a magnesium alloy in the computer base, while the carbon is covering the screen and the upper housing. In both cases, we will not notice that these materials are present, since Lenovo equips all these surfaces in a matt black layer which is what gives it that finish so characteristic of the ThinkPad team.
In this approach the field ThinkPad convertible several highlights. The hinge is very well resolved, and without being nowhere near as spectacular as that of the conventional Lenovo Yoga fulfills its mission of remarkable and solid form. Yes there is an important detail to turn the laptop into a tablet: the keyboard folds and keys longer protrude from the surface through a mechanism called Lift and lock that makes operate the equipment in that mode tablet is more natural to despite having the keyboard underneath.
That backlit keyboard makes use of independent keys (in island mode) with a slight concavity and a more than acceptable size. The route of these keys is 1.67 mm, and the truth is that the touch and keyboard operation is remarkably high. It takes some getting used to him about things like that -suede course be lower in other Laptops- and certainly in the placement of the Fn and Ctrl keys, which is inverted with respect to the conventional arrangement in portable keyboards and also desktops.
The touchpad 3.9 x 2.2 inches is developed by Synaptics and might almost seem small for this team of 14 inches, but does the job perfectly, and especially is supported by the legendary trackpoint, the management system complemented pointer with the left and right mouse buttons continue to be implemented on top of the touchpad.
In this design it is also remarkable the presence of a fingerprint reader that will be captured in Windows 10 Windows Hello thanks to technology. Contrary to what happens with other teams with this sensor, just place your finger on the sensor and is touch, no need to slide your finger across the sensor.
On the sides we find the various connection ports available, but the novelty is in the back of the notebook, which hides a couple of very useful slots: the microSD card and, above all, the Nano SIM slot to use connections mobile data directly on the computer.
In the set also surprised how despite being a team of 14 inches weight is actually reduced: in Lenovo have achieved a convertible of this size at a weight of 1.27 kg, even lower than many smaller teams.
Specifications and performance Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga
Lenovo wanted to put (almost) all the wood on the grill with this convertible.Computer components characterize a full – fledged Ultrabook also has important new hardware. The most important, of course, it is that OLED screen that makes it as Lenovo in the first convertible in its class to offer such a feature.
| LENOVO THINKPAD X1 YOGA, TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS | |
| PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS | 333 x 229 x 17 mm 1.27 kg |
| SCREEN | 14-inch OLED touch |
| RESOLUTION | QHD 2560×1440 pixels |
| PROCESSOR | Intel Core i7-6600U 2.60 GHz |
| GRAPHICS PROCESSOR | Intel HD Graphics 520 |
| RAM | 8 GB DDR3 LP |
| MEMORY | SSD 256GB |
| SOFTWARE VERSION | Windows 10 Pro 64-bit |
| CONNECTIVITY | Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.1, 3 x USB 3.0, microSD reader, HDMI, Mini DisplayPort, Onelink + (Ethernet adapter), WiGig, audio jack, Kensington lock. |
| CAMERA | front HD |
| BATTERY | 4 cell and 56Wh |
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga is available in other configurations that mainly affect the display, processor, memory and storage. We have for example the model with screen 1080p IPS touchscreen and two variants with screens IPS 1440p, but we have proven is that boasts the striking OLED screen, which has a direct impact on the price: the difference between the screen OLED and IPS are 300 dollars.
Other options affect as we said processor (from a i5-6200U), memory (8 or 16 GB) or storage (up to 1TB SSD), but we also have other interesting elements such as LTE module that allows us to insert a SIM in your computer to have mobile connectivity in the absence of WiFi or a network connection.
Models with IPS screens also have slightly lower batteries in capacity (52 Wh), according to the acquired model, a Onelink + or adapter is included. In our case the team arrived analyzed both the LTE module and the adapter to Ethernet RJ45 have a connection through this port Onelink + also gives access to docking stations.
The specifications are truly remarkable, but there is a section in which we find a surprising lack: the ThinkPad X1 Yoga does not have USB-C ports. A major drawback that determines the future of the team, as this type of connector is becoming particularly important, especially after use to integrate both USB 3.1 connections and -above all- Thunderbolt 3 connectors.
Except for that section, we have all kinds of connections on a laptop that just strange that we have neglected so important for the future. So we have three USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI port full – size, one Mini DisplayPort, microSD card reader and support for WiGig technology in addition to the proprietary port Lenovo accessories, Onelink +.
The latter seems in many ways a symbol of the old days: what to integrate a proprietary port when there is much more versatile and capable equally (or more) options? Here it desirable that port had been replaced by one USB-C. The perfect example is this adapter to connect to Ethernet networks: although the inclusion of that cable is welcome, there are adapters USB to Ethernet that work great and do not need a proprietary standard that usually only good for one thing: increase prices.
Synthetic performance tests show how the Intel Core i7-6600U processor is more powerful than the rest of its competitors in these analyzes, but not too much room. In fact if you are not going to take advantage perhaps more interesting to go to the model immediately below the i7-6500U, which behaves almost as well and you will save a few precious dollars. We also wanted to analyze performance in Geekbench 4 with which we obtained a score of 3.718 Single-Core and Multi-Core 7,096.
Here Lenovo wanted to entice users for two reasons: the ThinkPad X1 Yoga can only be found with 16 GB of RAM if you also chose this processor. It is also the only models with support vPro technology that is best suited to business users and includes other features such as Intel Active Management Technology, Intel Trusted Execution Technology or Intel Virtualization Technology.
The behavior of the SSD was outstanding, with a sequential read rate of 1,548 MB / s and write of 1,284 MB / s that can match the best units in portable equipment market. Precisely the speed of the SSD ensures that even opting for a more modest processor will continue to have excellent performance.
You may also like to read another article on YellowTube: Lenovo Yoga 900S: Is it worth sacrificing performance and portability by design?
The OLED was finally reached laptops
It was one of the great promises of notebook segment: when could we have teams with OLED screens? That already very popular feature among different handset manufacturers disembarks finally in the notebook segment with this ThinkPad X1 Lenovo Yoga.
The choice is striking, of course, but what are the advantages of a practical level? The truth is that the gain is not as spectacular in the first instance as one would expect, because the commonly used laptop is to work with him. That involves the use of word processors, spreadsheets, browsers and, ultimately, programs in which white dominates. And the OLED highlight precisely the opposite, boast vivid colors and almost absolute black.
The impact of OLED screens is so much clearer when we use this computer to consume multimedia content. Photos and especially videos are actually earn in these areas. The contrast is better especially in dark scenes, but the colors are showing more freedom to show more vivid colors thanks to the great support and Adobe RGB gamut reaching 99%.
Also there are advantages in terms of viewing angles -can that this advantage is not whether we want to “hide” what do others who are next door-, and certainly in response times, which would make this 14 – inch screen and 2K resolution (1440p) in an interesting proposal for gamers if it were not for the GPU integrated Intel HD Graphics 520, is not ready for the latest games.
This screen is also presented in brightness mode and not matte, which affects outdoor use: reflections are once again the great enemy of this type of display, but in our experience the problem here is not as noticeable as in other teams with this type of finish. What does happen is that the maximum brightness is not particularly remarkable, something that does not worry when we are indoors but it does work again if the sunlight or bright light environments.
There is another side effect of OLED displays : a conventional use of portable dominated by the “productive” tasks or those in which we sailed much for the web the battery suffers, and indeed the low autonomy from when we enjoy content multimedia, in which precisely this technology is more efficient to save energy by way of showing their colors, including especially the black.
All this makes the OLED screen is actually attractive to some users, but not particularly justifiable for another. If you are going to give your laptop use more “professional” (office, we would say), perhaps the OLED screen option is not the most suitable for you, but is actually a convertible which can be placed in “shop” – where that option is interesting to boost the consumption of content. If yours is the photographic or video work, however, you will have a great ally in the OLED screen.
The ThinkPad X1 Yoga in everyday
I always liked differentiate of specifications and synthetic tests, much colder and harsh, practical tests with the team during the days when we could analyze it. The ThinkPad X1 Yoga looks very good on paper, but how it behaves in reality.
For the truth it is that the team has, as expected, its lights and shadows. Not much to criticize in performance: everything runs smoothly and the fact is that 1440p screen OLED – whether or not aid. However problems remain scaling when one adjusts the aspect of Windows.
We find ourselves 125% and some application windows did not display with resolution and disposition would expect. This management HiDPI remains a cause of discomfort on Windows – even more if you work with 4K monitors and frustrating to see how these problems are manifest at this point.
The presence of the trackpoint is definitely one of the attractions of users ThinkPads. This pointer control system is fast and accurate as you get used to it, and those who have used safely continue taking advantage of it on many occasions for comfort and speed that brings in many scenarios.
Convertible format is the team itself that causes us doubts. The same thing happens with other teams in this format: the 14 – inch do not very comfortable to hold in tablet mode for an extended hands time, so it’s natural that we end up using the computer in tablet mode but supported by a drawing table, or store or kiosk to enjoy a video mode.
Here it is necessary to emphasize that point the sound is pretty well resolved. The speakers also have the support of Dolby Audio utility that allows you to set different profiles in this area, and although the quality and power of sound is not spectacular, yes are enough to enjoy that content from the outset.
In this mode tablet as we said the difficulty is, take advantage with a product that weighs 1.27 kg and has a little convenient format to hold the fly for a long time. Yet we must highlight another of the successes of Lenovo to our knowledge: the stylus is included on the team, and we say literally.
This accessory is coupled to one side and we can remove it and insert it when you need easily. By inserting we are enabling recharge of the stylus, which due to the thickness of the notebook is of a size clearly smaller than pencils for which Microsoft has bet on its Surface Pro or Apple in its iPad Pro. It resembles more the pencil Samsung Galaxy Note, but still it seems an excellent idea to raise this way to provide the pen because it will be much more difficult than we lose and gives quick and easy access to the ability to draw and take notes on the screen.
Here Lenovo has included an application called WriteIt to make that decision written or drawn notes quickly in any situation. Handwriting recognition works only in English for now we have news – not whether it will, which limits the ability of this application, but can write in any application by hand instead of with the keyboard can be interesting in many areas, and of course tools like OneNote can make very good use of this function. The tool, though, is too basic for digital artists, but their role is not that, and there are other important options for this area.
Touch fingerprint reader is another element of interest that will surely attract many users – and more to the Business Administration- . Although the sensor works perfectly and very fast, we believe that the ideal portable biometric technology level is iris recognition using a camera RealSense. As a portable work “looking” to the screen -for what authentication with the Iris is much more naturally on a smartphone work “playing”, and thus a fingerprint sensor makes much more sense in these devices. Yet it is a useful mechanism that we hope more and more manufacturers gradually integrated.
In terms of software we have Windows 10 Pro, business – oriented users that among other things allows you to create and join domains work or take advantage of features like BitLocker, Hyper-V and Remote Desktop edition. There’s some bloatware (Flipboard, Twitter and the inexplicable inclusion of Candy Crush Soda Saga in a business team), but fortunately the presence of non – native software preinstalled by the manufacturer is not worried.
In this ThinkPad X1 Yoga, we have encountered the problem that affects many other portable devices: power management is not set often, which makes monitoring the processor temperature causes an almost constant snort fans. Installing new versions of the BIOS firmware probably solve the problem.
The battery life is adequate, but not particularly striking. In a normal computer use alternate web browsing with some videos or playing music and photos the ThinkPad X1 Yoga held slightly less than 6 hours, a figure that shows that the OLED display and the resolution 1440p are not the best allies if one seeks efficiency. Lenovo, yes, it gives the option to purchase the power adapter 45W or 65W. The latter, though bulkier, allow us to recharge the battery faster.