Lenovo presented at IFA its Yoga Book, one of the most interesting devices of the year. With an idea that is not new, Lenovo itself already has a tablet 2 in 1 or convertible – as you want to call it – but it is very well executed and with some very characteristic elements that attract attention.
What does it offer? How is the experience of day-to-day use? Is it a product with future or on the contrary has the days counted? It is but that after reading this analysis all these issues are resolved. As I will tell you personally, I see a lot of potential.
By the way, the Yoga Book has two versions: one with Windows 10 and another with Android. Our testing unit comes with Android but also serves us to get an idea of everything you can offer in both options.
Yoga Book shares the same hardware in both Windows 10 Pro and Android 6.0.1. An interesting technical sheet for the type of device it is and the applications it targets.
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CHARACTERISTICS |
YOGA BOOK |
| Processor | Intel Atom X5-z8850 at 2.4Ghz |
| RAM | 4GB LPDDR3 |
| Storage | 64GB expandable via microSD (supports up to 128GB) |
| screen | 10.1″ |
| Resolution | 1920×1200 (225 ppi) |
| Depth of color | 16.7 million |
| Range of colors and brightness | 70% and 400 Nits |
| Touch technology | AnyPen-enabled touch-screen technology, capacitive touch technology and touch-screen flat-panel EMR Pen |
| Smash Repairs | 2MP front and 8MP rear |
| Connectivity | WiFi ac, Bluetooth and LTE (SIM slot) |
| Battery | 8500 mAh (13 theoretical hours) |
| Dimensions | 256.6 x 170.8 x 9.6 mm |
| Weight | 690 gr |
| OS | Android 6.0.1 |
In a device so thin and whose purpose to take it wherever we go the choice of an Intel Atom processor seems like a good idea. Firstly, because it allows to install Windows 10, system that gives much game and more options to level productivity by the type of apps that allows – although some require more power than the Yoga Book offers.
On the other hand, along with Android as an operating system, the Intel Atom is able to offer lower consumption for greater autonomy. All this without forgetting that we will also have less need for a more capable refrigeration system.
Thus, with this processor, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage that can be extended via microSD, the Yoga Book are presented as an interesting equipment at specification level. Where there is no lack of WiFi, Bluetooth and LTE connectivity thanks to its integrated SIM slot.
A design that fits your needs: Tablet or Laptop
With a body made of magnesium alloy and aluminum, design Yoga Book is elegant, lightweight, compact and high quality. When you hold hands, you appreciate the good work done despite having some points where you could improve. Even so, with a thickness of only 9.6mm when folded, it is a device that draws attention by its own merit thanks to two key elements: the hinge and the flat tactile surface.
Using a hinge system that already knew from previous products, such as the Lenovo Yoga 900, we could put the screen of Yoga Book in the exact position you want and also in different positions. Which are recognized and marked on the screen through an icon: laptop, tablet, dock mode and book. Each of these positions has its real utility in the day to day.
Next to the hinge, the other element that draws our attention is the flat tactile surface. And it does so for two reasons, first because it serves as a digitizing tablet for pen that includes. Reaching up to 2048 levels of pressure. Second, because the same surface is then transformed into the Halo Keyboard, which will be discussed in detail later.
Finally, on the sides we appreciate the outputs of the two stereo speakers with Dolby technology, Micro USB connector for charging and data synchronization, a mini HDMI output, SIM slot and micro SD as well as two buttons (power on and volume control) Plus 3.5mm headphone output.
Of course, it is not a perfect product, beyond the possibility of having opted for two USB C connectors instead of the microUSB and micro HDMI, what more accuse is that there is not a small notch in the edges to facilitate its opening. Okay, it may seem a minor criticism but I found it uncomfortable to open on many occasions for that little detail.
Moreover, the truth is that in both construction and other sections Yoga Book is placed at a high level. Not surprisingly, Lenovo was already showing signs of its potential but it does please. For this unusual design make it become a different, attractive and special proposal. Maybe for a very specific niche right now but with future potential.
Keyboard or tablet, you decide
The flat surface incorporating Yoga Touch Book is, without doubt, the main attraction and raison of this product. And it is for two reasons, as we decide it can be used as a keyboard or as a tablet.
If you look carefully, on this surface are the drawings of each of the keys that make up the Halo keyboard. Once activated it lights up so that we can work with clarity and, above all, hit the pulsations. And ready, there is no type of relief or anything that gives more information of the location of each key. You could say that it is identical to using one on trained screens but there are small differences.
The main addition to the feel of the surface itself is that other keyboards; the Halo keyboard offers a hap tic response that helps to feel each press. This detail greatly facilitates the writing, something that along with the optimized software helps to correct possible errors is appreciated.
In spite of this, adapting and being efficient when writing for long periods or lengthy texts is not easy. The learning curve is large but as you practice, it improves both in comfort and speed.
As a detail, this flat surface also offered in this Android version a surface that functions as a trackpad. In Windows, the drawing changes to offer the left and right click buttons. With this trackpad we will be able to scroll a screen with which to select elements and use the equipment as if it were a laptop. It is true that Android, and in particular this version, is not the most comfortable but in the portable mode can help a lot to avoid being touching the screen.
On the other hand, when we use the Real Pen digital pen the flat surface changes and behaves as if the Wacom tablet was. Thus, thanks to the application that incorporates Lenovo – although they say that others could be used – we can take notes or make drawings with very good accuracy and up to 2048 levels of pressure.
In my tests the truth is that, the recognition has been good. Both writing and drawing strokes are collected accurately. The problem is that however much we can tune is not a tool designed for demanding users, such as cartoonists or other artists. Even so, taking notes or outlining ideas is very practical.
Beside the possibility to use the surface as the digitizer tablet is also AnyPen technology. Once activated in the settings we can use the stylus to draw directly on the screen. A function that is good for supporting applications like Autodesk SketchBook. The only drawback is that, despite the precise stroke, there is a certain lag between which we slide the pencil and the line appears on the screen. Still an interesting addition.
And if all this was not enough, we can also exchange their tip and place a traditional pen. With it, along with the use of any thin sheet of paper – they recommend using your notebook, which is fixed thanks to a system of magnets – take notes that will be transferred in real time to the Lenovo application or hit after finishing and Press the volume button.
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A perfect display for consumption and content creation
Speaking of surfaces, we have the screen. With a panel of 10.1 inches IPS technology and the quality of it is at a high level. Thanks to its resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels we obtain clear images with a good representation of color, contrast, brightness, black depth and viewing angles.
In terms of visualization and when it comes to responding to our tactile gestures the screen offers everything we expect. Maybe we can find screens with more resolution and also with better representation of color, etc. But in the global count the choice of Lenovo is correct.
When consuming content we find a panel where the text that is displayed when reading a web, a book in digital format or viewing multimedia content such as photos or videos is displayed with enough clarity to not appreciate the size of the pixel.
When we created the same content, a desktop 1900×1200 pixels there is enough space to work comfortably in text – editing applications, presentations or image editors. Anyway, it is true that the Android interface sometimes takes up too much space that could be exploited.
You already use the Yoga Book in tablet mode, as a portable experience with its panel is remarkable. Maybe outdoors when you suffer a little more but it is not something negative either. It happens with the vast majority of devices so nothing new.
Power to spare for those looking for more than just a tablet
Android 6.0.1 and an Intel Atom processor, plus other features, the Yoga Book offers plenty of power for who simply wants something more than a tablet. And is that it can perfectly supply devices such as Chromebooks or laptops cheaper. You just have to see their performance on synthetic tests.
Those numbers from Geekbench, AnTuTu, etc. translate into a good performance when using virtually any application for Android. Text editors, photographs, drawing applications among others run smoothly. There is no kind of slowdown and when it comes to performing tasks like applying effects everything goes smoothly.
Only in areas where many GPU load is required, as in most demanding 3D games, we can come to appreciate specific moments in which seems to be a small drop frames but nothing important or that penalizes.
Of course, you have to keep in mind that we are facing an Android device. The same hardware configuration but with Windows 10 is that we doubt come to perform as well. It will do it but you have to be aware that even if you can install applications like Adobe Photoshop, Premiere or more games we cannot wait for the performance of a more powerful laptop or PC.
One detail, when we demand power to the device the heat that is generated is not at all worrisome. As in any other, there is a slight rise in temperature but neither burning nor annoying. Even so, it is in the part of the Halo keyboard where more is appreciated.
Regarding the user experience, Android as system offers possibilities to be used as mobile much higher than Windows 10. In tablet mode or when we want to use the touch screen the Google system and its apps offer better structured interfaces.
The only drawback is that version 6.0.1 lacks some features we’ve already seen on Android 7 as the use of split screen would come great. Because right now having two apps on the screen can only be with those that support the multiventana mode, which is nothing else to turn to its smartphone interface. In this mode, we can place them anywhere on the screen or even fix them so that they are always above the rest.
If we talk about its use as a portable, without being able to try the other version thoroughly, we do believe that Windows 10 gives more options at the level of productive apps. Even the use of the pencil can be used well thanks to the Windows Ink Workspace support.
However, I repeat, the only problem is that while the Intel Atom processor provides more than enough power for the Android version in Windows 10 Pro just stay a little short. It would have to be analyzed but by other teams with simular configuration, I am afraid that will be so. So if you intend to use it more as a laptop you will have to take it into account.
A very capable battery and a few cameras of the heap
In terms of autonomy, with a battery of 8500 mAh, the Yoga Book offers 13 hours theoretical. In our tests, making a relatively intense use, seeing a lot of multimedia content, web consulting, writing and drawing texts we have reached approximate 10 hours that we are not bad.
In situations of everyday use, we are sure that Lenovo’s product will hold the day of use as the main device, without having to connect it to the charger. This is important because with a product thought basically to use in mobility is vital.
To give you an idea, the autonomy of this Yoga Book bends which offers Surface Pro 4 although we appreciate the difference of hardware-. When compared to a notebook type Slimbook Katana also improves despite being a smaller difference, about three hours. Finally, compared to iPad 9.7 – inch Pro is at the same level, 10 hours.
With these data, I think it is clear that in battery the Lenovo equipment is very capable. Of course if it was not enough we also have support for fast loading. In an hour, we approximate 80% of the maximum capacity. That allows you to give a push those days in which we need it most. It is true that the same is not the fastest load on the market, but they are not bad figures if we take into account the time / capacity relationship.
Going to the cameras, there is little to tell because it is not a section that highlights the product. Yoga Book has two cameras. The front, or used for video conferencing, has a 2MP sensor. The main, located in the upper right corner of the flat tactile surface, has an 8MP sensor. Both cameras, despite their difference in resolution, offer just performance.
They are valid cameras to hold a video call or take some punctual photo of a document that you want to “scan”, idea that you want to capture or photograph punctual for some text, etc. But nothing more. It is true that the front generates more noise in low light situations but otherwise go very close together in performance. Anyway, as usually happens in most tablets and convertibles, the camera section is not one of the priorities of these products.