Lenovo’s Yoga Book was one in all our favourite cell computing units of the previous couple of years for its originality, attraction and try and do one thing completely different, however it was marred by poor processing energy. Now, Lenovo’s sequel, the Yoga E book C930, addresses that and each different flaw, presenting a promising return at IFA 2018 to a product line extensively thought had been an experiment.
Nonetheless, to get up to now, Lenovo needed to completely reposition the Yoga E book towards a unique viewers than earlier than. To ship the expertise that Lenovo sought to attain with the earlier mannequin, the product needed to be dearer.
And, boy, is it pricier: to the tune of $450 (about £340, AU$600) greater than earlier than. Now not is the Yoga E book seeking to introduce the mainstream to a brand new means of computing, however as an alternative it’s aimed on the high-end crowd in search of one thing much more versatile than what’s already on the market.
However, can this technique survive in opposition to rivals which might be delivering high quality, centered experiences on the entry degree – e.g. Surface Go and iPad – and even higher-quality and extra versatile ones on the excessive finish? We certain hope so, as a result of the Yoga E book C930 appears and feels incredible and contemporary.
Worth and availability
You would possibly keep in mind Lenovo positioning the primary Yoga E book as being priced in order to make its distinctive know-how accessible to as many as doable. At $999 (about £750, AU$1,300) to begin, this isn’t the case for the second version Yoga E book C930.
That value nets you a Seventh-generation Intel m3 processor paired with 4GB of DDR3 reminiscence and a 256GB PCIe SSD, all beneath one 10.Eight-inch, Full HD (1,920 x 1,zero80) E Ink contact show. After all, the processor additionally drives a QHD (2,560 x 1,600) touchscreen as the principle show.
If you want, you possibly can improve the processor to a Seventh-gen Intel Core i5 Y sequence processor, a step up from the m3 chip, although each are designed for merchandise with out room for cooling followers.
The rationale for this hike in value is all in regards to the expertise Lenovo appears to attain with this system. It’s extra highly effective than earlier than to raised drive each of the shows, in addition to the entire overlaying software program required to make this machine. That isn’t one of the best reply, however we’d a lot somewhat see this idea work nicely for fewer individuals than work poorly for extra.
Design and show(s)
At first look, the Lenovo Yoga E book appears largely unchanged from the system launched a couple of years again, which is an effective factor as a result of that wasn’t the issue with the earlier model. As soon as once more, you’re taking a look at a laptop computer with two screens held collectively by Lenovo’s trademark watchband hinge, although it’s a bit extra refined now with extra actuation factors.
The laptop computer is just barely heavier than earlier than at 1.71 kilos (775g) and measures simply as skinny, at merely zero.38 inches (9.9mm). That is notably spectacular contemplating the display screen dimension grew on the diagonal by 7 inches, with the shows following swimsuit.
This design solely leaves room for thus many ports, however Lenovo managed to squeeze in two full USB-C three.1 ports on the laptop computer’s base, to not point out a brand new, infrared optical fingerprint reader for biometric login by way of Home windows Howdy.
The primary show of the laptop computer has not solely been elevated in dimension however in decision, from Full HD to now QHD, and the distinction is stark. Every part on this model merely appears extra crisp than earlier than. The bezels surrounding the show are thick, however that helps give the system graspable areas with out affecting display screen contents.
Whereas the principle show is attractive to have a look at (and feels responsive), it’s the brand new show on the laptop computer’s base that has seen probably the most important change. It’s now primarily based on E Ink know-how somewhat than Lenovo’s proprietary Create Pad with capacitive contact and EMR pen know-how.
This permits for thus many extra purposes of the laptop computer’s base display screen, like that of an e-reader particularly. The show’s keyboard is now extra extensively laid out, because of the display screen dimension increase, and includes a trackpad that expands upon contact and shrinks once more when it’s not wanted.
Typing on the show can also be vastly improved, with extra outlined haptic suggestions now as nicely audio cues when digital keys are pressed and animations. None of this really replaces the intuitive feeling of an actual keyboard, and sure by no means will, however Lenovo is getting excitingly shut right here.
This new show know-how requires a brand new stylus, primarily based on lively electrostatic (AES) know-how that makes use of a conductive pen tip to trigger reactions within the E Ink show’s digitizer. The tip result’s a far faster drawing response, with the digital cursor following your pen almost one-to-one.
Higher but, the stylus is included and attaches to the system through magnets in its sides.
All instructed, these are all massively welcome adjustments to the Yoga E book design that ought to end in a much more viable product as soon as it launches this October.
Efficiency
It’s at all times troublesome to debate efficiency in a hands-on evaluate with out with the ability to run benchmark exams. Nonetheless, we will confidently anticipate this sequel to be rather more highly effective than the primary.
That’s largely as a result of Lenovo itself set considerably of a low bar to surpass, with the earlier mannequin utilizing an Intel Atom processor. Even the Intel Core m3 possibility will present a robust spike in energy – it’s been used earlier than to energy the 12-inch MacBook, as an example.
After all, by that logic the Intel Core i5 Y sequence possibility shall be your finest wager to future-proof your buy, however the Core m3 needs to be sufficient to drive a greater expertise than earlier than. Simply don’t anticipate a multitasking powerhouse with simply 4GB of DDR3 reminiscence.
Lenovo guarantees as much as Eight hours and 36 minutes of use on a single cost from the brand new Yoga E book, which might maintain it proper in step with our outcomes for the earlier mannequin. Provided that the display screen dimension and backbone have each elevated, we wonder if this battery life determine will come to bear in our testing.
Early verdict
The brand new Lenovo Yoga E book C930 is an replace that addresses virtually each bugbear that we had with the unique mannequin. Each screens are barely greater, with the digital keyboard and notepad being vastly improved with E Ink know-how.
Turning the Yoga E book into extra of a premium product ought to show to be a wise transfer for Lenovo, because the priced the place the earlier mannequin was merely isn’t sufficient to drive that kind of really hybrid expertise Lenovo is in search of. And now, we’re taking a look at a extra full execution of Lenovo’s imaginative and prescient.
It’s a disgrace that the Yoga E book C930 has to price a lot greater than it beforehand did, particularly when up in opposition to 2-in-1 units that appear and feel simply as luxurious, i.e. the brand new Floor Go, for a whole lot much less. We’ll see whether or not the Yoga E book C930’s distinctive properties and experiences befit its steeper value in a full evaluate.