Ideapad Yoga?

Acronis True Image is easy for non techies to use and can also do scheduled backups. Great app.

 

looks like it was a pricing mistake, but down to $1,299. Still way overpriced.

 

Wow, as my previous post indicates I ordered my Yoga 13 i7, 256GB drive when it was available on BB (early in the morning a couple days ago). I have an order conformation from BB and my order is being processed. Now their site shows as SOLD OUT (here's hoping).

 

Lenovo actually surprised me ... I had ordered an i7 256 GB orange model some time ago and wasn't expecting it to arrive until after Christmas but it came early today.

Anyway ... for anyone wondering: there is 187 GB of free space, fresh out of the box on the 256 GB models. I haven't had time to go into disk management and count the partitions and I don't know if the hotfix that Lenovo put out for the 128 GB models is relevant here. Once I get some more time to play around with things I will make an update.

 

Same here. I was originally told "sometime in early February" from the salesperson on the phone. Saw yesterday it had shipped and will be here Monday.

Btw, if you call (or chat with) Lenovo directly to order you can get them to give you the "Double Yoga" coupon and take another $100 off on top of the advertised $100 off, plus get a discount on accidental damage insurance.

 

I will be picking up my Yoga w/256GB this morning. I will watch for your findings regarding recovery of any storage space on the SSD. I also plan to add a second 256GB SSD.

Thanks

 

I got my Yoga this morning and have been using it all day. I ordered 8GB memory from Crucial and was going to order another 256GB mSATA SSD. The info indicated I could only add another 128GB mSATA SSD (not 256GB). Does anybody know if the Yogu is limited to a combination of 256 +128 (and can not take 256+256)?

 

Im hoping to get the same model. Are you sure its not just 2 128GB drives?

 

Looks like one 256GB SSD to me.

 

this is the disk management status after running lenovo's update, is there anything more I can do to clear up space? I'm guessing the 8.00GB partition is for hibernation, and then the 8.81GB is for lenovo's onekey recovery. C drive is at 100GB, and I guess that's all that can be used?

 

I have had my Yoga for a fewdays now and really like it. Windows 8 is Another story however. I've been trying to find out but haven't found any information; is it possible to install Android on it? I would like to use Windows 8 desktop for laptop mode and Android when in tablet mode. Any ideas?

 

Awesome! I was hoping it would be just the one 256gb. Thanks for that.

 

Nope. Android doesn't work on PCs.

You can run it in an emulator under Windows if there's some specific app you need to use that's only available on Android.

If it's just the user interface bothering you, though, give it another week and you'll be used to it. It's a far more modern and tablet-friendly OS than Android, overall.

 

The "metro" portion of Windows 8 will improve with time, weak now due to the Windows Store being too new and therefore lacking app's. Just be glad you have the full version of Windows 8 and have a fully functional desktop. You are seeing why Windows RT is a hard sell at this point.

 

In a couple days I will receive my 8GB RAM from Crucial to install.

If I remember correctly I read on earlier post that some folks simply removed the keyboard and removed and replaced the RAM and the re-installed the keyboard (can anyone confirm this)? My concern is that I would normally remove / disconnect the battery before changing the RAM but that would require removing the bezel also so I could get to the battery plug?

Much easier if only need to remove keyboard (but is this a risk)?

 

Memory upgrade only requires lifting of the keyboard, there are videos on YouTube.

 

Has anybody installed two 256GB mSATA drives for a total of 512GB?

I am getting conflicting information indicating that only one 256GB and one 128GB will work (not sure why that would be)?

 

Owners are adding a 256 to the existing 128, this gives the best value. Now a possible hardware limitation I wouldn't know.

 

On the Crucial site it shows a 256GB to be compatible with my configuration but shows as highlighted and recommended the 128GB. I will try to contact Crucial today and ask questions about why not recommend the 256GB.

 

People have used 256GB drives in both slots, I'd say the chances that there is some limitation that prevents both from being used with 256GB drives at the same time are next to null.

 

Thanks, I just ordered a 256GB drive (will have a total of 512GB).

I also just completed some testing of downloading RAW (25megapixel) photo files to PS CS6. Edited in PS CS6 RAW converter. All functions were smooth and seamless. I saved out to jpg and everything was perfect. Wow, this will be perfect while traveling.

I also hooked up (HDMI) to my 24" flat screen monitor and used Bluetooth keyboard and mouse (worked smoothly).

 

I just completely screwed up the partition table of the computer... I tried to repartition using EaseUS Partition Master to create a separate D drive to put all data on, but instead got it massively messed up, and received the following error when trying to boot:

The application or operating system couldn't be loaded because a required file is missing or contains errors.
File: \Windows\system32\winload.efi
Error code: 0xc0000225

I somehow managed to recover a boot loader so that Windows at least boots, but now all other partitions are gone: Recovery (1GB), EFI System (260MB), OEM (1GB), ISRT (8GB) and Recovery (8.81GB) - all gone. I tried running some partition recovery, but it's not really restoring it to what it was.

Unfortunately (or maybe I should say obviously), I did not take any backups or disk image before trying to do this. I also can't do a Windows recovery/refresh. Can someone help me with what to do?

 

From time to time my touchpad gets physically stuck when I press it, ie. it doesn't come back up properly. I think it is in the lower left corner. The computer continues to register the click so what ever I tried to click is often stuck as pointer and moved to somewhere I don't want when I finally get the touchpad to release by repeatedly tapping it.

Is anyone else having this problem? I haven't opened my unit so that is not the cause.

 

Let us know how it goes.

 

Sure thing. I just received notice that my drive will be delivered on Friday by the end of the day. I also hope to receive my RAM upgrade by then (if not I will probably delay installing the drive until I have everything - only want to pull the keyboard once). I will be very careful and go slow while doing the upgrade. I should have 512GB SSD when done. I have a special plastic tool to unseat the keyboard and picked up Torx tools for the small screws. I also picked up a 2Mx3MM screw to secure the new drive. I have looked at all the images others have posted and read the service manual.

I don't plan to do anything with the current drive or startup configuration (not familiar enough with UEFI).

 

This happened to me once for about an hour, then it popped back up and hasn't returned. Not at all reassuring.

 

This is a post that talks about changing the partitions and running Win8 Pro. The steps in here might help, or they may not. All that I have in my arsenal for the Yoga, sorry...

Lenovo Yoga with Windows 8 Pro, Office 2013 and Vi... - Lenovo Community

 

I can try to image mines but I don't know if we are gonna be able to upload something that big... Have you tried the recovery mode?

 

I was previously reading that people complaining about the amount of space being used on 128GB SSD when computer manufactures used the EFI boot (i.e. 128GB SSD with only 50GB available for storage). Those folks were then trying various optimization methods to recover some of the storage space.

When I received my Yoga 13 with 256GB SSD there was only around 28GB of disk space used and the rest was available for storage (Lenovo must have developed a better installation process to optimize space). I now have Adobe Premiere CS6, PS CS6 Office 2010 and other applications installed as well as several directories of RAW photo files and still only using 37GB of space with 175GB available.

OK, all this being said I don't plan to do anything about the partitions or trying to optimize for more space. After I install my second 256GB drive I will be fine for my travel / photo / video trips (I also backup to external drives).

On the subject of Windows 8 Pro, I was of the notion that it doesn't have a lot more to offer over Windows 8 Basic other than unlocking some of the routines (i.e. gpedit.msc, etc.). Also, I was believing that I could simply upgrade from Windows 8 Basic to Windows 8 Pro without doing much except to start the installation and insert the Windows 8 Pro Key to open the rest of the application (yeah, I probably have this all wrong but that's what I thought).

By the way I have been using my Yoga intensely since I got it last Saturday morning (it is working flawlessly). Although, I have told people I had to tame the touchpad (i.e. removed the edge swipe, the zoom, etc).

 

Sounds great. So with the base 256, how many partitions are there? just 2?
Hows the battery life on the i7?

 

Has BB discontinued stocking the i5, 128, 4g Yoga? It's disappeared from their website.

 

Unfortunately, the recovery partition was also blown away, so that doesn't work either. If you could upload an image, I would be very grateful.

 

Lenovo Yoga IdeaPad Ultrabook 13.3" TouchScreen Laptop 4GB Memory YOGA 13 - 59340248 - Best Buy

Nope, still there. But the page has been taken down a few times.

 

There are seven partitions (see attachment).

I have not done testing on battery life. As in general use, I can say that I have used the Yoga for several hours with various applications and still had a couple hours left. I have set the screen brightness to slightly down from the brightest setting. I have also set my power option to never shut down of totally turn the screen off but at five minutes idle it switches to very dim (just about as low as it can go). I don't like the sleep mode.

 

I might have some solutions for a bunch of things.

Windows 7: There are no wifi drivers available from Lenovo and the model of the chip is nonexistent accordin to Realtek. I have the solution: Realtek 8192CU Drivers They work on 7 x64 Pro perfectly for me. They might even work on 8 as a replacement for the stock drivers. I haven't suffered the connectivity issues that others have so I have no reason to test them. I'll get around to the rest of the missing drivers for 7, but that's the most vital.

Ubuntu: No wifi. I might have a fix for this, about to test it out, I'll report back.

Multi-boot: I simply wiped all the partitions from the Win7 installer (on a USB drive) and installed on a new partition, made a second one for 8, and made a third one for Ubuntu.

Also, the paint chipping is a serious issue. I have had this about a month or so (I got it a few days after it launched at BB) and I have tons of chips by the hinges, the front bottom lip, next to the power connector and next to the HDMI. I don't baby my gadgets that much, but I take care of them and this still happened. Just a heads up.

 

I gave this a shot and struck out. Where did the code come from?

Thanks

 

Any reports of the Orange units and chipping paint?

 

Ubuntu: I tried the 8192CU linux drivers but I'm not fluent enough in Linux to get them to load. However, I found something a little more promising: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/Driver/Ndiswrapper

 

My 256GB mSATA Crucial drive arrived today. The package also included two M2 x 3mm screws (that's a good thing). I will delay installing the drive until my 8GB RAM arrives (only want to open the computer once).

I upgraded Windows 8 to Windows 8 Pro today and also added Windows Media Center.

To upgrade to Windows 8 Pro I called Microsoftstore.com and purchased an upgrade for $39.99 and then received the key. In Windows 8 I simply clicked on the search and typed in "Add Features" , then followed the prompts until I had the choice "Buy The Upgrade" or "Already Have Key". I selected "Already Have Key" and completed the process.

For the "Windows Media Center" I responded to a Microsoft email and got the key free (anyone can do this for a limited time). To add the "Windows Media Center" I followed the same steps as above to "add features" and then populate the key.

 

I had the exact same problem with my first unit. It happened in the second week I had it, and after the tenth time I just took it back and got another. My second unit hasn't manifested the problem yet, and my third (I sold the second one to my mother in law), hasn't exhibited the problem, though I'm only now really starting to use it.

 

Anyone else annoyed by how there have been a number of deals to upgrade everything from WinXP to Win7 to Win8 Pro for $30, but it costs more to upgrade the OEM Win8 to Win8 Pro?

 

I just got an email from Crucial that there is a firmware update for their mSata drives for those of us that have added them. Here are the details:

I haven't installed it yet and likely won't get a chance for a while, but I know there are a bunch of us with these drives so hopefully someone finds this info helpful

 

Normally, the first thing I do on an SSD is check the firmware and will do so with my new Crucial when I install it (hopefully today if my RAM arrives). Although, I will not realize some of the benefits because my Crucial SSD will be a second drive for storage only.

 

It wasn't a code. As I spoke with the salesperson, he mentioned that they were doubling the current $100 off coupon code on the website as a holiday deal, and gave it to me early.

 

This would be ideal with a low power AMD chip with 8000M graphics.

 

OK, I installed my second 256GB mSATA Crucial SSD. On my initial boot up the drive was not visible but after a second boot up I could see it in "Disk Management". I formatted the drive and now have 512GB total. This little machine will now be my ideal travel companion.

See attachment:

 

I am having second thoughts about upgrading the firmware on my 2nd SSD a Crucial 256GB. On the Crucial site there are note regarding firmware upgrades on a machine with UEFI which concern me. Also with the 2nd drive I am concerned about the firmware targeting the right drive (I am on hold about doing the firmware upgrade).

Edit: Later, after reading notes about the firmware update on the Crucial site I decided to give it a try. The update failed (I think because of EFI). I did successfully do the firmware upgrade on one of my other computers with a Crucial M4 512GB SATA drive and no EFI. I will call Crucial tech support for help.

 

Anyone know how to disable the bluetooth ? Seems it would be a battery waster to always have it enabled.

 

I think I've done all I can with my Yoga 13 as far as adding hardware. The attachments show some of the performance data and disk arrangement. Can you believe how technology has miniaturized storage drives (see the 3 1/2" IDE, 2 1/2" SATA and tiny mSATA). Yeah, the Yoga 13 will drive my 24" monitor fine and is really convenient to use with my Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. Handles and edits 25 mega pixel RAW photo files fine (that's what I want the second 256GB drive for). OK, sure I have a big heavy duty workstation when I'm crunching the big jobs but I can't take it on the road.

 

If you have wifi on it won't be any difference. And even then, negligible, maybe 2 minutes extra of life.