Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga

I would say it is difficult to pinpoint where the faulty displays come from... for me the TPY was the only machine that had all the features I wanted in an attractive package, so I was ready to take the gamble. I was definitely worried as well. It is only my third day with the machine, so we will see how things go. I have done the MBPro ghosting test within a couple of hours of getting the laptop and saw absolutely no signs of ghosting on the grey screen. People say it usually takes time to appear, so I will repeat the test in a couple of weeks. I ordered mine from the lenovo website directly.

 

Unfortunately I don't think what you're experiencing is normal. My fan is definitely off most of the time, just kicks in for a few moments when streaming full hd video and when connected to the onelink pro dock.

 

100% brightness right?

 

Play around with the scrolling options in your mouse settings under the "Wheel" tab or in Logitech setpoint software if you're using it and it will effect scrolling behavior and how many increments you scroll by.

 

Sorry Garry I don't think it's normal. My fan rarely goes full blast or becomes audible. The only time I hear it come on is when I am on Skype or things with 3D graphics. Sometimes it will come on every now and then randomly, but that is because something is automatically running in the background. Otherwise, 80% of the time I don't hear the fan at all. I didn't do anything to change any heat management settings. I have no idea why yours would be behaving this way.

Have you updated to all the latest drivers including the latest BIOS update?

 

Thanks for confirming that, yes all drivers were updated, BIOS is done etc. Last resort was to reset to factory on the assumption it had been something I'd installed. Not sure what to do now, it sounds like it's a software issue but why only me.

 

Has anyone worked out how to download the Windows 8.1.iso installation file from Microsoft. I have tried the windows 8.1 setup utility and entered my product key however this is met by the error - This product key cannot be used to install a retail version of Windows 8.1

The distinction between retail and OEM seems very artificial, one would be forgiven for thinking Microsoft had not been paid for the licence installed on my machine!!

I have read about a generic key that works with the windows setup utility and that will install an inactivated copy of windows. Has anyone tried this and if so can you post this generic key?

 

Last night my estimated ship date indicated my TPY would ship today. This afternoon my estimated ship date is March 3. Sigh.

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Thank you Soul, it's solved now.

Unfortunately I have just run into an issue... the right ctrl key does not seem to work (it did previously). I use it quite often for page up, page down and changing the scaling (with + and - keys) in chrome.

Edit : Strange, the right ctrl key is working again now...

 

With these machines there is no official or legit way to do a fresh install of windows, even if you're able to use some software to retrieve your windows cd key. This is probably the case for several obvious reasons. Now where are you going to get a copy? I'm honestly not so sure. If you use a different key, you're definitely going to run into problems it isn't worth the hassle. My guess is you'd have to find some sort of iso image or install media of fresh windows and try using your cd key there.

 

Nothing to be worried about, but it is definitely an excitement killer. Don't give much attention to the estimated ship date as it changes as often as the weather does. Just wait for when you get the e-mail that they actually shipped the product and provided a tracking number - everything else is unreliable. I know how tempting it is to keep on checking the status of your product, but checking every minute won't make it come faster . Just relax, it will surely come

 

Sorry to hear about your strange experience. Other than this, is everything working perfectly fine? Also, are you using some software to monitor the temperature of your CPU?

If you already did a factory reset and installed the latest drivers, I'd probably ask for an exchange.

 

I do not see why I should be prevented from installing a clean copy of an operating system I have paid for on the exact same hardware on which the licence was originally activated on. The only difference would be the additional software which I would install myself should I choose to do so; what business is that of Microsoft? I fail to see why such activity would not be legit, copyright infringement or otherwise, as I am not seeking to use a single line of code more than the licence I have paid for allows me to use, namely all that is Windows 8.1 Pro on this particular machine.

I have an ISO of Windows 8 which I could use and then upgrade to Windows 8.1, but what an unnecessary hassle!

 

Good news , Lenovo finally got their hands on a unit with the image retention problem
Re: Thinkpad Yoga - ghosting / after-image / wate... - Page 13 - Lenovo Community

 

GarryF, I can also confirm that for the most part, I don't hear my TPY's fan. I did however have an issue where a process from itunes was going crazy and it was using a ton of CPU and that kicked the fans in gear. I disabled the process and everything is fine. I use coretemp to monitor how much load my cpu has. Maybe install that and monitor and see what is going on with your CPU when your fan's kick in. Then go into task manager to find the culprit. Just a thought.

 

Interesting, thanks for the update. I follow the thread even though I have not been able to reproduce the Image retention issue on my unit. I've had mine for 3 months ordered direct from Lenovo. I am interested in the results, in the event this becomes a future problem on mine.

 

Just saw this in the staples canada flyer. Seems like a good deal for anybody that doesnt need a digitizer

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Hah, so I just received that email saying it shipped. So clearly the estimated date means nothing.

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Seems like a misprint; It should only have 4gb ram. See here: Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga (20CD0032US) Touchscreen Laptop, 12.5", 2.6GHz Intel Core i5-4200U, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD | Staples®

 

Hmm, I just checked the settings in other countries, and so far none of them have NFC as an option anymore.

Are they just taking it out completely, or are they going to add them later? Either way, there's been a lot of problems with this particular model for absolutely no reason.

 

You can extract your key from existing windows install and then re-install fresh (you'll have to provide a generic Windows 8 key that you can easily google during setup and then provide your extracted OEM key during activation) - it is very simple.
The main problem with fresh windows install is getting an ISO file. At the moment Microsoft will only allow you to download an ISO file if you have a valid Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 NON-OEM key. Another option is MSDN/Technet or just finding a torrent.
Now, it is not illegal to do a fresh install (as you do own a valid license) and it is not illegal to download the ISO via torrent, but if it is not coming directly from Microsoft you are risking getting some pre-release build or a pre-cooked image with a bunch of torjans. That said, you can easily get the hashes for the official ISO images to verify that the one you got is a good one.
I'm not sure why would Microsoft make it so hard to do a fresh install (perhaps it has to do with pleasing the OEMs), but with basic computer skills and some googling it is certainly possible.

 

Heres my config from Lenovo UK, I added NFC, just checked Lenovo UK and notice NFC is not an option now. I wonder if I'll get NFC when my TPY finally arrives?

ThinkPad S1 Yoga

- 4th Gen Intel Core i5-4200U Processor (3MB Cache, up to 2.60GHz)
- Windows 8.1 64
- Windows 8.1 64 - WE MUI
- Touch & Pen, FHD (1920 x 1080)
- 8GB PC3-12800 DDR3L on MB
- Intel HD Graphics 4400
- Keyboard Backlit - UK English
- ClickPad with NFC antenna & module
- 720p HD Camera
- 1TB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
- 16GB M.2 Solid State Drive Double
- Battery (LiPolymer 47Wh)
- Country Pack United Kingdom with Line cord & 45W AC adapter
- Intel Dual Band Wireless 7260AC with Bluetooth 4.0
- Publication - WE (FR/GE/IT/DU/EN)
- 1 Year Depot or Carry-in

 

So you aren't waiting for the fixed screen to be used in the Yoga?

 

Just called the UK Sales team and asked about NFC – they said it's out of stock, that's why it is not on the UK site. But if you managed to order one before, you should be fine.

Also asked for a coupon, but didn't get one. I was offered a £60 off, though, if I place an order on the phone. That makes a 5% discount, which is not that much. Anyone willing to share an UK ecoupon I could use online?

 

We recommend you not to order the ThinkPad Yoga at this time.

Lenovo is in the process of trying to fix the problems that the Yoga has so if you order now , you'll just get the old parts.

 

Zero000, does your yoga have the ghosting issue as well? I cannot remember... and if so, did you order it directly from Lenovo or from another retailer?

Still trying to figure out how much of a gamble it is to buy one custom-to-order. Thanks.

 

My x230t did and it also used an AH-IPS panel. I eventually got it replaced under warranty though.

A lot of AH-IPS panels have image retention issues.

If you get a Yoga now , you might want to get your screen replaced under the warranty service later.

 

Thanks for letting me know that.

I managed to squeeze 10% on my configuration, I purchased an extra 1 years return to base warranty. To get 10% you have to get the right sales rep! I rang 2 times before and one guy would only give me 5%, third time I rang I spoke to a lady and got 10% I then ordered.

 

I'm not to bothered, I very rarely use a white background and if I do get the screen retention problem and becomes irritating ill get the fix.

 

We? You and who else?
I recommend you buy the ThinkPad Yoga, I'm very happy with mine.

 

He doesn't have one.. Several of us bought Yogas and have absolute no ghosting which is really the only issue on the Yoga.

Of the hundreds possibly thousands who have bought yogas only a few report ghosting issues. I've had mine over a month now with usage everyday and no ghosting what so ever.

Do not be put off buying this device! Its a brilliant machine!

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We?? You do not speak for anybody but yourself.

I'd recommend the Yoga in a heartbeat and I have already recommended it to several people.

From the beginning you have put down this device without even owning one. Please don't advise people about products you don't own and clearly have no intention to own the way you consistently go on about the T904 being better despite it not even being out..

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So, for any who might be interested, thought I'd post an update. I found another Lenovo forums thread regarding a good number of people with Helix systems suffering from an identical issue (i.e. 8x multiplier throttling): Re: helix CPU speed stuck at low clock speed - Lenovo Community. Not every machine suffered from it, and some of those that did said reboots fixed the issue, but sleeping/hibernating brought it back, while others said it persisted through reboots (like mine). Additionally, people reported that using ThrottleStop allowed them to manually pull themselves out of the throttle condition after it started, but this didn't work for me. Lenovo released a BIOS update a month or so back that seemed to finally fix the situation for most people, but not everyone. Given that I'm the only person I've seen report of this issue with the TPY, and given everything I've tried to fix it, I'm assuming it's a hardware problem.

I finally called Lenovo. Fortunately it took very little convincing, once I ran through everything I'd done to diagnose the issue, for them to agree to a mainboard swap (which, if it is indeed hardware, really ought to do the trick). Unfortunately, there are none available for their service people, so one has been placed on order (who knows how long the wait will be). I'll update once it's finally been done and hopefully successful.

I should note, in regard to some of the negativity regarding this computer... While I am quite disappointed with some of the apparent QA issues that have cropped up (including my own issue, and the fact that my wife's TPY seems to have a bad battery that can't hold more than an hour of charge), I do very much like this computer. It's taking some getting used to, for sure, coming from a T400. I think some of my disappointment is from the fact that my T400 never had a single problem all 6 years I've been using it (heavily). So, I was a bit spoiled. But, as long as Lenovo makes good and fixes our computers, I'm okay, and have no qualms about recommending the Thinkpad Yoga.

Also, as a side note... I tried registered on the Lenovo forums to I could start a relevant thread and see if anyone else was having this issue, but their recaptcha setup isn't working. Anyone else run into this?

 

You did have a very strange issue which I haven't seen posted before and I don't have such an issue so its definitely something hardware related. If it was software many more people would have it as these machines don't exactly have alot of different configurations available etc. Hopefully its not too long of a wait, trouble with these kind of devices is that they are the very latest thing to come out so not a huge amount of people go for the first generation, people especially business prefer devices that have proved themselves already and have undergone 2nd generation tweaks etc.

*fingers crossed* you get one within the next week or so

 

Yeah... Much as I love new tech, I tend not to be a real early adopter for just that reason. But the TPY was too compelling and exactly what I've been wanting for some time, I had to pull the cord. No regrets thus far, just a few speed bumps.

 

I have been using a Thinkpad Yoga for a couple of months now and while there are dead pixels on the screen and I have been waiting months for a replacement screen to be available I find it is a great machine otherwise. For long term use it would serve me better to have a built-in Ethernet as well as a mini-DP so I ordered a x240 which arrived yesterday. I already put in a ticket to return the x240 the lid(screen) wont even close on the base properly. The build quality of the Yoga is superior in general with a better keyboard and MUCH better hinges. I am still thinking about trying my luck with another x240 or a T440 or just forgo the additional ports and exchangeable battery and stick with the Yoga (that is how good it is otherwise).

 

Why was the 500GB Hard Disk option removed from the Lenovo website? I saw it last week,and is gone. I called Lenovo customer service, and also a sales agent, and they have no clue that it was there last week. The information service they provide is very poor. Even the chat service does not aknowledge that there was a 500GB option last week. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS? IS THIS OPTION COMING BACK SOON TO THE LENOVO WEB? Someone in the forum is saying it mugh apper in the big box stores after tomorro; do you know where ????

thanks

 

Hey thanks for the reply. If I remember right, you ordered yours custom-to-order direct from Lenovo, correct? With the digitizer? The reason I ask is because it seems that fewer people are experiencing ghosting when purchasing this way. Confirming this gives me some piece of mind.

I will probably end up going with the yoga. I've been watching it for a while now and prefer it's folding system to anything else. I admit I have been watching the T904 as well and, while I'm confident it will be a solid device, it seems likely to be much pricier than a similarly-specced yoga. What do you think?

Thanks again for your input. I think I've been caught up with this ghosting problem and forgot that it's probably only a small minority of users that are experiencing it.

 

Yes , he does have the digitizer.

 

Actually I'm waiting for the early batches to be gotten rid of so I have a higher chance of getting a better one.

I got one of the early batches of the X230t and it wasn't a pleasant experience.

I still want to know how the T904 compares so I still have to wait anyway. I know a 13.3" screen is much nicer to work on vs a 12.5" screen so that's one reason why I keep mentioning the T904.

Also , for the most part I've seen that the Yoga is made in China so that scares me a bit.

 

Thinkpad Yoga - ghosting / after-image / watermar... - Page 14 - Lenovo Community

Read through the pages on that thread and tell me how many people are having issues.

 

The question isn't really how many people are having issues, but what percentage of yoga owners have the issue, which is hard to figure out for whomever does not have access to internal company information (in this case, the total number of TPY's lenovo shipped out)

 

For any other trackpoint lovers, I just got this today and I love it. Didn't even realise I could get a lenovo desktop keyboard. Goodbye wrist pain, hello beautiful lenovo keyboard.



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If you want another options, there is Panasonic MX3. It is like Lenovo Yoga but It has DVD Rom, 14.5 Hour battery life, can be equipped with LTE or Wimax, weight only 1.2Kg. Use google translate レッツノートプレミアムエディション(CF-MX3) Core i7 高機能｜パナソニック ストア（旧マイレッツ倶楽部） | CLUB Panasonic

 

Here, now you don't have to translate.

http://www.dynamism.com/top-notebooks/panasonic-mx-series.shtml

Panasonic has had a model out with the 360 folding screen for a while now. Very pricey.

Sent from my GS4

 

Anyone who bought the Yoga with the little SSD + HDD kept the little SSD after replacing the HDD with an SSD?

 

I'm afraid the lack of a proper digitizer kills this as an alternative - this is the pen:



And here's a video of the pen being used:

レッツノート MX3シリーズ 便利なペン操作編(37秒) - YouTube

It certainly doesn't behave like any digitizer I know of - no hover cursor or anything.

 

Really? Is it confirmed that they're going to use different hardware? Can you please tell us more about which parts exactly are they considering replacing? And by what time would you expect them to offer the "fixed" version of the Thinkpad Yoga?

I've been waiting since November 2013 to buy it, but I've been holding back from buying one because of these little flaws. Minor as they are, but can potentially be very crucial; as it is the closest thing to my ideal machine, yet again expensive. I'm getting tired of waiting, but I don't want to regret not being patient enough when I get one then it gets replaced very soon afterwards; as it did happen to me before.

Thanks a lot!!!

P.S. to all, this thread has been extremely helpful! thank you everyone for contributing!!!!!

 

I'm a little puzzled.. as of last night, my battery won't accept a charge at all.

When I got home from school last night, my battery was at 36%. I plugged it in, and when I went to bed later I was at 35%. i thought it was weird, but figured there was a good reason. I kept it plugged in, and went to bed. Woke up this morning, and still at 35%. So I unplugged it, and shut it down completely. 10 minutes later I turned it on, and used it for about 30 minutes on battery power. At 22%, I plugged it in and walked away, an hour later, still 22%. I then ran system update, updated the bios thinking that might help, then after restarting i turned off the laptop and kept it plugged in. No luck. I've also tried reversing the polarity in my plug, plugging into a different outlet, and reversing the plug into the transformer and I'm still sitting at 15%.

The battery says "15% available (plugged in, charging)" but the animated battery 'filling' action isn't happening in the system tray.

The only thing that happened out of the ordinary yesterday while on battery power was that I accidentally clicked lenovo settings while in windows 8 metro mode. It told me I needed to download settingsdependencytp.exe, which I did. I didn't install it until today after it wasn't charging, hoping that would fix it but obviously not.

Anyone have any suggestions?

 

Ghosting is never seen in White background.
More visible in Grey/Violet/Purple backgrounds.

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