Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga

does anyone know if the two yoga's available in germany (posted earlier) (i5 4200u and i7 4500u) support bitlocker, since they don't have v pro?
and does anyone know when the two models with intel v pro are released? (i5 4300u and i7 4600u).

the point is, is it worth waiting for this two versions?

thanks for your help

 

basicly same question at same time ;-)

4300 and 4600 are intel v pro versions

they are announced beginning of 2014
they have have dedicated security and virtualisation technologies
and the clock speed is different

 

I've also heard the exact same thing. That model number in other sites (Amazon, Microsoft) doesn't even list a digitizer. Damn...I'm wondering if I should just drive up to Frys just to see for myself.

 

Hi wka,

I posted the same thing earlier in this thread a few pages back. I did the same yesterday and confirmed that the Fry's $1,399 i7 model does not have a digitizer. We opened it there in the store to confirm.

 

You are absolutely right. I just got back from Fry's and there is no digitizer. It was funny watching Fry's sales people (4 of them) trying to get the "digitizer" (the little placeholder) out of the laptop. I was telling them that it shouldn't be that difficult to take out if it was the right model, but they kept trying anyways...

Too bad. The laptop looked really nice but I didn't get to touch it. Oh wells, I guess it's back to refreshing this page and Lenovo's webpage every 15 minutes.

 

Haha I guess it was too good to be true. If there is a digitizer, it should have a red tip. The wait continues!

I'm personally not too concerned. I don't plan to buy until January. Hopefully they should be fully stocked and ready to ship the model I want by then. The only time I'll buy earlier is if there is a discount/coupon available for a limited time.

 

I know I'm in the minority here, but if I want the i7/256/8GB with no digitizer, is Fry's the only place it's available for order right now?

 

Amazon.com: Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 20CD0032US 12.5-Inch Convertible 2-in-1 Touchscreen Ultrabook (Black): Computers & Accessories

Shows as in stock at Amazon, but is the RAM upgradeable from 4GB?

 

Do you mean upgradeable through Amazon? I don't see an option to do so. Also it's the 128GB version. And i5. =p

The RAM isn't self-upgradeable from what I've read. It's soldered on.

 

Best Buy and Microsoft Store will probably carry them in stock. Microsoft has a release date for the 25th. Best Buy is unknown, but you can find a page on their website.

THINKPAD YOGA 20CD0033US /12.5IN - 20CD0033US - Best Buy For Business

 

Yeah, what I meant to say is... "Hey, the 4GB version looks like it's in stock, but no way in hell am I buying a $1200 laptop with only 4GB of RAM and no way to upgrade"

 

December 25th. oO
I think it would be strange if they didn't start selling it until a month and a half after other retailers.

 

According what I remembered, the Microsoft store's original release date was 11/25 instead of 12/25

 

Thank you Lead_org. I double-checked the User's Guide for S1 Yoga: it does seem that they've removed the Power Manager from Thinkpad Yoga, since there is no mentioning of Power Manager at all.

This is quite problematic, since the battery of Thinkpad Yoga is not removable and has a small capacity to start with. I will probably go with a T440s instead.

 

ARK | Intel® Core <--i5-4200u
ARK | Intel® Core <---i5-4300u

the 4200 is slightly slower, and lacks lot of the vPro feature. If you are using your laptop for lot of virtualisation and stuffs. Get the i5-4300u.

 

Do only the models with vpro have a tpm?

 

ThinkPad Yoga i5-4200U and TPM 1.2 | Flickr - Photo Sharing! <--- ThinkPad Yoga with i5-4200U has TPM 1.2, don't need the vPro to have TPM I guess.

For those whom are interested in the thermal performance of the Thinkpad Yoga, I did another shot with my FLIR i7 thermo imaging camera, I put my hand in as a reference to temperature.

In the picture, my Thinkpad yoga is running Prime95 and Furmark, so the CPU and GPU utilisation is at the max. The bottom of the laptop only gets to about 39 degrees Celsius max, this is the worse case scenario, as you won't be running benchmark all the time when you are using the laptop on your lap. But if you are those benchmark addict, the laptop won't cause any third degree burn to your skin even if you use it on your lap whilst wearing shorts.

ThinkPad Yoga Thermal profile (bottom) | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

The heat from the CPU/GPU is effectively ejected from the heat vent, so don't block it.

ThinkPad Yoga Thermal profile (heat vent) | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

Yes, I just called them too and got basically the same response. The guy was friendly and trying to be helpful, but clearly had no information at all.

It is worth noting that these reps work for Digital River (Lenovos fulfillment company in the UK), and not Lenovo direct. The rep did indicate that he could only work with the stock and information provided by Lenovo central, and was largely dictated by Lenovos perception of strategic demands for the UK market... I think the TPY comes a long way down that list here... :-(

Only other bit of info I gleaned was his mentioning of 'probably after christmas'.. he said it as a bit of a shot in the dark (not based off of specific information) and I would assume it's based on his experience of the forewarning they'd have of new products coming in.

I'm going to call Misco and Insight to see if they have any visibility, else I think it's going to be a case of getting my girlfriend to bring one over from the states for me in December.

Good times! :-/


#update. Neither Misco or Insight could help much (I was put through to the 'technical team' for both, after stumping the sales guys). One rep did say it might be worth probing the UK lenovo distributor.. http://www.techdata.co.uk/

If anyone has a trade account, or PC shop, or reason to get techdata to talk to you, I think they are the best bet for useful info. I tried calling, but they won't talk to me without an account number.

 

Again, great stuff lead_org! I'm really impressed by how well such a powerful machine manages the heat. My surface pro appears to run far hotter than the TP Yoga. Does the bottom heat vent get affected/blocked when using the TP Yoga on a flat table top?

Also what exactly is TPM and how does one utilize its capabilities on a thinkpad?

 

Lenovo training slides for the TPY: RTPW1230_ThinkPad_YogaUltrabook

 

Trusted Platform Module - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia -> TPM's main features that interests lot of people is password storage and hdd encryption, and there are also additional features which is listed in the article.

The bottom of the vent does not get blocked when you put it on the table top, there is also 4 separate air vent right behind the keyboard, which are the other intakes for the cool air.

=======================================================

So after using the laptop for nearly 20 hrs straight, I have got use to the keyboard's short travel. However, the trackpoint is not so easy to get to use to, it requires total changes in my TrackPoint usage pattern. My left click with trackpoint is about 90% accurate, the right click about 70% accurate.

Also, if you have never used this new trackpoint/trackpad before (I have used it in a loan ThinkPad Helix for about 3 weeks), then I would recommend you use the larger trackpoint button area option in the Mouse under control panel. Also two handed operation of the trackpoint would result in higher accuracy (I am use to using the trackpoint setup with one hand).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lead_org/10835628254/

 

For the UK folks, it looks like Dabs has it available although given the fact that Digital River didn't know anything I wouldn't get my hopes up...

Lenovo ThinkPad S240 Yoga Intel Core i7-4500U 8GB 256GB 12.5" W8P (20CD0038UK) - dabs.com

 

In addition to the cold air intake on the bottom of the laptop, Lenovo has also designed air intake at the top of the keyboard, just in case you block the main air intake when you put the laptop in the tablet mode.

ThinkPad yoga fresh air intake | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
ThinkPad yoga fresh air intake | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

Ha, the Microsoft Store is showing off the i7 TPY for $1,399USD. It doesn't look like they're selling the digitizer model but they do have a link to the video touting the feature.

Buy Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga Touchscreen 2-in-1, Core i7 - Microsoft Store

 

Thanks for the heads up newslang!

I have placed an order for one, they claim I'll have it tomorrow (!). (pinches salt)

I'll keep the group updated with any news.



Update:

My unit arrived today. i7 with digitiser, just setting it up now.

 

lead_org:

I've been lurking on this thread for at least a week now, but I wanted to say thanks for all of the awesome pictures and info you've been posting!

Also, not that the live reps have been a very trustworthy source, but one told me the release was delayed due to a shipment delay and they expected to begin sales next week, in the US that is. Hopefully early next week!

 

No problem, I look forward to hearing what happens!

 

UK configurations, mine was just pre-ordered in exchange for X230T

20CD0001UK:
CPU i7-4500U, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Full HD (1920x1080) antiglare screen with digitizer&pen, Intel Dual-Band AC 7260 BT 4.0+AC wifi, Windows 8.1

20CD0035UK:
CPU i5-4200U, 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD, Full HD (1920x1080) antiglare screen with digitizer&pen, Intel Dual-Band AC 7260 BT 4.0+AC wifi, Windows 8.1

 

So for those whom don't order the Thinkpad Yoga tablet with a digitiser, your pen digitiser will be blocked by a plastic piece (most of you will know this).

ThinkPad Yoga digitiser pen silo (blocked) | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

I wish we could get some idea of US pricing for the higher end models. I'd like to know whether or not the TPY configured with all the bells and whistles is going to be in my price range before my 30 day return window runs out on the Y2P

 

I would also strongly recommend to disable the TrackPad in the BIOS. The TrackPoint it working better for me with it deactivated.

 

I personally prefer the trackpad over the trackpoint if I had to choose just one. I've never owned a ThinkPad before! I'm wondering if I can be converted over to the trackpoint, but in my very brief experience with ThinkPad display models at stores, I've found the trackpoint to be slower and more tedious to use. We'll see what happens when I own my first ThinkPad though!

Lead_org, you mentioned that the keyboard key travel is shallow. Would you say it is at least still better and more accurate than the Yoga 2 Pro? One of the main reasons I want the ThinkPad Yoga is for the keyboard because I do a lot of typing.

 

The keyboard is better than the Yoga 2 Pro. Yoga 2 Pro is like the Surface Pro type keyboard, which i really hate. The Thinkpad Yoga keyboard is something you would get use to within a day, the Yoga 2 Pro keyboard takes longer if you are coming from a Thinkpad.

 

That's good to know. I currently use a Logitech k810 bluetooth keyboard to do my heavy typing and I must say this keyboard feels really great to type on. I hope the TP Yoga's keyboard would be comparable

 

I wonder if the "7 Days of Deals" promotion ending today will kick off the introduction of the TPY tomorrow. Gotta move out that old inventory.

 

i assume the i7 4500 has a tpm aswell, right?

and what about nfc?

it was listed as optional on the website, but the german store doesn't say anaything about this, does anyone know something?

 

TPM should be standard in the ThinkPad Yoga. NFC I am not do sure. I am getting a replacement i7 with FHD digitiser next week so will review it when I get it.

 

thank you so much!!!!!!

 

Awesome! Really looking forward to your thoughts on the capabilities of the digitizer pen. I've been holding out on the Y2P for this feature. Thanks for your reviews on the current preview model you have. Great job!

 

lead_org
I have been really impressed with your disassembly and thermal analysis (I have a FLIR as well); thanks so much. Even If I'm not finding a much-hoped-for US release date I am finding a great dialogue every time I refresh this page.
I just saw the TPM 1.2 listed in your FLICKR picture of the hardware manager. It looks like I won't have to wait (as long) to buy the TPY because TPM is included.

 

I know the online specs aren't always the most accurate, but there's some reason to hope NFC will be available. The US Lenovo site says: "Optional NFC dependent upon model"

 

NFC will definitely be available for the TP Yoga, but the question is when, on what models, and how much will it cost to have the added feature. If you look at the Australlian lenovo website, it says NFC will be available December/January. Who knows if U.S. will release it earlier.

 

Looks like you'll be getting the fully loaded model! I want that model, but with the i5 as I feel the extra power won't too noticeable, is more costly, and can have a slight hit on battery life. If you are only getting 5 hours of battery with the 1366x768 i5 model, I fear that you will get only 4 hours or less with the model you're expecting to come in unless they plan to put a bigger battery in that one.

 

I just received an i7-4500u Yoga with the FHD touchscreen (no digitizer).

I'm going to write a review later, but my first impressions are (after a few hours):

- Screen is fantastic. Very similar brightness and viewing angles to a 2012 MacBook Pro Retina. It's a 6-bit panel. Comparing it to my wife's 1600x900 T430...no contest. She was ready to kill me for the screen alone. Compared to my FHD 95% W520...close. The Yoga screen is brighter and has better viewing angles, but the W520 has better colour overall, I think.
- Touch is very responsive. Just as good as a Surface Pro, better than the Thinkpad Tablet 2.

Noise/Heat: barely noticeable. Quieter than the MacBook Pro, and cooler too.

Build quality: Not up to Thinkpad standards. Sorry. The base plate, screen and keyboard are very flexible. It is better than a Samsung Series 5 notebook (only other 'cheap' thin and light I could find). Feels like a children's toy compared to an x220t. Base plate is somewhat difficult to get off, has some plastic "clips" at the front where the stylus would be. If not careful you can break them off.

Keyboard: Same as what lead_org said. Same layout and similar key feel (actuation bump) as the T430 and later, but the travel distance is about half. About the same travel as a MacBook Pro, but better feeling keys.

Overall I do like it. It's not going to replace my W520 obviously. I might make it my "living room" laptop...whereby I use it while I'm watching TV or running out quickly.

 

ces5 I appreciate your observations! You confirmed my suspicion that it wouldn't be up to usual ThinkPad build quality standards, especially since it is a very slim ultrabook almost geared toward both the consumer/business user. For me what is important is that it is at least more sturdy and rugged than other common laptops such as samsung, sony, and at least more rugged than the Yoga 2 Pro. I don't plan to put it through torture, but I at least want it to last me a few years before it starts failing on me. Glad to know the i7 FHD model is also great with heat management. Keyboard sounds like it fits my liking. I personally don't like keyboards with to deep of a travel. I tried the X1 Carbon keyboard and I felt the travel was too deep and the keys were too wide for my liking. Then again I do have small hands

 

Thanks soul347.

You are right. It isn't up to Thinkpad T, X or W standards for built quality, but for the size, and compared to consumer laptops and the consumer Yoga series, it's good quality.

If they built it as sturdy as the X series...it would be as thick as the x220t/x230t probably.

 

Yeah I could imagine. For my uses I wouldn't want something to thick and heavy. The TP Yoga seems just right for me. It will definitely be more sturdy than the hp netbook I used to use. You mentioned that the colour reproduction isn't as good as the W520. This was one of my concerns when watching videos of the TP Yoga. In the videos, the screen looks a bit dim and the whites don't look so white but yellowish. But it may have been the camera.

 

Looking forward to hearing about battery life!

 

I don't think the colours on the Yoga are any worse than other 'cheap' IPS displays. It doesn't exhibit the same problems as the consumer yoga (yellow colours looking grey with QHD) because they aren't the same panel.

The W520 95% panel is great, however, when not using a program with colour management, everything looks over-saturated...everything looks like it was shot with Velvia film.

I'm currently on the Yoga trying to drain the battery...I'll update as soon as the battery is dead.

Keyboard still has the same classic 3-key jam...I keep getting beeps when typing fast

 

So I picked up the i7/8GB/256GB TPY today at Fry's. I haven't played with it enough to make any solid observations, but so far I love it. =) I really like the physical clicking trackpad and that click-and-drag works well and that the two-finger scrolling is really responsive. Screen looks great, keyboard is easy to type on, etc. I've never used a Lenovo before, so these things are probably old news for most.

I'm currently wiping to a clean Windows 8.1 install and getting it hooked up to my work domain. I haven't interacted with the touchscreen hardly at all, but I'll play some Hearthstone later tonight and give my impressions.

Only minor gripe I have is that the screen bezel is pretty wide. I think they could have definitely followed Dell's example of stuffing larger screens into smaller form factors.