Thinkpad Yoga 12 2nd gen 500gb w/ 16gb SSD m.2 upgrade?

Hello all,
I've been a member for many years but created a new idea due to too much junkmails coming through.
I just purchsed the new 2015 yoga thinkpda 12 with 500gb and the 16gb ssd m.2 for cache purpose.

I did not want to spend the increased cost from lenovo for the 256gb ssd so I purchased an 500gb SSD evo850 for much cheaper.

I am just curious what are the correct steps to migrate windows 8.1 from HDD to SSD?
More specifically is, is there anything I need to migrate from the M.2 16Gb SSD?
Do I just use samsungs migration software only from the HDD and leave the M.2 alone?

Any insight before I being would be appreciated, thank you

GC

 

The best thing to do would be a clean install of Windows 8.1 after 1) making recovery discs so that you have a copy of the factory preload; 2) removing the M.2 16GB SSD and HDD from the machine; and 3) downloading a copy of Lenovo's System Update and the relevant WiFi driver for your machine and save them to a USB drive. My guess is that with a regular SSD you will have no need for the 16GB SSD which is acting as a cache to speed up the slow HDD.

In order to do a clean install of Win 8.1, you can download a legitimate copy of the OS from this link: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media. Run Setup The resulting installation media (a DVD or bootable USB) will grab the Win 8.1 product key that is already embedded in the Yoga 2's UEFI BIOS so you don't need to worry about that. After Win 8.1 is done, install the WiFi driver and System Update and download and install any system specific drivers from Lenovo. You should be good to go after that.

Y

 

Great!
I will definitely go this route. I was thinking about cloning instead. Any benefits or negatives by cloning instead of fresh install?
I was also thinking of leaving the 16GB in and use it as a storage for music/images or even as cache for photoshop to use. what do you all think?

 

I prefer clean installs over cloning for the simple reason that the latter entails carrying over unnecessary bloat included in the Lenovo preload. Have always done clean installs from the days of Win 95. As for the 16GB drive, I wouldn't bother using it for anything especially if I have a good SSD (512GB minimum) and enough RAM (minimum 8GB) because it is just too slow and small.

 

Thanks friend!
Once I get my 2nd Gen Yoga 12, Ill post some videos since there are absolutely zero videos online of reviews or anything.
Yes, it is basically the same as 1st gen but i believe people still want to actually see a review at least.
Thanks yrc!

 

I've done many a clean install in the past.
It's not worth it to me, anymore. I just don't want to spend the time.
And the benefits are marginal, if any.

I've just, 4 days ago, taken my X250 boot HDD out, and cloned it to a SSD. Took me far, far less than a clean install.

Samsung migration sw is a joke, it does nothing for cloning, it's just for data.
I used acronis, your mileage may vary.

I did not have one in, but I'd disable the m.2 cache and reboot with the HDD before cloning.
Of course, after cloning, you need to physically remove the M.2 drive.

 

I also just ordered a TP Yoga 12 with 16GB M2 and 500GB HDD and was thinking to upgrade both of these drives. I assumed that the M2 held the OS, but as suggested above it may just be used as fast cache. Does anyone know for sure what is on the M2?

The reason I ask: I'm thinking of swapping the M2 with a $110 256GB M2, and the HDD with a 512GB SSD, and I'm debating what the best plan of attack is. Should I clone both and simply swap the units? Or is there a simpler approach where I only clone the HDD?

 

The current m.2 drive is for caching. If you replace it, a clean install would be best. I would first make a recovery image of the factory state.
Sent from my Lumia 830

 

Thanks all for everyones replies.
I have another question:
If I want to do a clean install, i will YRC advice above and go to microsoft sight to grab the windows 8.1 key.

So can I basically just remove the HDD and install the SSD
BUT
what is on the M.2 SSD? can I just format it while install the blank SSD to install windows 8.1?
or should I just remove the M.2 and HDD and put there somewhere safe as backup and use only my new 500GB SSD?
Thank you again all.

G

 

The 16GB m.2 SSD has ExpressCache data. Nothing to be concerned about.
Sent from my Lumia 830

 

First, you should remember that the Microsoft Media creation site does not give you a Windows 8.1 key! On that site, you can can download a legit copy of the operating system (8.1 or 8.1 Pro depending on the version that came with your system) and create either an ISO file (which you can burn to a DVD) or files to create a bootable USB drive with the OS loaded on it. After you have downloaded and created the media, shut down your system, remove the 16GB express cache M2 drive (you do not need it with the SSD), the spindle HDD and install your new SSD. Then, reboot with the bootable media that you created and install the OS. The product key to validate your installation is embedded in the UEFI BIOS and Win 8.1 will automatically retrieve it and activate itself. If something goes wrong on this front then just use the phone activation method after you have installed the OS.

Before you begin, make sure to download the Wireless card drivers (WiFi) for your system, so that you can connect to the net right away and download any updates and other drivers for your system.

 

If the laptop supports Intel Rapid Start, the m.sata could be used for the hibernate partition.
Sent from my Lumia 830

 

YRC thanks again for your input. I might just remove all and clean install of W8.1
YRC what do you think about using the M.2?
16GB is 16GB and I can use that for space for photoshop or temp folders, but what do you think about what SHemmy says?

Shemmy, so are you saying I should leave the M.2 ssd in?
If it does have express cache on it, what does that exactly mean? Can I just format it and use it?
Thanks

G

 

The 16GB SSD that you have is currently formatted to work as a cache for the 500GB spindle drive. If you look under the list of installed programs in control panel, you will see a software called Expresscache. The main purpose of this software+16GB SSD is to speed up your current system by keeping the most frequently used/accessed files on it. Expresscache software also allows you to use part of the 16GB as a hibernate partition. However, if it were my system then I would not bother with the 16GB drive or with Expresscache software. When compared to your Samsung, the 16GB drive is slow, slow, slow and Windows 8.1 will do much better without them. You can of course use it as a storage device after you have done a clean install.

Also, one thing that I keep forgetting to mention is that if you go the clean install route then make sure that there are no partitions on the Samsung before running windows setup. This is essential because Windows 8.1 on a UEFI-based system requires the primary drive to be devoid of partitions.

 

Have u got it yet? Im so eager to see benchmarks of the Gen2 and also battery times =) did u order a i5-5200u or i7-5500u ?

thanks! =)

 

I received tracking and arrived in Alaska today with est delivery date of 03/27. Im praying.
I ordered i7-5600u i dont think there was an i7-5500u, was there?

i7-5600U
8gb ram
500gb HHD (replacing with 500gb SSD samsung pro evo)
FHD 1080P display with digitizer pen

I know the 2nd gen isn't an amazing update/change from the 1st gen, but I haven't seen any reviews on youtube or anywhere yet.

 

Guys, my TP Yoga 12 2nd gen just came in today.
Quickly and easily took out the HDD and M.2 and installed my 500GB SSD and thing is perfect. Just took a short time to reinstall windows and the normal thinkpad software.
I had the TP Yoga Gen1 and didn't like the trackpad, but with this click track pad, it is immensely more comfortable and ergonomically better.
- no ghosting issues ( so far using it all day )
- pen is great and no dead zones noticed (will run thorough check in the new few days)
- screen is as bright as can be

Battery is lasting nearly 7 straight hours for normal web surfing and occasional youtube video watching.
Could be longer if I reduce brightness to 50%
Oddly my batter is now 95% but states I only have 4 hours and my brightess is 3 clicks down from max and just surfing web (maybe windows battery management problem?)

I will try to create a review tomorrow night and will post my first youtube video.
Any questions anyone has, please let me know.
Thank you

G

 

Great. Am glad the disk upgrade went smoothly. Enjoy.

 

I know you already completed the migration but here is an article I wrote after migrating my ThinkPad Yoga to an SSD: http://www.theverge.com/2014/8/3/5965013/migrating-windows-8-1-to-ssd-easy-as-1-2-3

Just a question, is there any other difference between the 1st and 2nd gen apart from the new divided trackpad and the newer CPU?

Thanks!

 

"no ghosting issues"

Excellent. That was my main gripe about the first generation yoga. I think I'll buy one soon. This new model has improved the touchpad and upgraded the integrated graphics (a minor upgrade, but still).

Just one question: is it true that "professional" business-type laptops do not have bloatware installed? I think I heard of that somewhere. Does it apply to this model?

 

No apparent/major ghosting issues.
The only thing I see (if you consider this ghosting) is when I did a bunch of windows updates and it restarts automatically, it switches to my colored background screen for a second and I see a "ghosting" of the previous window. But this is the only time.
Are there tests you can do if "ghosting" is happening a lot on your screen?

When I had mine, hardly had any bloatware but I installed a 500GB SSD so just did a fresh install and zero bloatware and start ups in 5 - 7 seconds all the time!

 

Hi NotebookReview forum users,

Thanks GCS021 for sharing your experience with the Yoga 12 2nd gen.

I'm receiving my 2nd gen Yoga 12 next week with 8gb/256gb SSD, and want to swap out the 256gb SSD for my 500gb Samsung 840 SSD. By opening the rear case and unscrewing the SSD caddy are there any warranty indicators that i'll break in the process?

 

Hi everyone, this seems to be as much of an owner's thread as anything, so I'll ask my question here.

I'm looking to get a 2nd gen Thinkpad Yoga for my personal use. What's your experience with the quality of the display?

 

I'm getting my model later this month once it ships. But my advice to you is to read NotebookCheck's comprehensive review of the device. It says the non-glossy screen of the TPY12 2nd gen and high brightness make it an excellent outdoor computer. The color reproduction is excellent as well. Overall, there's no glaring issues with the display.

Can someone else who actually has this laptop back me up?

 

Which display? I have the FHD and it's amazing. It's one of the best I can find on any Thinkpad model. It's 400 nit IPS FHD Touch with matte finish, and you'd be hard pressed to find those specs on any other model.

 

Thanks shooterboss and kevroc.

Ordered! i5-5200, 8gb, 1080p with digitizer. Lenovo UK had a 10% discount over the weekend. I have a spare 512GB SSD lying around from a failed experiment, so just went for the basic 500GB HDD and will upgrade it myself.

 

I don't think there are any tamper seals or mechanisms because it is considered a customer replaceable unit (CRU).

I should be receiving my TPY12 today and will be swapping the HD with a small SSD. I had a TPY14 and it was just full of bloat, and I mean full - I was axing all kinds of programs and apps, and some even refused to go away. The TPY14 never really felt that snappy, so I wouldn't be surprised if there was still a ton of other background aps hogging up resources. I thank this thread for informing me about the fresh install method... I thought those days were gone ever since they stopped offering the OS on disk when purchasing your computer.

Can't wait!!!

 

Got it. First impressions... I really like it so far. It feels a lot snappier then my TPY14, and I didn't even uninstall anything yet; however, there is a lot less bloat. Build quality is insane. Wide display bezel, but that's OK. Screen is very sharp, but color is not as nice as my TPY14, which was expected based on mobile tech reviews srgb numbers. Not a deal breaker for me. Trackpad and touchscreen much more responsive. Can't wait to install my SSD, but I'm afraid to take this beautiful machine apart.

 

Glad you like it so far! I'm receiving mine on the 12th this month. Just in time for my business trip.

 

Can any of you guys lucky enough to own a TPY12 tell me how hard it is to replace the battery on your own? For me that's a quite important criteria for the decision whether to buy it.
Thanks!

 

Take a look at Lenovo's official website for laptop modification. There's an instruction manual and video when you scroll down about removing and replacing the built-in battery. I haven't tried it yet, but it seems entirely possible.

 

Installed a fresh copy of Windows 8.1. Everything went well except... my F1 orange light is constantly on. I do not recall where in the install process of Windows or drivers that this occurred, but I am wondering if it BIOS related since the light turns on from power up/splash screen all the way through shut down. I currently have BIOS 1.07.

Also, I reinstalled the M2 drive after installing windows, but it doesn't show up as a drive. Do I need to change a setting in BIOS?

Suggestions appreciated.

 

Thank you! As far as I see, these instructions are for the 1st gen Thinkpad Yoga (S1) not for the 2nd one called Thinkpad Yoga 12, right? Do you assume they are structurally identical?

 

It's the same hardware, other than the physical buttons for the trackpoint.

 

Well, this seems to be the closest thing to an owner's lounge I can find.

I've received my 2nd gen device last night at 7:00PM. Fiddled around with it, setting things up until midnight, and now I'm currently using it to type this post at 11:00 AM the next morning.

To be honest, Lenovo really needs to give their devices a better "out-of-the-box" experience. I had quite a few crashes and hangings until I realized my BIOS was out of date. On top of that, the pen didn't work for a while until I saw the driver had to be updated. Good thing I made a system restore point then, cause I had another BSOD then.

Still, after a lot of trouble getting it to work out, it actually worked out. I've had zero problems with crashing since 11:00 last night, browsing is quiet fast, Windows 8.1 takes some getting used to, but I'm starting to like it, and the touchscreen is incredibly useful. Pen support is just as expected, and OneNote came bundled free.

So, yeah.

 

We are all over here

http://forum.tabletpcreview.com/threads/thinkpad-yoga-12-2015-edition-discussion-thread.65129/

A few neat apps...

Note Anytime
NY Times Crossword, they have a free "mini" puzzle each day that's fun to use with the Stylus
Microsoft Wordament
Microsoft Bingo

 

One more important point: I absolutely love the smell of this thing. It smells like industrial fiber, or what you might get from those fancy clothing stores.

 

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