Before Lenovo released its iconic Yoga convertible laptop nearly a year ago, the gadget maker was largely known for one thing: ThinkPads. It’s only logical then that Lenovo would combine two of its best-selling products into one magical device. At IFA 2013 in Berlin, Lenovo did just that with the brand-new ThinkPad Yoga.
Lenovo’s new Yoga lineup features two new convertibles: the Yoga 2 Pro, successor to the original flip and fold 13.3-inch Yoga, and the new ThinkPad Yoga, built to take business users to new heights with its multimode design and business-heavy features. How do the two newest members of the Yoga family stack up against each other? Check out the comparison table below:
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Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga (13-inch)
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Lenovo Yoga Pro 2 (13-inch)  |
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| Dimensions | 12.4” x 8.7” x 0.74″ | 12.99″ x 8.66″ x 0.61″ |
| Weight | 3.48 pounds |
3.06 pounds |
| Keyboard | Backlit | Backlit |
| Processor | 4th-gen Intel Core i7 ULT | 4th-gen Intel Core i7 ULT |
| RAM | 8GB DDR3L | 8GB DDR3L |
| Graphics | Integrated Intel HD Graphics | Integrated Intel HD Graphics |
| Screen Size | 12.5″ diagonal | 13.3″ diagonal |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 3200 x 1800 |
| Storage | Up to 1 TB | 512 GB SSD |
| Networking | NFC “Tap to do,” DC-in OneLink | 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Ports | USB 3.0 x 2, mini-HDMI | USB 3.0 x 1, USB 2.0 x 1, micro HDMI-out |
| Webcam | Integrated 720p HD Camera | Integrated 720p HD Camera |
| Operating System | Windows 8.1 | Windows 8.1 |
| Battery Life | 5.3 hours | 9 hours |
| Price | $949.99 | $1,099.99 |
| Availability |
November
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October
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As you can see, the ThinkPad Yoga and the Yoga Pro 2 have more in common than you might think. Both offer 8GB of DDR3L memory, similar graphics components, and an identical processor. USB 3.o ports come standard on both machines, as does Windows 8.1 and the integrated 720p HD camera, but the Yoga Pro 2 seems to have the upper hand when it comes to battery life and screen quality (Lenovo even claims the PC boasts the highest resolution currently offered on the market).
However, the ThinkPad is more tailored for the business executive and those looking to give rigorous presentations. Fittingly, it offers the kind of robust space you’d expect for computer housing a treasure trove of important documents and business-tailored applications. It also comes equipped with a “lift and lock” component for adjusting the keyboard height based on how the system is used. For those familiar with the previous Yogas, in tablet mode, the keyboard keys are still able to be pressed down, which is a disconcerting feeling. The new “lift and lock” technology in the ThinkPad actually moves the base of the keyboard upward, moving the keys downward, essentially locking them in place so that the user won’t feel the keys moving under their fingers when in tablet mode.
The Yoga Pro 2 is lighter and more attractive than its predecessor, and it’s seemingly more optimized than the ThinkPad Yoga for gorgeous viewing regardless of whether the machine is in tablet or laptop mode. There’s also very little price difference between the models, making choosing which is right for you that much tougher. Stay tuned for full reviews.
