Lenovo’s new Yoga Tablet 2 series has a lot going for it. It’s slick, packs an amazing screen and will most likely be the coolest gadget on most conference tables.
Lenovo has once again taken a stab at redefining form factors and usage scenarios. The device is more “yoga” than ever with four distinct usage modes, including a hanging option. Throw in an integrated projector into the mix and you have got yourself the Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 Pro – the shape shifter we are looking at today.
This unconventional gadget is by definition a tablet and a formidable one indeed. The Pro model is built around an Intel Atom Z3745 processor, which is quite capable of handling any office task you throw at it, all while going easy on the 9,600mAh built-in battery.
The core specs
Multi-tasking feels natural on the 13.3 inch 2560 x 1440 pixel IPS display with plenty of room to go around. The 2GB of RAM are on the low side though, considering there are phablets with more. Perhaps the centerpiece of the Yoga Tablet 2 Pro is the built-in DLP pico projector. It adds a whole new dimension to the tablet and a surprising number of additional uses for business and entertainment purposes.
Other hardware specs include a rather small 32GB on-board storage, expandable via a microSD card slot for an additional maximum of 64GB. The camera department boasts one 8MP shooter on the back and a 1.6MP selfie camera on the front. Connectivity options are solid with optional LTE, dual band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n as well as 4.0 Bluetooth. A GPS chip is present, but a 13-inch navigator would not be ideal to begin with.
This particular unit, dubbed a Pro version, runs Android 4.4 KitKat, but interestingly enough Lenovo also offers a Windows 8.1 version with roughly the same hardware. The pricier Windows-powered variant improves on some features, it has double the RAM (4GB) and double the storage (64GB), but lacks the 8MP back camera and the projector.
Hardware and build quality
The Yoga Tablet 2 looks and feels very sturdy. As far as build quality goes Lenovo appear to be cutting no corners. Plastics on the device have a nice finish, especially on the back and the body is nicely rounded, allowing just enough grip without unnecessarily poking into places. Everything seems to be positioned just right, from the big and easy to access power button to the two large-chamber JBL speakers.
The device is rather large, however, clever design and distribution of weight make it surprisingly comfortable to hold with one hand for short periods of time. The bottom bar holds the stand assembly, the stereo speakers, power button, pico projector and last but not least the 9,600 mAh battery and naturally bears a lot of the unit’s total weight. The tablet weighs almost a full kilogram (just over 2 pounds), but Lenovo’s design is smart as the comfy rounded shape makes a great handle, which is crucial for maneuvering a 13.3 inch tablet.
A prominent design feature is of course the foldable stand. It is all metal, fits snugly when closed and definitely offers enough to support the tablet in any position. The hinge feels very tight and generally moves pretty fluently. It is held in place by a push mechanism, which when open gives the stand some free float away from the device. However this free position feels a little unnatural as when the stand reaches it upon closing it feels as if it almost snaps out of place. This is in no way an indication of poor build quality, but I do feel like the closing procedure is not very reassuring and actually kind of scary the first couple of times.
This stand supplies one of the main selling points for the Yoga Tablet 2 Pro, the four distinct usage modes. Lenovo describes them as Stand, Hold, Tilt and Hang.
The Standing mode is pretty much the signature look of the Yoga Tablet series. Being able to position and adjust the display in a vertical manner really helps usability. The tablet is difficult to tip over, but it does lack stability in two main respects when standing on a desk.
Firstly, the standing tablet does show some wobble when pressed. It’s not much, but it’s enough to make typing difficult after a while. A Bluetooth keyboard can turn the Yoga Tablet 2 Pro into a mini All-in-One and is preferred for text input.
Secondly the metal stand offers little to no traction and slides very easily across most common working surfaces. While doing so it not only allows the tablet to side ever-so slowly away from you while working, but also produces a horrifying scratching sound due to the sharp edges.
The same problem also plagues the so called tilt mode. While it provides a more comfortable angle for working with the touchscreen (much better for typing), sliding is still an issue.
The stand could perhaps benefit from some coating of rubber or other traction-friendly material, but a simple pad or mat instantly remedies the annoyance.
To ease the transition between the different modes, Lenovo Smart Switch detects the current position of the stand and orientation of the tablet and can switch between display and audio modes accordingly.
The 13.3 inch IPS display itself is nothing short of spectacular, QHD resolution makes everything look incredibly sharp, be it text or multimedia (especially coming from a laptop, which has a 1080p or worse screen on average). Fonts are scaled just right making everything easily visible. Viewing angles are pretty nice, too.
Android 4.4.4 KitKat
As far as software goes, the Yoga Tablet 2 Pro is beautifully executed in a stylish and clean manner, very much in tune with its physical design. It runs Android 4.4 KitKat and Lenovo’s own LauncherHD delivers a tailor-made experience. The interface has beautiful animations and transitions and a rounded, flat design. Everything looks exceptionally sharp and the subtle icon transparency really adds a lot of style to the launcher.
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