Lenovo Yoga Book was my IFA highlight

by Volker Weber

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This is a fresh new device. Tablet on one side, Wacom digitizer on the other side, Yoga hinge holds it together. The digitizer is not a display, but it can light up as a keyboard, basically a backlit template.

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Typing on this surface gives you physical feedback through a left/right movement. Not a vibrator, but more like Apple's Tap Engine. Since it is not a display, you cannot change key assignments. Different models for different markets. But the software adjust to you. If you hit the space bar low, it will learn and recognize it outside of the strict target.

Target audience is 15 to 30 year olds. They are used to typing on glass, which is way inferior to this solution. Typing speed is comparable to mechanical keyboard. I will need to use it myself to verify, but so far it looks good. Why not a second screen under the Wacom digitizer? Cost! What you don't really see: this is very light for a 2-in-1, and there is no place to store the pen.

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The other thing you can't really see is that you can write through paper and the pen holds a real pen so that you get both the drawing and the digital version.

Lenovo is already shipping for 499 € Android or 599 € Windows 10. I haven't decided which one I want. Windows 10 is stock, Android needed to be customized. Which one would you prefer?

Comments

Windows.

Hubert Stettner, 2016-09-03

I am very excited about this device based on the reviews I've read about it. Glad to hear you got at least a glimpse of it and seemingly are ok with what you saw (other reviews were more in-depth, but I trust you more).

You know which OS I'm going with... :-p

Amy Blumenfield, 2016-09-03

definitely windows. We all know how "good" the support for patches and security updates on android (and specially with Lenovo) is.

Very interesting concept.

Roland Dressler, 2016-09-03

Windows

Mathias Ziolo, 2016-09-03

When I read the first news about that device I was really excited about that new approach for a tablet with keyboard. Looking forward for your review. I prefer Windows, especially for the new Pen-Support within the anniversary update of Windows 10.

Christian Rost , 2016-09-03

Windows

Juergen Heinrich, 2016-09-03

Windows for updates' sake.

Very interesting device at a very interesting price point.

Natanael Mignon , 2016-09-03

This is a novelty device and I expect the novelty factor to wear off very quickly. I wouldn't buy this for fear of abandoned drivers, as I try to use my hardware for at least 3+ years before replacing it.

Hanno Zulla, 2016-09-04

Alright, Windows it is. Hanno, most certainly a novelty. If it succeeds, it will define a category. It's not made for you. Target audience is younger.

Volker Weber, 2016-09-04

Indeed. The experience of bringing boxes full of outdated gadgets and novelty devices to the trash made me change my mind about these things. Part of growing up, I guess.

Hanno Zulla, 2016-09-04

Lenovo worked on this device for three years. It takes them 9 months for other products. I think they are on to something. The difference between the target audience and you is that they are very comfortable to type on glass. The Yoga Book improves on that experience.

Volker Weber, 2016-09-04

Volker - how big is it compared to a X1 Yoga? mostly curious about the keyboard ...

John Head, 2016-09-05

Way smaller. Ten inch screen. Do you have Dr. Seuss, Cat in the Hat? That's the size.

Volker Weber, 2016-09-05

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