The coolest convertible

A THIN, SLEEK, yet powerful notebook computer, featuring a very fast Intel Core i7 processor and a high-resolution 13.3-inch touch-screen display, the Lenovo Yoga 900 is an engineering feat well worth checking out.

The model sent to us for the test here was powered by Intel Core i7-6500U processor with a 4-megabyte cache memory and 2.5 GHz speed. It came with a lot of working memory – 16 GB – though the version selling in Thailand has half that with 8 GB of RAM.

To further enhance its performance, the Yoga 900 uses very fast Solid State Drive of 512 GB, allowing fast writing and reading of stored data. Its graphics performance is powered by Intel HD Graphics 520 chipset.

The Yoga 900 has all the necessary ports – 2 full-sized USB 3.0 ports, 1 micro USB 3.0 port that can double as a video-out port, and 1 DC-in port that can also function as a USB 2.0 port. It also has a 4-in-1 card reader into which you insert the memory card from a digital camera.

Its 13-inch touch-screen display is bright and clear with 3200x1800-pixel resolution and IPS technology that provides vivid colours and a wide viewing angle. The display is very good for watching HD videos and viewing photos.

The Yoga 900 comes in a strong and light aluminium frame and is available in Thailand in Champagne Gold or Platinum Silver. I tested the classic silver version and it won plenty of admiring looks.

For a notebook computer that is powered by a Core-i processor, the Yoga 900 is very thin at 14.9mm. It’s light too, weighing in at just 1.29 kilogrammes.

That slim frame is thanks to the watchband hinge design. The hinge is constructed from more than 800 pieces of steel and aluminium, offering the same degree of flexibility and flatness and pivoting on six points rather than two. That helps the device open out completely flat at 180 degrees.

Like other models in the Yoga series, the 900 is flexible, with four modes – Laptop, Stand, Tablet and Tent. The first is for when the screen is in normal position. Fold it back 360 degrees to the back of the keyboard with the keyboard pointing out and you’re in Tablet mode. Flip the screen to a 90-degree angle with the keyboard facing the desk and that’s Stand mode. Push the screen further, rotate the computer so the edge of the screen and keyboard rest on your desk in a tent shape, and yes, you’re in Tent mode.

When the screen is rotated, the built-in adaptive technology automatically switches systems and locks the keyboard in place. That allows it to switch between notebook and tablet modes according to the position of the screen.

The Yoga 900 runs on Microsoft Windows 10 Continuum. Specially designed vents in the hinge allow for excellent cooling, dust-resistance, and a clean design that’s quiet. 

Thanks to its fast CPU and plenty of RAM, the Yoga 900 ran fast and smooth during the test. Its touch screen responded without hesitation and scrolling and swiping were fast and smooth. Business applications including Microsoft Office 365 2016 edition ran fast.

The Yoga 900 started up in just 10 seconds and shut down in 6 to 7 seconds.

The Yoga 900 also plays good music thanks to its JBL stereo speakers with Dolby DS 1.0 sound system, which also renders good sounds when you’re watching movies.

The notebook comes with fast wireless connection of Wi-Fi 802.11 ac protocol. I connected it to my Linksys WRT 1200AC and the response was immediately.

The Yoga 900 has a good battery life and, with 50 per cent greater battery density than the previous generation, it can achieve up to nine hours of local video |playback.

Lenovo Yoga 900 with 8 GB of RAM retails for Bt65,990.

 

Key Specs

- Processor: 6th generation Intel Core i7 Processor

- Operating System: Windows 10 Home 64-bit

- Graphics: Integrated Intel HD Graphics

- Memory: Up to 16 GB LP-DDR3L

- Webcam: 1MP 720p |HD CMOS Camera

- Storage: 512 GB Samsung SSD

- Audio: JBL Stereo Speakers with Dolby DS 1.0, Home Theatre Certification

- Battery: Up to 9 hours local video playback with display brightness set at 200 nits

- Display: 13.3-inch QHD+ |(3200 x 1800) IPS, 300 nits

- WLAN: WiFi 2 x 2 802.11 a/c, Bluetooth 4.0

- Ports: 2 x USB Type A 3.0, 1 x USB Type C 3.0 with |Video-out, 1 x DC-in with USB 2.0 Function, 4-in-1 Card Reader (SD, MMC, SDXC, SDHC), Audio Combo Jack

- Dimensions (W x D x H)(mm): 324 x 225 x 14.9

- Weight: 1.29 kg