Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Review: The OLED Display Update
Introducing Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 Yoga Now With OLED Display
The ThinkPad X1 Yoga marks a marriage between two of Lenovo's premium notebook lines: the ThinkPad X1 Carbon and the ThinkPad Yoga. The X1 Carbon line was introduced in 2012, bringing a largely carbon-fiber filled construction to decrease weight and increase durability compared to their previous X1 ultrabooks, while still maintaining the classic ThinkPad design established way back by IBM. The ThinkPad Yoga line, introduced a year later in 2013, consists of smaller 11 and 13 inch 2-in-1 form factors with a reinforced hinge capable of folding beyond 180 degrees into tent, stand or even tablet modes. Larger Yoga models are now available as well. Unlike the X1 Carbon, the ThinkPad Yoga maintained a black magnesium-reinforced chassis.
Today's ThinkPad X1 Yoga evolution promises to extend the ultra-functional 2-in-1 form factor to a roomier 14 inch size, while maintaining the X1 Carbon's thin profile and, of course, carbon-fiber construction.
Lenovo recently sent in a new ThinkPad X1 Yoga with an OLED (Organic LED) display with a native WQHD resolution of 2560X1440. This display is a significant upgrade for the machine, offering a dramatic improvement in image quality in terms of brightness, contrast, saturation, and color gamut coverage. As it turns out, it also offers a notable improvement in battery life as well. For roughly a $240 price premium over Lenovo's standard IPS display option in the ThinkPad X1 Yoga, the OLED upgrade is an impressive, satisfying gain in display image quality that we highly recommend. In fact, it upgraded our final evaluation of the machine to Editor's Choice level for the OLED display-equipped variant of this Lenovo laptop due to the improved battery life and experiential upgrades associated with the better quality of the OLED panel.
You can find our analysis of the new OLED display here and our re-tested battery life numbers with the OLED panel model here. Finally, we've also pulled together video demo and review of the OLED-powered ThinkPad X1 Yoga for you right here...
The ThinkPad line wasn't designed with glitz in mind, but rather it's about functionality and productivity. The ThinkPad's design takes shape more targeted to the work at hand, rather than eye candy. If the X1 Yoga here is going to carry that torch it needs to let you work efficiently and comfortably.
The review unit we received is a good candidate to meet those expectations. As configured, our notebook rocks an Intel Core i7-6500U processor, 8 GB of 1866MHz DDR3 memory, a 512GB SATA3 solid state drive, and an upgraded 1440p IGZO IPS display for $1,749.
This particular Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga we're testing today offers a fairly robust config with a spacious solid state storage option and lots of top end clock speed for the processor. Without further ado, let's see what Lenovo's new gymnast is made of...
Today's ThinkPad X1 Yoga evolution promises to extend the ultra-functional 2-in-1 form factor to a roomier 14 inch size, while maintaining the X1 Carbon's thin profile and, of course, carbon-fiber construction.
Lenovo recently sent in a new ThinkPad X1 Yoga with an OLED (Organic LED) display with a native WQHD resolution of 2560X1440. This display is a significant upgrade for the machine, offering a dramatic improvement in image quality in terms of brightness, contrast, saturation, and color gamut coverage. As it turns out, it also offers a notable improvement in battery life as well. For roughly a $240 price premium over Lenovo's standard IPS display option in the ThinkPad X1 Yoga, the OLED upgrade is an impressive, satisfying gain in display image quality that we highly recommend. In fact, it upgraded our final evaluation of the machine to Editor's Choice level for the OLED display-equipped variant of this Lenovo laptop due to the improved battery life and experiential upgrades associated with the better quality of the OLED panel.
You can find our analysis of the new OLED display here and our re-tested battery life numbers with the OLED panel model here. Finally, we've also pulled together video demo and review of the OLED-powered ThinkPad X1 Yoga for you right here...
The ThinkPad line wasn't designed with glitz in mind, but rather it's about functionality and productivity. The ThinkPad's design takes shape more targeted to the work at hand, rather than eye candy. If the X1 Yoga here is going to carry that torch it needs to let you work efficiently and comfortably.
The review unit we received is a good candidate to meet those expectations. As configured, our notebook rocks an Intel Core i7-6500U processor, 8 GB of 1866MHz DDR3 memory, a 512GB SATA3 solid state drive, and an upgraded 1440p IGZO IPS display for $1,749.
 |
|
| Processor Options |
6th Gen Intel Core i7-6500U (3M Cache, 2.5GHz to 3.1GHz) |
| Display |
14-inch WQHD (2560x1440) IPS Touchscreen, Anti-Glare, 300 nits |
| Graphics |
Intel HD Graphics 520 |
| Memory |
8GB LPDDR3 SDRAM 1866MHz (Soldered to mainboard) |
| Storage |
512GB M.2 SATA Solid State Drive |
| Optical | N/A |
| Ethernet | N/A |
| Wireless Connectivity |
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC (2x2) 8260, Bluetooth Version 4.1, No vPro |
| Interface (Left) |
USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort, OneLink+ Port, DC-in Power Port |
| Interface (Right |
ThinkPad Pen Pro, Power Button w/ Status LED, Volume Keys, 3.5mm Headset Jack, 2x USB 3.0, HDMI, Kensington Lock Port |
| Interface (Back) | MicroSD slot, SIM card slot |
| Webcam |
720p HD Camera with 2W Dual Array Microphone |
| Operating System |
Windows 10 Pro 64-Bit |
| Battery | 52Whr (Up to 11 Hours) |
| Dimensions | 0.66 (H) x 13.11 (W) x 9.02 (D) inches |
| Weight |
2.8 pounds |
| Manufacturer Warranty |
1 year |
| Pricing | As tested and configured - $1749 |
This particular Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga we're testing today offers a fairly robust config with a spacious solid state storage option and lots of top end clock speed for the processor. Without further ado, let's see what Lenovo's new gymnast is made of...
