Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro Ultrabook Review

Like the previous generation Yoga models, the Yoga 2 Pro features a 360-degree flip-and-fold design. This design lets you use the Yoga 2 Pro in standard laptop mode, in tent or stand mode for giving presentations or viewing content on a plane or other tight space, or in tablet mode.

One of the best features of the Yoga 2 Pro is the vibrant new super-high-resolution QHD+ (3200 x 1800) 10-point multitouch display. Because this is an IPS display, you’ll enjoy a wider range of colors, better viewing angles, and a brighter backlight versus most other display technologies. The display also provides for wide viewing angles of 170-degrees. In real life this display is absolutely gorgeous, especially when viewing high resolution videos such as the Ultra HD 4K videos that are available on YouTube. 

The Yoga 2 Pro has a backlit AccuType keyboard. You can turn the backlight on and off using the FN and Space keys. We felt the keyboard was comfortable to type on. The keyboard layout is the same as on the Yoga 13. You’ll notice Lenovo placed the Delete, Home, End, Page Up, and Page Down keys along the right edge of the keyboard. Arrow keys are located in the lower right corner of the keyboard.

When we first used the Yoga 2 Pro, we thought the Backspace key seemed a little small. However, part of this feeling likely comes from the placement of the Delete, Home, End, Page Up, and Page Down keys rather than the actual size of the Backspace key itself. With most keyboards, we’re accustomed to finding the large Backspace key in the upper right corner. This isn’t the case with the Yoga 2 Pro. It’s a minor thing really, but something you may notice at first until you get accustomed to it.

The Yoga 2 Pro automatically disables the keyboard and touchpad when rotating the ultrabook into stand, tent, or tablet mode. The average-size touchpad on the device supports scrolling, zoom, rotating, and edge swipes, which work very well with Windows 8.1.

When designing the Yoga 2 Pro, Lenovo listened to feedback from its customers regarding the original Yoga. One of the improvements Lenovo incorporated is a rubberized rim along the top bezel. This helps the Yoga 2 Pro have a better grip on any surface when using the ultrabook in Tent mode. It may seem minor, but this grip really does make a difference when using the Yoga 2 Pro in Tent mode.

Lenovo also moved the power button to the side of the PC, helping prevent the occasional accidental switching of the ultrabook on/off while in your bag. The side placement also makes it more accessible when used in the Yoga 2 Pro’s various modes. The power button is nearly flush with the edge of the Yoga 2 Pro. Although this looks nice, it’s hard to find the power button by touch alone.

To help improve the tablet experience using the Yoga 2 Pro, Lenovo made this new model a half pound lighter and 0.05-inches thinner than the original Yoga.

On the left edge of the Yoga 2 Pro, you’ll find the power adapter jack, a USB 3.0 port, HDMI Out, and SD card reader. On the right edge of the notebook, you’ll find a battery status indicator next to the power button. Near the power button you’ll also see a Novo button which you can press when the computer is off to start the Lenovo OneKey Recovery System or BIOS setup utility. The right edge of the ultrabook also houses a rotation lock button, volume controls, headphone/mic port and a powered USB 2.0 port.