Lenovo Yoga Book Review: A 2-In-1 With A Trick

Lenovo recently released one of the most interesting tablet hybrids in recent memory, just in time for the holidays. The Yoga Book has a digital keyboard that doubles as a sketch pad that even accommodates plain old paper, giving users several ways to draw images or jot notes. In fact, the tablet aspect of the machine is one of the most creative (and fun) concepts we’ve seen this year.

The Yoga Book differs from traditional tablet first hybrid devices in several ways, but the most noticeable of these is the permanently attached keyboard, which is a departure from traditional 10-inch tablet form factors. Some tablet-first devices, like the 2016 version of the Dell XPS 12 and the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet, ship with a detachable keyboard. The 2-in-1 format is arguably more functional than a lone slate, but it gives users the freedom to drop the keyboard when they just want the tablet. With the one-piece Yoga Book, Lenovo is pushing into laptop territory with a device that is clearly more of a tablet. It has tablet hardware and performance, and Lenovo refers to the Yoga Book as a tablet but in the branding they call it a "book" with a hat tip one might say to the classic paper-bound mainstay.

But that permanently-attached keyboard is what defines the Yoga Book -- because it's not just a keyboard. With the press of a button, it turns into a Wacom tablet, letting users create images without having to draw on the tablet’s screen. And, thanks to Lenovo’s Yoga Book Real Pen, users can also draw on real paper while recording the strokes on the tablet.

Lenovo offers the Yoga Book with Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) or Windows 10 Home. The tablets have nearly identical hardware, but the Android Yoga Book starts at $499.99, while the Windows model (which we reviewed) starts at $549.99. Although the Yoga Book might show up under many a Christmas tree this year, it’s bound to also get the attention of business users, so we look at it from both perspectives on the pages ahead. 

Lenovo Yoga Book (ZA150050US) Specifications & Features

Processor	Intel Atom x5-Z8550 (2MB Cache, 1.44GHz to 2.4GHz)
Display	10.1-inch FHD (1920x1200) IPS LED w/Touch, 400 nits
Graphics	Intel HD 400
Memory	4GB LPDDR3 1600MHz
Storage	64GB
Ethernet	N/A
Wireless Connectivity	802.11ac Wireless, Bluetooth 4.0
Interface (Left)	Micro-USB Port/ Power Port, Micro-SD Reader, Micro-HDMI Port
Interface (Right)	Power Button, Volume Buttons, Headphone/Mic Jack
Interface (Back)	N/A
Webcam	8MP Auto-Focus, 2MP Fixed Focus
Operating System	Windows 10 Home 64-bit
Battery	2-Cell, 8500 mAh Li-Ion Polymer
Dimensions	10.1 x 6.72 x 0.38 Inches
Weight	1.52 Pounds
Warranty	1-Year
Included Accessories	Real Pen, Yoga Book Pad & Paper
Price	$549.99 For The Windows Version

---

Lenovo didn’t ignore performance when designing the Yoga Book, but the tablet’s most interesting features revolve around its input capabilities (like the digital keyboard and sketch pad), rather than data crunching. The tablet has an Intel Atom x5-Z8550 processor, along with 4GB of memory and 64GB of internal storage. The Atom processor and Intel HD 400 graphics make for device that will have trouble competing with most Windows 10 hybrids, which usually have more powerful hardware.
On the other hand, the LED display is nice and bright, offering a maximum 400 nits over its 10.1 inches. The display is an IPS touchscreen with a better-than full HD resolution (1920x1200). Although its colors struck us as somewhat muted at times, the display is a solid choice for this tablet.

The Yoga Book also has some unusual accessories, the most important of which is the Real Pen, which we’ll cover in greater detail later in the review. Sketch artists will like the Book Pad, which puts real paper over the Yoga Book’s digital input pad.


Let’s take a closer look at the Yoga Book’s design and how the accessories make it more than a typical tablet…