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No more fans. Core-M makes it possible: The new ThinkPad Helix 2 is available without a fan for the first time, but is still supposed to provide sufficient performance for all important applications. Can the versatile convertible meet the high expectations of business customers?
Appreciating the tried and true, however, does not mean ignoring innovation. About eighteen months ago, Lenovo introduced the ThinkPad Helix, which featured many innovations as one of the first truly usable 2-in-1 notebooks for professionals. Despite an overall impressive concept, we noted some drawbacks in our review, from very high temperature development to the very steep pricing.
The new Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 is an effort to make everything (even) better. The outdated Ivy Bridge architecture was replaced by the frugal Core-M platform, which finally enables devices with passive cooling and even smaller dimensions. In addition, you get 4 or 8 GB LPDDR3-RAM, an SSD with 128 up to 512 GB, and an optional LTE module. All configurations provide a 11.6-inch display with Full HD resolution and a digitizer pen from Wacom.
The price of our pretty well-equipped review unit (Core M-5Y71, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, LTE) is around 1,300 Euros/1480 USD without the keyboard dock, which is available for 90 Euros/103 USD (standard keyboard) and 280 Euros/320 USD (Pro keyboard), respectively. This is roughly on par with a similarly configured Microsoft Surface Pro 3.
The chassis of the Helix 2 is completely new, although Lenovo did keep some design features from its predecessor. It is a typical ThinkPad device with matte gray plastic (PC/ABS)and an inner construction reinforced with aluminum. Lenovo uses strong Corning Gorilla Glass to protect the glossy display surface. All of these measures result in a pretty hefty weight of 790 grams with a thickness of just 9.6 millimeters.
The stability and the build quality of our review unit are, unfortunately, not quite on the level that you would expect in this product and price class. Slightly twisting the tablet with moderate force results in some creaking sounds. This, obviously, does not affect usability, but it is not very reassuring, either. There are also some visible gaps between the display and the frame that quickly collect dust. The Helix doesn"t keep up with the competition from Redmond -- Microsoft definitely offers the more sophisticated device.
The ThinkPad is not a really productive device if you do not use a corresponding keyboard dock. Lenovo offers two models: while the more expensive "Ultrabook Pro Keyboard" has an additional 26 Wh battery and adjustable display hinges, the tested "Ultrabook Keyboard" is basically just an attachable keyboard. The angle between the tablet and the dock can hardly be adjusted - you can only use the normal operating mode (opening angle around 120 degrees) or put the tablet flat on the keyboard for transport. Also, the connection between the two parts is not very stable since the tablet is just inserted into an indentation of the dock.
301 mm / 11.9 inch193 mm / 7.6 inch9.6 mm / 0.378 inch1.3 kg2.92 lbs292 mm / 11.5 inch201 mm / 7.91 inch9 mm / 0.3543 inch810 g1.786 lbs279.8 mm / 11 inch176.4 mm / 6.94 inch10.75 mm / 0.4232 inch1.4 kg3.09 lbs297 mm / 11.7 inch210 mm / 8.27 inch1 mm / 0.03937 inch5.7 g0.01257 lbs
Besides the single USB 3.0 port (full size), which is hidden underneath a cover at the right side of the case, the Helix 2 only features the standard headset port, a micro-HDMI port, and a microSD card reader. Users of the additional keyboard dock can enjoy a second USB port; and the Pro version also supplies a mini-Display Port. This means you can hardly use the ThinkPad as a real notebook if you do not have an additional USB hub and several adaptors - but the same is true of the Venue 11 Pro and Surface Pro 3.
Lenovo equips the Helix 2 with pretty much every good (and expensive) communication module out there: the standard wireless adaptor is a high-end model from Intel (Wireless-AC 7265) that supports Bluetooth 4.0 as well as WLAN at IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac standards. The dual-band (2.4 and 5 GHz) and dual-stream (2x2 TX/RX) modem demonstrated a good range and impressive transfer rates. Some configurations are also equipped with a modern WWAN modem (Sierra Wireless EM7345, LTE Cat. 3) that makes it possible to use the Internet on the road.
With 2.0 megapixels, the front camera of the tablet has a slightly higher resolution than many notebooks, and you actually get pictures with much more detail. The 5.0 MP sensor at the back is even better (auto focus, no LED flash), but it cannot compete with current smartphones. The manufacturer deserves praise for the integration of three microphones that ensure perfectly understandable voice recordings.
The security features of the Helix 2 do not have to hide behind other ThinkPads: besides the fingerprint reader at the back, the tablet also has a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) and supports important technologies like Intel vPro and AMT (not in combination with the Core M-5Y10) as well as Anti-Theft/Computrace theft protection. Both the BIOS and the boot sequence can be protected with passwords if necessary.
The security features of the Helix 2 do not have to hide behind other ThinkPads: besides the fingerprint reader at the back, the tablet also has a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) and supports important technologies like Intel vPro and AMT (not in combination with the Core M-5Y10) as well as Anti-Theft/Computrace theft protection. Both the BIOS and the boot sequence can be protected with passwords if necessary.
Lenovo grants a standard warranty period (at least in Germany) of 36 months for the Helix 2. As usual, it is possible to extend this period at additional cost. An upgrade to four years, for example, costs between 55 and 210 Euros depending on the service type (e.g. on-site repair) you require. Service upgrades are also available on the manufacturer"s website after you enter the serial number of your device.
The ultrabook keyboard of the Helix is no featherweight at around 530 grams - but in return, you also get a full-fledged and sturdy input device. Key layout, size and travel hardly differ from standard ThinkPad keyboards, which are among the best solutions on the market. And we can confirm that the firm stroke and the precise feedback make typing very comfortable, with the production of even long texts no problem. The absence of handy background illumination for this keyboard is, however, an unfortunate omission.
We are less euphoric about the corresponding touchpad, primarily because of its small size - the user gets only a 9.0 x 4.5 centimeter surface. This is probably the reason that Lenovo deactivated many multi-touch gestures like pinch-to-zoom. Two-finger scrolling, on the other hand, works pretty well on the smooth surface, and the precision is acceptable as well.
Like all new ThinkPads, the Helix 2 does not have dedicated mouse buttons anymore. Clicks are, instead, triggered by pressure on the corresponding side of the pad. This is, unfortunately, often disrupted by accidental cursor movements, so you can occasionally miss your target. It will require some practice to master these features. Two dedicated buttons definitely would have been the better solution.
Even though the capacitive 10-point touch screen executes all inputs precisely and without delay, it is still pretty tricky to control typical desktop applications. The solution: an active stylus with a fine tip that hits even the smallest icons. The Helix is, therefore, shipped with a Wacom digitizer, which can interpret multiple (256) pressure levels. The pen can be stored in a corresponding slot at the side of the unit if you do not need it, but cannot be tethered to the tablet itself.
Lenovo does not offer different display options for the Helix 2, equipping all configurations with a 11.6-inch, 1920x1080 pixel Full HD panel. The resulting pixel density of 190 ppi is a good compromise, in our opinion, between manufacturing cost, screen real estate, and a sharp picture. For comparison: the higher resolution but also slightly bigger Surface Pro 3 (12-inch, 2160x1440 pixels) has 216 ppi, and the slightly smaller Venue 11 Pro (10.8-inch, 1920x1080 pixels) has 204 ppi.
According to the spec sheet, the display should reach up to 370 nits, but out measurements show that the panel just misses this value. Still, the actual 342 cd/m² brightness is not bad by any means, and is not eclipsed by direct rivals Dell (357 cd/m²) or Microsoft (338 cd/m²), either. You rarely need more than 150 cd/m² indoors, so we recommend dimming the backlight down by around 4 steps (158 cd/m²), or activating the integrated brightness sensor. Also worthy of mention is the very even brightness distribution without the production of annoying screen bleed or other picture errors.
Like the majority of tablets (except for some low-end models), the Helix 2 uses the high-quality IPS panel LG LD116WF1-SPN2. The rich blacks ensure a great contrast value of 1109:1, but the subjective impression is even better thanks to the glossy display surface. Not only pictures and movies benefit from the vivid picture: you will also appreciate the advantages of a high-contrast picture during office tasks.
We unfortunately had to waive the usual calibration of the panel due to software issues, but the out of the box results are already pretty accurate: a decent RGB balance, low grayscale deviations (DeltaE 2.8), decent color accuracy (DeltaE 4.4) - all results that should be sufficient if you do not use Photoshop or similar applications every day; but if you do, you have the option of switching to a better quality external display.
The ThinkPad struggles outdoors because of its glare-producing panel. Even the maximum luminance of the LED backlight is not sufficient to compensate for reflections, so the user mostly sees him-/herself or the environment. This problem, however, is typical for all glass surface touch screens (including the Helix"s rivals). You can live with the issue by opting to work in the shade.
While a typical TN panel only provides a picture without distortions when you are sitting in the right spot, an IPS panel is much less affected by viewing angles from the sides. Those viewing angle issues can hardly be avoided when you use the Helix 2: the tablet can only be used at one angle with the inexpensive keyboard dock. However, picture distortions like color and contrast changes are only a problem when the angle exceeds 70 degrees, so there should not be any problems in typical use.
The Intel Core M-5Y71, with a TDP of just 4.5 watts, is currently the best of the frugal Core-M-series. Thanks to the modern 14 nm manufacturing process, the two Broadwell cores are still able to reach impressive clocks between 1.2 and 2.9 GHz if the chip is not restricted by power consumption or temperature development. Users do not have to waive features like hyper threading (simultaneous execution of up to four threads) or AES-NI (cryptography applications).
All graphics calculations are handled by the integrated HD Graphics 5300. It runs between 300 and 900 MHz (slightly slower than the HD Graphics 5500, a "standard" ULV CPU with a 15 watt TDP), but features the same number of execution units (24), and also supports the current DirectX-11.2 standard.
Considering the Helix"s non-replaceable memory, it might be a good idea to get a configuration with the maximum 8 GB LPDDR3-1600 memory and 256 GB SSD. You can also get a slightly cheaper entry-level model with 4 GB RAM and a 128 GB SSD in some countries, but the limited memory and hard drive capacity could be a problem in the long run.
Like the majority of devices with the Core-M platform, the Helix 2 is equipped with a completely passive cooling solution that dissipates system-generated heat via the front and rear of the device. Full Turbo Boost potential is only available for a couple of seconds before the chip drops to much lower frequencies.
We wanted to evaluate this behavior more closely with the help of Cinebench R11.5. The single-thread test was executed at a processor clock speed of around 2.8 GHz (9.3 watts) at the start before dropping to 2.2 GHz (6.0 watts) after 30 seconds. The CPU behaved the same way in the multi-thread test: 2.6 GHz (13.3 watts) at start-up, then 1.7 GHz (6.0 watts) over the course of the benchmark. It seems that Lenovo raised the TDP of the Core M-5Y71 to 6.0 watts, which explains the comparatively good performance.
The processor is limited to 4.5 watts when you use the Helix 2 without the keyboard dock, which also means that the clock speeds are noticeably lower (1.8 GHz single-thread, 1.4 GHz multi-thread) and the performance is reduced by up to 20 percent. We observed this behavior on both main and battery power.
Our review unit was equipped with a Toshiba 256 GB SSD (HNSFJ256GDNU). We suspect it is the M.2 version of the Toshiba Q Series Pro, which is based on a Marvel controller (88SS9187) and 19 nm MLC-NAND.
The important thing is obviously the performance - and the results were pretty decent. Besides the solid sequential read (474 MB/s) and write performance (216 MB/s), the results (based on multiple simultaneous accesses of small 4K files) were particularly good. All in all, this storage drive is a good solution, but we cannot guarantee that Lenovo will not use SSDs from other manufacturers over the course of the Helix 2"s production cycle.
The frugal Core-M processor of the Helix 2 does not, of course, stand a chance against the performance of the actively cooled 15 watt CPU inside the Surface Pro 3. But we were still surprised by the small differences we noticed in actual usage. Thanks to its high Turbo Boost potential, the ThinkPad can easily cover short peak load just like a much bigger ultrabook. While longer periods of load result in much lower clocks, especially in tablet mode, it"s worth keeping in mind: this device was not designed for complex renderings or simulations.
You should not expect any performance miracles from the integrated HD Graphics 5300 when you consider its limited power consumption. The GPU is actually between the older HD Graphics 4200 (Haswell, 11.5 watts) and HD Graphics 4400 (Haswell, 15 watts) and is, therefore, slower than any dedicated low-end GPU of the last 2-3 years.
Still, the HD 5300 is well-equipped for all relevant tasks. The performance is more than sufficient for a smooth Windows experience and simple 3D tasks, especially since the chip can handle the playback of high-resolution 4K trailers (H.264 codec, 100 Mbps) with minimum CPU load. The best solution for encoding and transcoding of videos is the Quick Sync feature, which Intel has once again improved; other calculations (several Photoshop functions, for example) can be accelerated via Open CL-API.
If you do not want to waive gaming despite the mediocre 3D performance, then you should focus on older or less demanding titles like Dota 2. Popular Action-RTS titles can, at least, be played at low or medium settings most of the time, but modern 3D blockbusters like Assassin"s Creed Unity or Ryse: Son of Rome are hardly playable, even at the lowest details. More gaming benchmarks for the HD Graphics 5300 are available in our database.
Contrary to its predecessor, the Helix 2 does not have a fan and is, therefore, virtually silent. You can actually hear a quiet electrical murmur when you hold the device next to your ear, but this is no problem when you use the tablet at a normal viewing distance of more than 30 centimeters.
The temperatures of the hardware inside the chassis are just as moderate. After a one-hour stress test with Prime95 and FurMark, the CPU leveled off at around 75 °C, which is 20°C under the specified maximum value from Intel (95 °C). The only reason for the CPU (800 MHz) and GPU (300 MHz) throttling is the TDP limitation.
(±) The average temperature for the upper side under maximal load is 35.3 °C / 96 F, compared to the average of 30.2 °C / 86 F for the devices in the class Convertible.
(±) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 42.1 °C / 108 F, compared to the average of 35.3 °C / 96 F, ranging from 19.6 to 55.7 °C for the class Convertible.
Depending on the power profile, the display brightness and the activated wireless modules, the Helix 2 only consumes between 2.0 and 6.6 watts while idling - an impressive improvement compared to its predecessor, which consumed between 7.9 and 11.5 watts under the same conditions. The Core-M platform produced excellent consumption results in general, which is on par with the Dell Venue 11 Pro (2.0-6.2 watts).
Lenovo has slightly decreased the capacity of the integrated lithium polymer battery - you now get only 35 Wh (not the previous 42 Wh). The optional Ultrabook Pro keyboard gives you another 26 Wh, but the non-Pro version that we tested does not have its own battery.
An indicator of more realistic results were our WLAN and H.264 tests, which indicated that users can browse the web or watch videos for around 6 to 7 hours with brightness adjusted (around 150 cd/m²) before the battery runs down.
With the ThinkPad Helix 2, Lenovo improved the basic idea of its first generation tablet and business notebook combined in a single device. This required a lot of hardware compromises, but the overall package is now much better thanks to the new CPU platform.
The frugal Core M-5Y71 impresses not only with its low cooling requirements (the passive cooling solution is sufficient), but also its solid performance, which is more than enough for all office and multimedia applications. The improved power efficiency also has a positive effect on the battery runtimes - even the integrated 35 Wh battery easily manages 6 hours or more. More stamina is available with the optional Ultrabook Pro keyboard, which is almost 200 Euros/240 USD more expensive than the reviewed non-Pro version - but in return, you get a secondary battery, Trackpoint, and flexible display hinges.
This brings us to one of our biggest criticisms: the hefty price. Our review configuration currently weighs in at almost 1,400 Euros/1600 USD, which is pretty steep despite the performance components (8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, LTE). This price is even more difficult to accept in a unit whose build quality and chassis stability cannot fully meet Lenovo"s claim to "premium" status. At least the ThinkPad keyboard, which is as great as always, compensates for a few drawbacks.
Last, we have a look at the competition: potential Helix 2 buyers should consider the previously mentioned Dell Venue 11 Pro as well as the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 in particular. Dell"s device is a real price-performance champion depending on the configuration, while the Surface, with its very sophisticated chassis, can sway some users from the Helix.
Computers always had an important place in my life, starting with an Intel 80286 microprocessor in the early 1990s. I became interested in the productive side of technology, especially in campus radio, while studying at TU Chemnitz and during a trainee program in Belfast. Hardware interests led me to manage Notebookjournal.de, which is now a division of Notebooksbilliger, for a few years. I became self-employed in 2010 and took the next logical step in my career by starting to write for Notebookcheck.
LAS VEGAS – January 7, 2013: Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) today announced two new additions to its family of convertible laptop-tablet devices: the ThinkPad Helix, a premium convertible for business professionals featuring a "rip and flip" design - a blueprint for the next generation of laptop designs – and a more powerful and productive IdeaPad Yoga 11S, the first multimode mini UltrabookTM equipped with powerful Intel processors and featuring Windows 8.
"Our unmatched family of convertibles gives consumers, students, business professionals, and everyone in between the opportunity to choose the convertible that"s right for them," said Peter Hortensius, president, Product Group, and senior vice president, Lenovo. "The ThinkPad Helix gives business professionals two devices in one incredible form factor. It is a high performance, thin and light Ultrabook with a detachable Windows 8 tablet. We"ve also pumped more power and productivity into the new IdeaPad Yoga 11S mini- Ultrabook so it can handle whatever mobile computing tasks consumers throw at it."
The ThinkPad brand"s premium convertible, Helix, defines the next generation of mobile computing through its ground breaking "rip and flip" design. This special design gives users absolute mobile freedom and versatility with four unique ways to use it.
ThinkPad Helix first functions as a high performance Ultrabook. For added mobility, the 11.6-inch tablet can separate from its base to become the thinnest full-function Intel® 3rd generation CoreTM tablet with vPro. Adding to its mobility, the tablet weighs 835 grams, also making it the lightest in its class. Unlike other convertibles, the innovative "rip and flip" screen lets users flip the tablet 180° and snap it back into the base – this mode, called Stand mode, transforms Helix into a mini-movie theatre or business presentation central. From here, users can also fold the screen down to use it as a tablet while keeping the base connected for added ports and connectivity.
Besides its game-changing design, the ThinkPad Helix comes with exceptional performance and productivity features that set the bar for this type of device. A top-class UltrabookTM the ThinkPad Helix runs up to 10 hours for a full day of work and play. Navigation and interaction are easy with the precision on-board pen, full-size keyboard and new five button clickpad that boasts 20 percent more surface area than traditional ThinkPad clickpads. As the brightest screen in the ThinkPad brand portfolio, Helix"s 11.6-inch high definition 1080p IPS display maximizes clear, crisp and vibrant visuals in nearly any environment.
To connect virtually anywhere, ThinkPad Helix comes with optional LTE high speed wireless and also pioneers the emerging Near Field Communications (NFC) technology that allows devices to share data seamlessly by simply tapping to pair them. Additionally, Helix delivers the ThinkPad brand"s reliability, enhanced security and manageability features that large businesses depend upon, including Intel® vPro. Helix redefines expectations for mobile computing by bringing together innovative technology and engineering that essentially eliminate the need to carry a laptop and a tablet.
Users now have another option for choosing one of Lenovo"s groundbreaking flip and fold, 360° hinge IdeaPad Yoga convertibles. The new Yoga 11S comes equipped with a new low power lineup from Intel with up to 3rd generation Intel® CoreTM i5 processors and Windows 8 to give users the full power of multitasking and using Office applications, all in a svelte, 0.68-inch thin frame. Like its predecessor, users can work with Yoga 11S as a laptop, or flip the screen around to turn it into a great sized tablet. Even convert Yoga 11S into Stand or Tent modes for a space-saving way to watch movies, as it"s tuned with great Dolby Home Theatre audio and smooth Intel integrated high definition graphics.
IdeaPad Yoga 11S features an 11.6-inch HD IPS display that supports 10 finger multi-touch and comes with unique features previously only available on Yoga 13: Motion Control lets users simply swipe their hand in front of the webcam to advance photos, videos and other document, and with Lenovo Transition, users can automatically open applications like PowerPoint in full-screen when using Yoga in its other three modes: tent, stand or tablet.
Lenovo offers a full suite of services for the convertibles, including In-Home Warranty upgrades for service at the owner"s home or business, and Accidental Damage Protection on select products to help insure against damage from accidents like drops or spills. Lenovo Premium Support"s expert technicians are available when needed with convenient over the phone or remote session support from the comfort of home. Additionally, a full lineup of Lenovo Services for Small Business backs up ThinkPad Helix. Customers can select from a portfolio of warranty upgrades, Accidental Damage Protection, Keep Your Drive and other protection services valuable to today"s small businesses.
The ThinkPad Helix and IdeaPad Yoga 11S convertibles will be available starting in late-February and June, respectively, through retailers, business partners and www.lenovo.com. Models start at approximately $1,499 and $799, respectively.
This guide will provide information on how to replace a Lenovo Think Pad Helix screen. Be sure to have a clean and large enough workspace to properly replace the screen. Mind you to replace almost all the hardware on ThinkPad Helix you have to take off the screen. So learning how to properly take off the screen will help future replacements.
For business travelers, every pound carried and every inch of bag space matters. Hence, the increasing popularity of 2-in-1 devices, such as Lenovo"s ThinkPad Helix 2. This 11-inch hybrid features a display that detaches from its keyboard, letting you use it as a tablet or laptop. With an Intel Core-M processor, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, the Helix 2 also has the kind of power that business users are looking for. Priced at $1,644 as configured (starting at $794), the Helix 2 is a premium hybrid, but its comfort, endurance and handy pen input make it a strong choice for mobile pros.
The original Lenovo Thinkpad Helix was the first Windows 8 hybrid to use a detachable tablet design; the Helix 2 hews closely to its predecessor"s look, complete with an all-black chassis, a great keyboard and the red TrackPoint.
The outer shell of the Helix 2 has a soft-touch matte finish that carries over to the keyboard"s wrist rest and underside. At the upper right corner of the back of the tablet is a ThinkPad emblem with a red light over the "I" that serves as a system status indicator. In the upper left corner is a 5-megapixel camera, and below that is a fingerprint reader.
The front of the Helix 2 houses a 2-megapixel camera above the screen and a touch-sensitive Windows button on the bottom bezel. The Windows button gives a slight vibration whenever it"s pressed, a nice way to confirm that it was activated.
The Helix 2 is made in such a way so that the screen can face the keyboard, but also the other way around. This way, you can use the Helix in what Lenovo calls "Stand" mode (good for presentations), or just fold it flush with the keyboard for "Tablet+" mode. The + in Tablet+ stands for the keyboard dock"s built-in battery, a feature also found in the Portege Z20t and the Venue 11 Pro.
Without its keyboard, the Helix 2 weighs a svelte 1.7 pounds, which is lighter than the original Helix (1.8 pounds) and the Surface Pro 3 (1.76 pounds), but heavier than the Dell Venue 11 Pro 7000 and the Portege Z20t (both are 1.6 pounds). Once you connect the keyboard, however, the Helix 2"s weight increases to 3.65 pounds. That"s lighter than the original Helix (3.8 pounds), but heavier than the Portege Z20t (3.2 pounds), the Surface Pro 3 (2.4 pounds) and the Venue 11 Pro (3.6 pounds).
Somewhat thinner than the original, the Helix 2"s tablet measures 11.85 x 7.57 x 0.37 inches, and 11.85 x 8.39 x 0.79 inches when docked. The Helix 2 is also thinner than the Portege Z20t (12.2 x 8.5 x 0.83 inches), but thicker than the Type Cover-padded Surface Pro 3 (11.45 x 7.8 x 0.56 inches).
At 306 nits, the Helix 2"s display is brighter than the ultraportable average (277 nits), the Portege Z30t (288 nits) and the Surface Pro 3 (298 nits), but was outshone by the Venue 11 Pro (341 nits). The Helix 2"s display also offered excellent viewing angles. I could see the action clearly even at 90-degree angles.
However, the Helix 2"s display performed poorly in our color gamut test; it produced only 69 percent of the sRGB color gamut. That"s better than the Portege Z20t (66.6), but well short of the category average (79 percent), the Surface Pro 3 (97 percent) and the Venue 11 Pro (101.7 percent).
The Helix 2"s shell is made of a mix of aluminum and ABS plastic, which has a very tough and secure feel to it. The keyboard deck and base are also made of ABS, while the strong, hard flap that protects the docking connectors is magnesium aluminide. Also, the Helix 2 has a durable, scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass 3 display, and can withstand drops of water.
Targeted at business customers, the Helix 2 has security features to warrant trusting it with sensitive company data. The fingerprint reader on the back of the tablet is tied to the Helix 2"s Trusted Platform Module (TMP 1.2 compliant), which also stores encryption keys, passwords and certificates. Its placement is awkward, but keeping it there allows for use in both tablet and laptop modes. Also, the Core-M Y571 processor has vPro technology for management by IT departments.
The Helix 2 has two pairs of speakers -- one on the rear the tablet and the other on the undercarriage of the keyboard base -- and switches between each depending on whether the tablet is docked or not. In both positions the Helix 2 has enough audio power to fill a small room. Listening to Beyoncé"s "Love on Top," the synths and bass on the low end of the spectrum were sturdy, and her vocals were juicy. However, the higher end sounded muddled.
With highly accurate touch sensors, the Helix 2 responded quickly to 10-finger gestures (such as pinch, zoom and swipe) during our testing. However, the high resolution display on the Helix 2 made small icons (anything in Chrome, for example) difficult to target in desktop mode.
I was impressed with the Helix 2"s ability to capture my handwriting using the included Digitizer Pen. Testing it with the pre-installed Microsoft OneNote, the pen was highly accurate, and switching between drawing and selecting was very intuitive. The Helix 2 also did a great job at ignoring my palm resting on the display as I drew. I only wish there was a place to stow the stylus on the tablet.
Typing on the Helix 2"s keyboard in my lap didn"t feel as comfortable as typing on a hard surface. Because the Helix is top-heavy, its display tipped backward whenever my wrists were not resting on the keyboard base.
Like the rest of its ThinkPad line, the Helix 2"s keyboard has the familiar red TrackPoint between the G, H and B keys, a mouse alternative that continues to be highly accurate. Left-click, right-click and scroll buttons lie along the top of the touchpad.
Measuring 2.5 x 1.5-inches, the touchpad is not that large - it"s 64 percent smaller than the touchpad on the original Helix - but it is still very functional. I found it easy to perform such multi-touch gestures as pinch-to-zoom and rotate, and the touchpad provided ample tactile feedback when clicked. The Helix 2 also supports Windows 8"s touch-based gestures, such as swiping in to switch between apps.
The keyboard includes a USB 3.0 port, a mini DisplayPort, a security lock slot and the Helix 2"s second proprietary power connector, all along the back edge. I would have liked to see the keyboard dock contain an Ethernet port, a useful feature for business users.
Equipped with a 1.2-GHz Intel Core M-5Y71 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, the Helix 2 offers more than enough performance for most business needs. The Helix 2 handled my daily rigors (a few dozen Chrome tabs, streaming audio or video, text editing, and the Evernote, Kindle and Weather Channel apps) without lag. Apps opened and closed quickly, even while Windows Defender was scanning all system files.
On the Geekbench 3 benchmark, which measures a system"s overall performance, the Helix 2 scored 3,517, falling below the 4,567 ultraportable category average. The Helix 2"s score was also below that of the Core i5-powered Surface Pro 3 (5,665), as well as the Core M-powered Portege Z20t (4,341) and the Venue 11 Pro (5,999).
The Helix 2"s SSD duplicated 4.97GB of multimedia files at a rate of 188.5 MBps, which is faster than the category average (181.6), the Venue 11 Pro (130.5 MBps) and the Surface Pro 3 (145.5 MBps). It"s only slower than the Portege Z30t (212 MBps).
The Helix 2 performed nearly as well on the LAPTOP OpenOffice Spreadsheet test, matching 20,000 names to their addresses in 5 minutes and 57 seconds. That"s much faster than the category average (8:31), and just beats out the Portege Z20t (6:01). Still, the Venue 11 Pro (5:05) and the Surface Pro 3 (4:43) finished faster.
With Intel HD Graphics 5300 integrated graphics, the Helix 2 is good for casual gaming, but not for anything more strenuous. On the 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited benchmark, this hybrid scored 35,486. That"s below the Venue 11 Pro (48,938) as well as the category average (39,146), but higher than the Portege Z20t (31,388) and the Surface Pro 3 (33,614).
The Helix 2"s score on the 3DMark test didn"t translate to a strong real-world gaming performance. While playing World of Warcraft with the graphics set to auto and the resolution at 1920 x 1080, the Helix 2 scraped out an unplayable 24 frames per second. That"s slower than the Surface Pro 3 (36 fps), as well as the category average (also an unplayable 26.8 fps), but faster than the Portege Z20t (17 fps).
Like some other notebook-tablet hybrids, the Helix 2 includes batteries in both its tablet body and keyboard dock. On the Laptop Mag Battery Test (continuous Web browsing over Wi-Fi at 100 nits of brightness), the tablet"s 35Wh lithium polymer battery and the keyboard dock"s 26Wh lithium polymer battery combined to last for 10 hours. That"s longer than the ultraportable notebook category average battery life (8:17), but well short of the times recorded by the Venue 11 Pro (13:33) and the Portege Z20t (14:37).
The Helix 2"s tablet portion lasted just 7 hours and 6 minutes. That"s shorter than the tablet-only times of the Venue 11 Pro (8:00), the Portege Z20t (7:29) and the Surface Pro 3 (7:27).
After streaming a 15-minute Hulu video, the notebook"s touchpad reached just 73 degrees Fahrenheit, while the G and H keys were 75 degrees. The hottest the Helix 2 got was on the back of the tablet, where it reached only 89 degrees. All of these temperatures are well below what we consider to be too warm (95 degrees), as well as the original Helix, which hit 102 degrees under the same conditions.
Solution Center helps users back up their system, enable virus protection, perform system checkups and more. Lenovo PC Experience provides access to the Helix" system and hardware settings, user guide, system updates and more.
Our $1,644 review unit is the top-of-the-line Helix 2, sporting a 1.2 GHz Intel Core M5Y71-processor, 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, the digital pen, the Ultrabook Pro keyboard and a 1080p display.
The starting model also comes with the Ultrabook keyboard dock, which does not feature the secondary battery or TrackPoint, as found in in the Ultrabook Pro keyboard dock. However, it does have a slot for the stylus. If you"re looking to upgrade, the Ultrabook Pro keyboard costs $320 (which is pretty pricey), versus $129 for the Ultrabook keyboard.
With its strong productivity performance, long battery life and useful digital pen, the Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 provides much of what business users need. This being Lenovo, the Helix 2 also has one of the best keyboards we"ve used in a tablet hybrid.
Dell"s Venue 11 Pro 7000 has a more colorful display and even longer battery life, but it has a slower SSD and it runs hotter. We give a slight edge to the Toshiba Portege Z20t for its excellent endurance and easier-to-use magnetic latch, but the Helix 2 has a better keyboard. Overall, the Helix 2 should be a great addition to the bag of execs on the go who would like the added bonus of a tablet when they"re travelling, but do not want to sacrifice the experience -- and keyboard -- of a traditional ThinkPad notebook.
The Samsung Galaxy Book 12 is a quality, productive 12-inch Windows tablet option which comes in at about 1.2 KG with the keyboard. We haven"t fully tested this but remain in close contact with Notebookcheck for information. Their tests have been very positive.
We like the fact that there"s a 48Wh battery in this, and it weighs just 725 gramms. This is one of the lightest 12.3-inch tablets you can buy with that sort of battery capacity.
The Fujitsu Tablet Stylistic R726 with a 12.5 inch anti-glare display transforms into a full performance and full productivity notebook by attaching the slim magnetic keyboard. It has a magnesium-aluminium case which gives it durabiltiy for business professionals on the move. It can be used with a digital pen to take notes or signatures on the tablet. Enterprise-grade connectivity like 4G/LTE and security features like encrypted drives and NFC-based authentication allow you to do your job wherever you want; all in confidence that your data is secure.
The fabulous looking HP Spectre x2 is another Surface-like tablet (but cheaper) with a cpu choice of Core m3, m5 and m7 processors. It will be competing with, among others, the recently launched Surface Pro 4 - the x2 can be configured with either 4GB or 8GB of RAM, and a solid-state drive with 128GB, 256GB or 512GB of SSD storage albeit the Full HD display is less than the Surface Pro 4"s 2,763 x 1,824. There is a firm looking metal kick stand. Reports suggest the sound is very good partly due to the Bang & Olufsen 4 speakers and their positioning.
The Surface Pro 4 has launched with a bigger screen in the same sizing as the Surface Pro 3. Entry level $899 model will be a Core M based device with Intel HD 515 graphics but a Core i7 version with Intel Iris graphics will be available. A new mechanical Touch-Type keyboard will also work with the Surface Pro 3. Resolution is 2736 x 1824
So following on from their 8 and 9.7 inch dual boot devices Teclast have introduced a large tablet - the X2 Pro - which has a full HD 11.6 inch screen which is also able to boot Windows 10 or Android 4.4 (5.1 expected) and has a generous 4GB RAM and 64GB or 128GB storage options.
Fujitsu"s first Core M device is the Arrows Tab Q665 Windows tablet targeted at the enterprise market - solid in construction (also waterproof and dustproof to IP58 standard) and security. You can get it with a choice of Core M-5Y10C or M-5Y31 CPUs, 128 or 256GB SSD and 4 or 8GB RAM. As usual with enterprise divices from Fujitsu it will be expensive if it comes to Europe - upwards of 1200 euros but it does have top notch components.
Now a 10.1 inch Windows 8.1 tablet from Dell using an Atom processor this one is light, has 2 screen options as well as an optional mobile keyboard with battery.
10.1" Windows 8.1 (32 bit) tablet PC with attachable keyboard, Intel Atom Z3735 processor 4 core, Li-Polymer 6000 mAh battery. Office 365 for one year, includes 1TB Drive One cloud storage. Weight with dock 1.35kg.
The Chinese company “Lenovo” has been experimental and revolutionary from the moment Windows 8 got here out, and has worked hard to take advantage of Microsoft’s touch focused OS.
The Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 continues this trend with a travel friendly tablet that may be converted into a totally functioning ultrabook utilizing a keyboard attachment.
The Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 is a complete made from 2 halves. The notebook itself consists of a tablet display and a keyboard dock that the display screen plugs into.
The tablet half of the system appears like somebody simply chopped off a notebook display screen. Its lower edges are fairly hard, offering a visual cue for the user when they are able to dock to the rest of the system. Decked out in a matte black plastic, the Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 tablet half acts as the brains of the operation. Contained inside it are all the things that make the package work like an audio jack, processors and storage.
On the Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 tablet back is a standard ThinkPad logo, 2 speakers, a fingerprint reader and a 5 MP camera for capturing memories and including pictures to notes. On the Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 edges are a headset jack, volume rockers, mini HDMI port and a single USB 3.0 port. An embedded line wraps around the Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 tablet half, giving the sea of black a hint of design. A red ring across the camera lens within the upper left corner offers something on your eyes to focus on.
On the front of the Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 is a 11.6 inch FHD display, embedded in a rather massive bezel. There is a power button and a devoted screen rotation lock button too, which may be very handy.
This half of the Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 suits into one of Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 keyboards with a snap and are disconnected from them with a easy button press. Lenovo hopes that the usual Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 Ultrabook Keyboard will work for many users and that the Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 Ultrabook Pro Keyboard will set productivity-minded users up for very productive night and days.
The 11.6 inch FHD display screen has the standard 1920×1080 resolution that is out there on most laptops. The display seems good, and web, videos, and the occasional low-end sport look sharp. There are advanced display screen settings for colour saturation, brightness, contrast, and so forth. The brightness controls are very robust though, you really would not need to tweak them too much or else the display screen gets washed out fairly quickly. Documents and different productivity applications look good.
Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 contains Intel Core 5Y71 processor and 8GB RAM. Lenovo’s website permits users to configure the machine with much less storage and 4GB RAM. Though its Intel HD 5300 Graphics are not a real substitute for a dedicated graphics card, nobody however gamers will notice. Each app masses fast, each program performed fine. 3D games like Star Trek On-line are not one for the Best looking, however this is not a dedicated gaming machine.
You may store games, apps and just about anything else on the Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 built-in SSDs. With the 256 GB SSD that completely balances store space and pace. Those stereo speakers on the back of the Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 tablet half are Dolby Stereo Speakers and so they sound terrific, however lack bass.
The Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 is running Windows 8.1, although it’s out there for the Windows 10 update as soon as that’s out there here within the weeks. Windows 8.1 acts as you’d anticipate that it’d. Lenovo contains a few of their own software on the Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2, together with SHAREit, SECUREit, SYNCit, SNAPit, and SEEit.
Like the remainder of its ThinkPad line, the Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 keyboard has the familiar red TrackPoint between the G, H and B keys, a mouse alternative that continues to be highly accurate. Left click, right click and scroll buttons lie alongside the top of the touchpad.
Measuring 2.5 x 1.5-inches, the touchpad isn’t that enormous – it is 64% smaller than the touchpad on the original Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 – however it’s still very functional. It simple to perform such multi touch gestures as pinch to zoom and rotate, and the touchpad supplied ample tactile feedback when clicked. The Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 additionally supports Windows 8 touch based gestures, similar to swiping in to switch between applications.
The Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 additionally comes with an Active stylus on the low end models, with a Digitizer Pen within the high end model, providing 256 levels of pressure sensitivity, although this may be purchased individually on Lenovo’s website.
The Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 itself has a score of 8 hours battery life, and you may eke out an additional 4 hours (12 hours total) with the Ultrabook Pro keyboard included battery. The device ought to definitely get you through a whole work day without any problem. In my testing I averaged between 7 hours and just under 8 hours on the tablet. The keyboard will clearly extend that battery life, and you may simply use the Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 while plugged in, extending battery life even additional.
The Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 performed pretty nicely when benchmarked on Sunspider, Kraken and PCMark 8. The device scored 438.7 ms on Sunspider and 2,167.5 ms on Kraken, where a lower rating is preferential.
The ThinkPad Helix scored 2,700 work and 1,906 conventional on PCMark 8, which checks how the gadget features in specific user cases, and where a better rating is best.
The scores are pretty impressive and put the Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 a cut above most other convertibles. For instance, the Microsoft Surface 3 scored 1,571 work and 1,282 conventional on PCMark 8, 556.6 ms on Sunspider and 3,950.2 ms on Kraken.
The Intel integrated graphics imply that the Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 is not a serious gaming machine, however it’s greater than powerful enough for office and productivity duties and we did not notice any serious efficiency issues.
If a tablet for business use is what you want, however you would not thoughts one that you could additionally use as a regular computer when docked, then the Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 is a sweet offering.