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Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga vs. Yoga Pro 2: Spec Showdown

lenovo debuts yoga 2 lets business get limber with thinkpad lenovoyoga2 1
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Before Lenovo released its iconic Yoga convertible laptop nearly a year ago, the gadget maker was largely known for one thing: ThinkPads. It’s only logical then that Lenovo would combine two of its best-selling products into one magical device. At IFA 2013 in Berlin, Lenovo did just that with the brand-new ThinkPad Yoga. 

Lenovo’s new Yoga lineup features two new convertibles: the Yoga 2 Pro, successor to the original flip and fold 13.3-inch Yoga, and the new ThinkPad Yoga, built to take business users to new heights with its multimode design and business-heavy features. How do the two newest members of the Yoga family stack up against each other? Check out the comparison table below:

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Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga

(13-inch)

ThinkPad Yoga Final 

Lenovo Yoga Pro 2

(13-inch)

Yoga Pro 2 Final (Again)
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Dimensions 12.4” x 8.7” x 0.74″ 12.99″ x 8.66″ x 0.61″
Weight 3.48 pounds

3.06 pounds

Keyboard Backlit Backlit 
Processor 4th-gen Intel Core i7 ULT 4th-gen Intel Core i7 ULT
RAM 8GB DDR3L 8GB DDR3L
Graphics Integrated Intel HD Graphics Integrated Intel HD Graphics
Screen Size 12.5″ diagonal 13.3″ diagonal
Resolution 1920 x 1080 3200 x 1800
Storage Up to 1 TB 512 GB SSD
Networking NFC “Tap to do,” DC-in OneLink 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0
Ports USB 3.0 x 2, mini-HDMI USB 3.0 x 1, USB 2.0 x 1, micro HDMI-out
Webcam Integrated 720p HD Camera Integrated 720p HD Camera
Operating System Windows 8.1 Windows 8.1
Battery Life 5.3 hours 9 hours
Price $949.99 $1,099.99
Availability
November
October

As you can see, the ThinkPad Yoga and the Yoga Pro 2 have more in common than you might think. Both offer 8GB of DDR3L memory, similar graphics components, and an identical processor. USB 3.o ports come standard on both machines, as does Windows 8.1 and the integrated 720p HD camera, but the Yoga Pro 2 seems to have the upper hand when it comes to battery life and screen quality (Lenovo even claims the PC boasts the highest resolution currently offered on the market).

However, the ThinkPad is more tailored for the business executive and those looking to give rigorous presentations. Fittingly, it offers the kind of robust space you’d expect for computer housing a treasure trove of important documents and business-tailored applications. It also comes equipped with a “lift and lock” component for adjusting the keyboard height based on how the system is used. For those familiar with the previous Yogas, in tablet mode, the keyboard keys are still able to be pressed down, which is a disconcerting feeling. The new “lift and lock” technology in the ThinkPad actually moves the base of the keyboard upward, moving the keys downward, essentially locking them in place so that the user won’t feel the keys moving under their fingers when in tablet mode. 

The Yoga Pro 2 is lighter and more attractive than its predecessor, and it’s seemingly more optimized than the ThinkPad Yoga for gorgeous viewing regardless of whether the machine is in tablet or laptop mode. There’s also very little price difference between the models, making choosing which is right for you that much tougher. Stay tuned for full reviews.

Drew Prindle
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Drew Prindle is an award-winning writer, editor, and storyteller who currently serves as Senior Features Editor for Digital…
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