Announcement of new products from Lenovo – ThinkPad Helix was quite promising, because in a laptop is simply impossible not to draw attention so interesting is the model. The gadget is a niche luxury notebooks that demonstrate the taste and social status of their owners.
Lenovo ThinkPad Helix is an outstanding representative of business-class laptops. The symbiosis of excellent design, functionality and good performance make it appealing to many potential buyers. However, it should be noted that the price of this gadget is quite kusyuchaya (average cost on the official website – $ 2,000). Whether the quality of a price? Try to understand.
Design
Appearance Lenovo ThinkPad Helix unlikely lovers of chic glamor – he is restrained and austere. Minimalism in detail and build quality do not give reason to doubt that this gadget is a reliable assistant.
The main material is a hybrid of soft-touch plastic, which is made from the upper body and the docking keyboard. Of course, given the cost, instead, would like to see aluminum, but even with such a coating transformer looks stylish and expensive. There is a downside: This type of plastic is quite easily soiled, so be prepared for the fact that the prints on the ThinkPad Helix will be encountered everywhere.
The upper part of the device – display with rounded edges. The disadvantage of the tablet can be recognized unless its thickness, which is as much as 20 mm.
Docking keyboard is undoubtedly an important element of the notebook ThinkPad Helix. In this case, it is a very convenient input device. It contains a touchpad, trackpoint, and some ports.
As for the strength of the structure ThinkPad Helix, here the quality is not in doubt: the loop connecting the upper and lower part of the gadget is quite tight with one hand and open the laptop is unlikely to succeed. Needless mount done their best, it includes a number of levers that prevent backlash.
Given the same size and weight of the tablet and keyboard (296x187x20 mm, 840 g) in the form of a connected advantage top of the device is missing and it’s great because like many similar models often guilty of this problem. However, the dimensions of the gadget are its shortcomings, because whatever you say, a lot of high-end ultrabook easily compete with obzrevaemoy model, placing less weight and less impressive forms.
If we talk about connecting the tablet to a docking station, everything is easy. If the dock is not necessary, costing just click on the button to the left, pull the slider up and dock easily otstegnet. It is also easy with locks it back into place.
Display, audio and webcam
The tablet Lenovo ThinkPad Helix has a 11.6-inch glossy screen with a resolution of Full HD. The display is made by IPS-technology and, therefore, for the excellent color reproduction can not help worrying. It is impossible not to note the excellent viewing angles through which the display at a deviation in any direction not lost its brightness and contrast. By the way, as the manufacturer says, the brightness of the tablet is 400 nits, which in itself is very good. The only thing that the automatic brightness setting is not always exposes the optimal value, sometimes it simply may not be enough for comfortable operation.
The sensor display also has good features: fast and accurate response, and the number of false positives is zero. As for the size of the elements on the plate, if the user is not large enough it seems, because uncomfortable for depression, you can use the stylus that comes with the Lenovo ThinkPad Helix. By the way, the stylus is perfectly complement the functionality of the display, because with its help on the screen, you can perform various commands, typing on the virtual keyboard, and even paint. Very convenient is the fact that the tablet is specially reserved for the stylus hole, which means that it will always be with you without the risk of losing him.
Another interesting feature of this gadget is that it can be rotated 180 degrees, thereby setting the screen outwardly. This feature is useful, for example, if you want something to show in a slide show.
The tablet is equipped with two web cameras: the front with a resolution of 2 megapixels, which is created, by and large, video-conferencing or chat.
And back with a resolution of 5 megapixels. She, in turn, will help to create the pictures and videos are quite good.
Model ThinkPad Helix has two stereo speakers with support for Dolby Home Theater v4. Unfortunately, expect good sound quality is not necessary. Due to the small size of the speakers, they are not capable of delivering high volume, and frequency range they are very narrow, so in this case it would be appropriate to use headphones or speakers. By the way, rocker volume control located on the right side of the device.
Keyboard and Touchpad
Docking keyboard laptop ThinkPad Helix is typical for all models of Lenovo. It is a full-size, island-type, which means that the keys, there is enough space for a full and comfortable working with them. Buttons trapezoidal shape, slightly rounded. Pleasantly surprised by the turnout block: it’s big enough so accidentally hurt nearby keys almost impossible. It is impossible not to mention the fact that the keyboard is spill-resistant ThinkPad Helix, so do not worry about accidentally spilled liquid on it.
It is expected that the manufacturer has equipped this model keyboard trackpoint, which is used for navigation. He is very sensitive and uniquely responsive to their delight anyone who has used to enjoy this cherished red button.
The moment that may not like the potential buyer is the weight of the keyboard. As mentioned above, it is heavy, due to the presence inside the battery. However, on the other hand it is a good thing, because due to its massiveness, the keyboard does not flex and do not falter. In general, the design of the keyboard and its build quality can be called excellent, but not perfect because of the lack of illumination at a high enough value transformer.
Clearly the center is located under the keyboard touchpad. The first thing that catches your eye – its size. He’s big and it’s impossible not to note, given the compactness of the Lenovo ThinkPad Helix. The surface of the touch pad is smooth. Furthermore, there are no dead zones, enabling the user to use the entire surface of the pad.
Performance
Lenovo ThinkPad Helix comes with a 64-bit operating system Windows 8. And it is quite reasonable, because this operating system is ideal for touch. In addition, the filling gadget includes a dual-core Intel Core i5-3337U-generation Ivy Bridge processor with a clock frequency of 1.8 GHz and a cache in the third level in the amount of 3 MB. With the support Turbo Boost mode operating frequency of the processor can be increased up to 2.7 GHz. It should be noted that such equipment is not the only one in the other configurations, the laptop can be equipped with older processor – Intel Core i7-3667U.
This gadget also has built-in video card Intel HD Graphics 4000, which supports DirectX 11 and executed on 22 nm process technology. Given that we are not dealing with a gaming laptop, you require him to discrete graphics card does not make any sense. However, the existing video card would be sufficient to perform undemanding tasks that are designed and ThinkPad Helix.
The RAM is 4GB standard DDR3-1333 MHz, but in other trim levels is possible maximum capacity up to 8GB. As regards storage, in this case we have SSD 128GB. If for some this is not enough, there is a version with a more capacious drive at 180 GB.
Ports and Communications
Location interfaces in Lenovo ThinkPad Helix has been very unusual. In the tablet ports are located in the lower part, respectively, if the tablet and keyboard dock are assembled, then access is closed. Among the available interfaces, there can be mentioned port USB 2.0, Mini DisplayPort, the SIM-card that allows you to work on a 3G network and the power supply connector.
At the top of the tablet has a special attachment for the stylus, and the key lock screen.
On the right side you can see the end of the tablet volume rocker, which I mentioned above, the auto rotation lock button and headphone output.
The left side end is empty.
Lenovo strange tendency to place the ports not the best way to spread ThinkPad Helix and docking keyboard. On its rear panel, there are two ports USB 3.0, another Mini DisplayPort and power connector. This is more than modest.
As for the wireless technology, the Lenovo ThinkPad Helix is equipped with Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi standard 802.11 b / g / n technology and Near Field Communication (NFC). By the way, this technology makes it possible to exchange data between gadgets, which are located at a distance of no more than 10 inches apart. The main application – is committed to using the technology of non-cash purchases, where are contactless payments.
Battery and Heating
In this model, set 3-cell lithium-polymer battery with 42 Wh in the plate, and 4-cell battery with 28 Wh – in the docking keyboard. As the manufacturer says, in a symbiotic relationship that is in notebook mode, battery life, according to the manufacturer, up to 10 hours. If the tablet used alone, it does not suffice for more than 6 hours. And these figures are very real, as ULV-CPU with integrated graphics have a TDP of 17 watts.
The downside of such a good stuffing is quite a high level of heat, as the tablet (as it is set in the flatbed portion of the device). Foreseeing this outcome, the manufacturer posted a ThinkPad Helix enough fans for good heat dissipation. Thus, in addition to the tests in the tablet, there is a couple of fans in the docking station. However, the gadget is heated very noticeable in both idle and during exercise. Apparently producers rely more on the use of the device in laptop mode, where there is no heating part.
Verdict
Of course, to call Lenovo ThinkPad Helix breakthrough of the year is difficult, but the transformer is undoubtedly an interesting specimen. It combines the functionality of a laptop and a tablet, which means that he is very mobile. Powerful stuffing, and of good quality construction make this a desirable model for many business users, which, in fact, she calculated. Potential buyers will appreciate the quality and unique display and a good keyboard and decent stuffing. The only thing that can be a barrier to purchase – the price of $ 1,900, is not available to everyone.
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