It is always exciting to receive a package from Lenovo containing something new to review.
The box was not much larger than a ream of copy paper, but what was inside the presentation box was a real beauty: a new Champagne-colored Yoga 900.
I love the exterior colors and details, from the Champagne-colored case and famous watchband hinge to the platinum-colored logos and trackpad trim. As I learned with my Yoga 3 Pro, the hinge, allowing for laptop, tablet, stand, and tent modes is a design exclusive to Lenovo.
A few specs:
The Yoga 900 is the world’s thinnest Intel Core 1 convertible at 14.9mm, 1.29kg. It can be ordered with up to 16 GB RAM.
The unit that I received had the following:
Processor: 2.60 gigahertz Intel 6th gen Intel Core CPU i7-6500U
Intel HD Graphics
Memory: 8098 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory
Keyboard: 6 row keyboard that includes a dedicated Function row. This has been improved for better productivity.
PCI SSD technology 256.06 GB Ports: 2xUSB3.0, 1xDC-in with USB 2.0 function, 4in1 card reader (SD,MMC,SDXC,SDHC),
Watchband hinge seems to have more tension and moves better between modes.
Display: 3200×1800 QHD+ IPS with touch capability
Webcam: 720p, 30FPS
Dimensions: 324 x 325 x 14.9 mm
Audio:JBL Speakers with Dolby Home Theater v4
Battery: While the Yoga 900 is 14% thicker than my Yoga 3 Pro, it has 50% more battery density to provide an estimated 9 hours of battery real life use, as compared to fewer hours on the previous generation.
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The following are pre-installed applications that can be used or removed based on the needs of the user:
Windows 10 Pro
Lenovo applications:
One Key Recovery
Lenovo Utility
CCSDK
Lenovo Experience Improvement
Lenovo Companion
Lenvo Photo Master
Lenovo SHAREit
Lenovo REACHit
Lenovo Solution Center
Lenovo User Guide
McAfee Security
There was also a trial of Microsoft Office on the Yoga 900. I configured things to my liking, removed the Office trial and installed Microsoft Office 16 Pro Plus. Following that I installed my security applications, and my old Jasc PaintShop Pro 8.1 that was developed way back in the day for Windows XP. I was surprised to see that even though there are some processes that it cannot do on Windows 10, it will meet my needs for now. Ever since PSP Pro version 7 I have been a PSP user for 15 years. However, for the professional artist or power user it would be advisable to move up to a more recent version – perhaps Corel PaintShop Pro X or later, Adobe PhotoShop, or one of the applications reviewed here: http://graphic-design-software-review.toptenreviews.com/
I did not have any pending art projects, so I decided to try my hand at hacking the Lenovo logo with PaintShop Pro. It served me well on Windows 10 and with Yoga’s 3200 x 1800 display the images were crystal clear. I really prefer working on Yoga because of that, as opposed to using another laptop that has a non-glare screen.
As one who has a tendency to spend too much time on artwork, and knowing that we were a few days into Fall, I decided to combine the modes of Yoga with some gardening and a shopping trip to find Fall flowers for the yard. If the Yoga had included a digitizer it may have made the job even easier — perhaps in a future version. I scanned a landscaping plan for my garden and combined that with my shopping list before making the trip to one of the best garden centers in the state.
Off we went to the garden center and greenhouse.
It was really convenient to have Yoga’s screen along to view both the list and plans at the same time — something that would have more difficult on my phone’s small screen.
After making my selections, Yoga and I returned home to work on some work in the garden and some fresh potting projects.
Shopping with the conveniences of Yoga 900 and Windows 10 was great fun. I am looking forward to finding more projects for the modes of Yoga.
Disclosure: Lenovo sent me this product as part of the Lenovo Community Advocates program and did not provide additional compensation. All opinions are my own.