14 DAY TRIAL // Back at IFA 2014, Lenovo rolled out the ThinkPad Helix 2 Ultrabook, as a replacement for its original ThinkPad Helix model which came equipped with an 11.6-inch HD 1080p IPS display and drew life from a 3rd-gen Intel Core processor (up to i7).
Back then Lenovo promised it would be making the convertible available for purchase in time for the holiday seasons, and the company is keeping true to its word and is offering the 2-in-1 for purchase starting this week.
Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 can be ordered
The base model for the Helix 2 starts at $979 / €779 which is much more affordable than the 2013 model, which had a starting price of $1679 / €1337 when it first arrived on the market.
It’s interesting to note that with the Helix 2, Lenovo is skipping a step in terms of internal upgrades. The new tablet/laptop hybrid won’t be taking advantage of the Haswell platform, but instead it will rely on Intel’s new Broadwell-based Core M chips.
The Helix 2 is basically a tablet coming with a docking keyboard that allows customers to use the device as a laptop. An entry level arrives with an 11.6-inch display with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution and an Intel Core M 5Y10 processor fitted with 4GB of RAM, 128GB of internal storage.
The model also comes equipped with 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and an active digitizer plus digital pen of the Wacom variety.
The hybrid’s keyboard is a magnetic accessory that connects to the display via small pins located at the bottom (so no Bluetooth activity involved).
Lenovo offers a more advanced variant too
For more demanding customers who like their convertible to be a little faster, Lenovo has a more advanced version waiting for you, coming equipped with a Core M 5Y70 processor, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage.
The Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 is among the first machines to come equipped with Intel’s new Core M platform, an architecture which makes use of a little more power than Atom processors, but offer in return better CPU and graphics performance.
The specification list is completed by a microSD card slot, USB 3.0 ports, micro HDMI output and stereo speakers. Snap the keyboard on and you’ll get a USB 2.0 port, two more speakers and an additional battery.
Battery life is also impacted, positively, so in tablet mode the Helix 2 should last you up to 8 hours, while in laptop mode customers should squeeze up to 12 hours of run time.
