Lenovo ThinkPad Helix

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Reviews for the Lenovo ThinkPad Helix

Lenovo's ThinkPad Helix
Source: ITNews Australia Archive.org version
For all the Helix’s talents, there’s still room for improvement. The docking mechanism is the first quibble: it works fine, but it’s a long way from perfection. Once docked, the tablet is held securely, but you have to make a concerted effort to align the two guide tabs every time you slot it into place.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 11/12/2013

67% Review: Lenovo ThinkPad Helix
Source: PC Authority Archive.org version
For the select few who can afford it, the ThinkPad Helix makes a convincing case for the business hybrid. Our advice is to wait patiently for a second-generation, Haswell-equipped model, but if you’re lucky enough to have an IT budget that can cope with the expense, this multitalented machine is sure to impress.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 10/03/2013
Rating: Total score: 67% price: 67% performance: 67% features: 83% workmanship: 83%

60% Lenovo ThinkPad Helix review: a good hybrid Windows tablet and laptop
Source: Tech Advisor Archive.org version
The Lenovo ThinkPad Helix is a good effort at a hybrid Windows tablet and laptop. However, it's extremely high price tag means that if wanted such a device we’d have to recommend the Surface Pro as a better value alternative – it's less than half the price.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/02/2013
Rating: Total score: 60% price: 40% performance: 70% features: 80% workmanship: 80%

30% Lenovo ThinkPad Helix
Source: Wired Magazine Archive.org version
WIRED Performs well if graphics aren’t on the menu. Keyboard is outstanding on a unit this size. TIRED Wildly overpriced. Designed by lunatics. Docking system is a complicated and homely mess. Runs blazing hot, bring gauze.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 08/12/2013
Rating: Total score: 30%

80% Lenovo ThinkPad Helix review: A versatile but expensive Ultrabook/tablet hybrid
Source: PC World Archive.org version
If a high-performance tablet is all you need, note that Microsoft recently slashed the price of its 128GB Surface Pro to $899. But that tablet’s screen is an inch smaller, and you’ll need to add $130 to get the Type Cover keyboard (which, in addition to being inferior to the Helix’s, lacks a trackpad).
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 08/08/2013
Rating: Total score: 80%

60% Lenovo ThinkPad Helix review
Source: APC Mag Archive.org version
The Lenovo ThinkPad Helix is a cutting-edge, ultraportable business laptop with one rather special twist. In an effort to make the touchscreen as usable as possible, the Helix can separate in half and be used as a standalone tablet. While it’s powerful, flexible and well built, the ThinkPad Helix is a very expensive option — the street price is around $2,500.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 08/08/2013
Rating: Total score: 60%

6% Lenovo ThinkPad Helix review
Source: PC Pro Archive.org version
For the select few who can afford it, the ThinkPad Helix makes a convincing case for the business hybrid. Our advice is to wait patiently for a second-generation, Haswell-equipped Helix, but if you’re lucky enough to have an IT budget that can cope with the expense, this multi-talented machine is sure to impress.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/25/2013
Rating: Total score: 6% price: 67% performance: 67% features: 83% workmanship: 83%

Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 'Rip & Flip' Convertible Review
Source: Hot Hardware Archive.org version
The idea of combining a Windows 8 tablet with a keyboard dock to create an ultrabook isn’t completely new, but we feel Lenovo did a good job at implementing this concept with the ThinkPad Helix. We also appreciate the fact that you can turn the tablet around and still attach it to the keyboard dock to use in stand mode or tablet plus mode for additional battery life.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/22/2013

Lenovo ThinkPad Helix Ultrabook: Your new summer convertible?
Source: Reg Hardware Archive.org version
Still, it seems like Lenovo has the right idea with this combo and a more laid-back revision with a Haswell processor would be hard to ignore. One thing that can't be overlooked, though, is the price. And with last year's chip in there, even though it is a Core i7, and a BTO Sony Vaio Duo 11 with identical spec for £500 less, the cost of the Helix seems like a big ask.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/19/2013

60% Lenovo ThinkPad Helix
Source: Computer Shopper Archive.org version
As one of the few 11.6-inch, detachable ultrabook/tablets on the market, it's too bad the Helix lacks a 4th Gen Intel CPU and an SD slot. But it's saved by a fantastic keyboard and a touch pad and stylus good for Windows 8.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/16/2013
Rating: Total score: 60%

80% Lenovo ThinkPad Helix
Source: It Pro Archive.org version
One of the best Windows 8 hybrids on the market, but it comes at a high price. The ThinkPad Helix performs provides good performance with the x86 architecture without sacrificing battery life. Coupled with the excellent keyboard from the trusted ThinkPad range, it's a well crafted all-round machine.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/16/2013
Rating: Total score: 80%

80% Lenovo ThinkPad Helix review
Source: IT Reviews Archive.org version
One of the better detachable hybrid tablets on the market, the Lenovo ThinkPad Helix gives the corporate IT buyer a prime option for their highly mobile workforce. This could be the best choice if you need both laptop and tablet functionality.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/13/2013
Rating: Total score: 80%

80% Lenovo ThinkPad Helix
Source: PC Mag Archive.org version
At over $1,600, you will have to pay for the level of innovation and performance found in the Lenovo ThinkPad Helix. Though dear for a run of the mill consumer, this isn't out of line for the corporate or SMB buyer that is the target audience of this novel system. It's also a good fit for the higher education business school student, since you can rip and flip the screen around to show a presentation to your study group. If you absolutely need the portability of a tablet, need Windows 8 (as opposed to Android or iOS), and positively need a comfortable keyboard and multiple pointing options, then the ThinkPad Helix is a prime choice. The Microsoft Surface Pro holds on to its Editors' Choice for Windows 8 tablets for now, however, due to its better price point and portability, but consider that position challenged.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 07/11/2013
Rating: Total score: 80%

Lenovo ThinkPad Helix review
Source: Engadget Archive.org version
Even six months after it was originally announced, the ThinkPad Helix is the most innovative Windows 8 tablet hybrid we can think of. In a way, though, "innovative" is a backhanded compliment, at least in this case where the design is somewhat awkward. As it happens, we enjoy being able to flip the tablet portion over and have the display facing outwards for presentations and such.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/04/2013

Lenovo ThinkPad Helix Review
Source: Slashgear Archive.org version
If you’ve been eying something like the Surface Pro, the Helix is a much better choice. It delivers tons of options, better battery life, and a keyboard that is actually useful in a way that you’ll feel comfortable. The ThinkPad Helix really does a lot of things ok, but nothing extremely well. And that’s the sad truth. In a way the device is in a league of its own simply for the fact that it’s a laptop, tablet, extended tablet, and the keyboard delivers extra battery life. Lenovo has an awesome idea and product here, it just needs some more time in the design department. We have a feeling business execs that need a one device for all scenarios could see the price as being worth it, but general consumers might not feel the same. We’d recommend trying it at a nearby store before taking the plunge.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/04/2013

80% Lenovo ThinkPad Helix review
Source: V3.co.uk Archive.org version
Overall, we found the ThinkPad Helix an impressive hybrid tablet, but the very nature of its two-in-one design makes it heavier than an ultrabook with the same screen size would be. The usual drawback of internal batteries also applies, which means you cannot carry a spare battery to swap in, although with nine or 10 hours battery life, this will be less of an issue than with some systems.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/03/2013
Rating: Total score: 80%

75% Lenovo ThinkPad Helix
Source: Mobile Tech Review Archive.org version
The Lenovo ThinkPad Helix is a versatile, powerful and well built transformer tablet-Ultrabook. It has the computing performance to handle Adobe Photoshop, software development, RAW photo editing and more and the Wacom digitizer with pen sets it apart from touch-only tablets. We adore the excellent keyboard and solid touchpad, as well as the secondary battery in the dock.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/02/2013
Rating: Total score: 75%

78% A business hybrid with an executive price
Source: CNet Archive.org version
There's a lot to like about the Lenovo ThinkPad Helix. The engineers at Lenovo have come up with the best detachable docking hybrid system I've seen (although there may be no solution to the fact that these docking hinges are just inherently clunky). It feels sturdier and more reliable than many other hybrids, and the double battery system offers flexibility for longer work days.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/01/2013
Rating: Total score: 78% performance: 80% mobility: 70%

80% Lenovo ThinkPad Helix Review
Source: Digital Trends Archive.org version
With the Helix, Lenovo delivers perhaps the best-designed and versatile Windows 8 convertible we’ve seen yet. Thanks to an excellent keyboard and a well-executed touchpad, it works great as a laptop. It’s a bit hefty as a tablet, but the 1080p IPS screen looks good. With the included stylus, many people will appreciate pen input.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 06/29/2013
Rating: Total score: 80%

70% Lenovo Thinkpad Helix review
Source: Techradar Archive.org version
In terms of functionality, the ThinkPad Helix is one of the best convertible ultrabooks out there. It's decently powerful, has capable battery life and a keyboard that can actually get some typing done. It also has a 1080p display that's perfect for unwinding with Netflix. If you truly want a Windows 8 convertible ultrabook that's more functional than a Surface Pro, then the ThinkPad Helix is the way to go. However, we think you and your wallet would be better served by Microsoft's tablet or two separate machines. Save the money and put it towards a chiropractor; settle for two devices until Lenovo or someone else perfects this design and gets the price right.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 06/27/2013
Rating: Total score: 70%

80% Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 11.6-inch Hybrid Laptop PC
Source: Comp Reviews Archive.org version
Lenovo's hybrid tablet and laptop design of the ThinkPad Helix will certainly appeal to those that want the mobility of the tablet but a better keyboard and running time that its docked mode can provide. The dock in particular provides it with one of the best keyboards out there for a convertible system and its battery life is one par with many of the better ultrabooks.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 06/26/2013
Rating: Total score: 80%

70% Lenovo ThinkPad Helix Review
Source: Laptop Mag Archive.org version
With a gorgeous display, above-average performance and long battery life, the Lenovo ThinkPad Helix is a solid choice Windows 8 notebook-tablet hybrid for business users. This being Lenovo, the Helix also has one of the best keyboards we've used in a tablet hybrid.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 06/21/2013
Rating: Total score: 70%

80% Lenovo ThinkPad Helix convertible Ultrabook
Source: Good Gear Guide Archive.org version
At around $2600, the Lenovo ThinkPad Helix is not a cheap hybrid, and most of us who have become spoiled by ultra-cheap laptops might balk at the price. However, it's a high quality product that offers responsive performance, in addition to a user comfort level that we think is very valuable.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 05/14/2013
Rating: Total score: 80%

Foreign Reviews

90% Lenovo ThinkPad Helix
Source: PCM NL→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 11/15/2013
Rating: Total score: 90%

83% Lenovo ThinkPad Helix
Source: Benchmark.pl PL→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/08/2013
Rating: Total score: 83% performance: 100% display: 100% mobility: 100% workmanship: 100% ergonomy: 90% emissions: 80%

ОБЗОР LENOVO THINKPAD HELIX: ТРАНСФОРМЕР БИЗНЕС-КЛАССА
Source: Hi-Tech Mail RU→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Good battery life; decent display quality; excellent keyboard; comfortable touchpad. Negative: High price.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/18/2013

Lenovo ThinkPad Helix: a második generáció
Source: Prohardver.hu HU→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Very good FHD IPS display; quite stable case; good keyboard; low power consumption. Negative: Cheap look; poor speakers; poor cameras.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 02/19/2015

评ThinkPad Helix：异形设计 性能普通
Source: enet.com.cn zh-CN→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Perfect display; long battery life.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 07/01/2013

Comment

Model:

The age of multi-tasking is being met with devices that can take multiple forms. The Lenovo ThinkPad Helix is another ultrabook that can transform to a tablet seamlessly. It offers multiple modes: laptop, tablet, stand and tablet+. The elegant high gloss front bezel and full black device is an eye pleaser. The iconic ThinkPad keyboard is also present and comes with a sturdy hinge. Display on the Lenovo ThinkPad Helix is an 11.6 inch 400-nit Corning Gorilla glass IPS display which renders clear crisp images with good contrast.

The ultrabook takes full advantage of the Windows 8 UI with its ten-finger touch capability. There is also additional support for the optional digitizer pen. Hardware specs consist of an Intel Core i5-3337U dual-core processor clocked at 2.0 GHz, 4 GB DDR3 RAM, integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 and 128 GB SSD. The Lenovo ThinkPad Helix has a 2 MP front facing camera and a 5 MP rear facing camera with LED flash.

Audio quality is superb with dual stereo speakers powered with Dolby Home Theatre technology. Other features on the device include Thunderbolt, USB 3.0, USB 2.0, Bluetooth, built-in microphone and Eraserhead. The entire package weighs in at 1,63 kg. The Lithium-Ion battery can provide up to 6 hours of usage which is pretty decent.

Intel HD Graphics 4000: Processor graphics card in the high end Ivy Bridge models. Offers a different clock speed in the different CPU models (ULV to desktop quad core) and therefore a different performance.

Non demanding games should be playable with these graphics cards.

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.

3427U: Fast Ivy-Bridge-based ULV-CPU in Q2 2012. Offers a core clock of 1.8 - 2.8 GHz and an HD 4000 GPU (350 - 1150 MHz). The TDP is rated at 17 W.» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.

11.60":

This is a standard display format for tablet computers or small convertibles. You see more on the screen than on a smartphone but you can't use big resolutions well. On the other hand, mobility is not a problem.

Lenovo: Lenovo ("Le" from English legend, novo (Latin) for new) was founded in 1984 as a Chinese computer trading company. As of 2004, the company was the largest laptop manufacturer in China and, after acquiring IBM's PC division in 2005, the fourth largest in the world. In addition to desktops and notebooks, the company manufactures monitors, projectors, servers, etc, and specializes in developing, manufacturing and marketing consumer electronics, personal computers, software, enterprise solutions and related services.

In 2016, the company ranked first in the world in computer sales. It still held it in 2023 with about 23% global market share. Important product lines are Thinkpad, Legion and Ideapad.

In 2011, it acquired a majority stake in Medion AG, a European computer hardware manufacturer. In 2014, Motorola Mobility was purchased, which gave Lenovo a boost in the smartphone market.

69.45%: This rating is poor. More than three quarters of the models are rated better. That is rather not a purchase recommendation. Even if verbal ratings in this area do not sound that bad ("sufficient" or "satisfactory"), they are usually euphemisms that disguise a classification as a below-average laptop.

» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.

Devices with the same GPU and/or Screen Size

Devices with the same GPU