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Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 14 Convertible Review

For work and play. The successful 12.5-inch ThinkPad Yoga has now spawned a 14-inch model with dedicated GeForce graphics. Lenovo has engineered this convertible to adapt to any situation both at the office and at home. Can this versatile solution replace that old ThinkPad or aging family computer?

Last year's 12-inch ThinkPad Yoga was great; It successfully combined key benefits from both the business-oriented ThinkPad series and the consumer-oriented Yoga series to create an attractive hybrid model that can appeal to both types of buyers. This year, Lenovo is going bigger and better with the 14-inch ThinkPad Yoga 14.

There is only one configuration available as of this writing and this includes a Core i5-4210U CPU, 1080p IPS display, GeForce GT 840M GPU, 8 GB DDR3L RAM, and a 1 TB 5400 RPM HDD with 16 GB SSD cache for $1099. While we can't confirm that more configurations will be on sale in the future, we would be surprised if more aren't on the way due to the success and favorable reviews of the smaller 12-inch model. The ThinkPad Yoga 14 will be riding on this achievement, but at the same time there are now more similarly-sized competitive models in the market in the same price range. We find out in this review just how well this ThinkPad-Yoga hybrid holds up to the competition and the evident drawbacks compared to a dedicated ThinkPad or Yoga model.

Case

Right away the ThinkPad Yoga 14 leaves a very good impression. The chassis is Mil-Spec tested and nearly identical to the 12-inch ThinkPad Yoga including the strong magnesium alloy body and placement of ports with slightly modified dual-hinges to accommodate the larger and heavier display. The matte dark gray surfaces all-around are akin to a ThinkPad, but the looks and feel of the Yoga 14 are closer to the Yoga series as the model lacks the slightly textured sharp and boxy aspects of a dedicated ThinkPad. The edge-to-edge glossy glass display, for example, is a dead giveaway that this is no traditional ThinkPad. Nonetheless, the Yoga 14 shows better resistance to twists and depressions on all corners and surfaces than a dedicated Yoga. A couple of areas could be better, however, including the centers of the keyboard and outer lid where the surfaces can still warp from moderate pressure. This certainly makes us miss the roll cage that is now becoming less prevalent on recent ThinkPads.

At 20.3 mm thick, the Yoga 14 is just slightly thinner than the more traditional ThinkPad T440 (21 mm), yet still thicker than the 14-inch Sony Vaio Flip 14A convertible by half a millimeter. Its weight of about 1.9 kg is also very similar to the Sony and quite heavy for the size as it is surprisingly heavier than the ThinkPad T440 (1.7 kg) and, of course, 14-inch Ultrabooks like the HP Folio 1040 (1.5 kg) and Toshiba Tecra Z40T (1.6 kg). This makes the Yoga 14 less fit for on-the-go tablet use and Lenovo seems to even discourage it as the manufacturer does not include a stylus with the Yoga 14 in contrast to the built-in stylus found on last year's 12-inch model.

The added weight does make the notebook feel well-made with no unintended creaks or crevices between materials when switching between its multiple modes. Flipping the display is quick and easy with strong hinges on all angles. We appreciate the attention to detail from Lenovo as evident by the automatic Lift n' Lock keys and the rubber footing on the front edge of the unit for better stability in Tent mode. Other convertibles with similar 360 degree hinges like the Toshiba Radius P50W do not have either of these features.

Hybrid ThinkPad-Yoga chassis
Hybrid ThinkPad-Yoga chassis
Smooth magnesium alloy frame
Smooth magnesium alloy frame
Hinges allow 360 degrees of rotation
Hinges allow 360 degrees of rotation
344 mm / 13.5 inch 236 mm / 9.29 inch 29 mm / 1.142 inch 2.1 kg4.66 lbs338 mm / 13.3 inch 231 mm / 9.09 inch 31.4 mm / 1.236 inch 2.1 kg4.55 lbs343 mm / 13.5 inch 255 mm / 10 inch 22.4 mm / 0.882 inch 1.9 kg4.27 lbs340 mm / 13.4 inch 235 mm / 9.25 inch 24 mm / 0.945 inch 1.6 kg3.58 lbs338 mm / 13.3 inch 236 mm / 9.29 inch 22.1 mm / 0.87 inch 2.2 kg4.85 lbs337.8 mm / 13.3 inch 238.8 mm / 9.4 inch 20.3 mm / 0.799 inch 1.9 kg4.19 lbs333 mm / 13.1 inch 231 mm / 9.09 inch 22.9 mm / 0.902 inch 2 kg4.34 lbs331 mm / 13 inch 226 mm / 8.9 inch 21 mm / 0.827 inch 1.5 kg3.37 lbs297 mm / 11.7 inch 210 mm / 8.27 inch 1 mm / 0.03937 inch 5.7 g0.01257 lbs

Connectivity

Available interfaces include everything from the 12-inch ThinkPad Yoga model (including Lenovo's proprietary OneLink docking port) plus an additional USB 2.0 always-on port and a full-size HDMI-out port in place of mini-HDMI. All ports are easy to reach and none are on the rear due to the unique design of the hinges. One odd but notable omission is the Kensington Lock feature, which is available on the smaller 12-inch model. There is no LAN port at all either and Lenovo does not even include any LAN or VGA-out adapters that other manufacturers commonly throw in with their Ultrabooks, so users are limited to WLAN access.

Other essential features that hardcore ThinkPad or business users may notice missing include Smart Card readers, ExpressCard, fingerprint reader, and TPM for the additional layer of security.

Front: No connectivity
Front: No connectivity
Right: AC adapter + OneLink docking port, 1x USB 2.0 (always-on), 3.5 mm combo, card reader
Right: AC adapter + OneLink docking port, 1x USB 2.0 (always-on), 3.5 mm combo, card reader
Rear: No connectivity
Rear: No connectivity
Right: Power button, Volume rocker, Key lock, 2x USB 3.0, HDMI-out
Right: Power button, Volume rocker, Key lock, 2x USB 3.0, HDMI-out

Communication

Wireless connectivity is provided by an Intel wireless-AC 7260 M.2 module with built-in Bluetooth. This dual-band (2x2) adapter is capable of a theoretical 867 Mbps throughput (compared to 300 Mbps on wireless-n) and is becoming quite common on newer Ultrabooks as well. Unfortunately, there are no built-in WWAN or GPS features on the Yoga 14 that are commonly available as configurable options on dedicated ThinkPads and other business-oriented notebooks. NFC continues to be absent too, which is unfortunate as this feature could have boosted the versatility of the Yoga 14.

Accessories

Compatible with Lenovo OneLink Dock
Compatible with Lenovo OneLink Dock

Lenovo is very light on included accessories outside of the usual warranty card and Quick User Setup guide likely to encourage buyers to invest in the manufacturer's docking station solutions. Most notably, the ThinkPad Yoga 14 is compatible with the Lenovo OneLink Dock, which was released last year as an optional add-on for compatible ThinkPad models. The dock provides additional USB ports and the missing Gigabit LAN port as well. Additional details on the OneLink docking station can be found on our dedicated review of the unit here.

Warranty

As usual, Lenovo offer extensive coverage options for their lineup of notebooks. Outside of the base one-year limited warranty, users can add one-year of onsite service for $20 or a full four years of warranty with accidental damage protection for around $450. A few of the services, such as the Premium Support Services, appeal more to companies as they include annual subscriptions for network troubleshooting and security installations.

Input Devices

Keyboard

The chiclet keyboard (29 x 11.5 cm) is the standard AccuType fare that was introduced on the X1 Carbon and is now prevalent on newer ThinkPad models. Travel is only adequate as is common on Ultrabooks, but the plastic keys have good tactile feedback without being "mushy" or soft. The same cannot be said for the the PgUp, PgDn, and directional keys, unfortunately, as they are smaller in size, softer in feedback, and generally more difficult to use for larger fingers. Grease and fingerprints accumulate quite easily on the flat keys as well. The beveled keys of old still have the superior travel and feedback, but we can appreciate the continued improvements on the AccuType feel and style. The keys here certainly perform a bit more solidly than on Samsung's ultrathin Book 9 models and are also spill-resistant.

Like its smaller 12-inch sibling, the Yoga 14 offers a one-level keyboard backlight with Lift n' Lock to automatically depress and disable all keys when the display is pulled back past the 270 degree mark. Note that while the touchpad is automatically disabled in this state as well, it will not depress like the keyboard keys do. The keyboard can also be lifted and removed if needed, but the Lift n' Lock mechanism makes the keyboard more fragile during disassembly compared to older ThinkPads. 

Touchpad

The smooth glass touchpad is large (10 x 7.5 cm) and is essentially the same as the touchpad found on the 14-inch ThinkPad T440 and ThinkPad T440s. Thus, we find feedback and responsiveness to be above average with no cursor jumping or other bugs. Multitouch gestures in particular are especially easier to perform due to the larger surface area and the integrated mouse clicks are recognized reliably for the most part. It is indeed possible to click the touchpad without it registering onscreen, but only by clicking slowly on the bottom corners of the surface.

Accompanying the touchpad is the standard ThinkPad trackpoint. While the trackpoint itself works reliably, using the trackpoint in combination with the new touchpad is a little trickier compared to the touchpads on older ThinkPads. It's a trade-off that core ThinkPad users will need to become accustomed to.

Of course, the 10-point capacitive touchscreen will accept inputs as well. In this case, the screen responds swiftly and reliably without any notable bugs or issues. Fingerprints will accumulate quickly like on any other convertible touchscreen.

Chiclet keyboard with adequate travel
Chiclet keyboard with adequate travel
Large touchpad with integrated mouse keys
Large touchpad with integrated mouse keys
Arrow keys a bit too small with soft response
Arrow keys a bit too small with soft response

Display

The 1080p IPS display is very attractive on the Yoga 14 with crisp texts and colors and no distracting screen-door effect even when up close. Its panel ID - B140HAN01.3 - is not currently in any other notebook model in our database. Note that 1080p is the only option so far; There are no higher resolution panels available just yet unlike on the Yoga 3 Pro and X1 Carbon. The glossy bezel may turn off some users and the lack of matte options is understandable as the touchscreen features depend on the additional protection from the glass cover.

Display brightness is nearly 300 nits on average, though the right side of the display is marginally dimmer than the left according to our measurements. This isn't noticeable during daily use, but brightness uniformity could have certainly been better. Some backlight bleeding is noticeable along the bottom edges and corners of the screen as well when displaying black borders during widescreen movies or pictures. Nonetheless, a display brightness of 300 cd/m2 is about average for a convertible and is comparable to the Yoga 3 Pro. The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 and Sony Flip 14A are both slightly brighter with deeper black levels to boot.

285.6
cd/m²
292.3
cd/m²
274.4
cd/m²
304.4
cd/m²
298.9
cd/m²
267.1
cd/m²
303.9
cd/m²
298.8
cd/m²
251.6
cd/m²
Distribution of brightness
Lenovo LEN40A3, ID: B140HAN01.3 tested with X-Rite i1Pro Basic 2
Maximum: 304.4 cd/m² (Nits) Average: 286.3 cd/m²
Brightness Distribution: 83 %
Center on Battery: 304.4 cd/m²
Contrast: 772:1 (Black: 0.387 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 3.83 | 0.5-29.43 Ø5
ΔE Greyscale 3.83 | 0.57-98 Ø5.3
58.34% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
66.1% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
89.7% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
65.9% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.31

Color space reproduction is good at 79 percent and 58 percent of the sRGB and AdobeRGB spectrums, respectively. This is nearly identical to the ThinkPad T440s, but is only about 80 percent of the gamut of the Sony Flip 14A. Nonetheless, colors are much deeper than a standard budget TN panel where sRGB coverage is typically only around 60 percent.

vs. sRGB
vs. sRGB
vs. AdobeRGB
vs. AdobeRGB
vs. Vaio Flip 14A
vs. Vaio Flip 14A
vs. ThinkPad T440s
vs. ThinkPad T440s

Further display measurements with an X-Rite spectrophotometer reveal good color reproduction and grayscale out-of-the-box. In fact, color accuracy is quite consistent across all saturation levels which is not common amongst uncalibrated displays. Outside of professional digital artists, extreme color precision is not a high priority for the Yoga 14.

Grayscale pre-calibration
Grayscale pre-calibration
Saturation Sweeps pre-calibration
Saturation Sweeps pre-calibration
ColorChecker pre-calibration
ColorChecker pre-calibration
Grayscale post calibration
Grayscale post calibration
Saturation Sweeps post calibration
Saturation Sweeps post calibration
ColorChecker post calibration
ColorChecker post calibration

Outdoor usability is possible but not recommended under sunny or otherwise bright conditions. The backlight is not sufficiently bright enough to overcome the inevitable glare from the glossy display. The hinges do allow for more leeway to avoid the glare, but maximum display brightness under shade is recommended nonetheless. In this case, a brighter tablet or Ultrabook like the Surface Pro 3 or Dell XPS 13 is preferable for more comfortable extended outdoor use.

Glossy screen reduces outdoor usability
Glossy screen reduces outdoor usability
Viewing angles ThinkPad Yoga 14
Viewing angles ThinkPad Yoga 14

Viewing angles are excellent as expected from an IPS display. The screen is viewable in any orientation with no major color degradation that is common on TN panels. Apparent brightness takes a small dip when viewing from extreme angles, though this should not affect the sole user looking straight at the screen. Sharing the display with others nearby is also easy with the multiple modes available on the notebook.

Performance

Turbo Boost up to 2.7 GHz for one active core
Turbo Boost up to 2.7 GHz for one active core

The current and so far only configuration available houses an Intel Core i5-4210U with integrated HD 4400 graphics and a dedicated mid-range GeForce GT 840M graphics with 2 GB DDR3 VRAM. The dual-core CPU will run at 800 MHz if on the Power Saver profile, but will otherwise run at its base 1.7 GHz clock rate and up to 2.4 GHz if both cores are active. Similarly, the Maxwell GPU is automatically powered off when not needed and will run comfortably at 1124/1001 MHz core/memory when active, which is slightly above its base clock of 1029 MHz.

System RAM is provided by a single 8 GB Samsung PC3-12800 module. There is only one slot total for RAM and this is accessible underneath the notebook. This panel is unfortunately not very quick or user-friendly to remove compared to dedicated ThinkPads. It certainly takes a little practice and leverage around all corners and edges with a flathead screwdriver before the panel can be safely removed to reveal the system fan, 2.5-inch HDD, SODIMM slot, WLAN card, processors and heat sinks and the SSD cache.

System information Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 14

Processor

The i5-4210U is a common ULV Haswell CPU that can also be found on other popular notebooks like the IdeaPad Flex 2 15 and Envy 15 x360 convertible. Performance from the Yoga 14 CPU is in the same ballpark compared to these other devices. Its wPrime 1024m score of 657 seconds, for example, is similar to the IdeaPad Z50, while its single-core Super Pi 32m score of 730 seconds is similar to the Aspire V5-573G. These scores are only slightly better than the i5-4200U, which is just 100 MHz slower in clock rate. When compared to the previous Ivy Bridge generation, the i5-4210U is most similar in performance to the i5-3427U while operating at a lower TDP (15 W vs. 17 W) and slightly lower clock rate.

More information and benchmarks on the i5-4210U can be seen in our dedicated CPU page here.

CineBench R10 64-bit
CineBench R10 64-bit
CineBench R11.5 64-bit
CineBench R11.5 64-bit
CineBench R15 64-bit
CineBench R15 64-bit
Cinebench R10 Shading 64Bit
6049 Points
Cinebench R10 Rendering Multiple CPUs 64Bit
9902 Points
Cinebench R10 Rendering Single CPUs 64Bit
5122 Points
Cinebench R10 Shading 32Bit
5919
Cinebench R10 Rendering Multiple CPUs 32Bit
7545
Cinebench R10 Rendering Single 32Bit
3850
Cinebench R11.5 OpenGL 64Bit
39.58 fps
Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64Bit
2.52 Points
Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64Bit
1.02 Points
Cinebench R15 Ref. Match 64Bit
99.6 %
Cinebench R15 OpenGL 64Bit
57.8 fps
Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64Bit
232 Points
Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64Bit
87 Points
Help

System Performance

PCMark 7 places the ThinkPad Yoga 14 alongside other notebooks with dedicated GPUs like the Dell Inspiron 17R and HP Envy 15. Nonetheless, system performance feels a little on the slow side due to the 5400 RPM HDD. The PCMark 7 raw system storage score of only 683 points is much below the 12-inch ThinkPad Yoga and its 4686 points in the same benchmark. As such, the older and less powerful 12-inch ThinkPad Yoga scores around 1500 points higher in PCMark 7 overall.

Subjectively, the system runs noticeably slower than a system with a dedicated SSD. Software installations definitely take longer and the HDD is almost certainly bottlenecking the system. The 16 GB SSD cache does little in speeding up new applications. However, it does work as intended for commonly used applications as a second PCMark 7 run immediately following the first raised the final score from 3226 points to 3738 points with nearly double the raw system storage score.

PCMark 7
PCMark 7
PCMark 8 Creative
PCMark 8 Creative
PCMark 8 Home
PCMark 8 Home
PCMark 8 Work
PCMark 8 Work
PCMark 7 Score
3226 points
PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2
2628 points
PCMark 8 Creative Score Accelerated v2
2860 points
PCMark 8 Work Score Accelerated v2
3477 points
Help

Storage Devices

The 1 TB SATA III Western Digital Blue hard drive returns a favorable average transfer rate of 88 MB/s on HD Tune, which is very good for a 5400 RPM drive. In comparison, the 7200 RPM Hitachi drive in the Envy 15-3040nr scores a transfer rate of almost 93 MB/s in the same benchmark. A large number of 5400 RPM drives score well below the 80 MB/s mark. Access time, however, continues to be slow at more than 18 ms.

Users can switch out the 2.5-inch 1 TB drive with a 7 mm replacement. The 16 GB SSD cache from Sandisk can also be easily removed and replaced with another 42 mm M.2 solution. Booting from this drive should be possible for those who wish to install a larger M.2 SSD as a primary drive and a secondary 2.5-inch HDD for additional storage.

PCMark 8 Storage
PCMark 8 Storage
CrystalDiskMark
CrystalDiskMark
HD Tune
HD Tune
WDC WD10SPCX-08WST0 + SanDisk SSD U110 16 GB SSD Cache
Transfer Rate Minimum: 42.1 MB/s
Transfer Rate Maximum: 161.8 MB/s
Transfer Rate Average: 88.2 MB/s
Access Time: 18.3 ms
Burst Rate: 227.3 MB/s
CPU Usage: 6.7 %

Gaming Performance

The mid-range GeForce GT 840M is based on Nvidia's latest Maxwell architecture complete with 384 shaders, 24 TMUs, and 8 ROPs. Performance is roughly on par with the older 750M and 650M GPUs according to 3DMark 11 while consuming less power by an estimated 10 Watts. This allows the 840M to be in smaller notebooks compared to the 750M or 650M and still offer comparable performance.

While great for 720p gaming, playing games in Full HD will quickly tax the 840M and its narrow DDR3 VRAM bandwidth. The GPU simply cannot run advanced graphics features at 1080p with respectable frame rates. Playing modern 3D games at 1080p will demand the user to reduce all other graphical settings to near minimum. More casual titles like FIFA or Sims will run more comfortably at the native screen resolution with less frame rate issues.

More technical information and benchmarks on the GT 840M can be found on our dedicated GPU page here.

3DMark 11
3DMark 11
3DMark Ice Storm
3DMark Ice Storm
3DMark Cloud Gate
3DMark Cloud Gate
3DMark Fire Strike Extreme
3DMark Fire Strike Extreme
Thief barely runs at 30 FPS on its lowest settings
Thief barely runs at 30 FPS on its lowest settings
Starcraft handles adequately at 1080p with reduced settings
Starcraft handles adequately at 1080p with reduced settings
GT 840M is better fit for 720p gaming
GT 840M is better fit for 720p gaming
3DMark 06 Standard Score
10519 points
3DMark 11 Performance
2412 points
3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score
44782 points
3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score
5725 points
3DMark Fire Strike Score
1398 points
3DMark Fire Strike Extreme Score
693 points
Help
low med. high ultra
Guild Wars 2 (2012) 62.9 27.8 11.6
Tomb Raider (2013) 118.3 64.2 32.4 16.4
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm (2013) 159.5 68.3 44.1 17.3
BioShock Infinite (2013) 83.1 50.3 41.1 14.4
Metro: Last Light (2013) 39.7 34.9 22.6 11.1
Thief (2014) 29.5 21.2 17.6 9

Stress Test

We stress test the Yoga 14 with HWiNFO, CPU-Z, and GPU-Z monitoring tools to identify any throttling or stability issues. With just Prime95 active, the CPU operates at its full 2.4 GHz Turbo Boost for the first minute or so before dropping to a steadier 2.2 GHz. Core temperatures reach a bit under 70 degrees C. With just FurMark active to stress the Nvidia GPU, the graphics core operates at a steady 1124 MHz according to GPU-Z with temperatures plateauing at almost 80 degrees C.

Full stress with both Prime95 and FurMark active for one hour will drop the CPU to the 1.7 - 2.1 GHz range and the GPU to a lower 849.2 MHz core clock. CPU temperatures also reach a hot 84 degrees C. Despite these unrealistic conditions, the CPU never drops below its core 1.7 GHz base clock, though the GPU core does suffer slightly. Fortunately, a quick 3DMark 11 run immediately following the stress test shows no drop in final scores and no throttling issues. Both the CPU and GPU fare much better in a Unigine Heaven stress test as the CPU is able to maintain higher Turbo Boosts more consistently while the GPU runs comfortably at 1124 MHz.

Running on battery power shows no ill effects on CPU or GPU performance. A 3DMark 11 run on batteries reveals comparable final scores to the same run while on mains.

Prime95 stress
Prime95 stress
FurMark stress
FurMark stress
Full stress
Full stress

Emissions

System Noise

45 mm system fan
45 mm system fan

The single system fan is quite modest under everyday workloads despite it needing to cool both the CPU and dedicated GPU. It never idles, however, so the fan can still be heard even when the computer is sitting idle and under very quiet ambient conditions.

Higher loads like gaming will bump fan noise up to a measured 34.9 dB(A) or even higher to 36.5 dB(A), which is slightly louder than the fans found on the T440 or T440s. These levels are high enough to be audible when gaming or listening to music, but not loud enough to be distracting to the user or to others nearby. Running Prime95 and FurMark simultaneously will increase fan noise even louder to 38.9 dB(A), though this is unrepresentative of real-world use. The Yoga 14 is overall quiet for the most part with only the occasional short-lived pulsing of the fan when workload begins to pick up. Otherwise, the fan will operate at its lowest RPM when browsing, playing movies, or word processing.

Noise Level

Idle
31.4 / 31.5 / 31.8 dB(A)
Load
34.9 / 38.9 dB(A)
  red to green bar
 
 
30 dB
silent
40 dB(A)
audible
50 dB(A)
loud
 
min: dark, med: mid, max: light   BK Precision 732A (15 cm distance)

Temperature

Surface temperatures when idling are generally flat as expected, but a larger than normal gradient exists as one particular spot on the bottom rear of the notebook is almost 10 degrees C higher than the coolest quadrant. Though not worrisome, it does show that the excess heat is very concentrated near the rear ventilation grilles.

Full system stress for over an hour resulted in a surface temperature spike of over 54 degrees C measured on the rear hot spot. This is certainly very warm, but the result is expected as this region is directly over the two system heat pipes. The right side of the notebook heats up a bit more than the left as most of the motherboard components and ICB are located on this region. For comparison, the ThinkPad T440 heats up more evenly with a flatter temperature profile overall that barely reaches 40 degrees C maximum. Fortunately, the keyboard and palm rests of the Yoga 14 never become uncomfortable to use even under very high processing loads.

Max. Load
 29.6 °C
85 F
40.8 °C
105 F
36.4 °C
98 F
 
 25.4 °C
78 F
34 °C
93 F
32.8 °C
91 F
 
 23 °C
73 F
24.8 °C
77 F
28.8 °C
84 F
 
Maximum: 40.8 °C = 105 F
Average: 30.6 °C = 87 F
39.8 °C
104 F
54.2 °C
130 F
29.2 °C
85 F
32.8 °C
91 F
32.2 °C
90 F
25.4 °C
78 F
31.4 °C
89 F
25.8 °C
78 F
23.6 °C
74 F
Maximum: 54.2 °C = 130 F
Average: 32.7 °C = 91 F
Power Supply (max.)  38 °C = 100 F | Room Temperature 17 °C = 63 F | Fluke 62 Mini IR Thermometer
(+) The average temperature for the upper side under maximal load is 30.6 °C / 87 F, compared to the average of 30.2 °C / 86 F for the devices in the class Convertible.
(±) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 40.8 °C / 105 F, compared to the average of 35.3 °C / 96 F, ranging from 19.6 to 55.7 °C for the class Convertible.
(-) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 54.2 °C / 130 F, compared to the average of 36.7 °C / 98 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 20.4 °C / 69 F, compared to the device average of 30.2 °C / 86 F.
(+) The palmrests and touchpad are cooler than skin temperature with a maximum of 28.8 °C / 83.8 F and are therefore cool to the touch.
(±) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 28.1 °C / 82.6 F (-0.7 °C / -1.2 F).

Speakers

Small stereo speakers on bottom front of notebook
Small stereo speakers on bottom front of notebook

The stereo speakers produce clear sounds with no static regardless of volume. The maximum volume setting is also very loud and we found that the half way point is sufficiently loud for everyday use. Bass, of course, is severely lacking, so music and movies lack the depth necessary to fully enjoy them as originally intended. 3.5 mm solutions are recommended for extended sessions.

Battery Life

The integrated 4-cell 56 Wh 3785 mAh battery module is not user-removable, but it is larger in capacity compared to the 48 Wh module in the 12-inch ThinkPad Yoga, the 48 Wh module in the ThinkPad T440, and the 48 Wh module in the Sony Vaio Flip 14A. The Dell XPS 13 houses a 55 Wh battery despite its smaller screen size.

Battery life is good overall with a runtime of just over 5.5 hours with the Balanced profile active, dedicated GPU inactive, and the screen set to 150 nits (setting 6/10) while running our looping browser script. If sitting completely idle on the desktop with the Power Saver profile active at minimum screen brightness, the Yoga 14 can last for 11.5 hours. Lenovo promises up to 8 hours of constant use, which may only be attainable under very light loads and more reserved power settings.

WLAN runtime is about an hour longer than the ThinkPad T440 and half an hour longer than both the T440s and Sony Vaio Flip 14A. The differences aren't as wide as we had hoped, so a full day of use without needing to recharge is still risky with the Yoga 14 despite Lenovo's 8 hour runtime claim.

Maximum runtime (Reader's Test)
Maximum runtime (Reader's Test)
Minimum runtime (Classic Test)
Minimum runtime (Classic Test)
WLAN runtime
WLAN runtime
Battery Runtime
Idle (without WLAN, min brightness)
11h 35min
WiFi Surfing
5h 46min
Load (maximum brightness)
2h 24min
Warning: No power consumption data found

Verdict

Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 14
Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 14

Combine the best aspects of a traditional ThinkPad with the versatility of a Yoga and you have a jack-of-all-trades notebook that works very well for most home users, students, and a good chunk of business users. Having said that, a dedicated business notebook or consumer Ultrabook will still outperform the ThinkPad Yoga in their respective fields. For example, more formal business users will lament the missing security features and sacrifices made to chassis rigidity, while on-the-go students may prefer a lighter, thinner, and longer-lasting Ultrabook for easier use outside of the home. The moderate backlight bleeding can be overlooked by most, but it is an unfortunate hardware flaw nonetheless. The ThinkPad Yoga 14 is thus best recommended for users who know for certain that they will exploit the touchscreen and multiple modes of the convertible frequently.

The ThinkPad Yoga still performs admirably on its own right. The glossy display is bright and attractive with dedicated graphics to play a good handful of today's games. The keyboard, touchpad, battery life, and ease of upgradeability aren't perfect, but above average overall. Install a dedicated SSD and you'll have a bold convertible that excels for both work and play.

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Lenovo Yoga 14 20DM000VUS. Test model provided by Lenovo US
Lenovo Yoga 14 20DM000VUS. Test model provided by Lenovo US

Specifications

Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 14 (ThinkPad Yoga Series)
Processor
Intel Core i5-4210U 2 x 1.7 - 2.7 GHz, Haswell
Graphics adapter
NVIDIA GeForce 840M, 333.19, Optimus
Memory
8 GB 
, DDR3L-1600, PC3-12800
Display
14.00 inch 16:9, 1920 x 1080 pixel, Capacitive, Lenovo LEN40A3, ID: B140HAN01.3, IPS, glossy: yes
Mainboard
Intel Lynx Point-LP
Storage
WDC WD10SPCX-08WST0 + SanDisk SSD U110 16 GB SSD Cache, 1000 GB 
Soundcard
Intel Lynx Point PCH - High Definition Audio Controller
Connections
1 USB 2.0, 2 USB 3.0 / 3.1 Gen1, 1 HDMI, Audio Connections: 3.5 mm combo, Card Reader: 4-in-1, Sensors: Gyroscope, Ambient light sensor
Networking
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 (a/b/g/n = Wi-Fi 4/ac = Wi-Fi 5/), Bluetooth 4.0
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 20.3 x 337.8 x 238.8 ( = 0.8 x 13.3 x 9.4 in)
Battery
Lithium-Polymer
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 8.1 64 Bit
Camera
Webcam: 720p
Additional features
Speakers: Stereo with Dolby Home Theater, Keyboard: Chicklet, Keyboard Light: yes, Dragon Assistant, Norton Internet Security, Lenovo Reach, Lenovo User Guide, Lenovo Solution Center, 12 Months Warranty
Weight
1.9 kg ( = 67.02 oz / 4.19 pounds), Power Supply: 250 g ( = 8.82 oz / 0.55 pounds)
Price
1000 Euro

 

Visually similar to the smaller 12-inch ThinkPad Yoga
Visually similar to the smaller 12-inch ThinkPad Yoga
heavy for its size at 1.9 kg
heavy for its size at 1.9 kg
No stylus included
No stylus included
360 degree hinges allow for the same modes as dedicated Yoga models
360 degree hinges allow for the same modes as dedicated Yoga models
Smooth matte magnesium alloy chassis
Smooth matte magnesium alloy chassis
Rigid case has good resistance to twists and depressions
Rigid case has good resistance to twists and depressions
Slightly thinner than a ThinkPad T440
Slightly thinner than a ThinkPad T440
Hinges hold strong no matter the angle of the display
Hinges hold strong no matter the angle of the display
No fingerprint reader
No fingerprint reader
Palm rests remain cool even under high processing loads
Palm rests remain cool even under high processing loads
Edge-to-edge glass display
Edge-to-edge glass display
Reflections from glossy screen can be distracting
Reflections from glossy screen can be distracting
Tent mode
Tent mode
One set of exhaust grilles on rear of unit
One set of exhaust grilles on rear of unit
AccuType keyboard with adequate travel and feedback
AccuType keyboard with adequate travel and feedback
Keys will automatically depress when in Tablet, Stand, or Tent mode
Keys will automatically depress when in Tablet, Stand, or Tent mode
Power and Volume buttons on the edge of the unit
Power and Volume buttons on the edge of the unit
AC power adapter input also doubles as a OneLink input
AC power adapter input also doubles as a OneLink input
9 Philips screws must be removed to access motherboard
9 Philips screws must be removed to access motherboard
Access to internal battery, HDD, M.2 SSD, WLAN card, system fan, heat sinks and both processing cores
Access to internal battery, HDD, M.2 SSD, WLAN card, system fan, heat sinks and both processing cores
Internal 56 Wh Li-Polymer battery
Internal 56 Wh Li-Polymer battery
Only a single SODIMM slot
Only a single SODIMM slot
Two heat pipes on the GPU and one on the CPU
Two heat pipes on the GPU and one on the CPU
Small AC adapter outputs 20 V
Small AC adapter outputs 20 V

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Devices with Same Screen Size and/or Weight

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Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga G4 Intel convertible review: Shorter battery life than AMD
Iris Xe G7 96EUs, Raptor Lake-U i7-1355U, 13.30", 1.362 kg
Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Twist Gen 4 convertible review: E-Ink and OLED hybrid
Iris Xe G7 96EUs, Raptor Lake-U i7-1355U, 13.30", 1.378 kg

Links

  • Manufacturer's information

Compare Prices

Pros

+Clean and sufficiently bright 1080p IPS touchscreen display
+Attractive Magnesium alloy chassis
+GT 840M GPU adequate for gaming
+Large touchpad
+Full system performance on batteries
+Accurate colors out-of-the-box
+42 mm M.2 slot for additional storage
+OneLink Dock support
 

Cons

-Maintenance panel difficult to remove
-Moderate backlight bleeding
-Outdoor use difficult due to glossy display
-Not as rigid as a traditional ThinkPad
-Rear of unit can become very warm
-No stylus or VGA adapters included
-SSD cache still much slower than dedicated SSD
-Non-removable battery
-Heavy for the size
-No LAN port
-High starting price

Shortcut

What we like

Essentially a souped up Yoga to appeal to business users. Powerful graphics and useful touchscreen modes with good battery life.

What we'd like to see

An easier to open maintenance hatch would make end-user upgradeability more appealing. Where are the dedicated SSD options?

What surprises us

Blends business and consumer needs in a nice and well-made package.

The competition

Dell Latitude 14 E5450

Fujitsu Lifebook E544

Lenovo ThinkPad L440

Lenovo ThinkPad T440s

Sony Vaio Flip 14A

Toshiba Tecra Z40t

Rating

Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 14 - 01/01/2015 v4(old)
Allen Ngo

Chassis
88 / 98 → 90%
Keyboard
90%
Pointing Device
90%
Connectivity
55 / 80 → 69%
Weight
64 / 35-78 → 67%
Battery
88%
Display
84%
Games Performance
80 / 68 → 100%
Application Performance
70 / 87 → 80%
Temperature
86%
Noise
90%
Audio
55 / 91 → 60%
Camera
50 / 85 → 59%
Average
76%
83%
Convertible - Weighted Average
Allen Ngo, 2015-01- 2 (Update: 2019-04-30)