The Lenovo Yoga 6 13 2-in-1 fabric feels like an old shirt

if you're in the market for a laptop, then there's a good chance that the unit will be made of ABS plastic, magnesium alloy, aluminum alloy, carbon fiber or some combination thereof. A few have even dabbed into leather in an attempt to stand out from the usual crowd. In general, however, unique chassis materials are rare possibly due to manufacturing challenges and other technical considerations.

The 13.3-inch Lenovo Yoga 6 13 convertible launched last year with a unique Abyss Blue fabric over the outer lid for a very different look and feel from other models in the market. Its texture closely resembles our 100 percent cotton buttoned-up shirt but stretched and stitched over the outer surface of the laptop. Meanwhile, the base and keyboard deck are the typical metal and plastic that we're all already familiar with.

The rougher fabric brings a few interesting advantages and disadvantages over smooth plastic or metal. Unsightly fingerprints and scuffs, for example, do not show as well on the fabric. On the other hand, grease and dirt accumulate more readily on the fabric that will likely turn it darker and browner in color over time much like on Microsoft's Alcantara surfaces. Cleaning the fabric is also much more difficult as users can't simply wipe off the dirt or chuck it in a washing machine.

From a subjective standpoint, the fabric runs the risk of being outdated and undesirable unlike the more neutral metal options. Lenovo offers no other colors meaning the single Abyss Blue option may only appeal to a small subset of users. We would love to see a black option should the manufacturer insist on using the fabric for more models in the near future.