It is easy to consider Lenovo’s innovative Yoga multimode laptops as perhaps the best application of a hybrid laptop. Since the original Yoga laptop was introduced in 2012, the company has continued to evolve its winning formula, culminating in the exceptionally sexy Yoga 3 Pro. Earlier today, the Chinese company has introduced the new Yoga 3 series, bringing a more affordable alternative to the masses.
The new Yoga 3 multimode laptops come in two models, an 11.6-inch model and a new 14-inch variant. Both models will come with Full HD touch displays as standard, which is always a welcome addition. In addition, the new Yoga 3 series also pack JBL stereo speakers with WavesAudio certification, and supports the fast 802.11 A/C WiFi connection. And of course, the Yoga 3’s hinges still allow the laptop’s display to flip a full 360 degrees.
The Yoga 3 11-inch model will be powered by the new Intel Core M processor, allowing it to be breathtakingly thin and light at just 15.8mm thick and 1.1kg. There’s also space for two USB ports (1x USB 3.0), mutli-card reader and an audio/mic combo jack. Interestingly, the DC-in jack also doubles up as a USB 2.0 port, which means you have another USB port when you’re not plugged in.
On the other hand, the new Yoga 3 14 has a 14-inch Full HD IPS display fitted into a 13-inch chassis, allowing it to have greater screen real estate while ensuring greater portability. And, with up to the new fifth-gen Intel Core i7 processors on board, these models are many times more powerful than even the pricier Yoga 3 Pro – The Verge notes that an upcoming model will even pack an NVIDIA GeForce GT840M GPU. At just 1.6kg and measuring 18.3mm thick, the new Yoga 3 14-inch does seem like the perfect balance between power and portability. With 3 USB ports (2x USB 3.0), a 4-in-1 multi card reader, stereo JBL speakers and a full-size HDMI port, the Yoga 3 14 really does sound like a truly impressive offering.
Both the Yoga 3 11 and Yoga 3 14 will come in the standard Clementine Orange and Platinum Silver colourways, as well as two new colours: Chalk White and Ebony Black. The Yoga 3 11 will retail from US$799 (about RM2,840), while the Yoga 3 14 will be priced at US$979 (about RM3,480) and will roll out globally from March 2015.
