Ultimate flexi pad

Bring out the artist – or the doodler – in you with the Lenovo Yoga Book

rtists who wield their brushes, listen up: mobility is after you as well. While not the first in its class, Lenovo churned out a neat device in the Yoga Book, which will let you bring out the da Vinci in you seamlessly.

There are two versions of this 2- in- 1 — Android and Windows; I was able to get the former, but both options run on the same set of hardware. And it’s billed by Lenovo as the world’s lightest and thinnest 2- in- 1. Anyway, this is basically an Android tablet… except for the fact that there’s a Halo Keyboard attached to it via Lenovo’s clever wristwatch band- esque contraption. It swivels 360 degrees, meaning you can use it in notebook, tablet and tent modes. It’s cleverly designed — aptly — like a book when closed; to the left are a micro- USB port and a microsd slot, and to the right are the power and volume buttons, plus the embattled 3.5mm audio jack. Do not expect any keys on it because that’s what the Halo Keyboard is: it provides tactile touch typing, akin to an onscreen keyboard. The “keys” are individually backlit and its entirety is covered by Corning Gorilla Glass. Of course, being used to actual keyboards you might just feel weird while typing on it, so expect to make some flubs. But hitting the right places will give you pretty accurate results.

This is where the magic comes in: press that little circle with a pen- like icon on top to switch off all the keys and transform the whole slab into a Wacom digitiser called the Create Pad. Voila, you can now strut your stuff with the Real Pen — which is included in the box — on anything from simple doodling to professional pieces of fine art. You can even write with an actual pen or pencil; slap on any piece of paper over the keyboard and watch what you’re writing or sketching appear on the display — all 2,048 pres- sure points of it. Oh, you can replace the Real Pen’s tip with actual ballpoint- tips, which are also included. You can’t, however, use the Real Pen on the display — but while in Create Pad mode, you can use it as a mouse.

During its launch in the UAE — in an art gallery, no less — some sample sketches and caricatures were made on the spot using the Yoga Book, and I must say they’re pretty neat.

As an added bonus, while you’re doing something other than note- taking or sketching apps, you can press the pen icon to reveal a small window at the bottom- right, where you can scribble notes while browsing the web or trying to relate your feelings with a mushy movie. I also feel that it’s underpowered; there’s only an Intel Atom x5 powering it, so there would be noticeable lags when switching from one app to another.

AND SO…

The Lenovo Yoga Book is an interesting device, but the lack of a physical keyboard might make some think twice; those who have memorised the keyboard will surely want their fingers to have a feel of the keys. In any case, the Create Pad is brilliant, and will definitely appeal to artists who want to have that digital touch.

alvin@ khaleejtimes. com

Real Pen

Camera

Main – 8MP; front – 2MP

audio

Stereo with Dolby Atmos

price

Dh2,199 ( approximately)

Goodies

Clever Halo Keyboard, bright display, very thin

Baddies

Only Atom x5 used, no physical keyboard, USB- C should have been used