Lenovo Announces A Further Round Of YOGA With Three New Tablets

Lenovo has announced a major expansion to its shape-shifting YOGA tablet range as it looks to take on Apple’s Macbook.

The Chinese manufacturer has today unveiled three new tablets, including a media-friendly 13in device with a built-in projector, as well as two devices aimed at replacing a customer’s existing laptop or desktop PC.

Hanging around

Developed by Lenovo’s celebrity ‘developer’, Hollywood actor Ashton Kutcher, the YOGA Tablet 2 Pro (pictured left) is focused towards entertainment, with a thinner and lighter build meaning that it is much easier to carry around. Building on the YOGA’s trademark flexibility, the device features a new ‘Hang’ function, which lets users hang up the tablet for greater interaction, alongside the existing Hold, Tilt, and Stand functions.

As mentioned, the 13in QHD 2560×1440 screen has a built in Pico projector for showing off photos or videos, with a battery life of around fifteen hours good enough for nearly a whole days entertainment.

The device also packs some impressive hardware, being powered by the latest 4th generation Intel Atom processor, and also comes with an 8MP rear camera to capture images when you’re out and about.

It will be available from later this month for £449.

“The YOGA Tablet 2 Pro is the culmination of the most extensive research and feedback we’ve ever undertaken, and Ashton has been with us every step of the way, bringing new ideas to the table, challenging us and always advocating for users,” said Jeff Meredith, vice president, Mobile Business Group, Lenovo.

“Our vision for the YOGA Tablet 2 Pro was to create the best tablet on the market,” said Ashton Kutcher, Lenovo product engineer.  “To do that, we really looked at how people use tablets and what they needed for a better experience. The YOGA Tablet 2 Pro has got the best sound, a dramatically brilliant camera and display, a new mode, a projector and top processor, so I think we created the best tablet available. I can’t wait for people to try it.”

Hands-free

Alongside the YOGA Tablet 2 Pro, Lenovo has also releasing a smaller tablet, the YOGA Tablet 2, as well as an ultra-slim “portable PC” device, the YOGA 3 Pro.

The former is a scaled-down version of the Tablet 2 Pro, coming in either an 8in or 10in version, and for the first time will also be available running either Android or Windows software. It also comes with the new “Hang” mode, allowing hands-free usage, as well as a larger kickstand for improved usability.

The 4G-ready devices contain identical specifications whether running Android KitKat 4.4 or Windows 8.1, with an Intel Atom processor backed up with 2GB of RAM. It comes with 32GB of internal storage, which can be bumped up to 64GB with an external microSD card.

UK customers will be able to get their hands on the Android versions from today, although pricing is still to be finalised, with the Windows-powered devices arriving later this month.

Lastly, the YOGA 3 Pro looks to target Macbook users, with a lightweight and thin design looking to appeal to creatives and business types alike.

Available in three colours, the device features a 13in QHD+ 3200×1800 display and comes with specialised speakers to deliver crisp audio alongside high definition video.

It will be available to UK customer from the end of the month and cost £1299.

Lenovo will be hoping that the new devices can help it continue its rise in the worldwide PC market, following its rise to become the number one manufacturer ahead of HP and Dell. The company, which recently reported a 29 percent rise in profits , has looked to expand into several new markets following this success, and is reportedly working on a rival to Google Glass.

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