The Lenovo Yoga Book

The Lenovo Yoga Book stands as one of the more unique entries in the convertible laptop market, offering an innovative approach to the increasingly popular 2-in-1 form factor. Since its original introduction, this distinctive device has evolved through several generations, each attempting to perfect the balance between laptop functionality, tablet convenience, and creative versatility.

Debuting in 2016, the original Lenovo Yoga Book introduced a radical design concept: replacing the traditional physical keyboard with a flat touch-sensitive surface that could transform between a backlit “Halo Keyboard” and a drawing tablet. Connected to the display via Lenovo’s signature watchband hinge, this dual-purpose panel allowed users to type, draw, or take notes naturally with the included stylus.

Available in both Android and Windows versions, the first Yoga Book pioneered a thin and lightweight design (just 9.6mm thick when closed) that blurred the lines between multiple device categories. Its innovative “Real Pen” stylus worked both on the touchpad surface and, with real ink refills, on paper placed over the touch panel, with the device digitizing handwritten notes in real-time.

Yoga Book C930: The Dual-Screen Evolution

In 2018, Lenovo launched the Yoga Book C930, representing a significant design evolution. This model replaced the Halo Keyboard concept with an actual E Ink display as its second screen. This touch-sensitive E Ink panel could function as a keyboard, e-reader, notepad, or sketch surface, giving users unprecedented versatility.

The C930 came exclusively with Windows 10 and featured enhanced specifications including Intel Core processors (rather than the Atom chips found in the original), improved battery life, and a knock-to-open feature that allowed users to tap the top of the closed device to open it slightly.

This iteration maintained the ultra-portable profile that made the original distinctive while adding practical improvements to performance and functionality.

Yoga Book 9i: Embracing Full Dual-Screen Design

The latest major evolution in the Yoga Book concept arrived with the Yoga Book 9i, unveiled in 2023. This model takes the dual-screen concept to its logical conclusion by replacing both surfaces with full-color OLED displays. Rather than offering one traditional screen and one specialized input surface, the 9i provides two equally capable 13.3-inch touchscreens connected by the signature 360-degree hinge.

This configuration allows for multiple usage modes:

• Traditional laptop mode (using a virtual keyboard on the lower screen)
• Book mode (with content spanning both screens like an open book)
• Tent mode for presentations
• Dual-screen mode for maximum multitasking
• Extended desktop mode with both screens used as one tall display

The device includes a detachable physical keyboard that can be placed on top of the lower screen for traditional typing or used separately. With 13th-gen Intel processors, improved stylus support, and Dolby Atmos sound, the Yoga Book 9i represents the most premium and capable iteration of the concept yet.

Performance and Practicality

Throughout its evolution, the Yoga Book line has maintained a focus on portability and versatility, often at the expense of raw processing power. The latest models have significantly closed this performance gap with modern processors, more RAM, and faster storage options, though they still prioritize flexibility over maximum performance.

Battery life has been a consistent focus, with the devices typically offering 8-10 hours of mixed usage. The innovative form factors do come with some practical considerations, particularly around typing experience, which typically requires adjustment compared to traditional laptops.

Target Audience and Use Cases

The Yoga Book series has always targeted specific user groups rather than attempting to be an all-purpose computing solution:

• Creative professionals who need digital drawing capabilities
• Students and note-takers who appreciate handwriting recognition
• Business travelers prioritizing extreme portability
• Early adopters drawn to innovative form factors
• Multi-device users looking to consolidate tablet and laptop functionality

These devices excel in scenarios requiring flexibility, such as cramped airplane tray tables, presentation environments, or situations where rapid switching between typing, drawing, and consuming content is beneficial.

Market Position and Competition

Positioned as premium devices with innovative features, the Yoga Book series competes primarily with high-end 2-in-1s like Microsoft’s Surface Pro and other convertible laptops. However, its unique form factors and specialized functionality also place it in competition with iPad Pro and Android tablet combinations with keyboard accessories.

The dual-screen approach of the latest models also invites comparisons with emerging folding displays from various manufacturers, though Lenovo’s hinge-based approach currently offers greater durability.

The Future of Yoga Book

As display technology continues to evolve and processing components become more efficient, the Yoga Book concept seems likely to continue its journey toward greater versatility and performance. Potential future developments might include:

• Improved tactile feedback for virtual keyboards
• Integration of folding display technology
• Enhanced cross-device ecosystem integration
• Specialized software optimized for the unique form factors