Review: First look: Lenovo Flex 14

Review:  First look: Lenovo Flex 14

Design

In stand mode, the touchscreen is flipped backwards 300 degrees and the only way to use the Flex is with the touchscreen. This usage mode is optimised for activities such as video playback and casual touch-based games. Those who have seen Lenovo's other multi-mode device, the IdeaPad Yoga, will find this mode familiar.

A minor difference: the Flex's keyboard is not automatically disabled like the Yoga to prevent accidental key presses. Instead, a small switch at the side of the device toggles the keyboard's functionality. Lenovo explained that the Flex does not include extra sensors to enable automatic switching due to cost considerations.

The Flex has an aluminium palmrest that feels cool to the touch. The keyboard is an island-style version with rounded keys and is fairly comfortable to type on.

The Flex comes with a removable battery, a feature which is increasingly rare on an ultrabook.

Standard screws are also used to secure the chassis, so tech-savvy users can attempt to upgrade the RAM (up to 8GB) or the storage drive.

Performance

The Flex comes with ultra-low-voltage Core i5 or i7 variants of Intel's latest Haswell processors. These CPUs are designed for ultrabooks and boast better battery life than the previous generation. Lenovo claims that the Flex will last nine hours while idling in Windows 8 or six hours when playing a full high-definition video.

Storage

According to Lenovo, the local version will come with either a solid-state drive (up to 256GB) or a hybrid hard drive (up to 1TB with 16GB flash memory). The faster solid-state drive will cost more, although Lenovo has not revealed the price yet. For those on a budget, the hybrid drive option may be a good compromise.

Screen

The screen has a resolution of only 1,366 by 768 pixels and supports 10-point touch. This is not surprising given the Flex's affordable price.

The base version is also likely to come with Intel HD Graphics. Lenovo offers a dedicated Nvidia GeForce GT 740M graphics chip for those who want better graphics performance.

The company also plans to sell a 15-inch model at a later date. The larger version will have space for a numeric keypad, although the screen will still have a resolution of 1,366 by 768 pixels.


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