Lenovo Yoga 700 (11.6in) review

Performance and Battery Life

Inside the 11.6in Yoga 700 is an Intel Core M3-6y30 processor, which runs at 900MHz but can Turbo Boost up to 2.2GHz, and 8GB of RAM. Intel’s Core M processors allow for fanless designs, which helps to keep the case nice and thin, but its 128GB M.2 SSD doesn’t leave a great deal of storage once you take into account the formatted size and space already taken up by Windows 10 Home.

Our benchmark score of 47, done with our easier 1080p-based tests, shows the Yoga 700 is more than capable of everyday tasks. However, its overall score was dragged down by its multitasking score of 31, so anyone looking to run several demanding applications simultaneously will find their patience tested. Still, Windows 10 felt responsive and basic tasks like web browsing felt suitably slick without any noticeable slowdown.

You shouldn’t expect to get by with anything more than the lightest of gaming, though. The integrated Intel HD Graphics 515 only managed a paltry 13.9fps in Dirt Showdown at 1,280×720 resolution, 4x anti-aliasing and High graphics, which is considered a fail in our benchmarks. If all you’re after is some on-the-move Minecraft, on the other hand, the Yoga 700 should suffice.

In terms of battery life, the Yoga 700 managed 6 hours 54 minutes of constant video playback with the display brightness set to 170cd/m2. Under light use, you should just be able to eke out a full day’s worth of power before you go in search of a power outlet. The charger has an integrated power brick, too, so it’s not too much trouble to carry with you.

Conclusion

As a mid-range convertible, the Yoga 700 is still a bit of a disappointment. It’s delightfully portable, but its display doesn’t do justice to its Full HD resolution and the keyboard also leaves a lot to be desired. The 700 is far from bad, but the search for a compelling mid-range, ultra-portable convertible continues. Right now, the 11.6in Acer Aspire Switch 11V has the edge over this in many areas, but is itself let down by limited battery life. If you’re not fussy about your keyboard, or colour accuracy on your display, then this is probably the strongest contender in a weak field. A strong alternative for those wanting a tablet-laptop hybrid is the Microsoft Surface 3 with a Surface Type Cover. Buy Now from Amazon.