The choice in chip architecture will bring about longer battery life

Sep 4, 2014 13:21 GMT  ·  By

As was anticipated a week before IFA 2014 started in Berlin, Lenovo has lifted the veil off the next-gen convertible Ultrabook, the ThinkPad Helix 2.

The original ThinkPad Helix came equipped with an 11.6-inch HD 1080p IPS display and drew life from a 3rd-gen Intel Core processor (up to i7) so we expected good things from the 2014 edition.

What’s interesting is that with the Helix 2, Lenovo will be skipping a step in terms of upgrades. The new laptop won’t be taking advantage of the Haswell platform, but instead will rely on Intel’s newest Broadwell-based Core M chips.

This choice in chip architecture will bring about a host of benefits but the most important one of all will be extended battery life. If we are to believe Lenovo, the Helix 2 is now capable of providing juice for up to 12 hours of use.

Of course, to be able to take advantage of such a long battery life, you’ll have to pair the Helix with Lenovo’s Ultrabook Pro Keyboard.

Speaking about the keyboard, it comes with a twist. When the Helix arrives in October, you’ll be offered a magnetic accessory that connects via small pins at the bottom (so no Bluetooth activity involved).

But come January 2015, after Intel rolls out the vPro Core M chips, Lenovo will unleash a “Pro” keyboard that looks exactly the same as the one the old Helix used to arrive with, meaning it will have a rotating hinge and signature red TrackPoint.

As for the remaining specs, Lenovo throws in the same 1080p 11.6-inch display (1920 x 1200 pixel res) with 400nits and two cameras (5MP on the back and 2MP up in front).

Lenovo will be offering the new model with a Wacom digitizer and the lappy has a dedicated slot living onboard to help you store the pen. The good news is that in the US the pen won’t be offered as an “option,” but it will be part of the bundle.

Lenovo says the device will be ready to be offered to customers starting this October for the price of $999 / €685 (with pen and magnetic keyboard included).

We are not yet told how much the tablet will be selling for once the Pro keyboard comes along, but it safe to say it will go above the $1,000 / €686 margin. Keep an eye out for the new Helix 2 next month!

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Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 (4 Images)

Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 goes official at IFA 2014
Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 goes official at IFA 2014Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 goes official at IFA 2014
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