14 DAY TRIAL // Lenovo has just refreshed its Yoga tablet lineup, which includes revamps of existing models plus brand new models like the Yoga Tablet 2 Pro.
Anyway, the first-gen Yoga family is still available for purchase from Lenovo's own official palace; so if you have been contemplating purchasing such a device, you are probably wondering what the difference between the new models and the older models is. This is precisely what we are here to talk about.
Display
Lenovo offers the same form factors, meaning you’ll be able to pick up either the 8-inch model or the larger 10-inch one.
However, if the original models shipped out with an HD panel with 1280 x 800 pixel resolution (the full HD option was available on the Yoga 10 HD+), the new tablets ship with 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution (both on the 8-inch and the 10-inch model).
Design and build
The two generations retain the same characteristic look we are all familiar with. Yes, you’ll still get the same tablets with a hinge design that allows the slates to stand up by themselves while on a certain surface.
Apart from the mode, Yoga users could also use the tablet in tilt and hold, but with the new generation Lenovo introduces an extra mode, in the form of "hang." Basically, the tablet’s built-in stand now has a hole allowing users to hang the tablet from a hook or anything similar.
Lenovo is also offering the tablets in Android and Windows versions and one can tell them apart by virtue of coloring. The Android family retains its silver finish while the Windows one takes advantage of a matte Black paint job.
Power and Performance
The older generation relied on a MediaTek MT8135/8389 quad-core processor clocked at 1.2GHz fitted with 1GB of RAM and either 16GB / 32GB of internal storage (expandable to 64GB via microSD card).
With the new tablet models, Lenovo has swapped the low-cost chips inside to replace them with an Intel Atom Z3745 quad-core Bay Trail processor working in concert with 2GB of RAM and 16GB / 32GB of internal storage.
Cameras
The older models took advantage of a 5MP rear camera and 1.6MP HD frontal one, while the new ones have an improved 8MP on the back and the 1.6MP front-facing one.
OS
The first-generation Yogas were Android tablets shipping out with Android 4.2, but Lenovo rolled out the Android 4.4 KitKat update a few months after the tablets launched.
As for the new Yogas, they ship with Android 4.4 KitKat out of the box, so you won’t have to worry about updates for the time being.
This year Lenovo is also offering these exact tablets with Windows 8.1 working on top; so if you prefer Microsoft’s OS, you are now covered.
Pricing
The new Yogas are a little bit more expensive, starting at $250 / €196 for the 8-inch Android one with 16GB of storage, while the 10-inch model with 32GB of storage and Windows 8.1 goes as far as $400 / €314.
As for last year’s version, the Yoga Tablet 8 with 16GB of internal storage ships out for $179 / €142.