Lenovo Yoga 730 13" Laptop Review

I've been a fan of the Lenovo Yoga laptop for years, having reviewed the Ideapad Yoga 11S, Yoga Tablet 8, Yoga 2 Pro, and Yoga Tablet 2 in the past. So I just had to test out the Lenovo Yoga 730 13" laptop, especially since I haven't had a Lenovo product in my possession for a few years now. 

My favorite features of this laptop are definitely its versatility to change from laptop to tablet mode, touch screen capability, and a screen with picture perfect high-definition. It also has 360° sound, which you really experience when you put your headphones on. 

Since I'm always on my laptop if I'm home, that also means I don't have a laptop to watch Netflix on or catch up on favorite shows online. This is why I love having the Lenovo Yoga 730 around. It's great for binge watching shows (I binge watched the Syfy 12 Monkeys series all over again and caught up on Grey's Anatomy episodes). 

With the amazing audio and screen clarity, I find it hard to want to watch shows or movies on any other laptop. I love this laptop for the same reasons I always have, but these features seem more enhanced. 

The Lenovo Yoga 730 also has a fast start up, long lasting battery and charges up pretty quickly. Another feature that is new to me since I've used a Lenovo Yoga laptop is Cortana as a voice-activated digital assistant to help you work faster by opening apps, setting reminders or answering your questions. 

Along with the versatility of the 360° design of the four different modes - laptop, stand, tablet, and tent, I love the sleek design of the laptop itself, and the fact that it's thin, lightweight (2.74 lbs) and easy to travel with. I took it to San Francisco a few weeks ago and also brought it out with me locally to the park and my favorite cafe. The Iron Grey color is just my style, as I've always preferred my tech products in Silver or Grey.

If I could put one product on my wishlist this holiday season, the Lenovo Yoga 730 13" laptop would be at the top of my list!

I'm also excited about my new Vionic Shoes! The Whitney Ankle Boot is made of suede and neoprene for a comfortable fit and has a 3.1" heel height so it's not too high. It's perfect to wear out and about on the weekends or a full day at the office. I have several pairs of ankle booties in brown and black, and what I really needed was a pair in grey and I love this charcoal shade!

Sweater: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Jeans: American Eagle

Shoes: Vionic Shoes

Sunglasses: Quay Australia

Necklace: Deepa Gurnani

Review: Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 with Windows (10")

If your a fan of the Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro Laptop, then you'll love the Yoga Tablet 2 10" with Windows, which comes with a magnetic, optional bluetooth keyboard. I had tested out the 10" version during February fashion week and functioned just like a mini laptop, for all my social media and blogging needs. 

My favorite feature of both the Yoga 2 Pro Laptop and the Yoga Tablet 2 is the uniqueness of being able to position them into four modes: laptop, tablet, tent and stand. Another one of my favorite features is the design of the detachable keyboard. As far as using a tablet goes, I prefer to type with a keyboard to write my blog posts and answer emails. The keyboard that comes with the Yoga Tablet 2 is sturdy, yet slim and lightweight. It easily stays in place while typing thanks to the tablet kickstand. The kickstand can also be used to hang the tablet. I haven't tried hanging it yet but I love the option.  

With the exception of The Walking Dead or Game of Thrones, I never watch television shows in real time. There have been some instances where my DVR doesn't record a show because of a recording conflict, I forget to record a show, or my DVR only saves up to 5 recordings of a series. My On Demand also sometimes only featured the most recent 5 episodes of a show. When this happens, I'm glad I can download The CW, Syfy Now and FXNOW or watch via Amazon Instant Video. I can't tell you how many issues I've had with trying to catch up on television shows on my iPad. The Full HD (1920 x 1200) IPS display is superb, with a really crisp and bright picture quality. 

This tablet has an Intel Atom processor, 32GB of internal storage, and a microSD slot located behind the kickstand. It also comes with a one year subscription to MicrosoftOffice 365. The one thing I wish it did have is a USB port to access media kits on flash drives, or to charge my phone. With the right cable, the tablet allows you to charge your phone through the micro-USB with powered OTG connection. It would have been a major plus if the tablet came with the extra cable. 

Whether I'm at home, at the office, running around the city or traveling, the Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 has just about everything I am looking for in a tablet - portability, slim design, touch screen capability and keyboard, plus a year of MicrosoftOffice 365. Even with the keyboard, the tablet (1.3 lbs+) doesn't get too heavy if I'm running around the city all day. I can conveniently tote it around! The 15 hours of battery life is a major plus.

One thing I can't believe is the price. At $369.99 at shop.lenovo.com, this is such a better deal than spending $499 on an iPad. 

- Kim Weling

Spring Style Post Featuring American Eagle Outfitters, Monika Chiang and Lenovo

Full-length Romper: American Eagle Outfitters in Olive

Leather Moto Jacket: Monika Chiang

Shoes: Z London for Payless

Clutch: Retrospetive in Rose Gold at JustFab.com

Dagger Earrings / Necklace: Sachin + Babi

Sunglasses: GUESS By Marciano in Rose Gold

One of my favorite spring pieces from American Eagle Outfitters is the full-length romper with cuffed hem. The XXS fit so perfectly, I just had to get it in black too! I've been searching for the perfect leather moto jacket and thanks to Monika Chiang, I actually found one that fits perfectly! I've been wearing this jacket with everything, including dresses, skirts, cinched pants and jeans. The Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro is my new favorite ultrabook. I love that it has a 360-degree flip and fold design and functions with a touch screen and keyboard. For my full review, click here. 

Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro

Photos by Bri Weling

- Kim Weling

Review: Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro

Having previously reviewed the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S, I already knew I was going to love the Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro. One of my favorite features is the unique 360-Degree Flip-and-Fold Design, easily changing between the four different modes - Laptop, Stand, Tablet and Tent. The 13.3" QHD+ 3200 x1800 (versus 11.6 HD, 1366 x 768 on the IdeaPad Yoga 11S) IPS widescreen with 10-point multi-touch has the best display I've ever seen on an ultrabook. Whether I am catching up on the latest episode of The Vampire Diaries, editing video footage or pictures, the images are incredibly crisp and sharp. 

This ultrabook also has great portability - 1.39 kg, 15.5 mm thin with a 9 hour battery life to get you through the whole day, versus the 1.4 kg, 17.2 mm thin, 6 hour battery on the IdeaPad Yoga 11S. Like the IdeaPad Yoga 11S, there are two USB ports and a 2-in-1 card reader.It also has up to 4th gen Intel® Core™ i7 processor with integrated Intel graphics,  up to 8GB DDR3L memory, up to 512 GB SDD storage and stereo speakers with Dolby® Home Theatre® for immersive sound. 

Lenovo motion control allows you to browse and select files with simple hand gestures. This is perfect for navigating through recipes hands-free. With voice control technology, you can just speak to open programs and websites. The Yoga Picks custom software detects and recommends the most suitable apps for any given mode. Some of the preloaded apps include Phone Companion, Camera Man, Photo Touch, and Yoga Chef. Yoga Chef has some easy-to-follow recipes I definitely want to try, with vivid photos that make me instantly hungry.

All these enhancements and features are user-friendly and interesting to explore, but for the most part I've been using the Yoga 2 Pro for watching tv shows, blogging and editing photos and videos. My main laptop is currently a MacBook Air but I despise editing videos with iMovie. I still prefer Windows Movie Maker, so I feel like I'll always need a Windows-friendly ultrabook just for that reason. During February and March, the Yoga 2 Pro came in handy specifically for editing fashion week videos, uploading them to YouTube and downloading photos from my Nokia 1020 (which is incompatible with my MacBook). Since I do a lot of blogging late night, the backlit keyboard really helps. This function can be turned on and off by pressing the Fn key and space bar. The touch screen capability comes in handy as well. It's so much easier to swipe through pictures when deciding which ones to use and edit. Every now and then I'm reminded of how my MacBook isn't touchscreen when I tap the screen out of habit. 

The Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro is available at lenovo.com with a list price starting at $1199.00.

 

- Kim Weling

Review: Lenovo Yoga Tablet 8

The Lenovo Yoga Tablet 8 is the perfect on-the-go tech gift this holiday season. I'm a big fan of the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S, so it was only natural that I'd love the new tablet. One of my favorite features which makes this tablet unique are the usage modes: Hold, Tilt and Stand. I love using the kickstand and resting it upright in Stand mode to watch videos or movies, catch up on tv episodes, and play Candy Crush. I can easily type using Tilt mode when updating my blog and social media channels or following up on emails.

The Yoga Tablet 8 is so light (starts at 0.88 pounds) that it's perfect for toting around the city with me, even when I'm carrying all the extras like my DSLR or a pair of heels to change into. It's also a great backup device to have with me in case my phone runs out of battery. I don't have to worry about this tablet running out of battery because it lasts up to 18 hours, thanks to the roomy battery storage housed in the cylinder-shaped side chamber. This is the kind of tablet I need to bring with me to all day events, like Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week or Comic-Con. 

In addition to the sleek, stylish design, here are some key features of the Yoga Tablet 8: an 8" multitouch HD (1280 x 800) display for high definition visuals, front facing integrated stereo speakers with Dolby Digital Plus, 5.0M rear and 1.6M front cameras for high-definition pictures and crisp, clear video chats and Micro-USB and audio jack ports. Another plus is being able to expand the 16GB of eMMC storage with up to 64GB micro-SD card storage support, which comes in handy for transferring photos and videos or storing large files like movies. 

The Lenovo Yoga Tablet 8 is available at lenovo.com and bestbuy.com with a list price starting at $249.00.

- Kim Weling

Winter 2013 Featuring Habitual Denim and Lenovo

Sweater: Helmut Lang

Shirt Dress/Jacket: Magaschoni

Jeans: Habitual Denim

Shoes: Charles David

Necklace: AMY O. Jewelry

Sunglasses: Randolph Engineering

As the weather gets colder, I tend to wear less dresses and more denim, and Habitual Denim offers styles that allow me to dress up my look. One of my favorite styles this season is the Alice Skinny Jean in Chocolate, with a waxed coating for a leather-like effect. Check out Habitual Denim's fall lookbook here, with coated leopard, camo and plaid prints in moto and skinny jeans. 

 

Lenovo Yoga Tablet 8" is lightweight and perfect for on-the-go. Featuring hold, stand and tilt modes and up to 18 hours of battery life, it makes a great holiday tech gift. 

Watch: Sara Designs

Tablet: Lenovo Yoga 8"

Photos by Bri Weling

 - Kim Weling

Transitioning into Fall with Von Vonni, Nina Shoes and Lenovo

Above Photo: Look #1 - Dress: Von Vonni Transformer (Short) - halter-style in Teal, Shoes: Nina Shoes Celeyna in Multi Rainbow Amazon

As we transition into fall weather, we can still enjoy the last few days of warm weather in sleeveless dresses and sandals. Von Vonni's Transformer (Short) is one of my favorite versatile dresses, which you can wear 20 different ways. I chose to wear it halter-style, as a skirt, and as a tunic paired with leggings and a blazer. 

One of my new favorite pairs of shoes is the Celeyna strappy sandal by Nina Shoes (was $79.00, now $39.99). This sandal is just my style, in a 4-inch heel and multi-color snakeskin print. I don't have to worry about my foot sliding forward or out of the sandal thanks to the stretch mesh strap. I may end up getting The Cosetta in the natural-tan snakeskin print next, since it is identical to the Celeyna. 

If you aren't familiar with Nina Shoes, they feature affordable footwear from sandals and pumps to wedges and boots. Nina Shoes is known for their great selection of evening shoes, with sizing starting at a size 5. Nina Shoes also has a vintage-inspired line, Nina Originals, debuting at Macy's at NYC Herald Square and San Francisco Union Square stores beginning this fall. Some of the styles include Aneko in Rust and Scarlett, Vessy in Olive and Darby in Black Suede.

My latest tech accessory pick is the Lenovo Ideapad Yoga 11S, a multi-functionable and fashionable ultrabook. It flips and folds 360 degrees into tent, stand, tablet or laptop mode. Click here to read the full review. 

Above photo: Look #2 - Top: Tracy Reese, Skirt: Von Vonni Transformer (Short) in teal, Bag: Marc Jacobs 'The XL Single' in Bordeaux, Shoes: Calvin Klein Danica Platform Peeptoe Bootie, Graphite, Sunglasses: LOFT

Above Photo: Ultrabook: Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S

Above Photo: Shoes: Nina Shoes Celeyna in Multi Rainbow Amazon

Above Photo: Look #3 - Tunic: Von Vonni Transformer (Short) in Teal, Leggings: Intermix, Blazer: BCBGMAXAZRIA, Clutch: Duro Olowu for jcp, Necklace: Joanna Laura Constantine, Sunglasses: LOFT

Photos by Bri Weling

- Kim Weling

Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S

Over the past few weeks, I've quickly adapted to the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S Ultrabook convertible. This 11.6-inch ultrabook has a unique 360-degree flip and fold design, with the ability to use in tent, stand, tablet or laptop mode. I have mainly been using the Yoga 11S as a laptop but love watching movies or catching up on my favorite tv shows in tent mode with the convertible's rich Dolby Home Theatre Audio. Since I just got through the Spring 2014 season of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week here in New York, this ultrabook has been perfect for scrolling through fashion show images and watching videos in tent mode. I love being able to just swipe through each look via touch-screen instead of having to click through each image.

As a laptop, I mainly use it for email, blogging, social media, cropping photos, video editing, and indulging in my Candy Crush addiction. It was easy for me to open PDF files in Nitro Pro 8 and download Paint.NET and Windows Live Movie Maker. This was also my first time using Windows 8. I love the multi-touch screen features, which makes it easy to  review photos and access SkyDrive files. There are two USB ports, which is a must-have for me to charge my phone and access flash drive files. The 2-in-1 card reader is also an important feature for me, so I can easily access images I take with my DSLR camera. 

The Yoga 11S is just as fashionable as it is functionable, with a soft-touch exterior and Clementine Orange color (also available in Silver Grey but I prefer it in Clementine Orange). Although I love the texture of the soft exterior, it can be more prone to scratches or dents, so be sure to keep it in a sleeve or case if you plan on using it on-the-go. It's stylish and slim, and easy to travel with. The keyboard is easy and comfortable to type on. The Yoga 11S weighs in at 3.1 lbs at 0.68" thick, with 6 hours of battery life. It has Intel® HD Graphics 4000 (integrated), up to 3rd Gen Intel® Core™ i7 processor, up to 8GB DDR3 memory and up to 256GB SSD storage.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S is available at lenovo.com and bestbuy.com with a list price starting at $799.99.

- Kim Weling