Lenovo Yoga C930: A 2-in-1 Laptop That Takes Its Tablet Status Seriously
Lenovo's Yoga line of laptops is renowned for its innovative hinges that seamlessly transform these devices from conventional clamshells with functional keyboards to robust tablets. The Yoga, in particular, gained recognition for its stylish "watchband" hinge, which resembles a piece of exquisite jewelry rather than a mere connector between the two halves of a laptop.
With its latest model, the 13.9-inch Yoga C930 (not to be confused with the 10.8-inch dual display Yoga Book C930), Lenovo takes a bold approach by incorporating speakers into the hinge. This design is not only visually appealing but also remarkably functional.
Key Features:
Unique hinge design with built-in speakers1080p display with DolbyVision support (4K option available)8th-Gen Intel Core i7 processor (i5 option also available)Up to 9 hours and 55 minutes of battery lifeComfortable keyboard with long key travel
What's New?
The most striking feature of the Yoga C930 is its innovative hinge design. This hinge houses speakers that cleverly rotate to direct audio towards the user, regardless of the device's position. This addresses a common issue with 2-in-1 laptops, where speakers located in the keyboard become ineffective when the device is used as a tablet.
Performance and Battery Life:
Equipped with an 8th-Gen Intel Core i7 processor, the Yoga C930 delivers solid performance, comparable to other laptops with similar specifications. Battery life is also impressive, with the C930 lasting 9 hours and 55 minutes in our video streaming test. While this is still shorter than some non-touchscreen laptops, it represents an improvement over previous touch-enabled devices.
Keyboard and Stylus:
The Yoga C930 features a comfortable keyboard with long key travel, similar to the acclaimed keyboard found on the ThinkPad X1 Carbon. The C930 also includes a stylus with a dedicated "garage" for storage. While the stylus is functional for quick tasks, it may not be ideal for extended drawing or writing sessions due to its small size.
Display:
The Yoga C930 comes with a 1080p display that supports DolbyVision HDR. While the display handles bright areas well, it could benefit from deeper blacks. There is also a 4K display option available for those seeking higher resolution.
Portability:
The Yoga C930 is not the most portable laptop, weighing in at just over 3 pounds. This is due to the bulky speaker-embedded hinge. However, it is still lighter than some previous Yoga models and comparable to competing 2-in-1 laptops.
Conclusion:
The Lenovo Yoga C930 is a well-designed 2-in-1 laptop that excels in tablet mode. Its innovative hinge with built-in speakers, decent display, and long battery life make it a solid choice for users who prioritize tablet functionality. However, its weight and higher price point may deter those looking for a more portable or budget-friendly option.