Lenovo has revealed its extensive Back to School lineup for 2020, with a primary focus on IdeaPad and Yoga devices.
The most eye-catching device is undoubtedly the new Yoga Slim 7, which now comes with an option for a fabric-clad back. It’s among the first of its kind to sport such a design, which will undoubtedly help it to stand out from the crowd.
However, despite Yoga devices drawing attention for their unique design in recent years, the Slim 7 is a traditional clamshell laptop. The fabric design is only available on 14in models with 10th-gen Intel processors, although Lenovo also offers the option for AMD’s latest processors. All are complemented by the latest generation of Nvidia graphics.
The cheapest £699 model offers a 1920×1080 screen, while this can be dialled up to 4K if you’re willing to pay closer to £1099. Lenovo didn’t quote a specific battery capacity, but claims you can get up to 15 hours from a single charge. When the time comes to plug it in, the 65W adapter will get you 3 hours of battery life in just 15 minutes.
However, many people won’t be looking to spend close to four figures on a great laptop, and that’s where the IdeaPad 5 comes in. Also available in 14 or 15in models, it comes with the latest Intel or AMD processors, alongside front-facing speakers and a fingerprint scanner built-in to the power button.
Prices start at £429, while a convertible Flex version starts at £449.
Chromebooks are also a popular budget option, and that’s where the IdeaPad Duet comes in. Chrome OS is usually reserved for traditional clamshell devices or high-end business devices, but Lenovo is keen to get people using the operating system in tablet form.
The 10.1in Full HD touchscreen crucially comes with a keyboard cover for on-the-go productivity, while the built-in kickstand offers four distinct modes of operation.
A model with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage costs just £299, while you’ll step up to £329 if you’d to double the storage capacity. However, to make the most of it you’ll probably want to use the Lenovo Digital Pen, a separate £44.99 accessory.
It perhaps goes without saying that Lenovo’s strategy has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. One example is the delay in releasing one IdeaPad model due to its lack of webcam, a feature that has become crucial in the work from home era.
With that in mind, all Lenovo devices in its Back to School lineup offer full 1080p video and a physical privacy shutter.
It’s worth pointing out that many of these products were unveiled at CES in January and the Spring, but bringing them to market now clearly highlights the demographic Lenovo is looking to target.
Check out the full range of Back to School devices on the Lenovo website, with all the devices mentioned expected to be available very soon.
Lenovo’s own IdeaPad S340 currently tops our best budget laptop chart, while some high-end alternatives are available in our overall best laptop chart.
Only a few weeks later, Lenovo updated its full range of Yoga devices for 2020. Get all the details here.
Author: Anyron Copeman, Senior Staff Writer
As the resident expert on Windows, Senior Staff Writer Anyron’s main focus is PCs and laptops. Much of the rest of his time is split between smartphones, tablets and audio, with a particular focus on Android devices.