Laptop/Tablet hybrids get affordable

By Chris Thomas,

Laptops have taken a turn for the weird in the last year, with all sorts of hybrid models bridging the gap between tablet and traditional computer. The real draw to any hybrid laptop is the ability to convert your device into a true tablet at a whim. With few venturing beyond sheer novelty, those looking for a device to truly replace both their laptop and tablet have been stuck paying a premium.

The Lenovo's Yoga 2 Pro successfully scratched the laptop/hybrid itch, but that $1,200 price tag is a bit hard to swallow for those looking for a deal. Netbooks and Chromebooks used to be the answer for the casual crowd, but what if you need something more substantial? What about a flexible hybrid device that doesn't cost an arm and a leg?

Enter the Lenovo Yoga 2 11 ($699 MSRP). Though it's not going to satisfy power users, the Yoga 2 11 is an interesting blend of an entry-level laptop and a tablet for those who don't need top-of-the-line specs and the top-of-the-line price that accompanies them. Though there are a few hangups to be aware of, it's very possible the Yoga 2 11 is the laptop/tablet hybrid budget-minded shoppers have been waiting for.

Judged on looks alone, the Yoga 2 11 would probably be considered bland. more or less fading into the background of whatever desk it rests on. It's not an assault on your senses, but with cheap-looking materials it definitely feels like an entry-level laptop.

Pick it up, however, and you'll be surprised by how responsive the design is. Just like its older brothers, this Yoga can bend and contort to positions that would make traditional laptop owners cringe. Add to that a capacitive touchscreen for the Windows 8.1 interface and the Yoga 2 11 gives you plenty of options, whether you need a laptop or a tablet to get the job done.

When you're chilling on the couch, or just want to watch a movie on your device, folding the laptop in half gives you a perfectly capable Windows 8.1 tablet. Though touch-only input will feel a little strange if you are using the legacy desktop, there are lots more metro-style apps coming available to replace their older, clunkier counterparts.

Because this laptop is relatively inexpensive, you're going to have to make some tradeoffs in the spec department. Though the 11-inch 1366 x 768 screen isn't top of the line, it will likely feel like an upgrade if your current laptop is more than two or three years old.

The guts of the computer are decidedly ho-hum. With a 2.42GHz Intel Pentium N3520 processor, and 4GB of DDR3 RAM it's definitely an entry-level option. The option exists to downgrade to a slightly weaker Celeron N2920 processor. The 500GB solid state drive on the unit we tested can also be scaled back to a standard 5400 RPM 500GB platter drive, but expect slower load times.

So if you're looking for an affordable laptop that can also be a couch-companion tablet, the Yoga 2 11 will bend over backwards to have you covered. It may not be able to keep up with the high-end of the market, but it functions well enough to handle day-to-day tasks well and doesn't cost a ton. Just don't expect the world and the Yoga 2 11 will feel just right.