Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 review
A top notch Windows 10-ready business convertible
Lenovo has been carving out a growing chunk of the enterprise device market since buying the ThinkPad line from IBM many moons ago, and for good reason.
The Chinese firm has been experimental and innovative from the moment Windows 8 came out, and has worked hard to make the most of Microsoft's touch-focused operating system.
This has seen the release of convertible devices in various form factors that offer businesses an all-in-one tablet and laptop.
The ThinkPad Helix 2 continues this trend with a travel-friendly tablet that can be converted into a fully functioning ultrabook using a keyboard attachment.
Design and build
The ThinkPad Helix features a similar design to competing convertibles like the Asus Transformer range, and comprises a 30x19.2x0.9cm tablet section and dockable keyboard that boosts the dimensions to 30x21.5x2.5cm.
This makes it fairly standard for an 11in laptop, but slightly larger than a regular tablet.
We used it as our primary work device while covering press events in London and found the dimensions and weight (793g tablet, 1.67kg laptop) easy to carry around and use as a workstation.
This was aided by the port options. The ThinkPad Helix follows the same functional design philosophy as past Lenovo business devices and focuses on connectivity and functionality above all else.
The convertible is loaded with all the ports and connectivity options most business professionals will need. The tablet section houses micro HDMI, USB 3.0, micro SD, micro sim (on LTE enabled models) ports, while the keyboard dock features a backup USB 2.0 connector.
Lenovo offers an optional Pro keyboard upgrade that adds USB 3.0 and mini Display ports.
Lenovo has also loaded the ThinkPad Helix with 5MP rear and 2MP front cameras for video conferencing.
We were impressed with both sections' build quality. The black finish polycarbonate is a bit of a dust magnet, but the ThinkPad Helix coped with the usual wear and tear we'd expect of a laptop and tablet.
The ThinkPad Helix survived its ordeal bumping around London in our satchel without scratches and marks, despite an accidental encounter with the corner of a desk.
The docking hinge also felt noticeably more robust than on many competing convertibles which can be slightly flimsy.
In terms of usability the trackpad and keyboard keys were also suitably responsive and made using the ThinkPad Helix as a laptop a pleasant experience.
Our only design qualm is that for some reason Lenovo hasn't provided a way to dock the bundled digitiser stylus on the Pro Keyboard, which is a bit annoying if you want to scribble notes, sketch or do design work on the move.
Next: Display, operating system and performance
Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 review
A top notch Windows 10-ready business convertible
Display
Lenovo has loaded the ThinkPad Helix with an 11.6in, 1920x1080 pixel Full HD, 190ppi touch screen.
This doesn't make it too special by tablet standards, as many now break the 200ppi if not 300ppi threshold, but we didn't have any serious problems when using the ThinkPad Helix.
The screen has a maximum 400-nit brightness, and is fairly well calibrated and more than bright enough.
Contrast levels are good and the RGB level is well balanced. Text and icons are crisp, and we found the pen recognition accurate enough for note taking and design work.
The only slight thing we noticed is that the screen's glass coating is fairly reflective and quickly picks up stray bright light, which is a bit of a problem if you want to use the ThinkPad Helix outside.
Operating system and software
The ThinkPad Helix is available with Windows 8.1 or Windows 8.1 Pro and is Windows 10 ready although, unlike general web users, businesses will have to pay for the update when it arrives later this year.
The use of Windows 8.1 makes the ThinkPad Helix an easy fit for most office environments and, unlike Lenovo's consumer range, isn't overly filled with bloatware.
The only notable software additions are Lenovo's SHAREit, SECUREit, SYNCit, SNAPit and SEEit services.
SHAREit is a file-sharing app designed to let you share content across multiple devices, while SECUREit is a security app that protects the ThinkPad against common cyber threats like spam and malware.
As a bonus it also offers a selection of anti-theft and performance optimisation services. These include remote locking and an auto-cleaner that closes redundant background apps.
SYNCit syncs information like contacts and messages across multiple devices, while SNAPit and SEEit are basic photo taking, editing and viewing services.
The features are not a problem but, with the exception of SECUREit, they are not that useful on the ThinkPad Helix.
Windows already offers the majority of the services and most businesses will have their own solutions for the problems that the Lenovo apps address.
The ThinkPad Helix software additions aren't too overbearing, but we'd have preferred it if Lenovo had taken a lighter approach.
Performance
Lenovo has loaded the ThinkPad Helix with Intel's power conserving Core M 5Y71 processor, HD Graphics 5300 and 4GB or 8GB of DDR3L RAM. We reviewed the 8GB version.
The ThinkPad Helix performed fairly well when benchmarked on Sunspider, Kraken and PCMark 8. The device scored 438.7ms on Sunspider and 2,167.5ms on Kraken, where a lower score is preferential.
The ThinkPad Helix scored 2,700 work and 1,906 conventional on PCMark 8, which tests how the device functions in specific user cases, and where a higher score is better.
The scores are fairly impressive and put the ThinkPad Helix a cut above most other convertibles. For example, the Microsoft Surface 3 scored 1,571 work and 1,282 conventional on PCMark 8, 556.6ms on Sunspider and 3,950.2ms on Kraken.
The Intel integrated graphics mean that the ThinkPad Helix isn't a serious gaming machine, but it is more than powerful enough for office and productivity tasks and we didn't notice any serious performance problems.
This remained true when we used it for 3D modelling and graphics work.
Next: Battery, storage and conclusion
Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 review
A top notch Windows 10-ready business convertible
Battery and storage
The ThinkPad Helix tablet section is powered by a 35Whr battery that Lenovo claims will offer an average of eight hours' use.
We found this a little optimistic with regular use, such as basic document editing and web browsing, and generally got five to six hours from one charge with the screen brightness set to maximum.
However, the tablet section fell far short of the projected duration when we burned the battery by looping a video file stored on the device with the screen brightness set to maximum, and generally lasted four hours to four hours 30 minutes.
As a tablet this puts the ThinkPad Helix well below competing Android and Windows tablets using Intel Atom or Qualcomm Snapdragon processors.
However, it's worth noting that the lower score is because the Helix has been loaded with an ultrabook-level processor that offers significantly better performance than in most tablets.
Additionally, with the addition of the Pro Keyboard's 26Whr battery, the ThinkPad Helix has a very good life battery life by laptop standards.
Combined with the Pro Keyboard's second battery we were able to get seven hours to eight hours 30 minutes use out of the ThinkPad Helix with screen brightness at maximum, which is pretty good.
In terms of storage Lenovo is offering the ThinkPad Helix with 256GB, which can be upgraded using the device's microSD card slot.
Overall
The ThinkPad Helix ticks all the right boxes for an enterprise convertible from a hardware and design perspective.
Featuring a functionally built tablet section that's fully loaded with ports, a stylus and a solid keyboard attachment, the ThinkPad Helix is one of the best convertibles currently on the market.
However, the perks come at a price. The 4GB model, which has the basic, not Pro, keyboard, retails for a hefty £1,006.
And those who want the top-end 8GB model and Pro Keyboard, which considering its add-on battery we'd recommend, the ThinkPad Helix will set you back £1,536.