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When it was first introduced at CES , Lenovo described the Helix laptop-tablet hybrid as a "flip-and-rip" system, which sounded like the usually staid company was trying to add a little sizzle to the normally conservative ThinkPad lineup.
In person, this detachable-screen hybrid still has a very ThinkPad-like look and feel, and from a distance, it looks nearly identical to the army of ThinkPads on office and cubicle desks around the world. The flipping and ripping comes into play when you activate the small hinge-based latch for removing the display from the rest of the body. In this case, the screen pops off much like any other hybrid's, but then can reattach after being rotated degrees, leaving the screen facing out from the back of the system.
That makes for a good presentation mode, which I sometimes call a "kiosk" setup. Of course, you can also use the Helix screen by itself as a Windows 8 slate, or fold the unit shut with the screen facing out for a thicker tablet mode backed up by the extra battery power of the keyboard dock.
But as an inch laptop, the Helix is in the middle of a suddenly crowded market. Another potential stumbling block: the Helix like the Yoga 11S is currently stuck with Intel's previous-generation processors, rather than the new fourth-generation Core i-series, called Haswell.
The difference is important for a device such as this, because the battery life numbers we're seeing from the first few Intel Haswell laptops make the new chips more than worth waiting for, especially if you're going to be using a hybrid in its extra-portable tablet mode.
The Helix ran for an acceptably long time when both the base and screen batteries were used together, but for pure tablet use, it's tempting to wait for an updated version.
Because this system is from Lenovo's professional-grade ThinkPad line, as opposed to the consumer-targeted IdeaPad line, you can expect to pay a bit of a premium compared with other machines with similar specs. For a ThinkPad's rigid construction, best-in-class keyboard, and IT-friendly security features, that's perfectly reasonable, in theory. But, the Helix starts starts!
Design and features Though I have misgivings about the price and older components, Lenovo has created the best detachable-screen latching system I've seen. It's still overly fiddly, with multiple hook-and-eye-style connections, but it feels more robust and solid than other detachable hybrid hinges, and the release mechanism is a large push-in button on the left edge of the hinge, rather than a chintzy-feeling button right below it as found on the HP Envy x2 and other hybrids.
There's even a short horizontal panel that covers the entire hinge mechanism from the rear of the system, both to protect it from the elements and to give the entire package a cleaner look. I've taken to calling it the Helix Modesty Skirt. Removing the screen from the base, flipping it around, and reattaching it has a couple of obvious uses.
One is to create a kiosk-style display, with the screen pointing toward your audience without a keyboard or touch pad in the way. Plus, you can guard against identity theft and ensure safe access to your network with built-in security features. In fact, the only thing more amazing than an Intel Core processor-based PC, is what you will do with it.
Built for business. Built for life. The new Windows brings together everything you do across all your devices — whether at home, at work, or on the go. With Windows 8. Should you want to use it as a Desktop, simply attach it to a dock for use with a larger monitor, full-sized mouse and keyboard, etc.
Get adaptability on your terms. Do a full day of work — and then some — on a single charge. And it does help: it has the same hovering preview features as the Surface Pro, and makes finding tiny touch targets much easier. The upside, of course, is that p video looks pretty great on the device. The only sacrifice to size is the crowded arrow keys, but I can get over that. The trackpad, too, is at the top of its class. Of course, the normal Windows trackpad problems still apply.
On day one, the Helix is already outdated. Performance is solid, and the Helix powers everything from the Windows 8 interface to relatively heavy apps with ease. When it does get a Haswell upgrade, battery life is going to be ridiculous. I want a device that is sleek and beautiful, equally laptop and tablet, not a jumble of parts designed to awkwardly mash the two devices together.
The worst part?
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