Surface Pro 4 - Surface Book - Lenovo Yoga 900

[Patrick]

Getting the itch to upgrade my Yoga 2 Pro. Previously I had two Surface products (three if you count a replacement for one of them) so I have some experience with both. Looking to get 16GB RAM, Core i7 and 512GB SSD in anything I get. I just saw you can customize the Surface Pro 4 with this as an option

Surface Pro 4
$2199 + $129 type cover = $2328
Pros

• Tablet and light
• Core i7
• Pen (I did like the old one)
• Lower resolution (better for IPMI)
• Iris Pro

Cons

• Type cover is not as good as a real keyboard (sorry I have had 2x type covers thus far.)
• 16GB/ Core i7/ 512GB model is listed as "out of stock" while others are listed as Pre-Order now. It still says ready by Nov 20th though.

Surface Book
$2699 for the 16GB/ 512GB model
Pros

• Possibly the best tablet + stand combo
• Detachable base with NVIDIA GPU

Cons

• $2700
• Does not fold completely

Yoga 900
$1399 - $28 ebay bucks via Best Buy ebay shop = $1371: Lenovo Yoga 900 13.3" 2-in-1 Touch-Screen Laptop Intel Core i7 16GB Mem 512GB... + $99 to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro = $1470
Pros

• Laptop feel for writing
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Not detachable into tablet mode and the Yoga in tablet mode is a bit heavy/ clunky
• Need to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro

None offer LTE from what I can tell which is a bummer. As much as I do want the Surface Book/ Pro 4 I am having a really hard time justifying it when the Yoga 900 is so much less expensive. Windows 10 Pro is a requirement because I do use Hyper-V quite a bit. Hence why I do also want to upgrade the 8GB Y2P to 16GB in this iteration.

Also - I would prefer something convertible/ tablet because I spend a lot of times on planes. Small regional planes having a stand v. a keyboard works when the seat in front of you is reclined.

Is anyone else doing a similar comparison here and has made a decision?

 

[TechIsCool]

Did you see the review the verge did? for the Surface Book?
Microsoft Surface Book review

They were gripping about the trackpad being wonky. Right now I don't feel the need to upgrade but I want to put my hands on the Surface Books since it seems like a nice designed device. I personally can't justify the cost but the company can so I might get one.

 

[Dajinn]

You have to remember that when it comes to any Surface product right now you're also paying a hidden premium for the active digitizing technology which as far as I can tell the Yoga 900 does not have.

 

[Jeggs101]

You have to remember that when it comes to any Surface product right now you're also paying a hidden premium for the active digitizing technology which as far as I can tell the Yoga 900 does not have.

I'm not sure I'd pay $500 premium for the pen? maybe that's just me?

 

[legopc]

Have you considered the ThinkPad x250? Can be configured with touch, i7, 16gb mem and long freaking battery life.

 

[Patrick]

Have you considered the ThinkPad x250? Can be configured with touch, i7, 16gb mem and long freaking battery life.

I did. I think the x250 is still on Broadwell. Also, it is laptop-only mode. I do like the 20 hour battery life and LTE options though!

 

[pyro_]

The one I am currently waiting for full specs on is the new dell xps12. Skylake, 4K screen, tablet mode and optional LTE. Unfortunately no word on ram or hd options yet

 

[Deslok]

why not hold out for a third gen model of this? ThinkPad Helix 2-in-1 Ultrabook Laptop & Tablet PC | 11.6" with Windows 8.1 | Lenovo US you'll get a surface like tablet and a real keyboard.

 

[markarr]

why not hold out for a third gen model of this? ThinkPad Helix 2-in-1 Ultrabook Laptop & Tablet PC | 11.6" with Windows 8.1 | Lenovo US you'll get a surface like tablet and a real keyboard.

The first gen versions were ok. We have a few of them and the thinkpad version of the yogas. Our staff like the yogas over the helix, the main reason being the screen size and the onelink docks are nicer than the usb 3.0 docks.

 

[Deslok]

I actually have a yoga myself with the one link dock, it's very impressive although i'm a bit dissapointed i didn't wait till the skylake models i don't miss my C2D CF-74 toughbook.

 

[Patrick]

why not hold out for a third gen model of this? ThinkPad Helix 2-in-1 Ultrabook Laptop & Tablet PC | 11.6" with Windows 8.1 | Lenovo US you'll get a surface like tablet and a real keyboard.

Yea depends on how long I wait I guess. The Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro is great though (after I upgraded the Wi-Fi card to a better Intel AC one)

 

[Patrick]

Got hands on time with the Surface Pro 4 and the Lenovo Yoga 900. I think the 900 is the way to go.