For some time recently, tablets like the Lenovo ThinkPad 10 and the Microsoft Surface have become tools to give creative professionals mobility with the power of a PC in a portable package with a highly usable stylus, enabling sketching and drawing on the go. Recently, Lenovo also introduced the ThinkPad P50 and P70, which are mobile workstations boasting mobile Intel Xeon hardware. At Autodesk University 2015 in Las Vegas, Lenovo unveiled the Lenovo ThinkPad P40 Yoga, a multimode workstation.
Like other models in the Yoga line, this unit is designed to be used as a laptop, but the keyboard can also be folded back completely and used as a tablet. The “Lift ‘n’ Lock” keyboard design has a panel around the keyboard that folds upward as the screen is folded back, protecting it while the system is used in alternate orientations.
The major feature that differentiates this model from is its use of a discrete Nvidia GPU. While in and of itself that’s not revolutionary — the new Microsoft Surface Book has one as well, for example — this model has an Nvidia Quadro M500M GPU, giving it an ISV-certified workstation-class GPU. The discrete GPU means that creative professionals can use their demanding applications without worrying about performance being limited by integrated graphics.
| Lenovo P40 ThinkPad Yoga | |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel 6th Generation (Skylake) Core i7 |
| GPU | Nvidia Quadro M500M |
| RAM | 1 x 16 GB DDR3L SODIMM (max) |
| Storage | 512 GB SSD (max) |
| Ports | -3 xUSB 3.0, one always-on Charging -HDMI 1.4 -Mini DisplayPort 1.2 -Gigabit Ethernet -Docking Connector -Microphone / headphone combo jack -Smart Card Reader (optional) -Integrated 4-in-1 SD Card Reader (SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC) -Micro SIM |
| Connectivity | -Intel 8260 2 x 2 a/c + Bluetooth 4.1 vPro or -Intel 8260 2 x 2 a/c + Bluetooth 4.1 -Sierra EM7455 – 3G/4G LTE |
| Power Supply | 65 W |
| Battery | 3-cell, 53 WHr |
| Accessories | -Wacom Active ES Technology 2048 levels of sensitivity -Super Capacitor Pen, 30 second charge for 8 hours of use, stores within the chassis |
| Dimensions | 338 x 236.3 x 19.9 mm (WxDxH) |
| Weight | Starting at 3.9 lbs (1.8 kg) |
| Keyboard | ThinkPad Precision Keyboard with Backlit |
| OS | -Windows 10 Pro 64-bit -Windows 10 Home 64-bit -Windows 7 Professional (available through downgrade rights from Windows 10 Pro) |
| Software | -Lenovo Connect -REACHit -SHAREit -Lenovo Companion -Lenovo Solution Center -McAfee LiveSafe (30-day trial) -Microsoft Office 2013 (trial) |
| Price | Starts at $1,399 |
The ThinkPad P40 Yoga’s stylus is a Wacom Active ES (chargeable) with 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity. Wacom’s stylus technology is a de facto standard among creative professionals.
The ThinkPad P40 Yoga features an Intel 6th Generation (Skylake) Core i7 CPU and up to 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB SSD storage. It sports a 14-inch 2560 x 1440 IPS display, and it purports an estimated eight hours of battery life. Pricing for the P40 Yoga begins at $1,399 and it will be available starting in Q1 2016.
