Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 14
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 14 is a laptop computer with a rotating keyboard.
Design and performance
The IdeaPad Flex 14 is a dual-mode laptop. Its keyboard rotates behind the screen in order to put the device into "stand mode." Stand mode brings the user closer to the screen for watching videos and using touch-enabled apps and removes the visual distraction from the keyboard. [1] Unlike the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga line of devices the keyboard does not bend back entirely to allow use as a tablet. Like other Lenovo devices such as the Yoga, the Flex has a matte, smooth lid that tapers slightly at the sides with a Lenovo logo in the upper left corner. Some models have orange accents, a feature often found in Lenovo's designs. Rubber bumpers prevent the screen from being rotated beyond 300 degrees and prevent the keyboard from contacting the table. [2]
It has a 14-inch display with a resolution of 1366 by 768 and ten-point multitouch capability. Models with Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 processors are available. 4 gigabytes of RAM comes standard. SSD and hard drive are both available. An Nvidia GeForce GT 740M video card with 2 gigabytes of video RAM is an option. A 720P webcam is included. 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 standards are all supported. Ports include HDMI, USB 2.0 and 3.0, and ethernet. An SD card reader allows for expandable storage. A 48 watt-hour battery provides up to nine hours of unplugged use. As the battery is removable, it can be switched out with a fresh one for extended use. A model with 8 gigabytes of RAM achieved a score of 4,463 points on PCMark7.[3]
The Flex 14 runs Windows 8. Software such as McAfee Security Advisor, Accuweather, Kindle, Evernote, Skype, Encyclopædia Britannica, the Merriam-Webster dictionary, Zinio, Film on Television, eBay, SugarSync, Office, and Dragon Assistant come pre-installed. [1]
Reviews
In a review for CNET, Dan Ackerman wrote, "The bottom line: Lenovo tries something new with the semi-hybrid IdeaPad Flex 14. The fold-back hinge is of dubious practical use, as it doesn't fold all the way down into a tablet, but if you pick the right configuration, this is still a good, inexpensive Core i5 laptop, even without the gimmicks." [2]