Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd Gen) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd Gen) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

versatile detachable design

responsive touchscreen display

solid build quality

decent battery life

improved keyboard layout

heavier than competitors

limited storage options

mediocre performance

higher price point

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd Gen) and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet (3rd Gen) (20KJ)
85 % - Design
72 % - Display
75 % - Performance
75 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd Gen) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet (3rd Gen) (20KJ) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet (3rd Gen) (20KJ)
Product Type Ultrabook - with keyboard dock Tablet - with detachable keyboard
Dimensions (WxDxH) 30.11 cm x 19.25 cm x 0.96 cm -
Dimensions (WxDxH) - tablet - 30.41 cm x 22.6 cm x 0.89 cm
Dimensions (WxDxH) / Weight Details 900 g - keyboard dock 30.41 cm x 22.6 cm x 0.89 cm / 890 g - tablet
30.41 cm x 22.6 cm x 1.51 cm / 1.27 kg - tablet with keyboard
Weight 822 g 890 g
Case Material Aluminum, polycarbonate ABS Aluminum, magnesium alloy
Colour Graphite black Black
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet (3rd Gen) (20KJ)
Screen Size (Type) 11.6" - IPS 13" - IPS
Touchscreen Yes (10-point multi-touch) Yes (10-point multi-touch)
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight LED backlight
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 3000 x 2000 (QHD+)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 3:2
Image Brightness 370 cd/m² 400 cd/m²
Features VibrantView, glossy, Corning Gorilla glass, WideView, One Glass Solution Glossy, Corning Gorilla glass, WideView, anti-fingerprint
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet (3rd Gen) (20KJ)
CPU Intel Core M 5Y71 / 1.2 GHz Intel Core i5 (8th Gen) 8250U / 1.6 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 2.9 GHz 3.4 GHz
Number of Cores Dual-Core Quad-Core
Cache 4 MB 6 MB
64-bit Computing Yes Yes
Features Integrated memory controller, Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet (3rd Gen) (20KJ)
RAM 8 GB (provided memory is soldered) 8 GB (provided memory is soldered)
RAM Type LPDDR3 SDRAM LPDDR3 SDRAM
Speed - 1866 MHz
Rated Speed - 2133 MHz
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet (3rd Gen) (20KJ)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 128 GB SSD 256 GB SSD M.2 PCIe - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe) - Samsung
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet (3rd Gen) (20KJ)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel HD Graphics 5300 Intel UHD Graphics 620
Camera Yes Yes
Resolution 5 Megapixel (rear), 2 Megapixel (front) 8 Megapixel (rear), 2 Megapixel (front)
Camera Features - IR camera, rear camera with auto focus, rear camera with flash
Video Resolutions 1080p -
Sound Stereo speakers, three microphones Stereo speakers, two microphones
Codec ALC286-VC Realtek ALC3278
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio -
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet (3rd Gen) (20KJ)
Wireless Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1
Wireless Controller M.2 Card Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265 - M.2 Card
Network Interface Ethernet -
WWAN
Generation - 4G
Technology - UMTS, HSPA, HSPA+, DC-HSPA+, LTE Advanced
Controller - Sierra Wireless EM7455
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet (3rd Gen) (20KJ)
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium Ion
Installed Qty 2 -
Battery Capacity (Size) - 42 Wh
Battery Life - Up to 9.5 hours
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet (3rd Gen) (20KJ)
Input AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 36 Watt 65 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet (3rd Gen) (20KJ)
Type Keyboard, digitizer, touchpad, TrackPoint, digital pen Keyboard, digitizer, TrackPoint, digital pen, UltraNav
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features Multi-touch touchpad Volume control, multi-touch touchpad, buttonless touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet (3rd Gen) (20KJ)
Slots - 1 x Nano-SIM card (1 free)
Interfaces USB 3.0 (Always On)
Micro-HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Dock
USB 3.0 (on keyboard dock)
Mini DisplayPort (on keyboard dock)
LAN (on supplied cable)
2 x USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 (Power Delivery 3.0)
Pogo keyboard connector
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader Yes (microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC) Yes (microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet (3rd Gen) (20KJ)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Home Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad Helix (2nd Gen) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet (3rd Gen) (20KJ)
Dockable Yes Yes
Included Accessories Power adapter, USB to Ethernet adapter Keyboard, ThinkPad Pen Pro, USB-C power adapter, pen holder
Integrated Options Ambient light sensor, 3-axis gyro sensor, 3-axis magnetometer, 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis compass, 3-axis inclinometer Ambient light sensor, 3-axis gyro sensor, 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis compass
Security Fingerprint reader Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader
Security Slot Type Kensington security slot Kensington mini security slot
Theft/Intrusion Protection Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately) Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Features Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password, volume control, lock display rotation function Reset switch, MIL-STD-810G tested
Navigation Receiver - GPS
Compliant Standards ISO 9001, ISO 14001, RoHS, GREENGUARD, ISO 27001 RoHS, GREENGUARD, low halogen
SAR Value - 1.51 W/kg (body), 1.51 W/kg (limb)
ENERGY STAR Certified Yes -
EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Gold -
Manufacturer Warranty Limited warranty - 2 years - pick-up and return Limited warranty - 3 years - pick-up and return
Limited warranty - battery - 1 year
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