Lenovo YogaBook C930: a device that replaces four gadgets at once

    Computers are different: budget, gaming, as portable as possible, designed to work with graphics and video, and so on. If you know the category in advance, then an approximate understanding of the main features of the device related to it develops almost immediately. But sometimes something truly special appears on the market, and it is precisely this exclusive that we want to tell you today. It's about our YogaBook C930, which can replace four gadgets at once: this is a tablet, a laptop, an e-book, and a mix of a notebook with a drawing album. Interesting? Then welcome under the cat!


    Very beautiful and very light


    The dimensions of the Lenovo YogaBook C930 can be compared to a regular A4 sheet, and the latter is noticeably losing in size to our gadget. Combined with a thickness of 9.9 millimeters and a weight of 775 grams, a truly compact device can be found that can travel with its owner anywhere. In a backpack, you will not even feel such a burden, and in most women’s handbags the YogaBook C930 will fit without any problems. The main thing to remember is that it is better to avoid neighborhoods with small objects and store the device while carrying it in a thin case or in an individual compartment.

    In appearance - the dominance of neat minimalism. The body of the YogaBook C930 is completely made of metal. Its surface is matte, the color is dark gray, so that the fingerprints, even if they remain, will be practically invisible.


    Small accents further highlight the attractive design. The first thing that you immediately want to look closely is a company hinge, consisting of many parts and very similar to a watch strap.


    A shiny Lenovo logo is also applied to the top of the YogaBook C930. It is small, located in the corner and not at all striking.


    There was a case and without a little tricky "tricks". In order to lift the computer cover up, you do not need to take it in hand and try to separate one part from another. Instead, you just need to lightly tap the lid twice twice, and it will lift itself up. Then there will be only one easy movement to tilt it back and position it at the angle you need. Conveniently? Definitely yes. Effectively? And how!

    If you compare the sizes of Lenovo YogaBook C930 with the Lenovo YogaBook released two years ago, then the second one is a bit smaller and 85 grams lighter. However, the difference in performance and, especially, functionality is very significant. Let's talk about this further, but for now you can look at two gadgets - new and old - side by side.


    There are few connectors, but you can expand the memory and use the SIM card


    Compact size and a small thickness could not affect the number of connectors on the sides of the YogaBook C930. In addition, the device formally does not apply to laptops, but to tablets. And tablets are rarely designed to connect a large number of peripherals.

    However, there is one USB Type-C connector on each side of the device. The left one is logical to use for charging, the right one is for connecting headphones with the appropriate connector. You can also take an adapter from the Type-C to the traditional audio jack or connect via Bluetooth if the headphones themselves allow it.


    In addition to USB, there are speaker grilles at each end, and there are really two of them here: the YogaBook C930 has an honest stereo sound. When evaluating the sound, of course, you need to make a discount on the compact size. This is hardly the best solution for listening to music, but the movie is quite nice to watch.


    The power and volume buttons are placed on the right side of the device. And to the left there is a sliding tray like in smartphones. It has two slots. One is for microSD memory cards, the second is for nanoSIM cards.

    So you can not only easily expand the volume of the built-in data storage (the maximum supported card capacity is 512 GB), but also enjoy using the Internet on a “yogabuk” outside Wi-Fi networks using the tariff of your mobile operator.


    And, finally, one more thing, about which it is impossible not to mention separately: on the working panel of the YogaBook C930 is a fingerprint scanner. It acts as a convenient password replacement when logging in. Recognition works quickly and accurately.


    Two completely different screens in one gadget


    So we gradually got to the main "chips» Lenovo YogaBook C930 - this is an additional display based on electronic ink. Here it is located in the place where the keyboard is usually located in classic laptops. By default, virtual buttons are displayed here, and the user can print by clicking on them, since the surface is touch-sensitive. The resolution of the E-Ink screen is 1920x1080 pixels, it has a high refresh rate, and the sensors accurately and quickly register the touch of the user's fingers.


    You can also switch to other modes. To do this, the menu display on the basis of electronic ink provides four items. The first displays a keyboard on it, the second displays a field for notes or drawings, the third switches the YogaBook to e-book reading mode, and the fourth opens the display E-Ink settings menu.


    As a result, there is an impressive list of differences from the very first YogaBook. Recall that on his working panel touch buttons of the keyboard were marked by default. And it was possible to draw or take notes there only with the help of a special pen with a rod with ink inside, after laying a sheet of plain paper on the working area. The new gadget gives much more scope for imagination and creativity.


    The main screen of Lenovo YogaBook C930 also does not disappoint. It has exactly the same diagonal of 10.8 inches, but the resolution is even higher: 2560x1600 pixels. Detailing turns out just excellent. Plus we add here, though not a record, but a rather high level of brightness of 350 nits, and an excellent color rendition: the coverage of the sRGB color space is significantly higher than the maximum: as many as 144%. Wide viewing angles, do not have to complain. Although the coating is glossy, it does not cause significant inconvenience due to the absence of an air gap between the protective glass and the matrix.


    Well, of course, this display is also touch. Both for working with it, and for interaction with the E-Ink display the same active pen fits - the Lenovo Precision Pen with support for 4096 levels of depression. It is not included with the delivery of our test configuration, but the pen is in boxes with two older versions of the YogaBook C930. If you buy the Precision Pen separately, it will cost 6990 rubles.


    Four use cases


    The combination of a compact body, a fully reclining screen, and two touch displays gives Lenovo YogaBook C930 users a lot of different possibilities. In fact, it turns out that this device alone can completely or partially replace four different gadgets. Briefly tell about all use cases.

    Lenovo YogaBook C930 as a laptop

    Here everything is simple and extremely obvious: the Windows 10 operating system is on board, so you can do everything the same as on a regular PC, adjusted for the capabilities of the hardware component. However, the usual keyboard is not, it replaces the touch surface with virtual buttons on the E-Ink display.

    You can choose from two color styles: black buttons on a black background with white outlines or white buttons on a black background. In this case, you can choose the option with the presence or absence of the touchpad. In the second case, it can be displayed at any time by pressing a special virtual key.


    All this looks unusual, but is it convenient to print on such a surface? Of course, compared to conventional push-button keyboards, the print speed is reduced at least twice, and due to the lack of a tactile response, you need to constantly look at the buttons and the touchpad. However, the experience of our employees, who actively used the YogaBook C930 for several weeks, shows that over time you can get used to it. Of course, the virtual keyboard is difficult to recommend as a permanent tool for typing large texts. But as a solution for answering letters during business trips, chats and web surfing - completely.

    Lenovo YogaBook C930 as a tablet

    At any time, the main screen of the YogaBook C930 can be tilted back and, thus, turn the device into a tablet. Here comes to the fore the advantage in the form of compact dimensions of the device. Recall that the weight is 775 grams, and the thickness does not exceed 9.9 mm. Watching videos or flipping web pages while holding the gadget with two hands is very convenient.


    Lenovo YogaBook C930 as an e-book

    With the YogaBook C930, there is no need to carry a separate device for reading electronic books. In the same tablet mode on the E-Ink display, you can read long texts without harm to the eyes. Due to the high resolution, the letter detail is very good, pages are turned on by pressing the right or left side of the additional display, the scale can also be changed. For complete happiness, there isn’t enough light to read in the dark, but its introduction would inevitably affect the thickness and weight of the device. The list of supported formats depends on the software version. Right now PDFs are opening without any problems, soon we will add all the classic formats of electronic books.


    Lenovo YogaBook C930 as a notebook and album.

    Perhaps the most interesting mode, for the full disclosure of which you will need the optional Precision Pen. However, if necessary, it is possible to draw and write on the display on the basis of electronic black just with a finger.

    In the mode of notes, you can choose one of the ready-made templates with a specific background a la notebook in a cell or in a ruler. There is an eraser and the ability to select the thickness of the pen, as well as the “smart brush” function, which automatically gives regular shapes to hand-drawn shapes and lines. Fragments of images can be selected and copied, and you can also transfer a screenshot from the main IPS display to a note and then make notes directly on it. In short, all the basic functions for record keeping and drawing are already now. In the future we will try to expand and improve all this.


    Suitable for all everyday tasks.


    Lenovo YogaBook C930 is available in four configurations. They differ in processors, the amount of internal memory on the SSD drive, the presence or absence of LTE support, as well as the fact that they are included in the delivery package of the Precision Pen or not. The remaining parameters are identical. Here is the complete list:

    • Intel Core m3-7Y30, 128 GB on SSD, only Wi-Fi
    • Intel Core m3-7Y30, 128 GB on SSD, with LTE support
    • Intel Core i5-7Y54, 256 GB on SSD, only Wi-Fi, Precision Pen included
    • Intel Core i5-7Y54, 256 GB on SSD, with support for LTE, Precision Pen included

    Our test sample is the number one configuration above, but the difference in computing power between the Core m3-7Y30 and Core i5-7Y54 is hardly significant. And in terms of specifications, it all comes down to the difference of the base (1.0 vs. 1.2 GHz) and maximum (2.6 vs. 3.2 GHz) frequencies and TDP (3.5 vs. 3.75 W). In addition, the i5-7Y54 is higher than the maximum frequency of integrated graphics Intel HD Graphics 615: 950 against 900 MHz.


    Of course, the computer is not designed for games, installation, or, especially, such serious things as working with three-dimensional graphics. This device is for surfing the web, chatting, reading, watching videos, documents and presentations. And under such scenarios that m3, that i5 will cope with their work equally stable.

    Just in case, we also compare the Intel Core m3-7Y30 with the Intel Core i7-8550U chip used in almost all the top ultrabooks of 2018 in the Cinebench R15 benchmarks and the 3D Mark Sky Diver test.



    Of course, the maximum frequencies in Boost mode are kept by both processors for a very short time. During long loads, they quickly fall to basic levels. But at the same time, it is almost impossible to warm up the YogaBook to significant temperatures during daily work. The temperature of the bottom of the gadget will rarely exceed 40-42 degrees. This is in the absence of active cooling and, as a result, absolute silence.

    After installing the Megafon SIM card in the corresponding tray, Speedtest showed a speed of almost 120 Mbps for download and about 5 Mbps for upload. It was on the south-eastern outskirts of Moscow. The hypothetical maximum speed in reality can be even higher - it all depends on the capabilities of the operator. With everyday use of a tablet with a SIM card, everything works fine, with the quality of signal reception, a complete order.


    There are no significant problems with the speed of the Windows 10 operating system, and even 4 GB of RAM does not become a bottleneck. Of course, 8 GB would be better, but there are only 4 in all configurations. Most likely, this is why in the tests of the overall performance of the PC Mark 10 system the results do not reach 3000 points.


    We also measured the speed of the SSD drive in the CrystalDisk Mark test, and here are the results we got. Again, these are not record values, but absolutely comfortable for all those daily work scenarios listed above.


    It works long enough, it charges quickly



    Inside Lenovo YogaBook C930 battery with a capacity of 4600 mAh. According to the tests of the global team, the battery life on one full charge is slightly more than 8.5 hours. In real use scenarios, this is approximately what happens, because, for example, continuous playback of Full HD video with maximum brightness and disabled Wi-Fi will discharge the device in 7-7.5 hours. It is quite good for such a compact and thin device, plus we do not forget that the main screen here has a resolution not of 1920x1080, but all 2560x1600 pixels.


    If you disable the main screen and use only black and white for reading electronic books or PDF documents, then the YogaBook C930 will work even longer: up to 12-13 hours. Of course, independent E-Ink "readers" work longer, but there is no such universality. And here - ample supply for, say, a direct flight from Moscow to New York or Tokyo.

    Lenovo YogaBook C930 is charged from the most common adapter with a USB Type-C cord. In size and weight, it is absolutely comparable to most smartphones for smartphones. And, of course, from the adapter "yogabuk" other mobile devices with Type-C can also be charged. Yes, and the gadget itself from this adapter is charging vigorously: the path from 0 to 90% of the battery indicator passes in less than 1.5 hours.

    How much and where to buy?


    Lenovo YogaBook C930 has not yet gone on sale in Russia, but some of our retail partners have already begun to accept pre-orders. A complete list of official distributors can be found here . The recommended cost of the gadget in the maximum configuration with an Intel Core i5-7Y54 processor, 256 GB on SSD, LTE support and Precision Pen in the kit will be 116 990 rubles. A similar configuration, but without LTE will cost 108,990 rubles.

    If you do not need the Precision Pen or you plan to purchase it later, then you can stop the choice on low-end versions with 128 GB of memory and Intel Core m3. With LTE support, such a YogaBook C930 will cost 97,990 rubles, and the most basic model without access to carrier networks will cost 87,990 rubles. These prices will be relevant after the New Year, when the VAT increases, they are a bit lower right now.

    The objection “yes, I’ll take a cool ultrabook for this money!” Sounds reasonable, but the choice of technology is always an individual matter, depending on personal needs. Yes, the ultrabook is more powerful, it has more memory, but it is not so compact and less universal. Inside the company, we see the YogaBook C930 rather than as the main computer, but as an additional user's computer.

    For example, if you do not need to regularly recruit large texts, then it will perfectly perfectly replace the usual laptop when traveling. In addition to the excellent main screen for video, there is a wonderful additional E-Ink display for reading. Well, if you regularly make changes to some electronic layouts, then the YogaBook C930 may well become one of your main tools for work. And for those who are still used to writing, drawing and drawing by hand, this is almost the only solution of its kind.

    Of course, we also understand that the high price will not make this device massive. Like the first YogaBook, this is also a niche solution, and quite high-end. At the same time, we are pleased and proud that we can offer the market such a non-standard product, hear the opinions of users and understand how to develop the line further.

    Therefore, we will be very grateful for your impressions and ideas in the comments. And, of course, thank you very much for your attention and for reading to the end!

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