IdeaPad

IdeaPad is a line of consumer-oriented laptop computers designed, developed and marketed by Lenovo. The IdeaPad mainly competes against computers such as Acer's Aspire and Swift, Asus's Transformer Book Flip, VivoBook and ZenBook, Dell's Inspiron and XPS, HP's Pavilion, Envy, Stream, and Spectre, Huawei's MateBook, Samsung's Galaxy Book and Toshiba's Satellite.

History

The IdeaPad laptops were announced in January 2008.[1] The first three models in the product line were the Y710, the Y510, and the U110. Some of the features that defined these first three models were widescreens, VeriFace facial recognition, frameless screens, touch controls, and Dolby speaker systems.[1][2]

The IdeaPad design marked a deviation from the business-oriented ThinkPad laptops, towards a more consumer-oriented look and feel.[3] Among these changes were a glossy screen and the absence of the traditional ThinkPad TrackPoint.[4]

On September 21, 2016, Lenovo confirmed that their Yoga series is not meant to be compatible with Linux operating systems, that they know it is impossible to install Linux on some models, and that it is not supported.[5] This came in the wake of media coverage of problems that users were having while trying to install Ubuntu on several Yoga models, including the 900 ISK2, 900 ISK For Business, 900S, and 710, which were traced back to Lenovo intentionally disabling and removing support for the AHCI storage mode for the device's solid-state drive in the computer's BIOS, in favor of a RAID mode that is only supported by Windows 10 drivers that come with the system. (This is also noted to make creation of Windows installation media more difficult than it normally is, as the process requires extracting a storage driver and loading it during the Windows installation process, or else the installer will not see the SSD.)[6][7][8][9]

In February 2020, the Lenovo IdeaPad S940 was the world's cheapest 4K laptop. This IdeaPad notebook, made of aluminium, was the world's first laptop to feature a curved Contour Display.[10]

Flex series (2013–current)

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex is a dual-mode laptop line by Lenovo; Unlike the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga line of devices the keyboard does not bend back entirely to allow use as a tablet, it's only a dual-mode laptop (except some models).[11]

Gaming series (2020–2022)

IdeaPad Gaming 3 was announced in April, 2020.[12] IdeaPad Gaming was discontinued in favour of Lenovo LOQ, another budget gaming computer series; with 2022 being the last production year for the IdeaPad Gaming.[13]

Discontinued series

Y series (2008–2016)

The first laptops in the IdeaPad Y Series line were showcased in CES 2008.[1] These were the IdeaPad Y710 and Y510 laptops, with 17-inch and 15-inch screens, respectively.[14] The Y series is a line of ordinary laptops with gaming-oriented appearance – a marked difference from ThinkPads.[3]

IdeaPad Yoga 13

The Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 is a hybrid notebook/tablet computer created by Lenovo and first announced at the International CES 2012 in January.

IdeaPad Yoga 11

The Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11 is a hybrid laptop/tablet Windows RT based computer released in late 2012. The Yoga 11 and Yoga 13 computers both get their names from their unique design that enables the devices to rotate their screen backwards to become tablet devices.

The Yoga 11's small amount of RAM is sufficient due to the reduced memory requirements of Windows RT applications. The Yoga 11 was sold with solid-state drives in 32 GB and 64 GB capacities. The Yoga 11 runs the Windows RT operating system. Microsoft Office 2013 ships pre-installed.[15] Like all Windows RT devices, the Yoga 11 cannot run software designed for earlier versions of Windows, only apps designed for the new Metro interface are compatible.[16]

IdeaPad Yoga 11S

The IdeaPad Yoga 11S is a compact ultralight hybrid notebook/tablet computer which released in 2013. Like the Yoga 13 and the Yoga 11 the Yoga 11S gets its name from its ability to take on various form factors due to its screen being mounted on a special two-way hinge. The Yoga 11S runs the full version of Microsoft's Windows 8 operating system.[17]

Like other models in the IdeaPad Yoga line, the Yoga 11S has a convertible form factor. Its screen can flip into a range of positions that allow it to serve as a regular laptop and tablet device as well as being able to function in "tent mode" and "stand mode."[17] Like the Yoga 11, the 11S was available in silver and clementine orange.[18] The Yoga 11S can be configured with Intel's "Ivy Bridge" Core i7 processor, support up to a 256 GB SSD, and can hold 8 GB of RAM. The Yoga 11S has an 11.6" display with available options for resolutions of 1366×768 pixels and 1600×900 pixels.[17]

IdeaPad Yoga Tablet

The IdeaPad Yoga Tablet is an Android tablet with a multi-mode device with a rear kickstand designed to allow it to be placed upright for viewing videos and other media or tilted for easier text entry.[19]

S series (2008–unknown)

The first laptop in Lenovo's netbook IdeaPad S Series was scheduled for launch in September 2008 but was delayed, with an estimated release date of November .[20] Ultimately, the laptop was released in September in China, but in October in the United States.[21][22]

C series

IdeaPad C340 was announced in February 2019.[23]

L series

IdeaPad L340 was announced in April 2019.[24]

See also

References

  1. Sal Cangeloso. New from Lenovo: three IdeaPad notebook s Geek.com blog, January 3, 2008, retrieved June 2, 2011^
  2. Thin and Stylish Reigns in Laptop Couture, Too (Published 2008) 2008-05-15, retrieved 2024-12-15^
  3. Lenovo IdeaPad Hands-On Roundup 27 January 2022^
  4. Lenovo IdeaPad Hands-On Roundup 27 January 2022^
  5. Lenovo Statement on Linux Support for Yoga news.lenovo.com, retrieved 2016-09-22^
  6. Lenovo's Signature laptops refuse to install Linux BBC News, 2016-09-21, retrieved 2016-09-22^
  7. Lenovo confirms that Linux won't work on Yoga 900 and 900S laptops VentureBeat, 22 September 2016, retrieved 2016-09-22^
  8. Lenovo denies deliberately blocking Linux on Windows 10 PCs – TechRepublic TechRepublic, 21 September 2016, retrieved 2016-09-22^
  9. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes. Lenovo reportedly blocking Linux on Windows 10 Signature Edition PCs (updated) ZDNet, retrieved 2016-09-22^
  10. Desire Athow 25 February 2020. We found the cheapest 4K laptop right now and it even supports Alexa TechRadar, retrieved 2020-02-25^
  11. Lenovo Flex 3 11-inch Review: No Longer the Yoga Half Measure www.notebookreview.com, retrieved 2021-05-06^
  12. Allen Ngo. Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is one of the least expensive Intel 10th gen gaming laptops you can get at just $730 USD NotebookCheck, 2020-04-16^
  13. Severin Kolakov. Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3i (16″, 2022) - Top 5 Pros and Cons 2023-04-06, retrieved 2025-08-21^
  14. New from Lenovo: three IdeaPad notebooks retrieved 2011-05-23^
  15. James Stables 14 January 2013. Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11 review TechRadar, 14 January 2013, retrieved 2021-05-06^
  16. Eric Franklin. The Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11 is a better laptop than tablet CNET, retrieved 2021-05-06^
  17. Alex Davies 06 February 2013. Hands-on with the Lenovo Yoga 11S Tom's Hardware, 6 February 2013, retrieved 2021-05-06^
  18. Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S hands-on SlashGear, 2013-01-08, retrieved 2021-05-06^
  19. Edward C. Baig. Lenovo unveils new Yoga Tablet USA Today, 29 October 2013^
  20. IdeaPad S10 Release delayed^
  21. Lenovo Ideapad S10 Price and Release Date retrieved 2011-05-23^
  22. Lenovo IdeaPad S10 Review 27 January 2022^
  23. Joshua Goldman. Lenovo IdeaPad C340, S340, S540 are practical laptops with premium details CNET, 2019-02-24^
  24. Lori Grunin. Lenovo debuts sub-$1,000 IdeaPad L340 Gaming line for low-glow gamers CNET, 2019-04-23^