LenovoLenovo’s family of convertible devices, with names like Yoga and Twist, remind us of that gymnast/cheerleader/yoga instructor/circus performer we dated years back. Unlike that experience, where the novelty quickly wore off, the Lenovo ThinkPad Twist ($849+) proves useful for both work AND play. A serious productivity Ultrabook with passable multimedia hardware, the Twist’s screen turns and folds back to become a 0.79-inch thick tablet.
Powered by an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, up to 8GB of RAM and either a 128GB SSD or 500GB 7200RPM hard drive, the Twist manhandles sizable spreadsheets, RAM-devouring databases or graphics-laden presentations with relative ease. Add the 12.5-inch Gorilla Glass-coated IPS display, Dolby Home Theatre sound and a long battery life (up to 7 hours), and you have trans-Atlantic movie-watching, sans eye strain. While a tad heavy for an Ultrabook at 3.48 pounds, the ThinkPad Twist frees you of the clumsy laptop-and-tablet, multi-device load once it’s available October 26. Now, on the subject of productivity: don’t reminisce too much about that ex while watching the Twist bend backwards.
Buy Now: $849+ (October 26)