It has been a long time since I have really enjoyed using a laptop or notebook size computer. Since I write for a significant part of my income my computer has to be capable of running some of the best dictation software on the market. I also rely on the computer for moderate level graphical projects and for creating advanced level professional presentations. The Lenovo Flex 3 has been a perfect system for use not only in my office but while on the road.
I worried about not having a CD or DVD drive on the system but quickly found that I didn't need it with proper planning. As an example, I made two stops to present at moderately large venues in the last 10 days. While both were similar in their basic topic they had very different approaches and needs for the presentation. I was able to develop a combination of presentation tools that allowed me to meet the demands for the different audiences. Add to that the fact that the Lenovo gave me an easy to carry and easy to read computer that I could easily use for both presentations. After each I had the normal number of people approach me to discuss the topic but had a surprising smaller number of people approach me to talk about computer. It's pretty good when a new computer games attention from a very focused crowd like I normally present to.
I actually am writing this review on the Lenovo using the dictation software with an RF microphone. I have not made any corrections to this text and the reason for that is to show how accurate the computer allows the software to be. This is the latest version of the software and on older computers the error rate runs as high as 20% at times. As one can quickly see with this text the error rate is much less than 20% and that is due in large part to the quality of the microphone and computer. To be a will to translate normal speech at the speed it does is amazing even though I was expecting the computer to be that good.
A few items worth mentioning are the overall feel and use of the computer. If you have not used a two and one system before you will have to make some adjustments to your normal habits. I've used a tablet (without keyboard) and of course a number of notebook. For the Lenovo the keyboard is slightly smaller then what you would find on a laptop or notebook of a slightly larger size. I thought I might have trouble with that when I ordered it but have had absolutely no problems even with hands that have been described as "bear paws." When needed you can quickly change the computer from a traditional typing stance to a tent (which was very useful during presentations) and around to a tablet style.
I found the tablet style to be especially useful when working on graphics. In the past I've used a graphical tablet with my larger computer system it was a little worried about how I would adapt moving to a tablet style on this computer. At first I found myself switching back and forth, often very quickly, between the notebook style and the tablet style. Most of these changes were due to the learning curve necessary for someone who is not had this type of system before. After a couple days I found myself flipping between styles much less and for graphics relying on the tablet portion more and more. Soon, I was using top programs like Photoshop and Flash with a stylus to achieve output on a level that sometimes rivaled my larger system.
About the only thing that I have had any worry about has been the flexibility of the screen and keyboard as one flips it from one position to the next. I know that in past reviews by other users this flexibility at the hinge has been noted and discussed many times. It's hard not to see that flexibility as you make the change and not be a little worried about overly stressing the system. By this time I found that the flexibility is pretty much a normal event and I worry less and less each day's work. At this point I hardly even notice the flexibility but have noticed that there has been no negative outcome even after a few months of use.
In the next month I will be moving into a new house and plan to use this system as my only computer. In fact, I probably won't even unload the old system for the first month I'm in place. I have a couple of conferences to attend and presentations to make but they have all been completed using the Lenovo. I can easily keep the presentations in the computer memory or on a flash drive. It takes up less room in my case or backpack and the success I have had with it so far gives me the confidence to use it as the primary system for the foreseeable future. I would have no problem recommending computer to anyone that is looking to get into the combination use system.
| Standing screen display size | 14 Inches |
|---|---|
| Screen Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels |
| Max Screen Resolution | 1920x1080 Pixels |
| Processor | 2.4 GHz core_i7 |
| RAM | 8 GB DDR3 |
| Hard Drive | 1 TB HDD |
| Graphics Coprocessor | Intel HD Graphics 5500 |
| Chipset Brand | Intel |
| Card Description | Integrated, Dedicated |
| Wireless Type | 802.11ac |
| Number of USB 3.0 Ports | 2 |
| Average Battery Life (in hours) | 4 Hours |
