What Is the Difference Between the Lenovo Laptop Models?

By John Ruiz

A couple is working on their laptop.
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When Lenovo purchased IBM's personal computer division back in 2005, Lenovo didn't just acquire IBM's iconic ThinkPad notebooks; Lenovo also obtained the necessary technologies to launch several other categories of notebook computers. Lenovo classified the different laptop models into series, each falling under one of the two main categories. With the exception of few models like the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, every Lenovo laptop has a model name, where the letter represents the series and the number refers to the screen size.

ThinkPad Laptops

Lenovo continues to use the ThinkPad brand to promote their premium laptops, which all have a superior keyboard and build-quality over the ordinary Lenovo laptop models. These also feature a pointing stick known as the TrackPoint for precise mouse cursor movement. The ThinkPad family includes rugged workstations, like the T and W series representing most 14- and 15-inch laptops, along with the more portable X series. There are also some hybrid models like the ThinkPad Helix which features a detachable keyboard and touch screen display.

Lenovo Laptops

Lenovo laptops feature sleeker designs and come in a broader variety of configurations to target mainstream consumers at various price points. The Y series represent the high-end spectrum of the family, featuring laptops that are optimized for gaming and multimedia, while the S series are smaller and equipped with simpler specifications. The older models in this category had the IdeaPad branding.

Yoga Laptops

Lenovo's Yoga lineup is a special category as it consists of models present under the ThinkPad and the Lenovo banner. Every Lenovo Yoga laptop is equipped with a touch screen display and a special hinge that allows the screen to rotate all the way back, so it can be used as a tablet. They recently added a new feature: The moulding around the keyboard raises when the hinge has been rotated 360-degrees, creating a flattened surface that makes the tablet version easier to handle.

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