Head-To-Head: Lenovo X1 Yoga Vs. Microsoft Surface Pro 4

Portability And Flexibility

Lenovo popularized the idea of a convertible laptop with its Yoga series, and Microsoft did the same for the convertible tablet with the Surface Pro. The two devices are variations on the same theme. Namely: a highly portable, large-screened touch device with flexibility around whether you use the keyboard or not. Those who want their keyboard to stay attached (but be able to fold all the way back) may favor something from the Yoga line – perhaps a soon-to-be-released premium model, the second-generation X1 Yoga. Meanwhile, the most-recent Surface Pro, the Surface Pro 4, is probably a better fit if you want the option to detach the keyboard.

But what if you aren't deciding on those criteria alone? The CRN Test Center has the breakdown on how the Lenovo X1 Yoga for 2017 compares to the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 on specs and price.

Display

The touch screen display on the Yoga X1 has the size advantage over that of the Surface Pro 4, at 14 inches versus 12.3 inches.

The X1 Yoga for 2017 has three options for the type of display. At the top end is the OLED WQHD (2,560 x 1,440 resolution) option. There's also an option for WQHD IPS, as well as an FHD IPS (1,920 x 1,080 resolution) configuration for the new X1 Yoga.

The Surface Pro 4’s PixelSense display can’t match the stunning colors and brighter picture of the OLED display on the Yoga X1, but the device does have more pixels to offer – with a display resolution of 2,736 x 1,824.

Thickness & Weight

While the X1 Yoga is certainly very portable, the Surface Pro 4 does outshine the X1 Yoga here. The Surface Pro 4 (with the Type Cover keyboard included) measures just 0.52 of an inch thick. By contrast, the OLED version of the new X1 Yoga comes in at 0.69 of an inch thick, while the non-OLED version has a thickness of 0.67 of an inch.

The Surface Pro 4 is also lighter, weighing just 2.37 pounds. The non-OLED X1 Yoga is about one-third heavier, at 3.13 pounds, while the OLED version weighs 2.99 pounds.

Processor

One area where the X1 Yoga benefits from being newer is the processor, which is the latest release from Intel. The laptop features a number of options for seventh-generation Intel Core i5 or i7 (up to 4GHz), including options with vPro. That gives the X1 Yoga a bit more horsepower than the Surface Pro 4, which uses Intel's sixth-generation processors--Core m3, Core i5 or Core i7. The top-end processor maxes out at 3.4GHz.

Battery Life

The X1 Yoga easily comes out on top in this category with a promise of 15.5 hours of battery life for the non-OLED versions, and 10.5 hours for the OLED version. The Surface Pro 4 promises nine hours of battery life.

Ports & Pens

The X1 Yoga includes a wider range of port options, with two USB-C ports that support Thunderbolt 3, three USB-A ports, HDMI, microSD, and microSIM. By contrast, the Surface Pro 4 includes a USB-A port, Mini DisplayPort, microSD and Surface Connect ports (for power and docking).

Both devices are built to work well with digital pens. In the case of the X1 Yoga, the pen is included with the laptop; it's stored in the side of the laptop's base. Microsoft also includes the Surface Pen with the Surface Pro 4.

Memory And Storage

The Surface Pro 4 has plenty of options here -- with configurations for 4GB, 8GB or 16GB of RAM. Lenovo has said only that that new X1 Yoga comes with up to 16GB of RAM. Both devices offer storage variations of 128GB, 256GB, 512GB or 1TB.

Price & Availability

Not all of the details are out yet on the pricing and availability for the second-generation X1 Yoga. Lenovo has told CRN that the laptop will be available in March (as opposed to the original plan of February), but the company hasn't set a specific date. Lenovo also said only that the X1 Yoga will come with a starting price of $1,499. The OLED version will almost certainly cost more, as will X1 Yoga models with the fastest Intel Core i7 processors, 16GB of RAM and higher amounts of storage.

The entry-level model for the Surface Pro 4 – with the Intel Core m3 processor – is priced at $899 (though it currently is on sale on Microsoft's site for $699). A model with Core i5 starts at $999 (with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage), while a Core i7 version (with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage) has a starting price of $1,499. So, generally speaking, one can expect the Surface Pro 4 to be the more affordable option than the X1 Yoga.