Lenovo Yoga 720-15: A Complete Review and Buyer’s Guide
Debuting in the tech scene back in 2017, the Lenovo Yoga 720-15 has managed to retain its allure, offering a compelling option for those discerning users on the lookout for an economical yet premium-grade ultrabook endowed with formidable specifications and unwavering performance. In the following exhaustive review, we embark on a thorough examination of the Yoga 720-15, meticulously dissecting its design, scrutinizing its intricate specifications, dissecting an array of features, subjecting it to real-world performance trials, and conducting a discerning evaluation of both its merits and demerits. Our overarching objective is to provide you with the comprehensive insights you need to make an astute determination of whether this convertible laptop seamlessly aligns with your specific requisites.
Yoga 720-15 Overview
As a 15-inch model in Lenovo’s premium Yoga line, the 720-15 delivers strong productivity and entertainment capability in a slim, aluminum convertible chassis under 1 inch thick and 4.4 pounds. The 360-degree hinge allows for laptop, tent, stand, and tablet modes. Configuration options include up to an Intel Core i7 CPU, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, and NVIDIA GTX 1050 graphics.
Design and Build Quality
The metal case feels sturdy and premium, with clean styling that skips unnecessary flair. At 15 x 10 inches, the chassis is compact for a 15-inch device with impressive thinness. The keyboard and trackpad are responsive and comfortable for extended typing. The touchscreen allows intuitive control in tablet mode. The downsides are a somewhat dim 250-nit screen and a mildly cramped keyboard layout. But overall construction quality is excellent for the price.
Display and Audio
The 15.6” IPS touchscreen display offers Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution with vivid colors and good viewing angles. The touch response is accurate and the hinge feels solid in tablet use. On the downside, a maximum brightness of just 250 nits makes outdoor visibility only fair. Dual 2W Harman Kardon speakers provide surprisingly decent audio with Dolby Atmos tuning – ample for personal listening if not room-filling entertainment.
Performance and Battery Life
The Lenovo Yoga 720-15 line includes both Intel Core i5 and Core i7 processor options, 8-16GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB-1TB PCIe SSDs, and on higher configs, an NVIDIA GTX 1050 2GB discrete GPU. Performance is snappy for everyday tasks and moderate media editing work, while the GTX 1050 allows for light 1080p gaming. Just don’t expect intensive AAA gaming or heavy video production capability.
Battery life is a highlight, lasting around 8-9 hours for typical productivity use like web browsing and Office apps. Quick Charge technology brings the laptop back to 80% charged in just one hour for decent road warrior capability.
Features and I/O Ports
The Lenovo Yoga 720-15, in its slender form, conceals a multitude of connectivity options. It features two accessible USB 3.0 Type-A ports and a versatile USB 3.0 Type-C port with Thunderbolt 3 capabilities, functioning as a central hub for high-speed data transfers and versatile connectivity. The inclusion of a full SD card reader streamlines data management and the dual-function combo headphone/microphone jack simplifies audio needs.
Wireless connectivity is robust with 2×2 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.1 for seamless device pairing. A 720p webcam caters to video conferences and web chats, enhancing communication. The integration of a Windows Hello fingerprint reader within the touchpad provides secure and convenient logins.
In essence, the Lenovo Yoga 720-15 seamlessly blends design and extensive connectivity, making it a versatile hub for various tasks.
Pricing and Configuration Options
The Lenovo Yoga 720-15 originally launched with a starting MSRP of $1099. Refreshed variants were later offered through 2018. Today it can be found on the used/refurb market typically ranging $400 to $800. Within this selection, you have several hardware configurations to consider:
- Option 1: This choice centers around the Intel Core i5-7300HQ processor, complemented by 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. The synergy of these components ensures nimble and responsive performance.
- Option 2: In this setup, the Intel Core i7-7700HQ processor takes center stage as the computational powerhouse. Coupled with 8GB of RAM to facilitate fluid multitasking, and a nimble 256GB SSD for rapid data access, it offers a robust and versatile computing experience. It is harmonized with 8GB of RAM to facilitate fluid multitasking, and the inclusion of a nimble 256GB SSD ensures prompt data retrieval. To meet graphical demands with efficiency, it features a dedicated NVIDIA GTX 1050 graphics card.
- Option 3: In this particular configuration, an Intel Core i7-7700HQ processor takes the lead, delivering robust performance. It’s bolstered by a substantial 16GB of RAM, ensuring exceptional multitasking capabilities. Moreover, it comes with a capacious 512GB SSD, ideal for extensive data storage and quick retrieval. To excel in graphical performance, this configuration also incorporates a dedicated NVIDIA GTX 1050 graphics card.
Who Should Buy the Lenovo Yoga 720-15?
The Lenovo Yoga 720-15 is ideal for:
- Students and professionals seeking a reasonably priced 15-inch 2-in-1 convertible
- Those wanting mid-tier performance for everyday productivity plus some gaming ability
- People who value build quality, battery life, and a bright touchscreen
- Anyone needing flexibility from laptop, tent, stand, and tablet modes
Just know it does fall short for serious gaming or graphics workloads today given its aging specs. But for general home and office needs under $800, the Lenovo Yoga 720-15 still holds up as a capable convertible laptop.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Does the Lenovo Yoga 720-15 come with a stylus?
Answer: No, there is no bundled active pen. However many standard capacitive styluses are compatible with the touchscreen. - Can the Lenovo Yoga 720-15 play modern games in 2023?
Answer: Low-demand eSports titles yes, but newer AAA games no. The GTX 1050 is dated for current gaming, though still handles older or less intensive titles reasonably well. - How does the Lenovo Yoga 720-15 compare to the newer Yoga 730?
Answer: The Yoga 730 offers some incremental updates like faster CPUs and an optional 4K display, but overall differences are minimal. The 720 remains the better value. - Can the Lenovo Yoga 720-15 be upgraded later?
Answer: To some degree yes – the M.2 SSD and RAM are upgradable on some configs. But the CPU and GPU are soldered. - Does the Lenovo Yoga 720-15 work well with a stylus?
Answer: Yes, it provides a decent digital inking experience with an optional capacitive stylus, though no silo or other stylus utilities are included.
Conclusion
While no longer cutting edge in 2023, as an affordable 15-inch 2-in-1 with ample power for everyday computing, the enduring qualities of the Lenovo Yoga 720-15 can still appeal to many. For under $800, you get a well-built convertible laptop with strong battery life, decent performance, and a nice IPS touchscreen. Just be aware of the somewhat dim display and expect to use it for general productivity versus heavy gaming or content creation. But for students and home office use, the Lenovo Yoga 720-15 remains a cost-effective option if you can find it refurbished or used.
Sources: