My relationship with Windows 8 is very tumultuous; sometimes I love it and sometimes I hate it. However, this is due to the inherent problem with Windows 8 -- depending on what you are doing with it or what hardware you are using it on, the experience is different. I have used Windows 8 devices that are wonderful and others that arehorrible. I often ponder, what if there was a device that could change based on what I was doing? I am happy to say, such a device exists and its called the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S.

The name "Yoga" is very appropriate as the convertible laptop offers multiple positions. No, I am not talking about the downward-facing dog -- this device can be a laptop, tablet and desktop. Lenovo calls these modes "Laptop", "Tablet", "Tent" and "Stand". However, "Tent" and "Stand", in my opinion, have duplicate functionality -- I refer to both of these as "Desktop Mode".

Multiple Positions

As a laptop, the device works as you would expect from Lenovo -- wonderfully. The chiclet-keyboard is outstanding; it offers a very pleasing typing experience. Even though this is an 11-inch device, the keyboard is not cramped. In fact, it feels very roomy and I was able to type as fast on it as any other keyboard. I especially appreciate the rubberized texture around the keyboard,it is very comforting on my wrists and has a premium feel.

While the keyboard is a dream, the touchpad is average at best. On more than one occasion, the two-finger scrolling was erratic and did not work -- it would register as a single finger and move the mouse pointer instead. It didn't happen often but it happened enough to notice. Again, it is not a bad trackpad, it's functional, but it does not seem to be on par with the premium nature of the rest of the package.

Where Windows 8 really shines is on a tablet. On the Yoga 11S, by folding the screen all the way back so the keyboard is facing outwardly, tablet-mode is enabled. I know what you are thinking, and yes -- your fingers will hit the keys. However, the designers at Lenovo intelligently set the keyboard to disable in tablet mode. It feels a little weird at first but you quickly get used to it.

Lenovo does include a keyboard slip-cover if you so choose to use it. It is basically a pouch that slips over the keyboard-half of the device. It's a nice touch, but I consider it just one more thing to carry and lose.

Surprisingly, I found the desktop-mode to be my favorite of the bunch. Whether in "Tent" or "Stand" mode, the laptop acted as a touch-screen monitor with the keyboard hid behind it. When coupled with the wonderfulLogitech TK820, I could comfortably recline at a desk. If you feel an 11-inch screen is too small, you can easily connect a larger monitor using the full-size HDMI port -- awesome!

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Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S -- Windows 8 done right [Review]