gdgt

So it's a good product in many ways, even if we only end up recommending it to a certain niche (read: business customers who sometimes need a true tablet with pen input -- not a laptop that can be used in a clumsy tablet mode).

Even with the best detachable-screen hybrid hinge we've seen, the older CPU and high price make the ThinkPad Helix a hybrid for a select audience only.

One of the better detachable hybrid tablets on the market, the Lenovo ThinkPad Helix gives the corporate IT buyer a prime option for their highly mobile workforce. This could be the best choice if you need both laptop and tablet functionality.

Lenovo's ThinkPad Helix offers a versatile convertible design, full HD touch screen and impressive battery life, but costs a pretty penny.

Lenovo's ThinkPad Helix is one of the best hybrid products on the market. Its tablet is fast and features an excellent screen, while its keyboard is comfortable and very well built.

The ThinkPad Helix really does a lot of things ok, but nothing extremely well. And that’s the sad truth. In a way the device is in a league of its own simply for the fact that it’s a laptop, tablet, extended tablet, and the keyboard delivers extra battery life.

If you truly want a Windows 8 convertible ultrabook that's more functional than a Surface Pro, then the ThinkPad Helix is the way to go. However, we think you and your wallet would be better served by Microsoft's tablet or two separate machines.

Lenovo's ThinkPad Helix is a strong rival for Microsoft's Surface Pro, and can successfully be used as either a tablet or laptop. However, in laptop mode it is rather heavy for an ultrabook, while the system is also pricey.

Business buyers take note: Lenovo’s Helix is an expertly designed do-it-all device with an excellent keyboard and ample battery life. But we do wish it had Haswell and weighed a bit less.

For a ThinkPad's rigid construction, best-in-class keyboard, and IT-friendly security features, that's perfectly reasonable, in theory. But, the Helix starts (starts!) at a frankly surprising $1,679, and for that, you only get a last-gen Intel Core i5 CPU, 4GB of RAM, and a 128GB solid-state drive.

When the Helix's keyboard is detached from the screen the keyboard doesn't look like the most sightly of things thanks to various metal protrusions, and popping the it back into place can also be a little fiddly to ensure both left and right sides meet symmetrically.

The Lenovo Helix is solid, made with the same level of attention to detail that the full ThinkPad line always is. When we took a few minutes to literally carry the device around for a while, we noticed it was relatively light and felt solid above all else.

In tablet mode, the Helix is well served by that slight form factor. At just under 12-inches, it's easy to handle.

Despite my criticisms, I must admit that I’d love to try the Helix for a couple of weeks and put it through some real-world tests. I suspect I can live with the foibles in return for getting an Ultrabook with ten hours of battery life and such a good keyboard.

The Lenovo ThinkPad Helix feels like a hybrid roadwarrior. It's reasonably light, especially in its class, offers great build quality and careful attention to detail in its construction. It may not be a beauty, but it's one of the better full Windows 8 hybrid designs out there.

It's a great design and one that feels sturdy in its various modes. The design and finish is pure ThinkPad with a simple appearance, and the tablet is slender given the specification inside. The keyboard is, as you'd expect on a ThinkPad, excellent.

Overall our opening impressions of the Helix are positive. However, costing over $700 more than other cheaper convertible laptop-tablet hybrids, we're unsure whether the Helix will be able to attract anyone but the wealthiest of users.

Lenovo will ship the Helix in February at $1,499. That’s more than most consumers will pay for an 11.6-inch laptop and, frankly, the IdeaPad Yoga 11S will prove a better choice for home users. The Helix is aimed at business travelers – and it may well be the perfect convertible for them.