The video is great as always, I waited for it since your first post about the lot this tablet came in. Honestly, I think if a ThinkPad does not have a trackpoint...than it's basically not a ThinkPad.
It is a defining characteristic of the entire line. Glad you enjoyed the video and be sure to check out a few places I'm dropping hints regarding some things I've got coming that are ThinkPad related.
@@LaptopRetrospective keep it up! Thinking of buying my Helix 2nd gen a pen to really maximize its capability. If only the CPU was upgradeable; the Core M runs painfully slow at times. But it's been two months and it serves my personal computing needs quite well! Very rarely now do I have to bring my heavy work laptop on the go.
@@LaptopRetrospective quite true. Was also intrigued by that "lip" on the Ultrabook Pro Dock keyboard; Lenovo must've designed it that way to hold the tablet more firmly in case the user pushed it back a little too hard and the connector/tabs would break. It unfortunately covers the tablet's speaker grills (I can hardly hear a thing from these speakers anyway when I use the Helix in pure tablet mode).
If all things were equal and both were available I'd be tempted to go for the 1st Gen. Maybe. It has the fans to cool, a place to store the stylus, better detach mechanism, but the 2nd has a backlit keyboard, better buttons, better thermals and updated GPU.
Found your channel today and subscribed right away. Your videos are amazing and I enjoyed those niche topics you covered. I have been using a surface book 2 for a long time like you. The orginal Thinkpad helix was my dream device when I was pursing a bachelor degree but I couldn't afford it then. BTW I'm also wearing a ticwatch:)
My father and I just picked up a couple of used models of these with the pro dock (albeit with dead batteries) at 140, tax and shipped (after talking with the eBay seller thoroughly, who had very positive reviews and was very responsive.. so that's promising). Seems like a lot of businesses have started to upgrade off of these recently. The main factor driving the purchase was the fact that the CPU was a little bit better than the Pentium Gold CPUs currently getting put into things like the Surface Go, while being astronomically cheaper for the features that I want.
@@LaptopRetrospective Thanks, I'll be sure to update how these things have been holding up. It seems like Lenovo put a lot of effort into making sure this thing has a lot of the classic Thinkpad 'design DNA', including durability. If this works out, it'll also fill my need for a media consumption tablet for the price of an android tablet. EDIT: The battery replacement for the pro dock is around 60 dollars (!!) so it may not be worth it. Perhaps I can see if I can hack a smaller capacity in there.. definitely don't feel bad about tinkering a bit on it
The tablet has been working without errors for years. I replaced the (pro)keyboard last year.The battery leaked on the old one. M5Y71 , 8GB RAM 256 SSD, sim card
Has anyone had any issues reinstalling these? I've tried several times with Win10 and 8.1 on a brand new SSD and for some reason system refuses to boot and just returns to boot menu
@@LaptopRetrospective tried it, no luck Wimdows Boot Manager shows in UEFI but bounces back to boot menu. Could there be an issue with disk partitioning mode? I've set it to gpt
@@LaptopRetrospective yeah, I noticed it automatically converts to gpt once installer assigns partitions. The drive I'm using is a 256gb Adata Swordfish, not a great product but I wouldn't believe there would be an issue with it
Very interesting computers....though I must say I prefer the unit with the trackpoint. I wish an exec at Lenovo would mandate all Thinkpads have the trackpoint.
Hello, thank you so much for the videos, i have purchased x200 and an older thinkpad yoga based on your videos! It is the first time learning about the helix. I was considering getting another older thinkpad yoga, but the helix has me very intrigued. For under $300, what would you recommend between helix, yoga, and MS Surface? Thanks again for fantastic and entertaining videos :)
At the time the Helix 2nd Gen came out it was compared against the Surface and generally lost. But the Helix is serviceable, same with the yoga. I also like the first generation Helix.
Completely different. The 1st Gen uses one that is a half-pen that fits into the tablet. the 2nd Gen uses a full-sized pen and had no place to store it with the exception of the cheap keyboard dock.
Sorry about that! I miss the adjustable screen of my Canon camera, it can be hard to check the viewfinder and coordinate at the same time occasionally. Drawbacks of a one-man show.
Hello, I found pro one for $130, the seller says battery isn't lasting at all, only usable when being charged, the seller also says that he has got an aftermarket charger it might be it or some error in BIOS or programs, what do you think?
The Helix is very sensitive to power. If you have the wrong one it flashes error messages. The one I had did that anyway. That being said, it sounds like the battery could stand to be replaced.
@@LaptopRetrospective I've personally found elementary OS to be more show then go for my needs, but it's still a solid choice for basic task if you want an Apple MAC like experience
@@LaptopRetrospective I put deepin on a first gen machine. Looks and works nicely, but on awakening from sleep it does not recognize the keyboard at all. Must be that driver thing you mentioned.
Any chance we could swap the trackpad on the 1st gen Helix? That 40 series clicky trackpad is an issue for me. Maybe a x250 pad? Anything with buttons lol
Yep. ThinkPads generally have good support for Linux. While the Helix series has some unique hardware that can give minor issues, it is pretty well documented along with the suggested solutions. Some light Googling will reveal the specifics. Live CD/USB for the distro you want to run will always be king.
Nice review, but I don't think these are for me, as it looks like too much to risk breaking. I'm however looking at trying to find a Lenovo Thinkpad X120e E350 dual core for basic task to throw in my bag, as my Lenovo Thinkpad X140e is a bit heavy in my bag for daily use.
@@LaptopRetrospective Long as you get at least a dual core AMD model, max out the RAM, install a cheap, but decent quality SSD(Adata 120GB SSD are now $20 -$24 USD), and install a lighter weight Linux disto like Manjaro Deepin(or your choice of DE), or Mint Mate/XFCE, then they are decent enough for daily task @720p, and more so when they can be had for under $100 USD on eBay on the reg. But if my budget allowed I'd for sure be looking at a Carbon, but sometimes you make due, and get the next best thing. :-)
Thankyou, this is the first review that i actually found extremely useful, especially when describing the differences between models
I'm glad I was able to help!
The video is great as always, I waited for it since your first post about the lot this tablet came in. Honestly, I think if a ThinkPad does not have a trackpoint...than it's basically not a ThinkPad.
It is a defining characteristic of the entire line. Glad you enjoyed the video and be sure to check out a few places I'm dropping hints regarding some things I've got coming that are ThinkPad related.
Agreed! A Thinkpad without a trackpoint is trash. I use the trackpoint exclusively.
My trackpad has been turned off for forever on my x220.
Thank you Mr. Laptop Retrospective.
Thank you for watching!
I love my Helix 2, been using it since 2015 and it just gets better with time with Windows updates! Still nothing else quite like it on the market.
Very cool. Glad it's working for you.
Wow, I waited for this. Thanks Laptop Retrospective! ❤
Thank you for waiting! I do what I can to get what I can for videos.
@@LaptopRetrospective keep it up! Thinking of buying my Helix 2nd gen a pen to really maximize its capability. If only the CPU was upgradeable; the Core M runs painfully slow at times. But it's been two months and it serves my personal computing needs quite well! Very rarely now do I have to bring my heavy work laptop on the go.
Yeah, sadly if the CPU was socketed then it would have added to the thickness and weight. Trade offs.
@@LaptopRetrospective quite true. Was also intrigued by that "lip" on the Ultrabook Pro Dock keyboard; Lenovo must've designed it that way to hold the tablet more firmly in case the user pushed it back a little too hard and the connector/tabs would break. It unfortunately covers the tablet's speaker grills (I can hardly hear a thing from these speakers anyway when I use the Helix in pure tablet mode).
I think their focus was mostly on cost reduction and thermals and speakers are so often utilitarian on a ThinkPad.
So if you were forced to choose between a second generation and a first generation Helix, which would it be?
If all things were equal and both were available I'd be tempted to go for the 1st Gen. Maybe. It has the fans to cool, a place to store the stylus, better detach mechanism, but the 2nd has a backlit keyboard, better buttons, better thermals and updated GPU.
1st without a doubt.. IMO
Owning both, the first generation has the fan, and it's going to start failing overtime (and eventually needing replacement)
Found your channel today and subscribed right away. Your videos are amazing and I enjoyed those niche topics you covered. I have been using a surface book 2 for a long time like you. The orginal Thinkpad helix was my dream device when I was pursing a bachelor degree but I couldn't afford it then. BTW I'm also wearing a ticwatch:)
Awesome! Really glad you're enjoying the content. Thanks for your support.
My father and I just picked up a couple of used models of these with the pro dock (albeit with dead batteries) at 140, tax and shipped (after talking with the eBay seller thoroughly, who had very positive reviews and was very responsive.. so that's promising). Seems like a lot of businesses have started to upgrade off of these recently. The main factor driving the purchase was the fact that the CPU was a little bit better than the Pentium Gold CPUs currently getting put into things like the Surface Go, while being astronomically cheaper for the features that I want.
I'm interested to hear what your experience will be with them. Hope you can find a good deal on batteries.
@@LaptopRetrospective Thanks, I'll be sure to update how these things have been holding up. It seems like Lenovo put a lot of effort into making sure this thing has a lot of the classic Thinkpad 'design DNA', including durability. If this works out, it'll also fill my need for a media consumption tablet for the price of an android tablet.
EDIT: The battery replacement for the pro dock is around 60 dollars (!!) so it may not be worth it. Perhaps I can see if I can hack a smaller capacity in there.. definitely don't feel bad about tinkering a bit on it
The tablet has been working without errors for years. I replaced the (pro)keyboard last year.The battery leaked on the old one. M5Y71 , 8GB RAM 256 SSD, sim card
Awesome to hear you've kept it going.
Has anyone had any issues reinstalling these? I've tried several times with Win10 and 8.1 on a brand new SSD and for some reason system refuses to boot and just returns to boot menu
Tried toggling SecureBoot on and off?
@@LaptopRetrospective tried it, no luck Wimdows Boot Manager shows in UEFI but bounces back to boot menu. Could there be an issue with disk partitioning mode? I've set it to gpt
Could be but Windows should sort out any partition issues when it installs. What kind of drive is it?
@@LaptopRetrospective yeah, I noticed it automatically converts to gpt once installer assigns partitions. The drive I'm using is a 256gb Adata Swordfish, not a great product but I wouldn't believe there would be an issue with it
Yeah, drive should be fine. ADATA hasn't given me any trouble. I wonder if Linux works or if there is indeed a hardware problem somewhere.
I'd say the tablet wobble you've mentioned is due to age - my first gen Helix wobbles just as much in its dock despite the longer tabs.
Interesting. Thanks for sharing.
You're welcome!
Is the CPU still throttled if the tablet docked in a non-battery keyboard? Or has it been fixed with a firmware?
Not sure. I haven't pushed one of these units hard enough to throttle it.
Very interesting computers....though I must say I prefer the unit with the trackpoint. I wish an exec at Lenovo would mandate all Thinkpads have the trackpoint.
You're not the only one thinks that. Makes you wonder if they will add a virtual one to that new folding screen one they are developing.
Hello, thank you so much for the videos, i have purchased x200 and an older thinkpad yoga based on your videos!
It is the first time learning about the helix. I was considering getting another older thinkpad yoga, but the helix has me very intrigued. For under $300, what would you recommend between helix, yoga, and MS Surface? Thanks again for fantastic and entertaining videos :)
At the time the Helix 2nd Gen came out it was compared against the Surface and generally lost. But the Helix is serviceable, same with the yoga. I also like the first generation Helix.
Do you know if they use the same pens for both generations?
Completely different. The 1st Gen uses one that is a half-pen that fits into the tablet. the 2nd Gen uses a full-sized pen and had no place to store it with the exception of the cheap keyboard dock.
Both should work with both devices. It's just the storage space that's not compatible.
Dude: "Here on this side we have absolutely nothing" - Good, as you're not bothering to point the camera at it.
Sorry about that! I miss the adjustable screen of my Canon camera, it can be hard to check the viewfinder and coordinate at the same time occasionally. Drawbacks of a one-man show.
hello, I have a similar tablet model and I bought a keyboard but after connecting it, neither the cursor nor the keyboard work what should I do
Are you sure the keyboard worked to begin with?
Excellent explanation and review.
Thank you!
Hello, I found pro one for $130, the seller says battery isn't lasting at all, only usable when being charged, the seller also says that he has got an aftermarket charger it might be it or some error in BIOS or programs, what do you think?
The Helix is very sensitive to power. If you have the wrong one it flashes error messages. The one I had did that anyway. That being said, it sounds like the battery could stand to be replaced.
@@LaptopRetrospective I'll consider it, thanks, I won't risk.
im pretty intrigued by these devices, i would be tempted to try and put an android install (dual boot) on this,
I'd want to try elementary OS.
@@LaptopRetrospective I've personally found elementary OS to be more show then go for my needs, but it's still a solid choice for basic task if you want an Apple MAC like experience
It has a ways to go yet, but for the Average Joe it has a fair bit that you need out of the box.
@@LaptopRetrospective I put deepin on a first gen machine. Looks and works nicely, but on awakening from sleep it does not recognize the keyboard at all. Must be that driver thing you mentioned.
Where can I get that lap?
eBay.
Any chance we could swap the trackpad on the 1st gen Helix? That 40 series clicky trackpad is an issue for me. Maybe a x250 pad? Anything with buttons lol
Pretty sure they are entirely different parts. I haven't heard of anyone trying to do it.
Does it work with linux ?
Yep. ThinkPads generally have good support for Linux. While the Helix series has some unique hardware that can give minor issues, it is pretty well documented along with the suggested solutions. Some light Googling will reveal the specifics. Live CD/USB for the distro you want to run will always be king.
Thank You very interesting!
You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it.
Nice review, but I don't think these are for me, as it looks like too much to risk breaking. I'm however looking at trying to find a Lenovo Thinkpad X120e E350 dual core for basic task to throw in my bag, as my Lenovo Thinkpad X140e is a bit heavy in my bag for daily use.
Fair enough. I like the 1st Gen for how it felt. I don't know if I'd want those x100 series. Maybe an older Carbon if your budget warrants it.
@@LaptopRetrospective Long as you get at least a dual core AMD model, max out the RAM, install a cheap, but decent quality SSD(Adata 120GB SSD are now $20 -$24 USD), and install a lighter weight Linux disto like Manjaro Deepin(or your choice of DE), or Mint Mate/XFCE, then they are decent enough for daily task @720p, and more so when they can be had for under $100 USD on eBay on the reg. But if my budget allowed I'd for sure be looking at a Carbon, but sometimes you make due, and get the next best thing. :-)
Fair enough. That and as you mentioned, plenty of room for tinkering fun!
Conoces alternativas del Stylus en el 2020?
What about pen support
It supports the old school style of plastic pen.
do you recommend one with intel atom processor ?
Atom processors can show their age quicker than some, it depends on the tasks you're asking it to do.
Can this keyboard be used as external keyboard for other devices?
Not that I recall as there is no wireless connectivity.
@@LaptopRetrospective ok. thanks!
@@aza1693 the ultrabook keyboard (the cheap one without the battery or hinge) can apparently be used with the thinkpad 10 tablets as well
Yes I believe that is correct.
Where can I find a charger!??????
eBay would probably be my first stop after Amazon and BattDepot. These have that unique plug.
@@LaptopRetrospective I have searched high and low. EVERYWHERE. I have yet to find one or even see one of the tips.
This? www.ebay.com/itm/174312505972
@@LaptopRetrospective Yep, about 3x too big. the charge port is the size of USB-C but rectangular
That should be the one though.
Không có bản giói thiệu tiếng Việt ạ
Hmm another thinkpad on "wishlist"
Haha. How long is that wishlist?
Depending on the time of day... extremely long or extremely short
did you manage to settle on one?
first like!!!
Thanks!