Hands On With the Redesigned Lenovo ThinkPad Helix

Lenovo's business 2-in-1, the ThinkPad Helix, is back with a sleeker, slimmer design, Intel's newest processing hardware, and two docking keyboards for a wider array of features.

The Helix tablet has slimmed down since the previous design, weighing just 1.8 pounds, and measuring just 0.38 inches thick, making it both thinner and lighter than the previous model. The 11-inch tablet has an aluminum chassis with a dark gray grip-friendly finish.

The new Helix is available with what Lenovo calls the Ultrabook Docking Keyboard, which serves as a docking keyboard and a tablet cover, with the tablet facing in or out, to either cover the display, or to continue use as a tablet.

In addition to a keyboard and trackpad, the Ultrabook Docking Keyboard features onboard storage for an included digitizer pen.

The Ultrabook Docking Keyboard also features a full-size USB port.

The Ultrabook Docking Keyboard provides a slim and lightweight laptop experience. In this position, the keyboard is propped up at an angle (though the angle cannot be adjusted).

The tablet is outfitted with a 2-megapixel front-facing camera and a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera, and has a sleek design with aluminum construction.

The simplified docking port allows for both models of docking keyboard to have slimmer, cleaner designs.

The ThinkPad Helix is outfitted with one full USB 2.0 port, a micro HDMI out port, and slots for microSD and SIM cards.

Comparing the 2013 Helix (bottom) to the upcoming Helix (top) with Ultrabook Pro docking keyboard, the biggest visible difference is the thinner, sleeker design.

The new hinge used on the Ultrabook Pro docking keyboard is much simpler, with a less complicated latching system, and none of the airflow concerns of the past model.

The new Helix, with the Ultrabook Pro docking keyboard, promises to be a significant improvement over the 2013 Helix, both in terms of design and performance.