Head-To-Head: Dell Inspiron 7000 2-in-1 Vs. Lenovo Yoga 900

Convertible Vs. Convertible

Here at the CRN Test Center, we've got convertible laptops on the brain, as we've been hands on with one version of the popular Lenovo Yoga 900 2-in-1. The device has stood out for its 360-degree hinge that lets users flip the keyboard all the way back for turning the laptop into a tablet. Now, at Computex in Taiwan, Dell is jumping into the fray with a series of 2-in-1 convertible laptops that sport a 360-degree hinge of their own. Unlike the Yoga 900, Dell's new Inspiron 7000 2-in-1s come in a handful of display sizes -- including a 17-inch version that Dell is touting as "the world's first 17-inch 2-in-1." Which 360-degree convertible laptop is a better fit? The CRN Test Center has the breakdown on how the Inspiron 7000 and Yoga 900 compare on specs and price.

Processor

Both the new Inspiron 7000s and the Yoga 900 aim to get users productive, with powerful processors as the standard. For the Inspiron, the options are Intel's sixth-generation Core i3, i5 and i7 processors. For the Yoga 900, the sixth-gen Core i7 processor comes in all models.

Memory And Storage

Users have some options for Dell's Inspiron 7000 2-in-1 when it comes to memory and storage. On RAM, users must choose between 8 GB and 12 GB, though the devices can be configured with up to 16 GB of memory. On storage, the options are between 256 GB and 512 GB of SSD, or up to 1 TB for the 17-inch version.

The Yoga 900 also has some choices on memory -- either 8 GB or 16 GB of RAM -- and storage, where the option is between 256 GB and 512 GB of SSD, similar to the Inspiron 7000.

Display

The display on the two devices is where things really start to diverge. As mentioned, the Inspiron 7000 comes in three editions -- which are specifically 13.3 inches, 15.6 inches and 17.3 inches. All versions are FHD, 1,920-by-1,080 resolution touch screen. The Yoga 900 has just one size -- 13.3 inches – though it's a higher-res touch screen in this case (QHD, 3,200-by-1,800).

Weight And Thickness

More divergence: The Inspiron 7000s are not out to win the thin-and-light laptop game. The convertible laptop weighs 3.52 pounds, 4.82 pounds or 6.12 pounds for the 13-, 15- and 17-inch versions, respectively. All versions are thus heavier than the 2.8-pound Yoga 900.

The Inspiron 7000s are also thicker -- 0.74 of an inch for the two smaller versions, and 0.87 of an inch for the largest version of the convertible. That's compared with the slim profile of the Yoga 900, which comes in at 0.59 of an inch thick.

Hardware And Ports

One benefit of having a thicker laptop with the Inspiron 7000s: more room for ports. The devices come with HDMI, USB-C (display and power), USB 3.0 and USB 2.0, and the casing is brushed aluminum. The Yoga 900 -- which comes in an orange, gold or silver casing -- also has a good amount to offer in the ports category, with with 2 USB Type-A ports, 1 USB Type-C port and 1 DC-in (with USB 2.0 function).

Battery Life

Battery life will vary depending on usage, particularly if users are fond of the touch screen on these devices. For the Inspiron 7000 2-in-1, Dell is promising up to 8.5 hours of battery life with Core i5 and 8 GB RAM, and up to 10 hours with Core i5 and 16 GB RAM. For the Yoga 900, Lenovo pledges 10 hours of batter life for Wi-Fi browsing and nine hours for video playback.

Price

Many buyers will look past other factors to focus on price, of course, and that's really where Dell is hoping the Inspiron 7000s will stand out from the Yoga 900. The 13-inch version of the convertible laptop starts at $749, compared with the $1,099 starting price of the Yoga 900. Larger versions of the Inspiron 7000 will start at $949 and $1,049, for the 15- and 17-inch versions, respectively. All three of the Inspiron 7000 2-in-1s will be available starting June 2.