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Being a Windows RT machine, our standard PC benchmarking tools are incompatible with the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11, so we were forced to use the same tests we subject our Android and iOS devices to.
While these are both tests of browser performance primarily, SunSpider works the processor, while the visual nature of Peacekeeper means that it's a better indicator of graphics capabilities.
Our SunSpider test revealed a score of 1126.3ms, which is a marginally slower time than Microsoft Surface, despite running the same processor. The reason for this is unclear, since pound for pound they are nearly identical, so perhaps Microsoft found some extra tweaks under the hood.
However, to put that relatively meaningless SunSpider score into some context, it's drastically faster than the Asus Transformer Pad Infinity, which scored a comparatively high 1730ms. It should be noted that the test was performed using IE10, which is much newer and more advanced than the standard Android offering, and dare we say it, designed with SunSpider performance in mind.
In real-life use the Lenovo performed adequately, yet still suffered with some of the lethargy levelled at Microsoft Surface. We also found a number of strange behaviours, such as being unable to close a video and the multitasking feature disappearing, which required a reboot. It's not the kind of experience you relish when turning your tablet on for the first time.
In Peacekeeper, a score of 368 was par for the course for Windows RT machines, but is thoroughly outgunned by the iPad 4 (951) and even the relatively toothless iPad mini (515). If you had any illusions that a Windows PC was going to outgun the existing tablet establishment, you'd be mistaken.
However, like Surface, the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11 managed a superb battery score, which shows that Microsoft has achieved one major victory with its new version.
While Microsoft Surface RT managed a whopping 7.5 hours of looping HD video, the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11 topped it with a staggering 9 hours and 32 minutes. It's a major win for longevity, and shows that Windows RT has a solid basis on which to build - we just need to see prices fall and apps increase, fast.
Benchmarks
SunSpider - 1126.3ms
Peacekeeper - 368
Battery - 570 minutes
