Thanks for your replies.
After just one day it's been an interesting comparison. I'm not too worried about the CPU tests and that sort of thing. The 11 2 has a powerful processor so I guess it could be as fast as the base model 11s.
Because you asked here's where I got the laptops and how much I paid. The Yoga 2 11 I bought at Futureshop, which is equivalent to Bestbuy (same owners) in Canada. I bought that a week ago. I then decided to get the 11s to compare because I liked the 2 11 a lot but had some doubts. I paid $599 for the Yoga 2 11 and $699 for the 11s (refurbished, regular version is closer to 900 - with 8 GBS ram instead of 4).
Basically I decided to see what the difference would be and I had a hunch that for $100 more an 11s would easily be superior. Turns out I was right but perhaps not in the CPU/RAM etc. It's all about build quality.
Here's a little breakdown in the differences:
- color: the 11s has the reverse color scheme and I think the silver exterior with all black inside looks more professional (even reminding of classic Thinkpads and definitely not looking like a Macbook imitation)
- display: it's the same great high quality 11.6" display except on my 2 11 there is a really ugly shiny Lenovo logo top left, whereas the 11s has no large Lenobo logo at all anywhere inside the computer display or keyboard area - of course both do the different poses via the 360 degree hinge so they're both versitile (and I can hold either in tablet mode in one hand for brief periods, though they are heavy for a "tablet" - stand mode is coolest to me)
- build: the 11s is clearly superior, as it's stiffer, and appears to have some metal layered into the construction
- keyboard: the 11s wins clearly here and it's a key difference - the keyboard on the 2 11 flexes and bounces and keys don't feel as nice
- HDMI / SD - I'm glad the 11s has full-size HDMI and a fully recessed SD port (I may use an SD for extra permanent storage) - the SD will stick out on the 2 11, and the HDMI mini is less versitile
- CPU/RAM - I don't think the base 11s is a big winner here, as my Geekbench tests show. I believe the 2 11 even has some small flash HDD to acommpany the 500GB HDD so it's really quite quick to boot up (advantage then is to 2 11 for larger HD while still maintaining good overall speed) - I think the 11s can be purchased in faster configurations though
- battery - I haven't tested extensively yet but I believe the Haswell 11s should get an hour or more extra battery life (and get 6-7 hours rather than 5-6, niether of which is close to a Macbook Air)
I am going to stick with the 11s and return the 2 11 in a few days. The Yoga 2 11 is a wicked computer but the 11s has superior build quality and I want that. Other people may find the 2 11 will suit their needs. It is fast, I can vouch that you can work with layered Photoshop files and have browser tabs open and run Word, and there's no slowness at all. If you look closely it looks a bit plasticky and inexpensive (I won't say cheap), but it does have the styling we associate with Macbook airs so it's reasonably attractive.
I must add to that I feel with both computers that the 11 inch screen is a tad too small for long stretches of work, whether that's Office, Photoshop or whatever. I already have a 27" iMac that screams so this is my second computer and I love the portability and ability to use the Yoga quickly in all kinds of short-term situations around the house or on the go.
Overall - I am totally falling in love with the 11s. It's my perfect tiny notebook. Love the multi-position and I'm enjoying Windows 8 as an alternative from using my Mac.
I think the base configuration 11s is worth $700+ CDN dollars. (This is a little more than $600 US).
I think the 11s is overall the nicer computer but in my experience it is not faster than the Yoga 2 11. It just has a better build quality and some of the elements like keyboard and build make it superior..