Lenovo IdeaPad U110 Review

The Lenovo IdeaPad U110 is the latest addition to the IdeaPad family and has recently been garnering a lot of attention. Lenovo might be famous for the ThinkPad line of notebooks, but most average consumers don't find the traditional styling of the ThinkPad line to be very attractive. Our First Look Review IdeaPad U110 showed you how gorgeous this compact notebook is. How did the U110 ultimately perform in our final review? Take a look and see whether this diva is a super model or destined for the D-list.

Our IdeaPad U110 has the following specifications:

• Processor: 1.60GHz Intel Core 2 Duo L7500 (800Mhz FSB, 4MB Cache)
• Graphics: Intel X3100
• Screen: 11.1-inch WXGA (1366 x 768, 370 nit) display
• Memory: 2GB (up to 3GB configurable)
• Storage: 120GB Parallel ATA HDD (4200rpm)
• Optical Drive: None internal (external Dual layer CD/DVD recordable drive)
• Wireless and Communications: Intel 4965AGN (802.11 a/b/g/n wi-fi), BlueTooth 2.0 EDR
• Battery: 4-cell Li-Ion and 7-cell extended life Li-Ion batteries included
• Ports: 3 USB 2.0 ports, IEEE 1394 Firewire, 5-in-1 card reader, ExpressCard/34, VGA monitor out port, AC adapter, headphone/line-out, microphone/line-in, Gigabit Ethernet
• Dimensions: 10.8" x 7.7" x 0.72" - 0.88"
• Weight: from 2.42lbs with 4-cell battery and 2.92lbs with 7-cell battery
• Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium
• Other Features: Integrated web camera with VeriFace application
• Warranty: 1-year

The pricing on the U110 starts at around $1,899, and that is the configuration we are reviewing. Needless to say, this isn't something the average consumer will be dropping their money on in place of an $800 Dell. Still, if having a stylish, compact notebook is important for you then the U110 makes an attractive choice.

The IdeaPad U110 is surprisingly solid in terms of build quality. The aluminum etch display cover and magnesium aluminum chassis provide both strength and light weight. You can press as hard as you want anywhere on the body of the notebook and it simply will not flex. Like the ThinkPad line, the IdeaPad U110 is designed for (accidental) abuse and drops, and we're guessing the U110 might be the most rugged laptop in the IdeaPad lineup. Unlike with the ThinkPads, you don't get a double latch mechanism with button release to make sure the screen is held down when it is closed and being carried. Instead, the U110 uses hinge tension to hold the screen in place.

The etched aluminum display cover (available in both black and red) is probably the most interesting design element on the U110. Lenovo calls this their "Tendril texture" and it looks like an intricate floral and vine pattern. The IdeaPad designers even went the extra mile with the design by extending the "Tendril" pattern onto the bottom of the notebook and the touch-sensitive media buttons. Even the heat exhaust vents feature an extra touch of class. This certainly isn't a boring ThinkPad.

Lenovo IdeaPad Y510 Review

The name ThinkPad has been synonymous with business for years and remains one of the single most popular notebook brands for corporate road warriors. But what about average consumers? This is where Lenovo's all new IdeaPad line of notebooks comes to the rescue. The 15-inch IdeaPad Y510 offers innovative design, solid technical specs and impressive built-in speakers that make other laptops look like cheap toys.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Y510 (starting at $814.99 MSRP) is available with a range of Core 2 Duo processors (from the Intel T2330 1.6GHz Core 2 Duo up to the T8100 2.1GHz Core 2 Duo). There is only one 15.4" screen offering, a 1280x800 WXGA glossy display.

Our review unit of the IdeaPad Y510 has the following specifications:

• Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
• Intel Core 2 Duo processor T5450 (1.66GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 667MHz FSB)
• 15.4" WXGA VibrantView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
• 2GB DDR2 System Memory (supports up to 4GB)
• Intel Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
• 250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
• Optical drive: Dual Layer CD/DVD Recordable
• 1.3 megapixel integrated camera
• Sound: 4 speakers and 1 sub-woofer (Dolby Home Theater)
• Modem, 10/100 Ethernet, Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG or 4965AGN
• 6-cell battery
• Weight: 6.4 lb. including battery (2.90 kg)
• Dimensions: 14.3" x 10.2" x 1.1"-1.4" (362mm x260mm x 29.2 -36.2mm)
• Warranty: 1 year system and 1 year battery
• Price as configured: $949

Lenovo ThinkPad X300 First Thoughts Review

The Lenovo ThinkPad X300 is the latest addition to the ThinkPad family and has recently been garnering a lot of attention. The ThinkPad X300 is a 13.3" screen ultra thin-and-light notebook designed for the traveling business type of person -- the executive road warrior if you will. But let's be honest, suit or no suit, with the type of technology and cool engineering crammed into the X300 everyone's going to be a little bit curious about this notebook, and envious of anybody that has one.

Our ThinkPad X300 has the following specifications:

• Processor: 1.20GHz Intel Core 2 Duo L7100 (800Mhz FSB, 4MB Cache)
• Graphics: Intel X3100
• Screen: 13.3-inch WXGA+ (1440 x 900, 300 nit) LED backlit display
• Memory: 2GB (up to 4GB configurable)
• Storage: 64GB SSD
• Optical Drive: Ultra-thin DVD Burner
• Wireless and Communications: Intel 4965AGN (802.11 a/b/g/n wi-fi), BlueTooth 2.0 EDR, Intel UWB, GPS, Verizon WWAN (EV-DO)
• Battery: 6-cell Li-Ion extended life battery
• Ports: 3 USB 2.0 ports, Monitor out port, AC adapter, headphone/line-out, microphone/line-in, Gigabit Ethernet
• Dimensions: 12.4" x 9.1" x 0.73" - 0.92"
• Weight: from 2.93lbs with 3-cell battery and no optical drive to 3.32lbs with 6-cell battery and DVD Burner in
• Port Replicator: Via USB
• Input: Full sized keyboard, trackpoint navigation, touchpad, fingerprint reader
• Operating System: Windows XP or Windows Vista (in various flavors)
• Other Features: Integrated web camera
• Warranty: 1-year

Lenovo ThinkPad X300 Review

The Lenovo ThinkPad X300 is a 13.3" widescreen ultra thin-and-light notebook. Though it's less than 1-inch thick, the ThinkPad X300 is still choc full of features and a demonstration in usability. The X300 was meticulously thought out and designed by veteran ThinkPad engineers to raise the bar on what a notebook can be and put Lenovo at the vanguard of business notebook design and utility.

The only problem with a notebook that's designed for those with fine tastes and demanding needs is that the price tag will of course be high. At a starting cost of around $2,500 and a high-end configuration of about $3,000, the X300 is out of reach in terms of price for most consumers. However, for those that need a business tool that their success and livelihood depends on, $3,000 isn't much at all -- the data stored on a computer is worth multiple times that for many business users.

The ThinkPad X300 under review here has the following specifications:

• Processor: 1.20GHz Intel Core 2 Duo L7100 (800Mhz FSB, 4MB Cache)
• Graphics: Intel X3100
• Screen: 13.3-inch WXGA+ (1440 x 900, 300 nit) LED backlit display
• Memory: 2GB (up to 4GB configurable)
• Storage: 64GB SSD
• Optical Drive: Ultra-thin DVD Burner
• Wireless and Communications: Intel 4965AGN (802.11 a/b/g/n wi-fi), BlueTooth 2.0 EDR, Intel UWB, GPS, Verizon WWAN (EV-DO)
• Battery: 6-cell Li-Polymer extended life battery (3-cell Li-Polymer battery available and multi-bay extended life 3-cell battery)
• Ports: 3 USB 2.0 ports, Monitor out port, AC adapter, headphone/line-out, microphone/line-in, Gigabit Ethernet
• Dimensions: 12.4" x 9.1" x 0.73" - 0.92"
• Weight: from 2.93lbs with 3-cell battery and no optical drive to 3.32lbs with 6-cell battery and DVD Burner in
• Port Replicator: Via USB
• Input: Full sized keyboard, trackpoint navigation, touchpad, fingerprint reader
• Operating System: Windows XP Professional (Windows Vista available in various flavors)
• Other Features: Integrated web camera
• Warranty: 1-year