Review Lenovo ThinkPad T430s Notebook

Ever since its IBM days, the ThinkPad T Series has been instantly recognizable as the standard tough-as-nails solution for office and business workers. Acer Aspire 7741G-464G64Mn battery The series has remained relatively consistent across every iteration so users can typically expect above average longevity and durability from even an older generation ThinkPad T model.

The downside and most common complaint about the excellent strength of the T models, however, have always been size and weight, especially when compared to competing notebooks. As a direct answer to the criticism, Lenovo has been releasing slimmer "s" models alongside the more standard full-size models with most of the hardware and construction features relatively intact. Acer Aspire 7741G-7017 battery

In this review, we will take a closer look at the ThinkPad T430s, otherwise known as the slimmed down version of the recently released ThinkPad T430. Like its heavier brother, the T430s includes Ivy Bridge options up to a 2.9 GHz Core i7-3520M, a 14.0-inch display up to 1600x900 pixel resolution and many other similar options for RAM and WWAN in a chassis that is both slimmer and lighter by roughly 20 percent. Spec-for-spec, the T430s will cost users about $150 more than a T430 and currently starts at $930. We find out in this review if paying more for less is the better deal. Acer Aspire 7741Z battery

The encompassing matte design and style of the ThinkPad T Series change very little year-to-year and the 2012 models continue the trend. In fact, not much has changed from the previous Sandy Bridge T420s in terms of construction work. The secure latches, smooth magnesium alloy base, gray hinges, thick lid and black tones are all signature qualities of the ThinkPad and are all present in full force. The base is quite good at hiding fingerprints, though grease on the lid and keyboard are more visible and harder to clean off. Thickness upfront appears thinner than the thickness from the rear, but this is mostly due to the more elevated rubber footing on the back. Acer Aspire 7741Z-4475 battery Regardless, the T430s officially averages 23.6 mm in thickness compared to the 29.9 mm thick T430 -- a very noticeable difference. This also directly influences the weight: 1.79 kg vs. 2.166 kg. Users, especially constant travelers, will absolutely feel the weight discrepancies.

The thinner profile may worry some users about reduced robustness, but we can safely say that the T430s is about as resilient as any standard-sized T model. Side-to-side twisting of the base is negligible and the lid only minimal. The center of the lid and keyboard are very resistant to pressure as expected from a ThinkPad unit and vibrations from typing or high volume are almost non-existent. Acer Aspire 7741Z-4592 battery The hinges appear somewhat weak at first glance due to their small size, but they are stable nonetheless all the way up to the 180 degree angle. There is, however, slight visible warping when pressure is applied to the palm rest areas of the base and at certain areas underneath where the chassis can feel somewhat thinner. Though only very minor complaints, the T430s is in general slightly less stiff than its larger and loftier variant.

Performance

Acer Aspire 7741Z-4633 battery Our T430s review unit is equipped with the midrange 2.6 GHz Core i5-3320M, but users can downgrade to the Sandy Bridge 2.4 GHz Core i3-2370M or upgrade to an i7-3520M. With only 3 CPU options, the notebook has half the CPU variety as the full-size T430. Midrange Ivy Bridge processors, such as the i5-3210M or i5-3360M, are unavailable for the slimmer model as opposed to the larger model. Nonetheless, the dual-core i5-3320M is no slouch and will absolutely handle everyday tasks without a hitch. See here for more information and benchmarks on the i5-3320M. Acer Aspire 7741Z-4643 battery

Graphics is handled by both the integrated HD 4000 and the optional discrete Nvidia NVS 5200M with Optimus. The T430 has the added option for the slightly speedier NVS 5400M, something that is again unavailable for the T430s. Users will find the 40 nm 5200M very similar to the consumer-grade Fermi-based GT 620M in terms of performance – even Furmark identifies the GPU as a GT 620M. The processor clocks in at up to 715 MHz when under load and idles at 625 MHz. See here for information and benchmarks on the NVS 5200M. Acer Aspire 7741Z-4815 battery

4 GB DDR3 RAM from Samsung is included in our review unit and is expandable up to 16 GB between two SODIMM slots. Alongside the RAM modules, the WLAN, mini PCI-e and HDD are easily accessible by removing just one or two screws underneath. The keyboard can be removed as is typical for a core ThinkPad model, though no upgradeable components are located directly underneath the keyboard. Acer Aspire 7741Z-5731 battery

Processor
The synthetic CPU benchmarks returned solid numbers that are in line with other tested notebooks with the same i5-3320M processor. Super Pi and wPrime, which test multi-core and single-core performance, respectively, cranked out numbers that are roughly on par with the previous generation i7-2640M and the i7-3610QM in single-core results. Compared to the common i5-2410M of yesteryear, the i5-3320M is markedly faster in all benchmarks including Cinebench and SiSoft. Acer Aspire 7741Z-P614G50Mn battery Jumping to the i7-3520M will result in very marginal improvements across the board, so most users will be more than satisfied with the i5-3320M unless if they can justify the additional $190 for the i7-3520M model.

Gaming Performance

Though not its original intention, the NVS 5200M is very capable of gaming with overall performance between that of the GT 620M and GT 630M. In our small sample set of GPU friendly titles and a couple of intensive ones, the DirectX 11-capable business-class GPU was able to output respectable frame rates on at least medium settings without issues. Latest releases like Diablo III and Guild Wars 2 are fair game for the T430s. Acer Aspire 7741ZG battery

Bear in mind that although the GPU performs fairly well in modern games, gamers looking for the best performance per dollar can do better than the T430s as the notebook is not designed to meet the need of hardcore gamers. For the occasional and casual gamer, however, the T430s fulfills that role effortlessly.

A removable 6-cell 44 Whr (3700 mAh) battery is surprisingly light (290 g) and comes standard with every T430s – no other size options exist. This contrasts the T430 where 9-cell options are available. There is, however, an even lighter (245 g) 3-cell 32 Whr (2650 mAh) Ultrabay battery for $120 should the user require the secondary battery for longer runtimes. Acer Aspire 7741ZG-P604G50Mn battery The notebook can power from only the Ultrabay battery if so desired. Our test results below only include the standard 6-cell battery as the Ultrabay battery is an optional item. Based on the electrical charge ratings, however, the total runtime provided by the addition of the secondary battery can be roughly calculated by multiplying our results below by 1.7.

To test maximum battery life, we set the brightness to minimum, disabled auto-sleep and wireless radios and allowed the system to run on the Energy Saver profile with the BatteryEater Reader's Test until automatic shutdown. Under these conditions, the notebook lasted for 5 hours 28 minutes. Acer Aspire 7750 battery

Minimum battery life was tested in a similar fashion with brightness set to maximum, WLAN enabled and then allowing the system to run on the High Performance profile with the BatteryEater Classic Test until automatic shutdown. Runtime was recorded to be 1 hour 10 minutes.

In a more real-life scenario, we set the notebook to 150 cd/m2 brightness (9/15 setting) on the Balanced profile and looped our standard WLAN test script to simulate typical browsing conditions. Under these scenarios, the notebook lasted for 3 hours. Acer Aspire 7750G battery

Lenovo promises a combined 13.2 hour runtime when running off of both the primary and secondary batteries or 7.6 hours from just the primary battery. Unfortunately, our tests were unable to reproduce Lenovo's claims. Compared to the full-size T430 and previous generation T420s, the T430s is no match in terms of runtime and runs at least an hour shorter depending on the workload. It is, however, worth noting that the battery capacity of the T420s is slightly larger at 3900 mAh and the T430 even larger at 7740 mAh. Despite the differences, the battery life of the T430s is nowhere near the promised results even after our unrealistic settings during maximum battery life testing. Acer Aspire 7750Z battery
In our original verdict of the T430, we stressed that the notebook brought no surprises but was an otherwise solid addition to the ThinkPad series because it stayed truthful to the design and quality that define the ThinkPad. The T430s deserves the same praise – a standard, well-engineered notebook worthy of the ThinkPad name, only this time in a lighter package. Acer Aspire 7750ZG battery Construction has suffered very minimally from the trim down and virtually all hardware and connectivity features have been preserved. The amount of available docks, add-ons and accessories are quite impressive and definitely add to the longevity of the notebook. If the lighter weight and thinner chassis can outweigh the additional $100 - $200 MSRP over the T430, then the T430s can be just as reputable as the T430. This is, of course, subject to user preferences and needs.

Acer Aspire AS4250-C52G25Mikk battery A few drawbacks to keep in mind are its average screen quality for multimedia playback and meager battery life, especially when up against the T430. We highly recommend opting for the 1600x900 resolution display not only for the additional pixels, but also for the higher maximum brightness for better outdoor usability. Battery life can be extended via an Ultrabay battery, which should bring runtimes to more respectable figures. These two features certainly make the T430s a better notebook if the user is willing to put down the money for it.

Lenovo IdeaPad U400-09932DU Laptop Review

Acer Aspire AS5250-C52G25Mikk battery Mainstream consumer laptops come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, but one thing usually remains consistent: users will have to deal with some compromises, ranging from cheaply made touchpads to plastic cases.

At first glance, though, the Lenovo IdeaPad U400 readily ignores this assumption. With its matte aluminum casing and sharp aesthetics, the IdeaPad U400 touts a high-end look despite its price tag. Varying iterations of the U400 cost between $899 USD and $1,299 USD depending on configuration, But does this IdeaPad have a similar level of quality underneath the hood? Read on to find out. Acer Aspire AS5250-C53G25Mikk battery

We see a lot of mainstream laptops for review, but the IdeaPad U400 is easily one of the nicest looking notebooks that has come through in a while. The U400's case is built entirely from aluminum -- having an all-metal body provides some obvious benefits when it comes to durability, and its sturdy construction shows few signs that shortcuts were taken.

Acer Aspire AS5250-E352G32Mikk battery There's no flex in the body and unlike many other consumer-targeted notebooks, the U400's build quality is virtually flawless -- we saw no signs of construction errors such as sticky touch pads or misaligned casing gaps. On every possible surface of the U400 — including the keyboard deck, monitor hinges, and display lid — we had no issues with parts feeling loose or flexing significantly. In addition, the U400's display eschews the usual rubber stoppers for a discrete rubber ring around the screen's perimeter.

Acer Aspire AS5253-C52G32Mnkk battery Aesthetically, the IdeaPad U400 even calls to mind laptops such as the Apple MacBook Pro or HP's Envy series. With its rounded corners and svelte edges, the laptop's industrial chic brushed metal look gives it an elegance that is refined without being overbearing.

We're also major fans of the minimalistic approach that Lenovo has taken with on-case buttons and LED status notifications on the U400 -- the keyboard deck only has a power button, while the front portion of the notebook body has two lights to indicate power and battery status. Acer Aspire AS5253-C54G50Mnkk battery Users accustomed to having handfuls of backlit function buttons might miss the extra degree of control they would normally offer, but we readily prefer the reduced amount of physical clutter.

This high-end detail also carries over to the laptop's other physical aspects. For instance, the U400's power adapter shows a similar level of attention -- it looks like a standard 3G or 4G wireless hotspot but only marginally thicker. As an AC adapter, it also looks much sharper than the typical giant, black power brick that accompanies many consumer laptops. Acer Aspire AS5253-E353G32Mnrr battery We'll concede that these are ultimately minor details, but in a price bracket where internal specifications are largely identical, the smaller details help to separate the best laptops from those that are merely okay.

At 1.98 kgs (4.6 lbs), the U400 falls right into the middle of the pack when compared to other similarly built 14-inch, Core i5-based notebooks. For instance, the Dell Inspiron 14z clocks in at 2.05 kgs (4.5 lbs), while the Samsung Series 7 700Z3A-S03DE is a comparable 1.95 kgs (4.3 lbs). Acer Aspire AS5253-E354G32Mnkk battery

The bottom of the case offers little of note. As most of the U400's cooling needs are served by a side fan grille and a ventilating keyboard -- air is circulated through the keyboard to cool off the notebook's internal components -- the bottom doesn't feature any secondary fans or grilles. In addition, there are no rear protrusions from the battery since the battery fits within the dimensions of the U400. Acer Aspire AS5741 battery

However, the U400 throws up some significant roadblocks for users who enjoy upgrading their own notebooks. The laptop's only screws are hidden underneath the glued rubber pads on the U400's underside and according to several users on Lenovo's forums, it is extremely difficult to reassemble the U400 afterwards. We're sure that enterprising U400 owners are already figuring out ways to disassemble and reassemble the notebook, but for layman users who simply want to upgrade their own hard drive or add more RAM, it is definitely disappointing that upgrading has been made into such a difficult task. Acer Aspire AS5741-H32C/S battery

Performance

The U400's relatively locked-down case makes third-party upgrades a bit of a pain, but at the very least, Lenovo offers multiple configurations for potential buyers. In addition to Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7-based models, all versions of the U400 sport an AMD Radeon HD 6470M GPU. Storage options go from 500GB to 750GB. The U400 does provide respectable performance against similarly built competitors, though. Our review unit touted a 2.4 GHz Core i5-2430M, 6GB of DDR3 memory, and a 750GB WDC WD75000BPVT-24HXZT3. Acer Aspire AS5741-H32C/SF battery

Battery Life

Power consumption

At 54Wh, the U400's battery is slightly undersized when compared to several of its competitors. For instance, the Dell Inspiron 14z and Samsung 700Z3A-S03DE both tout a 65 Wh battery, though the Samsung does sport a slightly higher pricetag. The U400's battery suffers in comparison, though it still manages to perform as expected.

All four tests were done within BatteryEater and measured different usage situations for the U400. When idled with WLAN disabled and brightness set to a minimum, the U400 lasted for 6 hours and 40 minutes — within throwing distance of Lenovo's rated time of up to 7 hours. Acer Aspire AS5741-H54D/LS battery

General-use testing (measured with a combination of web browsing and using non-intensive applications) managed to eke out around 4 hours of battery life from the IdeaPad, but the notebook barely lasted more than an hour under load.

Here, Lenovo's choice to go with a closed system seems a bit questionable. The U400's performance certainly performs as expected for a 14-inch consumer notebook, but when laptops such as the Dell Inspiron 14z and Samsung 700Z3A-S03DE can include larger capacity batteries without adding much additional weight, it can't help but feel like a missed opportunity for Lenovo. Acer Aspire AS5741-H54D/S battery

Verdict


When it comes to midrange notebooks, the Lenovo IdeaPad U400 poses a straightforward question: do you want a notebook that looks good or one that has exceptional performance and upgradeability?

Aesthetically, the U400 is one of the best-looking notebooks we've seen at this price tier with good CPU performance. But its overall performance is — in every sense of the word — average. The notebook certainly doesn't perform poorly when compared to other similarly built Core i5-based notebooks, but with a few exceptions, it's neither impressive nor terrible. The U400's battery life, weight, size and display are all overwhelmingly unremarkable. Acer Aspire AS5741-H54D/SF battery Users who simply need a utility notebook will likely be satisfied from the IdeaPad U400, but limited upgradeability and mid-level performance make it a harder sell for non-casual applications.