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Review Lenovo ThinkPad X121e NWS5QGE Subnotebook

The ThinkPad X121e is the successor of the ThinkPad X100e and should be able to do everything a little bit better. Longer battery life, less heat generation, rounded off with more performance are the basic goals. Lenovo L08O4C02 battery With the current model, you can choose from several CPU models. While the X100e was only available with AMD processors, you can now also pick an Intel Core i3-2357M CPU. This Intel version has already been tested by our U.S. editors.

We have here the AMD version with a Fusion E-350 CPU with its integrated Radeon HD 6310. A further alternative is available with the AMD C-50 CPU and a HD 6250 GPU, which can be configured in Lenovo's Web-Shop. Further appointments of our test model are comprised of a matte 11.6" display, a 320GB hard drive and 4GByte RAM. Lenovo L08O4CO2 battery The unit comes without operating system, reducing the cost to a particularly low 370.- euros.

The look of the small X-series entry level notebooks fits perfectly into the line's concept. Design gimmicks are absent, the case is as sober as ThinkPad aficionados prefer. The black textured plastic gains a little highlight with the familiar red elements of the track point assembly. If the red display variant will be liked by the existing patrons will depend on individual taste. Pictures of this version can be seen in the test of the ThinkPad X121e with Intel CPU. Lenovo L08O6C02 battery

While the look of our test unit is alright, one has to accept a number of drawbacks in regards to case quality. The wrist rest is generally firm, but can be noticeably depressed when clicking the touch pad buttons. A further weakness is the large cutout for the battery at the rear. Here, it is possible to flex the housing by pushing and pulling, causing creaking sounds here and there. At least, the battery fits almost perfectly and has minimal play. Lenovo L08O6CO2 battery The hinges hold the display properly in position, and the display lid makes a solid impression overall. The bottom is also sturdy, in spite of a large access cover, and only gives with stronger pressure in narrowly localized spots. All relevant components are easy to reach, thanks to the large access cover. Removal of keyboard and wrist rest to add a UMTS module, for example is unnecessary. Hard drive, RAM and wireless modules are easy to exchange after removal of 3 small screws.

Lenovo L08S6C02 battery The unit is smaller than the X220, but it fails to gain an advantage in weight. With 1.54 kg (3.4 lbs) it matches the weight of the X220 with IPS panel we tested before. The 11.6" subnotebook is mobile none the less, and using the available 3 cell battery, you can shave about 100 gram (0.22 lbs) off the weight. There was no cost cutting in regards to the significantly over-sized 65 Watt standard Lenovo power supply, which can be left at home most of the time, with its weight of 360 gram (0.79 lbs)

Performance

Lenovo L08S6CO2 battery Like all currently available pre-configured AMD models, 0ur test model sports the AMD Fusion E-350 APU, containing a dual core CPU, GPU and memory controller. The processor is clocked at 1.6 GHz and sports a 1 MB L2 cache (2x 512kB). This CPU does not offer hyper threading or turbo boost. At least the integrated Radeon HD 6310 with UVD3 video processor and 80 Shader units is pretty potent for an integrated GPU and can accomplish many of the usual tasks. The GPU core is clocked at 493 MHz and uses shared RAM as usual. Lenovo L08S6D02 battery According to the spec sheet, the memory controller disposes only a single channel. Since there is no dual channel operation, different RAM configurations should have no effect on performance. We performed several tests in that regard and will come back to this subject later on.

The alternative configuration with the AMD Fusion C-50, available in Lenovo's online shop, sports a nearly identical setup, but was optimized for a lower thermal design power (TDP) of 9 Watt instead of 18 Watt. Thus, the CPU is clocked at a mere 1 GHz, and the GPU (HD 6250) tops out at 280 MHz. Performance should be comparable to an Intel Atom Z550 CPU, we tested this combination in the Iconia Tab W500.The Fusion C-50 APU could be an alternative for those who seek a cool, (probably) silent computer with long battery life, in trade for lower performance. Lenovo LO8L6C02 battery

Battery Life

The ThinkPad X121e can be configured at Lenovo's online shop with either a 3 cell battery (which seems to only be available during the system's configuration and not as a separate accessory), or a 6 cell battery (63 Wh, 0A36292). Separately, the 6 cell battery sets you back 120.- euros, the price increase from the 3 cell battery is just under 16.- euros, during system configuration in the online shop. Our test model sports the bigger 63 Wh battery, which makes an important contribution to the good battery life. Lenovo LO8N6Y02 battery

An equal contribution is made by the power consumption we measured. With a minimum of 6 Watts (minimal brightness, energy saver profile, WIFI deactivated) up to a maximum of 24.2 Watts (maximum brightness, maximum performance profile, WIFI on), the X121e remains frugal in all modes.

Lenovo LO8O4C02 battery Both factors had a very positive effect on battery life. With the Battery Eater Readers Test (minimal brightness, energy saver profile, WIFI deactivated), we achieved a runtime of 677 minutes. With these settings, the CPU is clocked at 800 MHz and the GPU runs at 280 MHz. Because the notebook wasn't useable with the minimum brightness setting, we repeated the test with maximum brightness and activated Wireless modules, which reduced the runtime to 498 minutes.

Lenovo LO8O6C02 battery When conveniently surfing over WIFI, we were left with 432 minutes. Stutter free playback of a DVD video from the hard drive, using the MPC Home Cinema Player (28% CPU load) ran for 316 minutes. The Battery Eater Classic test (maximum brightness, maximum performance profile, AMD HD6320 max. performance in battery mode, WIFI and Bluethooth on) could still reach 211 minutes, and rounded out our battery tests positively.

Verdict

Lenovo LO8S6C02 battery The Lenovo ThinkPad X121e could not match the case qualities of the X-series, but reached a competitive level, that compares with many subnotebooks. The installed interfaces cover a wide spectrum, though connector positioning is partly unfavorable, which may cause issues. Also unpleasant is the relatively high noise level under minor load, but in return, the surfaces remain very cool.

Performance ranges between netbooks and entry level Core i3 systems. HD videos play smoothly, office tasks can be conducted fluidly and without problem and the speedy hard drive offers sufficent space for data with its 320 GB. Playing games is possible, but only at low resolution and low quality settings. IBM 02K6821 battery

The matte display offers good brightness and is evenly lit. Contrast and viewing angles are on the same level as common notebook displays.

Very positive is the easy access of components, through the access cover in the notebook bottom, which makes upgrades fast, without requiring much effort

The greatest advantage has to be the high level of mobility for an 11.6" notebook. With realistic runtimes of more than 7 hours and a weight of 1.54 kg (3.5 lbs), you will find it to be a solid companion that keeps on ticking, without increasing the size of your bag too much. IBM 02K6822 battery

Overall, the entry level ThinkPad offers a lot of performance, features, battery life and upgrade options; at current prices below 400.- euros, it is unique in this combination and price range.

Review Lenovo Thinkpad Edge E520 Notebook

Lenovo's ThinkPad Edge series is aimed at buyers who find standard ThinkPads too expensive or too dull. The top tier of the Edge series comprises of the Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E520, the smaller E420 and the previously tested E420s (the two should not be confused with each other). The E520 is quite different from the usual B2B notebooks. The laptop has a matt 15.6 inch display and a subtle design. IBM 02K6823V battery The front of the laptop is angled like a wedge and the laptop manages to leave a good impression even without the use of shiny lacquer. The notebook runs on the latest hardware, and the user can customize the laptop extensively before purchasing. We picked the mainstream configuration which offers an Intel Core i5-2410M, an AMD Radeon HD 6630M graphics chip and 4 GB of RAM.

IBM 02K6824 battery Lenovo will soon release the ThinkPad Edge E425 and E525, both of which use the new AMD Llano-APUs instead of the popular Intel mobile CPUs. In the USA, these notebooks will be available starting at 549 US dollars. Currently, our test model is priced (the mainstream configuration without UMTS module) costs around 650 Euros. In the following review, we will push the laptop through a variety of benchmarks and tests. The ThinkPad Edge E420s may not have made the cut, but the question remains: has Lenovo found the perfect middle-ground between cheap mainstream notebooks and expensive high-end business devices in the ThinkPad Edge E520? IBM 02K6825 battery

Case

"New Design. New Form. And Better Than Ever." - Lenovo gives the E520 wholehearted support, as is apparent from the above motto. It seems that they might be promising too much as the test model before us seems rather chunky with a weight of 2.46 kilograms and a (maximum) height of 33 millimeters. The matt black surface has a nice "Soft touch" surface coating and the front of the case flattens abruptly like a wedge. IBM 02K6829V battery The colors available for this model may not be extravagant, but the robust case makes up for it. The case is hard to scratch, but fingerprints accumulate quickly. The workmanship of the notebook is disappointing: the synthetic material used for the case looks cheap in parts, the battery sits loosely, and the display cover is weak.

The sturdiness of the base left us divided. On the one hand, the hand-rest regions proved to be quite resistant, whereas the keyboard gives way near the middle and above the DVD drive. Lenovo has picked high-quality metal hinges for the E520. The black hinges manage to hold the display with minimal movement most of the time. IBM 02K6830V battery However, when the display is pushed backwards, the hinges have a hard time holding it securely. This is especially evident when the display is opened at angles between 160 degrees and 180 degrees.

A T-shaped flap on the bottom of the laptop hides the RAM and the hard disk. Once removed, the RAM and the hard disk can be easily swapped out or upgraded. Unfortunately, the case fans can not be reached, which means that there is no way to clean out the dust which gather over time. The ThinkPad Edge E520 is set apart from typical business notebooks due to the missing docking interface at the bottom of the laptop. IBM 02K6831 battery

Performance

Who says that office notebooks have to be slow and can only be used as mobile typewriters? Lenovo offers a variety of configurations for our test model. We picked the Intel Core i5-2410M (dual-core) as our CPU, as it is currently the fastest processor available for the E520. The CPU has a 3 MB L3 cache and runs at 2.3 to 2.9 GHz (thanks to Intel Turbo Boost). Overall, this processor is a popular choice for laptops under 1000 Euros. IBM 02K6832 battery

The E520 has two graphic chips: the Intel GMA HD 3000 (integrated in the CPU) and the dedicated AMD Radeon HD 6630M GPU, which has a core speed of 485 MHz and 1 GB VRAM. Thanks to AMD's PowerXpress 4.0 alias "BACON" the laptop can automatically switch between graphic chips. The software still has a few kinks: some programs are not recognized which means that the user has to manually pick the desired graphic card. The hardware of the notebook is rounded off with 4 GB RAM (max. 8 GB on two slots) and a 500 GB hard disk. Lenovo 42T4889 battery

Battery Life

The built-in hardware offers good performance and decent energy saving. The system saves a lot of power thanks to the "Energy Saver" of the Intel Core i5-2410M, which drops the CPU clock frequency to 800 MHz when it is idle, and the automatic graphics switching technology, which switches between the integrated CPU graphics and the dedicated AMD GPU. The maximum power consumption of 61 W is in the green region for this configuration and laptop class. The laptop consumes between 6.7 to 11.2 watts while idle. These values are similar to those of the latest netbooks. Lenovo 42T4891 battery

The resulting power consumption should be sated by a 6 cell battery with a capacity of 48 W. Lenovo places its model in the middle field with this solution, and for longer life a battery with more capacity or a second battery will have to be bought separately.

Lenovo 42T4893 battery Thanks to the 6-cell Lithium-Ion battery the laptop has acceptable run times for an office notebook. With minimal brightness (10 cd/m²), the use of the integrated Intel GMA HD 3000 graphics and deactivated WLAN module, the laptop can last up to 6 hours and 34 minutes (Reader's Test). In contrast, in the Classic Test, which runs an OpenGL calculation with maximum brightness, activated AMD Radeon HD 6630M and the WLAN module turned on, the run times drastically drop to 67 minutes (the minimum).

Lenovo 42T4894 battery These two measurements show the extremes of the laptop run times. The measurement of the run time while "surfing with the WLAN" or "watching a DVD" represents a more realistic average run time. The run time of 4 hours and 46 minutes (watching a DVD) and 5 hours and 32 minutes (while surfing on the internet using the WLAN) shows that the laptop has pretty good run times, but is not exceptional.

Lenovo 42T4895 battery The Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E520 is quite good as a middle-ground between expensive business laptops and cheap consumer notebooks. However, the laptop has a few flaws. As our test model revealed, the surfaces have a nice "Soft Touch" coating, but the case itself is not very slim, and the workmanship and sturdiness are less than optimal. The connectivity is good (except for the missing USB 3.0 port) and is complemented well by the latest communication modules. The input devices include a separate numeric pad, and are quite good as they are well-known by customers. The matt 15.6 inch screen is obligatory for laptops with the "ThinkPad" title. Sadly, the panel from AUO lacks good values. Lenovo 42T4897 battery

In respect to performance the laptop leaves no stone unturned. Office and multimedia tasks can be dealt with without any problems. Additional plus points are earned thanks to the energy saving hardware which results in low power consumption while the laptop is idle, and thus good battery run times. There are a few major flaws, such as the loud DVD drive, the high case temperatures (while the laptop is under heavy load) and the short guarantee period of 12 months. Lenovo 57Y4558 battery Overall, the laptop is a good deal for 650 Euros and can be a decent alternative to some glossy plastic 15.6 inch mainstream models. However, a few aspects could have been better.