Lenovo G570 (15.6" B950 4GB 500GB)

[tzeev]

I'm considering buying a version of this laptop (without Windows) for my mom. Her needs are modest, so the Sandy Bridge CPU and GPU should be enough. I want to know whether there is anything wrong with it. Design, build, screen, keyboard, wifi and ethernet, webcam, mic, speakers, etc. Does it have some bad quirks? Are there better models?

I'm not in the US so prices and exact models differ, but it's basically this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834246193

According to Intel, the CPU is crippled: it does not have Quick Sync (video encoding) and it does not have hardware virtualization. This is a bummer, but survivable. I wonder if the cippling is done in hardware or software and whether it can be circumvented (will KVM really not work, for example?)

 

[corkyg]

The G series is an "Ideapad," and it is at the low end of the Lenovo line up. Instead of limiting your shopping at Newegg, visit the Lenovo site, and compare the various models, and each can be customized to suit you.

http://shop.lenovo.com/us/laptops

 

[Jeff7181]

I'm considering buying a version of this laptop (without Windows) for my mom. Her needs are modest, so the Sandy Bridge CPU and GPU should be enough. I want to know whether there is anything wrong with it. Design, build, screen, keyboard, wifi and ethernet, webcam, mic, speakers, etc. Does it have some bad quirks? Are there better models?

I'm not in the US so prices and exact models differ, but it's basically this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834246193

According to Intel, the CPU is crippled: it does not have Quick Sync (video encoding) and it does not have hardware virtualization. This is a bummer, but survivable. I wonder if the cippling is done in hardware or software and whether it can be circumvented (will KVM really not work, for example?)

Is your mom going really to be encoding HD video or running virtual machines?

 

[tzeev]

The G series is an "Ideapad," and it is at the low end of the Lenovo line up. Instead of limiting your shopping at Newegg, visit the Lenovo site, and compare the various models, and each can be customized to suit you.

http://shop.lenovo.com/us/laptops

As I have said:

I'm not in the US so prices and exact models differ

So I'm not actually shopping at newegg, but that is a close enough system and price to what I'm looking at. The Lenovo site is the worst shopping site I have seen in my life. It is terrible. It is completely impossible to use. I am a programmer and I understand web technology as well as anyone and I couldn't manage to find a way to customize a laptop.

EDIT: Turns out if I lie and tell the site I'm in the US it works ok.

Is your mom going really to be encoding HD video or running virtual machines?

The video encoding - probably not, but I intend to use Ubuntu and I have thought of using KVM when wine fails. I anticipate her wanting to run some windows stuff she is used to, before she can fully transition to FOSS alternatives. The thing that irks me about the crippled processor is that it is done on purpose to disable features that fully work in the part as it leaves the factory. It's not like salvaging a damaged die from a silicon wafer by disabling some execution units or some cache or limiting its frequency. They actively disable working features in the cheap part to entice me to buy the costlier alternative!

 

[pcgeek11]

I just received a new Lenovo Edge E520 Core i3 2.3 Ghz, 6 GB ram, 500 GB hard disk 15.6 screen fingerprint reader multitouch pad bluetooth 3.0. It is the lower end of the Thinkpad series but it is fast as hell and runs great. $599.00 USdollars and free shipping. They also have a 14 inch screen E420 and AMD versions E525 and E425.

 

[Ketchup]

Her needs are modest, so the Sandy Bridge CPU... should be enough.

Sorry for the edit, but this is priceless.

I don't mean to sound like I am making fun of you though. My work laptop is a ThinkPad T510 and our home laptop is a G560; and both have been outstanding. I am turning into quite a Lenovo fan.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Jeff7181]

Sorry for the edit, but this is priceless.

I don't mean to sound like I am making fun of you though. My work laptop is a ThinkPad T510 and our home laptop is a G560; and both have been outstanding. I am turning into quite a Lenovo fan.

Welcome to the forum!

Same here. Do your Lenovo's run unusually cool to the touch, too? I thought something was wrong with mine because it never got warm... I thought maybe the CPU was stuck at a lower clock speed or something. They just seem to have done a great job with the cooling.

 

[Ketchup]

Yes, AT reviewed a Thinkpad a while back and mentioned how Lenovo uses a somewhat quiet fan, but is always running at 100%.

Works for me.

 

[Jeff7181]

Yes, AT reviewed a Thinkpad a while back and mentioned how Lenovo uses a somewhat quiet fan, but is always running at 100%.

Works for me.

I don't know if that's the case with mine. I can barely tell it's on unless I try to play a game or something, then I can feel it moving air.

 

[zCypher]

My t400 ran pretty hot but it was a kickass laptop. I loved the 1440x900 res...dunno if they still do that anymore though