ThinkPad Edge 13.3″ Review. ThinkPad for Small Business, Emerging Markets, & You?
February 2, 2010
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A compelling new lightweight laptop for small business and emerging markets, the ThinkPad Edge is a wonderful opportunity to get ThinkPad quality and performance at a price affordable for people on a tight budget – the Edge starts at $549.
<– Learn More about the ThinkPad Edge
The machine is currently only available with a 13-inch display, but Lenovo will introduce 14″ and 15″ in the second quarter of 2010. There are many new features which make the ThinkPad Edge stand out, so let’s take a look at some of them.
Lenovo gives us a choice of processor with the ThinkPad Edge, and we get to choose from either Intel or AMD. The AMD Athlon Neo X2 dual-core processor equipped ThinkPad Edge starts with a L325 (1.5GHz) processor with more options likely. Intel versions currently have the Intel® Core™ 2 Duo SU7300 1.30GHz 800MHz Processor.
Whilst the Edge is not customizable there are plenty of pre-built options and colors. Choose between 2GB, 3GB or 4 GB of DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz and up to a 320GB 7200rpm Hard Drive.
This version of the ThinkPad Edge has a 13.3″ WXGA-resolution glossy display with 16:9 screen ratio with 14″ and 15″ options following later is the year. The screen has good color and contrast and images display well. Of course the Edge is HD capable so watching movies was a pleasure although some colors looked slightly washed out.
Graphics come courtesy of an ATI Radeon HD 3200 IPG graphics card or the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD. I think our choice would be to go for the AMD chipset which in our opinion ensures higher quality video great rendering of 3D graphics, complex images, color and sharpness.
As with every other business and personal machine from Lenovo, the ThinkPad Edge comes with an integrated webcam so you can keep in touch anywhere you need to.
Lenovo holds on to its reputation for build quality with the keyboard on the ThinkPad Edge, which, although it is lower in cost, maintains a strong and durable undercarriage to ensure years of operation. In a nod to growth of smart phones and touchscreens, the TouchPad on the ThinkPad Edge is equipped with “gesture-enabled” technology that allows users to use two fingers to zoom, rotate and scroll through pages and screens. And of course, there’s a center-mounted TrackPoint on the keyboard.
ThinkPad Edge Keyboard
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Let’s just clear up the keyboard issue, because it is different, being ‘chicklet’ or ‘island’ style, which is a huge departure for ThinkPad. Let’s say right from the outset that this is a superb keyboard and Lenovo have done a great job in implementing it. Keystroke action and feedback are excellent with no flex or bounce normally associated with this type of keyboard. Its very satisfying to type on, we like it.
The Lenovo ThinkPad Edge can connect to the rest of the world virtually anywhere. There are integrated Gigabit Ethernet and Wi-Fi cards, optional GPS equipped WWAN and optional WiMAX.
For a 13-inch machine, there are a surprising number of ports, inputs and outputs for peripherals and additional connectivity. For starters, enjoy wireless peripherals with the integrated Bluetooth chip. Should you want to connect to larger displays, there are both VGA and HDMI outputs. To access all of your favorite media, there’s even a 5-in-1 card reader and for additional device connectivity there are three USB 2.0 ports.
The six-cell battery in the ThinkPad Edge should give you 6 to 7 hours of use
What really makes the ThinkPad Edge unique – apart from its price – is the design. Never before has Lenovo offered such a stark, and many say inspired, break from the traditional box-shaped matte black case. The Edge, however, has supremely supple lines that call out to be touched, and the case is available not only in glossy black, but also in Heatwave Red.
A great machine for the price, the ThinkPad Edge can even compete with machines in higher cost brackets. Aimed at small businesses, the ThinkPad Edge won’t replace the more advanced ThinkPad classic series. In fact, it’s more likely to whet the appetite for the rest ThinkPad line.
Understanding the Edge.
To really ‘get’ the ThinkPad Edge, you have to understand where Lenovo came from when they set out to bring this notebook to market. The ThinkPad Edge is not meant to compete with the traditional ThinkPad “Classic” range, nor is the Edge meant for the rough and tumble of corporate life. The ThinkPad Edge was conceived as a machine that would take the ThinkPad brand into whole new and emerging markets.
The ThinkPad Edge is a notebook that will appeal to the 258 million Small Business owners in China and other cost conscious users around the Globe. Users who are aware of the ThinkPad reputation, but cannot afford a full blown ThinkPad T500 for instance.
We can also expect to see the ThinkPad Edge range in retail outlets like Best Buy, so now if you are a corporate ThinkPad Classic user, you can finally outfit your spouse and kids with a ThinkPad!
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Lenovo have translated the ThinkPad image really well into the Edge. Build quality is good, the keyboard is excellent, and performance is good enough to handle all the everyday work stuff you can throw at it. And the Edge does compare very well against the other budget brands out there. OH, and let’s not forget the famous ThinkPad Global support which starts with a Free 1 year Global Warranty
If you are a classic ThinkPad user and you’re looking for a low cost second notebook, or you’re a corporate ThinkPad user and want to bring the ThinkPad brand into your personal life then the ThinkPad Edge 13″ is a great little notebook that will serve you well. Recommended.
ThinkPad Edge Video Review
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I would buy this laptop if they only used the new i7-640UM or i7-640LM with the new Intel GMA HD graphics.
Maybe they’ll make a 14″ inch version with a 900p screen and the newer CULV processors.
That keyboard looks like the best chicklet keyboard on the market, it’s a shame that they don’t have more models using it.
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I have mixed feelings with the Edge… I do think it looks great – but its like a variant of the L-Series. It kind of belongs to IdeaPad, IMHO.
The reviews on the keyboard has been good, for its type. Many of todays notebooks have copied the Apple iMac island keyboard. HP and SONY are using the same types. But the Edge does have a slight curve on its keys.
But in terms of toughness… the Edge isn’t close…
Again, by not having the ruggedness of the other THinkPads, if a customer has a bad experience with the low-cost Edge, he may consider the other ThinkPads to be made the same way. Thats the issue… The Edge can hurt the ThinkPad brand.
Have you actually had hands on with an Edge Belard? It is very good when you use it. I understand you concerns re the image thing but it is meant as an ‘intro’ model, and should do well for the brand, as we mentioned in our ThinkPad Edge Review, its also a ThinkPad for emerging markets
I know, I know. I’m sure that the suits at Lenovo have gone over the pros and cons. But you can’t always predict the mentality of the consumer.
For example, from 2001~2006, AMD had the fastest CPUs (in general) for consumer and server class. The $1000 3.8Ghz Pentium4 was still slower than a $300 lower-end AMD-64 CPU… but people still bought the “faster clock” P4s. And even today, yes Intel has the fastest CPU with the $600 i7 (not comparing their 6core)… but in the real world… a $100~160 AMD Quard core is about 0~15% slower (depending on software and chip model). yes, AMD isn’t constantly as fast – but its about $500~600 cheaper to build a system.
But the consumer will remember “intel has the fastest CPU” and go out and buy a Core2 or i3 computer… which costs more and is slower than most of AMDs CPUs. Thats how it works.
So if the Edge computers fall apart and have a high failure-rate, those owners may not upgrade to a real ThinkPad. Again, I think the Edge is a sexy design with some ThinkPad ideas – that you can see. The failure of the SL510 I got was embarrassing. I am even dealing with a defective T400s… which Lenovo has dropped the ball on this one, weeks to get a part in – for a $2000 computer.
Many years ago, when looking for notebooks for an office, I came across the Lenovo 3000… which did use the nice ThinkPad keyboard feel. It was low-cost and it was purchased because of the connection of ThinkPad to Lenovo. After that – we did go ALL ThinkPad for the quality. That 3000 still works… 3+ years later, but the T400s that replaced it was my 1st defective Lenovo computer. *sigh*
I’d like the G (er… ex 3000) go away, they seem to cost more than HP/gateways and look so cheap like Acers… they are not attractive. But I’ve seen some Gs in the store for $450 or so… which is on par with Compaq & Acers. An IdeaPad is about $100 more than a G (same CPU & RAM). I would think having a more streamline product line would be cheaper.
You should check out the new IdeaPad V Series Belard, its the IdeaPad for Business!
http://www.ideapadtoday.com/lenovo-business-meets-lenovo-consumer-new-ideapad-v460-small-business-laptop.htm
I can’t wait to hear what you think about those!
Cheers, Ian
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