Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 13 Notebook Review

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Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 13 Notebook
627 £ at amazon.co.uk
  • AMD Turion Neo X2 L625 (1.6 GHz)

  • ATI Radeon HD 3200

  • 3 GB RAM Size

  • 320 GB HDD Capacity

2

Our summary of all reviews

  • Performance

    /100

    At this level, the performance is very low. This limits the user to usual activities e.g surfing the web, writing emails. Using applications like Word or Excel is possible, though at a very low speed. Gaming and other high performance tasks are impossible. People looking for a secondary laptop or using non-complex applications only will be satisfied.

    • 3DMark 06 1024 x 768

      1092.5 #

    • PCMark Vantage

      2665 #

    • Cinebench xCPU 64Bit

      2798 #

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  • Design

    3.6/5

    The reviewers’ opinions tended predominantly towards moderate satisfaction concerning the laptop design. The notebook’s appearance was decently received and should prove to be at the taste of many users.

  • Build Quality

    4.5/5

    The extremely solid build quality provides for absolute protection of the inner components of this laptop. All the outer components -hinge, display panel, and chassis- are highly stable, with no gaps or cracking sounds ever experienced. This computer is ideal for people with very active lifestyles, requiring absolute endurance and solidity of their laptops.

    • Base Unit Flex

       : 

      4.0/5

      The notebook frame can solidly serve for many years without any major problems. Cracking sounds, gaps and loose parts are almost nonexistent. The surface will resist most abuse, however it will show scratches over time.

    • Hinge Stability

       : 

      5.0/5

      The hinge, connecting the screen and the laptop frame, has a great balance between tightness and flexibility. It allows for a smooth use without experiencing any cracking sounds or stiffness when moving around. The display does not suffer from any shakiness and yet you can open it easily with one hand.

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  • Display

    3.0/5

    Generally the reviewers deemed this laptop to be above average. Users could expect this display to provide for average satisfaction with office work as well as multimedia use. Gamers and professional designers might however not find this display to their taste. To get a more comprehensive review of this display, users should check the ratings of the different attributes of this screen.

    • Display Resolution

      1366 x 768

      This resolution is also called HD-ready. Viewing more than one website on the monitor is almost impossible, as one window takes up almost the whole space. Graphic designers might not be completely satisfied with this resolution, as this latter might be too small. High resolution picture and video editing is plainly impossible. This resolution is a good option for gamers as many graphic cards will be powerful enough to support the native resolution of this display. Watching most movies will be possible without any black bars at the top and bottom of the display.

    • Color Reproduction

       : 

      3.0/5

      The color spectrum covered by the display is acceptable. Both color saturation and natural appearance of the pictures are good enough for viewing HD movies and gaming. Professional designers however will find that only a higher level of color reproduction will satisfy their needs.

    • Contrast

       : 

      2.0/5

      The contrast between the darkest color -black- and the brightest color -white- is below average in this computer. This results in having the darkest areas being washed out resembling a dark shade of gray, while the brightest areas appear to be of a light grayish color. Movies can be enjoyed provided that the room is completely darkened. Most office workers will find the readability to be sufficient, while some might be annoyed by the close shades of gray characterizing both the dark text and the bright background. The needs of professional designers will surely not be met with this notebook.

    • Contrast Value

      164 :1

    • Brightness

       : 

      3.0/5

      The maximum brightness of this computer is adequate for viewing the screen comfortably, even under bright ambient light. However, the users must be cautious to only push the brightness to its maximum in bright conditions, eg. outdoors. Setting the brightness to a high level will drastically decrease the battery life. In addition, using the notebook at maximum brightness in a dark room will be tiring for the eyes.

    • Average Brightness

      201 cd/m²

    • Reflections

       : 

      1.7/5

      The reflections on this screen cause its usability to be close to minimal. Users will only be able to comfortably view the display in either dark environment or with the least possible amount of lighting. Outdoor use will prove to be absurd; patience and continuous focus will be required for any actual and efficient use of this laptop under medium lighting conditions.

    • Viewing Angle

       : 

      3.3/5

      Two individuals can sit next to one another comfortably, and still view the screen with hardly any image deviation. Colours might start to change if you move far to the sides of the display, so viewing the screen with a group of people will not guarantee a clear picture for everyone.

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  • Sound

    2.0/5

    The internal speakers of this laptop provided for a below average sound quality. Low sounds are still recognizable. Music can still listened to although the users should account for the necessity of external speakers when planning to watch a movie with a group. Musicians should not even stop to consider this laptop for their work, and gamers will be disappointed as the sound will be convincing. Even maximum volume will not make the sound experience enjoyable.

    • Maximum Volume

       : 

      2.5/5

      This laptop provides for a great opportunity to test your hearing abilities. At maximum volume, users can expect the sound to be loud enough to partially cover the space in one room. It would be difficult to enjoy a movie with a group of people if you are not all sitting close to the laptop. Headphones or external speakers should prove to be a good back up for action/thriller movies to be enjoyed.

    • Sound Clarity

       : 

      2.5/5

      This sound clarity is below average. Movies and games might not be as enjoyable because the sound will be muffed or suffer from interferences. Your expectations will be betrayed when watching an HD movie.

    • Lows

       : 

      0.0/5

      This laptop has Zero bass. The sound has no dynamics and it will close to impossible to differentiate different sound levels. This laptop should be then ideal for users with hearing impairment, or those not needing sound to be integrated in their laptop usage.

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  • Keyboard

    4.8/5

    This keyboard has been rated to be among the best in the market. The reviewers were impressed by the comfort and the speed provided for when typing. It is ideal for users whose profession demands long typing hours such as for journalists or academicians, without suffering from the slightest pain or frustration in the process. It is as well impressively comfortable and enduring for gaming, as one of the many activities requiring frequent and long usage, all of which this keyboard is perfectly fitted for.

    • Layout

       : 

      5.0/5

      This keyboard is presented to the user with a layout easy on the eye requiring practically no time to get used to it. Typing feels accurate and the standard layout of the keyboard greatly contributes to increasing speed and comfort. The users will not at all be bothered with inconveniences such as a smaller than usual “Enter” key or swapped key positions. All in all, an agreeable layout for very smooth use.

    • Keyboard Size

       : 

      5.0/5

      This keyboard is characterized by large keys, thus dramatically reducing the frequency of typing mistakes. Typing is as well made very comfortable thanks to the deep palm resting area, which is as well handy when playing games, or for any activity requiring long hours of commitment. The whole keyboard is well proportionate with just the right spacing between the keys, providing for an ideal size for most users.

    • Key Responsiveness

       : 

      4.6/5

      This keyboard is made for enjoying long typing hours. The keys do not need that much applied pressure for accurate feedback, and you might even be quite amazed by the improvement in your typing accuracy -no typos- and your speed. The keyboard feels very smooth and comfortable, as the keys go just deep enough when typing. All in all: Guaranteed satisfaction no matter you expectations and your demands.

    • Keys Clicking Sound

       : 

      5.0/5

      Using this keyboard will not cause any disturbance noise wise. Clicking an individual key provides for an unobtrusive feedback fitting the quietest surroundings. In short: A nice recurring easy-to-get-used-to sound.

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  • Touchpad

    4.5/5

    The reviewers found this trackpad to provide for a perfect combination of size, accuracy, smoothness and resistance. All these qualities make this trackpad a perfect fit for laptops with big displays, or everyone who plans to use the touchpad extensively only for gaming you will find an external mouse needed. The buttons are as well suited for all applications even those requiring a high level of accuracy such as picture editing or design. In short, this trackpad will ease you into adapting to your laptop in quite a pleasing way.

    • Touchpad Surface

       : 

      4.0/5

      The feeling of the touchpad will work at your satisfaction with its relatively smooth surface allowing quick scrolling up and down your pages. If you require rougher textures, the trackpad of this computer can be pleasing, as it combines both smoothness and good surface resistance.

    • Sensitivity

       : 

      4.5/5

      This touchpad has proved to provided for excellent feedback with impressive accuracy. There was no lag or jumpiness, which greatly contributes to increasing your working speed. Your mouse pointer’s precision will be nothing short of an arrow splitting the stem of a flower. All in all, this touchpad is perfectly reliable concerning precision and reaction.

    • Touchpad Size

       : 

      4.3/5

      The size of this touchpad allows for navigating large displays with no problem. The users will not need to worry at all about inconveniences such as with excessive scrolling or getting an extra mouse, as this touchpad answers all these needs quite convincingly. You will most probably not need to turn the sensitivity settings up, as you will not need to make your mouse move any faster. Keeping your sensitivity settings low will ensure that you will enjoy higher touchpad accuracy.

    • Buttons

       : 

      4.5/5

      The buttons on the touchpad provide for exact feedback. The smooth transition between the buttons and the rest of the trackpad, in addition to the general smooth feeling of the buttons increase comfort and accuracy and will answer all needs of the users. The clicking sound of the button is by no means invasive, and quite smoothly fades into the background noise of its environment. The users will be very happy with this impressive button quality.

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  • Webcam Quality

    3.0/5

    The picture quality is decent under good light conditions.

  • Battery Surfing

    5:32 h

    The battery life is quite good. If are going to work outside, you can easily plan to spend up to six hours without your charger. Be it for a client meeting, preparing a paper, or simply answering your emails, lowering the brightness of your screen will greatly contribute to extending the battery life. As long as you do not launch programs which suck a lot of energy out of your battery like watching movies or playing games, you should be able to enjoy your half a day out. Also, make sure to check that the energy saving mode is on to maximise the time away from the power socket.

    • Battery DVD/Video

      4:28 h

      When performing energy consuming tasks, this battery will last from 4 to 5 hours. Be it for watching a couple of movies, preparing presentations, or streaming videos, this battery will not fail you for quite some time. Note: Gaming requires much more power thus you will only be able to enjoy it for a much more limited time.

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  • Weight

    1.80 kg

    This laptop is comfortable to carry around during a busy day, with all your information within reach. Though there are lighter notebooks available and the extra weight in your bag will be noticeable, it will yet not be exhausting, even when you pack the charger. The weight of this laptop will not be a problem for most users, even those not used to carry around heavy weights.

  • Noise

    5.0/5

    The laptop is almost completely silent under all circumstances. There is almost no noise emitted from the fan, the hard drive, CD drive, or any other parts. Even a noise sensitive person will find this laptop at the utmost of discretion, fitting the quietest environments.

    • Noise Idle

       : 

      4.0/5

      Normally you do not notice the noise of the laptop ventilation while idle.

    • Noise Normal Use

       : 

      5.0/5

      This laptop is silent while doing low performance tasks such as surfing the web, or editing a text. Even in a very quiet environment like a library, any noise from your laptop is unnoticeable, perfect for helping you focus on the task at hand.

    • Noise Full Load

       : 

      5.0/5

      The laptop remains almost silent, even when using this laptop at full load when watching movies, gaming, or editing videos. Working in quiet environments will be no problem, also this makes this computer ideal for watching a horror movie, as the computer noise will by no means be obstructive to the scary movie sounds.

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  • Temperature

    2.0/5

    The laptop often gets too warm. Most reviewers found, at normal room temperature, it may be okay to keep the notebook on your lap when you are just surfing the net. The laptop will definitely get hot when you stress it, watching a movie or alike.

    • Heat Top: Full Use

       : 

      3.5/5

      At normal use the laptop gets warm but this is not problematic.

    • Heat Top: Normal Use

       : 

      3.0/5

      The laptop gets warm on top but nothing you would complain about.

    • Heat Bottom: Normal Use

       : 

      2.0/5

      The bottom of the laptop can get a bit warmer. If you don’t want to use it on your lap, it will be okay.

    • Heat Bottom: Full Load

       : 

      2.0/5

      There are some spots where the laptop gets a little hotter.

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4

Where to buy

You can get the Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 13 Notebook for 627£
A

All external reviews  Lenovo  ThinkPad Edge 13 Notebook

Language Source URL Review Date Author

English

www.mobiletechreview.com 3/18/10 Tong Zhang

English

www.digitaltrends.com 2/2/10 Nick Mokey

English

www.laptopmag.com 1/4/10 Avram Piltch

English

www.engadget.com 1/3/10 Joanna Stern

Deutsch

www.notebookcheck.com 3/16/10 Felix Sold

日本語

pc.watch.impress.co.jp 1/27/10 西川和久
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Total number of reviews: 6