Lenovo IdeaPad S12 review

Lenovo IdeaPad S12 review

Lenovo S12
The Lenovo IdeaPad S12 is bigger than a netbook, but more compact than most notebooks. It consists of a 12.1 inch, 1280 x 800 pixel show collectively with a complete sized keyboard. however the unit I reviewed consists of a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 CPU and integrated graphics, which implies the all round performance is on par with you common netbook in most circumstances. And many thanks for the considerable resolution display, some things like HD movement image playback, truly hold out considerably better over a regular netbook than concerning the IdeaPad S12.

Still, if you are seeking a cheap, light, and cell notebook computer but do not need to compromise concerning the display resolution and keyboard you can perform worse. Lenovo also provides a edition using the by means of Nano processor instead within of the Intel Atom, and an NVIDIA ION-based edition is anticipated soon, using a a terrific offer more effective images processor.

The unit reviewed has 1GB of RAM, a 160GB difficult drive, 802.11.b/g WiFi, a 6 cell battery and runs glass windows XP property or home Edition.


Design

The feature that defines the Lenovo IdeaPad S12 could possibly be the fact that it is bigger than a common netbook. That implies it has space for just about any bigger display, complete sized keyboard, and several additional features which include an ExpressCard/34 slot concerning the part and several additional quick-launch buttons above the keyboard.



Yet, the S12 requires the sleep of its design cues from netbooks. to possess the ability to retain costs down, Lenovo hasn’t just utilized a much less high priced processor collectively with other inner components. The exclusive computer can be produced from plastic material with many chromed factors to provide it a classier look. But as affordable plastic material personal computers go, the S12 is a little something of the looker.



The institution sells the netbook in dark or white, and each adaptations function a pattern of groups concerning the lid. Personally, I’d choose a stable color, but that is not an option.



There’s a massive amount of space near to the sides within of the netbook for three USB ports, an SD card slot, the ExpressCard slot, mic and headphone jacks, a VGA port, Ethernet jack, collectively with a change for toggling the WiFi on and off. There’s also a vent concerning the left side. The enthusiast audio tracks is audible when you are operating CPU-intensive tasks, but not obnoxious.

Above the keyboard may be considered a energy button, fast start button, and hardware buttons for adjusting the audio tracks quantity or launching backup and restore software. There’s also a built-in mic above the keyboard.



The speakers are concerning the entrance borders within of the laptop, below the keyboard, but not stuck concerning the bottom within of the exclusive computer in which the seem will simply be muffled with a table or your lap. There’s also a 1.3MP webcam situated above the display.



Underneath the unit, you will locate many entry panels. i experienced been pleasantly astonished to be aware that there’s a cost-free RAM slot, that will require to create it uncomplicated to upgrade the RAM to 2GB merely by sticking throwing in an extremely 1GB stick. There’s no should get rid of the present memory space to upgrade. If I’m not mistaken, another panel consists of a area for just about any SIM card slot, and possibly a 3G module, which is not integrated within of the unit reviewed here.

Display and Graphics

The IdeaPad S12 features a bright, glossy, 12.1 inch, 1280 x 800 pixel widescreen display. although bigger than most netbook screens, the S12 show can be considerably sharper. I do not really feel the should squint as considerably as I do using the HP 2133 Mini-Note, which experienced a 1280 x 720 pixel 8.9 inch display. But if your eyesight is not perfect, you may need to adjust the plan fonts and site zoom settings within your internet browser to possess the ability to create the show a terrific offer more comfortable.

Of course, the best element about a increased resolution show could possibly be the fact that it lets you cram a terrific offer more substance onto your screen. Here’s a shot within of the Lenovo IdeaPad S12 and an IdeaPad S10-2 viewing exactly the exact same internet page:


Left: IdeaPad S12 / Right: IdeaPad S10-2
As you can see, you can fixture a complete whole lot a terrific offer more internet site concerning the S12, many thanks to its increased resolution screen. But all those people additional pixels do consider their toll. The 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor is a terrific offer greater than capable of managing 720p movement image in an extremely assortment of formats, as well as Flash movement image composed content — when paired using a common 1024 x 600 pixel netbook screen. however it must hold out considerably tougher to pump out movement image over a increased resolution screen. getting a result, 720p movement image playback is choppy, as is some Flash movement image composed content from web-sites like Hulu when carried out in complete display mode. regular definition video, concerning another hand, appears fantastic.



Lenovo programs to provide a edition within of the IdeaPad S12 with NVIDIA ION, which essentially bundles exactly the exact same Atom N270 CPU with an NVIDIA GeForce 9400M images processor. This edition must acquire in a placement to look after 720p and 1080p movement image playback with ease. But until Adobe and NVIDIA build hardware acceleration into Adobe Flash, increased best quality internet movement image will nevertheless glimpse choppy when carried out in complete screen.

In other words, although you would think how the increased resolution display would make the IdeaPad S12 a considerably better multimedia apparel than netbooks with decrease resolution displays, the opposite is true… for now. I’m looking forward to screening the ION powered edition as quickly since it gets available. it is worth noting that Lenovo also provides a edition within of the S12 using a by means of Nano CPU instead within of the Intel Atom processor. I cannot say for particular how this impacts movement image playback.

On another hand, with regards to normal tasks, like editing workplace documents, viewing or editing photos, or surfing the web, the increased resolution show is totally a welcome addition.

Keyboard and Touchpad

The computer does not just function a bigger display than a common netbook. It also consists of a bigger chassis. And that implies there’s space for just about any 100% complete sized keyboard. Typing concerning the IdeaPad S12 keyboard is practically exactly the exact same knowing as typing over a computer using a 14 inch or bigger display. Of course, the keyboard is nevertheless more compact than a common desktop keyboard, which implies that some keys need to serve double-duty.



For instance, you can strike the Fn vital as well as a sequence of alphabet keys to simulate the knowing of typing over a numeric keypad. The property or home and finish off keys are blended using the PgUp and PgDn keys. The Fn keys on the best row within of the keyboard allow you hold out actions for example placing the exclusive computer to sleep, toggling the WiFi, disabling the touchpad, and controlling advertising playback in some applications. The arrow keys within of the bottom best suited corner within of the keyboard may be also utilized to adjust the display brightness and volume.

Some of those keys may be overkill, because there are also dedicated buttons above the keyboard that allow you adjust the volume, and there’s a hardware key concerning the left part within of the exclusive computer for toggling the WiFi. But I suppose it is considerably better to possess as well relatively many options than not enough at all.

I do possess just one puppy peeve using the keyboard. I locate the place within of the Ctrl and Fn keys frustrating. I’m utilized to working with keyboards in which the vital concerning the much left part within of the bottom row is Ctrl. concerning the IdeaPad S12, the Fn vital is situated in that spot, as well as the Ctrl vital can be to its right. I continually locate myself hitting Fn when I signify to strike Ctrl. But i understand Lenovo is not the only exclusive computer maker to create use with this layout, which means you may previously be utilized to these vital positions. I’m not.



The touchpad is reasonably wide, although I observed how the Asus Eee PC 1000H, which may be considered a 10 inch mini-laptop truly consists of a slightly wider touchpad. beneath the IdeaPad S12′s touchpad are two unique buttons, that are relatively uncomplicated to press. The touchpad consists of a scrolling part near to the best suited side, permitting you to definitely scroll up and right down in most applications, considerably exactly the exact same way you would using a mouse button scrollbar.

Software

Lenovo packs the IdeaPad S12 using numerous fascinating applications. very first may be considered a quick-start atmosphere dependent on Splashtop. should you strike the QS key above the keyboard instead within of the energy button, the fast start menu will start in about 10 seconds. It consists of a internet browser, audio tracks player, photo viewer, instant messenger, and Skype.



Honstly, I’m not that impressed using the fast start software. The very first trouble could possibly be the fact that there’s no method to include or get rid of those applications, as well as set up add-ons for the Firefox-based internet browser. Second, although it requires 10 seconds to fill the interface, it could consider one more 10 to twenty seconds to fill an application. thinking about it only requires about 45 seconds to boot in to a completely useful glass windows XP desktop, I do not see the advantage to making utilization of the fast start menu.

Finally, and also this might not be considered a trouble for everyone, I couldn’t for the lifestyle of me connect to my property or home wireless local community making utilization of the fast start WiFi configuration utility. I experienced no trouble finding on collection making utilization of glass windows XP, so i understand this may be considered a software program issue, not really a hardware one. i experienced been also in a placement to login to some neighbor’s unsecured network, but not my password-protected network. Shh… do not inform him.

The exclusive computer also consists of the VeriFace a reputation III energy which lets you log into glass windows by pointing the webcam at your mug. If you really are a slow typist, this may be more quickly than entering a password concerning the keyboard, however it does consider many seconds for the facial a reputation software program to load, which means you may locate it is a terrific offer more trouble than it is worth.



I arranged the software program for the check by registering my exclusive cope with after which wanting to trick the software program by pointing it at my partner and several images of other people’s faces. i experienced been in a placement to login each and every time, although my attempts to fake the software program out went unrewarded. I also found which i couldn’t login making utilization of my exclusive cope with in an extremely poorly lit room.

Smiling also fools the program, because I listed my cope with without getting smiling. In other words, should you genuinely need to refrain from somebody from logging to the exclusive computer by holding your unconscious mind up for the display best suited after you have passed out best suited after getting just one as well many, attempting setting up the software program only to allow you login although making a especially amusing face. Then make an effort to take into account that cope with following time you need to login. Fortunately, the facial a reputation software program only features if you have previously set up a composed password for the computer, so even should you locate your do it yourself unable to login making utilization of the webcam for just about any solo aim or another, you can often type the password the outdated fashioned way.

Here’s a short movement image within of the facial a reputation software program in action:

The exclusive computer also arrives with OneKey recovery software program which lets you backup your records and settings and restore them by clicking the restore key situated greater compared to keyboard.



There’s also a vitality control energy that lets you swiftly adjust your energy settings. These appear to acquire limited to products like display brightness and how lengthy your exclusive computer should acquire inactive preceding to shutting right down the display, difficult drive, or other components. The energy schemes do not appear to provide you with any look after greater than your CPU pace or other superior hardware settings.

In other words, the vitality control software program is not considerably a terrific offer more effective compared to created in glass windows energy control tools, however the Lenovo software program does possess the benefit of letting you instantly adjust your energy schemes when your exclusive computer is unplugged.

The exclusive computer also ships with Norton internet protection software program collectively with a trial edition of ms workplace 2007.

Performance

Aside by means of the all round performance matters pointed out within of the images and show section, the Lenovo IdeaPad S12 features especially when you would anticipate an Intel Atom powered netbook to. I experienced no problems opening 6 as well as a terrific offer more tabs in Firefox although actively playing audio tracks within of the backdrop without getting the exclusive computer slowing down.

If you tactic to create utilization of the exclusive computer primarily for surfing the web, making and editing documents, or executing other things that do not need a superb offer of images performance, the Atom-powered edition within of the IdeaPad S12 can obtain the job done. should you need considerably better graphics, you may need to wait around until the NVIDIA ION edition is available.

The speakers are reasonably loud, if a tad tinny.

Battery

The computer arrives using a 6 cell, 52Whr battery. It sticks out by means of the back again within of the exclusive computer a bit, but i have observed worse.



The battery lasted for 4 several hours and 27 mins when I ran the Battery Eater expert test. The check is made to arranged steady strain concerning the battery. In specific earth settings, you are possibly to acquire among 5 and 6 several hours of run time.

While numerous other netbooks, which include the Asus Eee PC 1005HA, get considerably better battery life, 5+ several hours is relatively amazing for just about any 12.1 inch notebook.

Verdict

If you judge the Lenovo IdeaPad S12 by netbook standards, the exclusive computer has an remarkable display and keyboard. although the computer is nevertheless small by conventional notebook computer standards, it must acquire large enough to placate some people who locate the common netbook to acquire as well small to create for just about any at ease typing or studying experience. And weighing in at just 3.4 pounds, the notebook computer is barely heavier compared to Asus Eee PC 1000HE.

As considerably as I adore a 10 inch netbook, I locate myself often grabbing the bigger IdeaPad S12 when I’m concerning the go on account of the fact it has relatively many within of the benefits of the netbook which include lengthy battery lifestyle and relatively small sizing and lumination weight, using the additional benefit of the display that could show considerably a terrific offer more information.



But the basic product with an Intel Atom N270 CPU and integrated images balks at HD movement image playback collectively with other things that need higher images digesting energy compared to exclusive computer can provide. that could make the S12 really feel slower than relatively many more compact netbooks, and considerably slower than a affordable 14 or 15 inch laptop.

If you genuinely need considerably better images performance, you may need to preserve out for the NVIDIA ION version. But be conscious that even that edition is not steering to acquire in a placement to look after remarkable Flash movement image in complete display mode until Adobe and NVIDIA hold out out hardware acceleration for the platform.