Laptop Recommendations

Soldato
Joined
26 Dec 2009
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North
Oh man I'm so confused as to what I've cancelled and what I've returned already. The metal palmr option has caused me to reorder the 15" today. The 13" would mean more orders!

is there any design difference between the 13, 14 and 15.6” model? Or all same laptops just different size?

the main difference was the metal body which appears to be available now for the 15” model.

If so ok with a 14 or 15” model, prefer a larger screen. Plus potentially bigger battery and bigger cooling if scaled up.

both my old orders have now been cancelled and refund received, so pretty smooth there.
 
Soldato
Joined
1 Jul 2007
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20,503
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Various
Does anyone have any experience of Lenovo's cheaper laptops? What are the touchpads and keyboards like? I'm really considering one of these but am a stickler for decent input devices
 
Soldato
Joined
26 Apr 2004
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9,348
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Milton Keynes
I haven't tried one of this gen, but heard the keyboards aren't bad for the money on recent ones (albeit not matching a high end laptop.) Touchpad not sure on. Wasn't bad on the last Lenovo I used. Not amazing, but wasn't disappointing or rage-inducing like some cheap touchpads I've used.
 
Soldato
Joined
26 Feb 2007
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14,107
Location
Leafy Cheshire
So the Lenovo ideapad i5 15 is the way forward? We got my Mrs a small laptop a couple of years ago but it's awful. She needs to install software and it just can't handle that, I think it's like a Chromebook alternative or whatever.

She runs a craft business so uses some very basic CAD, low effort editing software etc and does lots of scanning etc. Doesn't want to spend much more than 500 quid.
 
Caporegime
Joined
8 Jan 2004
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31,993
Location
Rutland
So the Lenovo ideapad i5 15 is the way forward? We got my Mrs a small laptop a couple of years ago but it's awful. She needs to install software and it just can't handle that, I think it's like a Chromebook alternative or whatever.

She runs a craft business so uses some very basic CAD, low effort editing software etc and does lots of scanning etc. Doesn't want to spend much more than 500 quid.

There's nothing to touch it on value at the moment. Keyboard and touch pad meant to be solid, decent screen, can spec hefty CPU power if you need it.
 
Soldato
Joined
14 May 2007
Posts
2,638
Problem seems to be with Lenovo going of hotukdeals is the delivery if you are getting direct. people are waiting a month or two for delivery. in a couple of months the market maybe better and you can get something better specced for the same price .
 
Soldato
Joined
11 Oct 2005
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4,796
Location
Manchester, UK
Problem seems to be with Lenovo going of hotukdeals is the delivery if you are getting direct. people are waiting a month or two for delivery. in a couple of months the market maybe better and you can get something better specced for the same price .

Yeah, I ordered an L340 when the bank holiday deal was on but have just cancelled as the estimated delivery date was 15th July.

I then realised that I could get a discounted Y540 through work but when I rang up Lenovo to enquire, they said estimated delivery for that would also be mid July.

There's enough good competition coming out over the next few weeks that I'm not prepared to wait that long.
 
Soldato
Joined
15 Jan 2003
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4,947
Location
South East
I ordered an IdeaPad 5i 14" on the 12th April with the spec below for £533 and it was delivered Friday afternoon. The same spec is not even available to order on the Lenovo UK site anymore and the lower spec 3mm screen with MX330 graphic and Windows 10 (no Free-Dos option) is over £700 now.

Processor - Intel Core i5-1035G1 Processor (1.00GHz, up to 3.60GHz with Turbo Boost, 4 Cores, 6MB Cache)
Operating System - Free-DOS
Operating System Language - Free-DOS
Memory - 16GB DDR4 3200MHz Onboard
Hard Drive - 512GB Solid State Drive, M.2 2280, PCIe-NVMe, TLC
Display - 14.0" FHD (1920x1080), IPS, Anti-glare, 2.4mm Thickness, 300nits, Narrow bezel
Graphic Card - NVIDIA GeForce MX350 GDDR5 2GB 64bits
Color - Graphite Grey
Keyboard - Keyboard Iron Grey English (UK)
Camera - 720p HD Camera with Array Microphone
Surface Treatment - Anodizing
Fingerprint Reader - Fingerprint Reader
Palmrest - Metal
Battery - 3 Cell Li-Polymer Internal Battery, 57Wh
Power Cord - 65W AC Adapter (3pin)-UK (USB Type C)
Wireless - Wi-Fi 6 2x2 AX, Bluetooth Version 5.0 or above
3 year warranty
 
Caporegime
Joined
8 Jan 2004
Posts
31,993
Location
Rutland
I ordered an IdeaPad 5i 14" on the 12th April with the spec below for £533 and it was delivered Friday afternoon. The same spec is not even available to order on the Lenovo UK site anymore and the lower spec 3mm screen with MX330 graphic and Windows 10 (no Free-Dos option) is over £700 now.

Processor - Intel Core i5-1035G1 Processor (1.00GHz, up to 3.60GHz with Turbo Boost, 4 Cores, 6MB Cache)
Operating System - Free-DOS
Operating System Language - Free-DOS
Memory - 16GB DDR4 3200MHz Onboard
Hard Drive - 512GB Solid State Drive, M.2 2280, PCIe-NVMe, TLC
Display - 14.0" FHD (1920x1080), IPS, Anti-glare, 2.4mm Thickness, 300nits, Narrow bezel
Graphic Card - NVIDIA GeForce MX350 GDDR5 2GB 64bits
Color - Graphite Grey
Keyboard - Keyboard Iron Grey English (UK)
Camera - 720p HD Camera with Array Microphone
Surface Treatment - Anodizing
Fingerprint Reader - Fingerprint Reader
Palmrest - Metal
Battery - 3 Cell Li-Polymer Internal Battery, 57Wh
Power Cord - 65W AC Adapter (3pin)-UK (USB Type C)
Wireless - Wi-Fi 6 2x2 AX, Bluetooth Version 5.0 or above
3 year warranty

What were your thoughts on this? I've got one coming this week but was planning to return it as they've shipped my 15" 4800U version now.
 
Soldato
Joined
15 Jan 2003
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4,947
Location
South East
So far so good. It feels well built, minimal flex and sturdy screen when opening. The top of the lid to the hinge is 1cm shorter than my ThinkPad 13" Gen2 work laptop though it feels around the same weight.

I've only really installed and setup a few programs in Windows 10 to get ready to give it to my father. Watched a few YouTube videos and both the display and sound are very good in comparison to my work ThinkPad and my father's older L430 (though that is a good few years older).

If your 15" AMD has shipped and you have no other need for the 14" Intel then I would send it back. If you have another family member that may need a laptop or upgrade from an old one then I would keep it and then sell/pass it on.
 
Soldato
Joined
5 Mar 2009
Posts
3,050
Location
North
I've just ordered the

Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15ARE05

  • Processor : AMD Ryzen 5 4500U Processor (2.30GHz, Max Boost up to 4.00GHz, 6 Cores, 8MB Cache)
  • Operating System : Windows 10 Home 64
  • Onboard Memory : 4GB DDR4 2667MHz Onboard
  • Selectable Memory : 4GB DDR4 2667MHz SoDIMM
  • Total Memory : 8GB (4GB Onboard+4GB SoDIMM) DDR4 2667MHz
  • Second Hard Drive : 512GB Solid State Drive, M.2 2242, PCIe-NVMe, TLC
  • Display : 15.6" FHD (1920x1080), IPS, 250nits, Anti-glare, No touch
  • Display Solution : IPS Panel Solution
  • Graphic Card : Integrated Graphics
  • Camera : 0.3M Camera with Array Microphone
  • Color : Business Black
  • Keyboard : Keyboard Grey English (UK)
  • Wireless : Wireless 2x2 AC, Bluetooth Version 5.0 or above
  • Surface Treatment : Texture
  • Palmrest : PC/ABS
  • Battery : 2 Cell Li-Polymer Internal Battery, 35Wh
  • Power Cord : 65W Wall Mount AC Adapter (2pin)-UK
  • Language Pack : Publication-English

6 weeks is a long time but I paid £497 with an upgraded warranty and evrything on the shelf for that money was a lot lower spec.
 
Caporegime
Joined
8 Jan 2004
Posts
31,993
Location
Rutland
I've just ordered the

Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15ARE05

  • Processor : AMD Ryzen 5 4500U Processor (2.30GHz, Max Boost up to 4.00GHz, 6 Cores, 8MB Cache)
  • Operating System : Windows 10 Home 64
  • Onboard Memory : 4GB DDR4 2667MHz Onboard
  • Selectable Memory : 4GB DDR4 2667MHz SoDIMM
  • Total Memory : 8GB (4GB Onboard+4GB SoDIMM) DDR4 2667MHz
  • Second Hard Drive : 512GB Solid State Drive, M.2 2242, PCIe-NVMe, TLC
  • Display : 15.6" FHD (1920x1080), IPS, 250nits, Anti-glare, No touch
  • Display Solution : IPS Panel Solution
  • Graphic Card : Integrated Graphics
  • Camera : 0.3M Camera with Array Microphone
  • Color : Business Black
  • Keyboard : Keyboard Grey English (UK)
  • Wireless : Wireless 2x2 AC, Bluetooth Version 5.0 or above
  • Surface Treatment : Texture
  • Palmrest : PC/ABS
  • Battery : 2 Cell Li-Polymer Internal Battery, 35Wh
  • Power Cord : 65W Wall Mount AC Adapter (2pin)-UK
  • Language Pack : Publication-English

6 weeks is a long time but I paid £497 with an upgraded warranty and evrything on the shelf for that money was a lot lower spec.

My 4800U ideapad 5 is finally arriving tomorrow, can't wait to have a play.
 
Soldato
Joined
12 Jan 2006
Posts
4,551
Location
Edinburgh
I've just ordered the

Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15ARE05

  • Processor : AMD Ryzen 5 4500U Processor (2.30GHz, Max Boost up to 4.00GHz, 6 Cores, 8MB Cache)
  • Operating System : Windows 10 Home 64
  • Onboard Memory : 4GB DDR4 2667MHz Onboard
  • Selectable Memory : 4GB DDR4 2667MHz SoDIMM
  • Total Memory : 8GB (4GB Onboard+4GB SoDIMM) DDR4 2667MHz
  • Second Hard Drive : 512GB Solid State Drive, M.2 2242, PCIe-NVMe, TLC
  • Display : 15.6" FHD (1920x1080), IPS, 250nits, Anti-glare, No touch
  • Display Solution : IPS Panel Solution
  • Graphic Card : Integrated Graphics
  • Camera : 0.3M Camera with Array Microphone
  • Color : Business Black
  • Keyboard : Keyboard Grey English (UK)
  • Wireless : Wireless 2x2 AC, Bluetooth Version 5.0 or above
  • Surface Treatment : Texture
  • Palmrest : PC/ABS
  • Battery : 2 Cell Li-Polymer Internal Battery, 35Wh
  • Power Cord : 65W Wall Mount AC Adapter (2pin)-UK
  • Language Pack : Publication-English

6 weeks is a long time but I paid £497 with an upgraded warranty and evrything on the shelf for that money was a lot lower spec.

Annoyingly, it doesn't look like you can get that processor + screen combo just now. No way to get 15.6 ips with ryzen cpu that I can see.
 
Soldato
Joined
5 Mar 2009
Posts
3,050
Location
North
Annoyingly, it doesn't look like you can get that processor + screen combo just now. No way to get 15.6 ips with ryzen cpu that I can see.

It looks like it was only there for a day or two, I ordered mine the first day I saw the combo after looking for a while so must have got lucky. I would just keep my eye on it as it seems to change quite rapidly at the moment.
 
Soldato
Joined
1 Jul 2007
Posts
20,503
Location
Various
Ordered the 14 inch with a 512gb SSD, 16GB RAM and the 4700u yesterday for £700. I'll see if it comes on time (2-3 weeks, apparently). If not, I'll cancel and go elsewhere.
 
Soldato
Joined
15 Jan 2003
Posts
4,947
Location
South East
Ordered the 14" 2.4mm screen, 4800u, 16GB ram, 512GB 2280 NVMe drive for my brother yesterday. £680 something with the 10% newsletter and YouthDiscount. Now the wait to see if it takes as long as the Intel version to arrive.
 
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