A new generation of home entertainment line with Lenovo laptops

Recently, the trend of replacing desktop computers began to appear mobile to a new level, but when the actual mobility and compactness in the list of requirements evolved to include high performance CPU and GPU and not a very high price in the psychologically important level of 1,000 conventional units (ie, dollars).

In this segment, most customers, and virtually every manufacturer introduced its version of the home notebook, based on the broad domestic audience. With strong competition all have to save for stuffing and / or appearance, looking for the best price / quality ratio.

The company Lenovo, which the world is still largely perceived as the new owner of the corporate family IBM ThinkPad, introduced in 2008 independently developed a stylish multimedia portfolio with an emphasis on fun – Ideapad.

A large line of Ideapad divided into several series: S, U, V, G, Z, Y, – depending on the size and performance. It includes a huge number of models, from toddlers to great netbook gaming stations with stereoscreen (interlaced polarization).

The most technically advanced a series of Y company describes as “Universal widescreen laptops with powerful multimedia functions. Ideal for gamers. ”

Updated lineup of Y was introduced in the summer and appeared in stores in autumn. In this paper we discuss the model Y560 c 15,6-inch widescreen display.
Housing

In 2010, the design 15-inch model has been seriously upgraded, and now it did not have any hints on the philosophy and style of the old IBM-bookreaders lines ThinkPad. The main color of the laptop is listed as “black” (black), but in reality both outside and inside of it chocolate or dark brown, depending on the lighting, except that the lower part of the body is made of classic black plastic.
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The cover looks very original and interesting rough matte finish with the addition of brilliant crumbs, to which in some places caused a glossy picture of the intricate geometric polygons, interwoven with hexagons. On the cover stand strong loop made by the metal, which creates a sense of security, and logo Lenovo, styled chrome plated metal.

Completes the form migrated from last year’s line orange-bronze bezel and so not very thick cover. Edging is purely aesthetic role. In the first models of its Y series was not at all, but already there were many red icons and buttons that appear on the keyboard as if in defiance of the blue icons on the keyboards of classic Thinkpad-s.

The futuristic design covers like an honorary board found a complex chemical formula and name of its inventor. Perhaps the design concept was inspired by the excellence with a two-dimensional allotropic modification of carbon – graphene, for which this year was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics. I would like to believe.

The cover is held by two moderately tight plastic loops, colored on the outside by the metal, and in flaunting an abundance of black gloss, also bordering the screen. Latches on the case not to open the lid can be easily with one hand on the maximum angle of approximately 135 degrees.

Was not very pleased at the opening of the lid fragility “around the corner” and glossy soiled, which will bring more trouble.

Operating laptop pleases the eye – all modestly, smooth and tasteful, the basic designs are similar to those applied in the lineup last year, although the location of ports is seriously altered.

The surface of the upper block touch buttons, located between the speakers, JBL, made of black glossy plastic, like the screen frame. A plastic zone around the keyboard unit is stylized roughly polished metal, filled with a thick layer of glossy varnish.

The prints are everywhere, especially they will accumulate on top, at the touch buttons. However, the function touch buttons are duplicated, so that they can not use it, so as not to smudge the surface. The exception is the band SlideNav bar, which we will describe later.

It is worth noting that the prints are visible only in the direct view of the panel at an acute angle, they are less noticeable. Definitely do not have this matte metal insert, as the models of some competitors.

We now turn to the side faces and ports for connecting external devices.
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When you open the lid the screen blocks access to the back side where the battery terminals so here post useless.

Let’s see what connectors are on the front.
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For your convenience, here are their locations.

On the front face, as compared with the previous model, Y550, lost audio jack and infrared receiver. But still:

* Connector for mediakart memory – SD / MMC / MS / xD. The set includes a cap. The SD memory card serves approximately 2 mm.
* Switch GPU (graphics processor) – activates the procedure for changing the video card program between Intel HD and ATI 5730.
* Built-in switch all wireless devices – Bluetooth / WiFi / WiMax. Has two positions – on and off, through customization utility.

The switches are small, that can only move them with a fingernail, and they are very close, which can lead to confusion.

The panel also contains white LED active state of the laptop, dubbed the power button (blinks in sleep mode), battery status indicator (<30% light red when charging off every 5 seconds) and display the selected graphics adapter (included card when ATI, it burns white, working with Intel GMA – off).

The left side looks like this:
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Now look at the diagram to more clearly assess what connections there are.

The new year brought new changes – on the left side was gone, Kensington Lock, an eSATA port and a slot ExpressCard, but there were connections have moved to other facets:

1. Analog video output is VGA.
2. Digital video output HDMI – audio and video.
3. Ventilation openings.
4. RJ-45 Ethernet to 1000 Mbps.
5. Two-port USB 2.0.
6. Headphone jack – combined with an optical Toslink 3,5 mm.
7. Microphone jack.

Layout of connectors is very good, all the ports is convenient to use. Especially liked the location close to the front audio connectors of the laptop. The exhaust ventilation system is very large, with diagonal notches backrest.

And finally, the right side.
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Arrangement of connectors:

So, here you will find:

1. Port USB 2.0.
2. Combined port eSATA / USB 2.0.
3. ExpressCard slot 3 / 4.
4. Optical Drive DVD-RW.
5. Socket for connecting the TV antenna (select models only).
6. Socket for power adapter.
7. Lock slot Kensington.

It is not clear desire of the manufacturer to place permanently occupied ports on the nearest edge, where they may interfere with the mouse hand. Appropriate to be moved closer to the power socket. Plug is L-shaped, so that the wire will soon go off the screen.

Finally, take a look at the configuration of the bottom …

and convenient scheme, where all elements are indicated.

Although the bottom is not accepted to stare, but the changes compared with the Y550 is quite noticeable here – area has become more “licked” and pleasing to the eyes, the corners have disappeared, disappeared, “nanosabvufer,” but instead of boring and small air intake grids appeared large ornamental windows. Four rubber feet reliably hold the pyramid-notebook on the table and do not let it slide. For example, when a sharp pull-out USB cable laptop will remain in place. The main units remained the same:

1. Spring loaded battery latch.
2. Battery pack (a little loose, there is mounting sense of insecurity).
3. Mechanical latch battery.
4. Connector for SIM-card (select models only).
5. Bay slot Mini PCI ExpressCard.
6. The central processor (CPU) / Memory compartment (RAM).
7. The hard drive bay (HDD).

To look inside, or something to replace, for example the bar or memory card Mini PCI-E, should Okrut few screws. By the way, the screws Tighten, ie, otkruchenny completely screw stays in the lid and can not fall out of it. Due to this loose screws fixing it is simply impossible.

Photos with the cover removed:
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Access is open to all important components.

Cooling the CPU and graphics card hanging on the overall thermal channel, so that under high load heating will occur together, and with time temperature records at 90 ° C may be an unpleasant norm. And in the summer so far and possible overheating of up to freezing. Very carefully whether they concern the conditions of exploitation and from time to time cleaning of the cooling system of the dust!

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