Lenovo offers a classic business
laptop with plenty of desirable features
Let us get the major issue out of the way
from the outset: this lovely Lenovo S430 3364 model doesn't return you much
change from $1280. That might make most home users wheeze, but this product is
really aimed at business users who are typically less price sensitive. And for
those in business, I'm confident that this unit ticks most of the boxes they'd
want from a mobile system.
Looking at the specification, you get a
third-generation 2.5GHz Intel Core i5 processor, wired up to 4GB of DDR3 and a
500GB 7200rpm hybrid drive. When you factor in the NVidia GeForce GT 620M
graphics, you have a system that while not gaming friendly, is certainly at the
high end of general computing performance.
The display is a 14" wide aspect panel
with a natural resolution of 1600 x 900, though the mini-HDMI output provides
for those that want 1080p presentations.
Those things are great, and worth having,
but what really sold this system to me was the magnesium alloy construction,
enabling Lenovo to deliver a 1,8 kg solution that's feature packed. I've
reviewed notepads that weigh more than that, and that's with enough battery
capacity here to operate for four hours or more.
Style is a very subjective thing, but
'minimalist' best describes the Thinkpad asthetic that Lenovo has focused on.
Everything looks functional and exudes an air of purpose. It's nice to hold,
the keyboard is well set back so that your palms are supported while typing,
and you get the option of a trackpad, attaching a mouse, or using the Thinkpad
signature 'nipple'.
I can't say that I'm keen on fingerprint
readers, or the Thunderbolt port, but it includes them anyway. More useful
connections, to this writer's mind, are the multiple USB 3.0 ports and the
mini-HDMI output.
The strong points of this hardware are that
on battery it is almost silent, the chiclet keyboard works really well even with
the limited travel available, and it doesn't quickly become excessively heavy
or hot when balanced on your lap.
This Thinkpad is for someone who genuinely
works on the move, rather than someone who takes a PC with them for status
purposes or to play solitaire on the train.
For those who like the S430 concept, you
can get a marginally cheaper version of this hardware for about $1183.98, with
NVidia N13P graphics and a more ordinary hard drive. You can also get a Core i7
processor and an SSD for closer to a grand, if you want even more performance.
Having used this one, though,
I think the combination of power and
battery life is just about optimal in this particular S430 3365 design.
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Details
Price: $1,275
Manufacturer: Lenovo
Website: www.lenovo.com
Key Features
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Core i5 3210M 2.5GHz
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Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
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4 GB RAM
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500GB hybrid drive ( 16GB flash )
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DVD-writer
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14" wide 1600 x 900 / HD+
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NVidia GeForce GT 620M / Intel HD Graphics
4000
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Magnesium alloy construction
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Thunderbolt/DisplayPort
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Three USB 3.0 ports
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Mini-HDMI
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Premium entertainment experience with Dolby
Home Theater v4
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