Lenovo's Y410: their first consumer laptop hits the big box

US netizens can now call dibs on Lenovo's 3000 Y410 laptop for the home. That's right, a consumer laptop -- their first for the US market. Released without fanfare, the new 14.1-inch glossy 1,280 x 800 model starts at about $700 depending upon the configuration you track down at your local big box -- another first for Lenovo. That gets you a 1.46GHz Pentium Dual Core T2310 proc, 1GB of memory, 160GB 5400rpm disk, dual-layer DVD writer, 6-in-1 media card reader, 802.11a/b/g WiFi, ExpressCard, and Intel X3100 graphics with 1.3 megapixel camera, Dolby Home Theater speakers with sub-woofer running atop a Vista Home Premium OS. The 1.02-1.45-inch thick / 5.5-pound sled doesn't look half bad either... for Lenovo. Now we're just wondering if the build quality and support matches that of their ThinkPad lineup. If so, then Lenovo's got themselves a winner here.

[Via c|net news]

[Clue Less @ Oct 29th 2007 4:50AM]

Can it play Doom 3?

[feffrey @ Oct 29th 2007 4:53AM]

I am guessing that it could but at very low settings.


I was thinking that the entire 3000 series notebooks were consumer laptops not business latops.

[Clue Less @ Oct 29th 2007 4:54AM]

Too bad, usually the home / consumer models have good video cards. :(

[echobass @ Oct 29th 2007 5:10AM]

Subwoofer. You said subwoofer, right? So there's a cone in that laptop that can make 20hz sound? Wow! a magic laptop!

[uberfu @ Oct 29th 2007 9:50AM]

Yep - they should drop a little Beastie Boys on that thing_

[Johnathon Zirkle @ Oct 29th 2007 12:42PM]

The Dell XPS M170 I got was advertised with a subwoofer. It sucked. Basically just a third speaker the lower sounds were filtered to. Nothing special.

[tekdroid @ Oct 29th 2007 5:15AM]

Lenovo 3000 C series hasn't exactly been marketed as 'business', so I dunno if i can agree with that article's writeras being the first consumer laptop. That said, what is the distinction between business and home these days, a few media-centric features? A processor without speedstep?

I love the last line in the article:
----
What remains to be seen is whether the subdued Y410 can win over consumers who've come to equate the Lenovo brand with work.
----

Har. I think the average Joe would me more like "Leno-what"?

They have a long way to go to get their brand out, but I'm happy with their 3000 C200 (Page Up and Page Down buttons are right beside the arrow keys just like on this model; this is one of the many little things that is pretty rare to find in most laptops yet make a real difference to me.

[Riley @ Oct 29th 2007 5:44AM]

I live in China and actually own this laptop with a slightly different configuration, and I have to I am impressed with the build quality have no qualms with it.

[Jon @ Oct 29th 2007 5:49AM]

How is the keyboard? Is it comparable with a ThinkPad kb?

[Jon @ Oct 29th 2007 2:53PM]

Thanks. The keyboard (and trackpoint) is a potential deal breaker on notebooks. The other is assembly quality. This probably isn't as sturdy as a ThinkPad, though it may be a good second laptop.

[Riley @ Oct 29th 2007 6:13AM]

yeah it certainly comparable, the keys don't feel cheap or like they are going to break in the first 3 weeks, I am actually typing on it right now.

[nih @ Oct 29th 2007 5:58AM]

Whats that orange button, then? Whats it all about?

[CUBSWILLWIN @ Oct 29th 2007 7:00PM]

it kinda lloks like a wi fi symbol

[Brian Sexton @ Oct 29th 2007 6:18AM]

A trackpad instead of a mid-keyboard nub, huh? Interesting.

I wonder how Lenovo is with the crapware that clutters new systems from so many computer manufacturers.

[Tim T. @ Oct 29th 2007 6:58AM]

Lenovo loads a lot of stuff on new pc's. I just purchased and received a T61 with Vista Basic on it a few weeks ago. 90 processes out of the box. (our low end Dell running Vista Basic came with 79 processes, and a clean Vista Home Basic comes in at about 32 processes). Besides AOL and Norton (which you have the choice to install), It is all good software. Their entire ThinkVantage line of software is refined and top notch. While I still removed Vista and installed XP... I quickly reinstalled their software. It was a first for me, as I absolutely despise OEM software. It is just that great! While I would have still purchased the T61 had I known about this (Really wanted the T61), I am glad to see Lenovo pushing into the consumer market. They've got nothing to lose, and everything to gain. Oh, and for those annoyed with unintelligible tech support, at least some of it is U.S. based.

[tekdroid @ Oct 29th 2007 7:41AM]

yeah, as stated their pre-loaded software is not much better than the bulk of notebook manufacturers out there, who get a nice cut from foisting crapware on their users via their 'sponsors'.

[Jon @ Oct 29th 2007 2:57PM]

ThinkVantage is the only software bundle that I would not think twice of leaving it installed whenever I buy a new ThinkPad. It beats many shareware programs.

[klamerus @ Oct 29th 2007 6:48AM]

Quality on thinkpads = yes/support = meh. I have a 3 year nextday/onsite and just had to have my motherboard replaced. I had to wait 3 weeks. No parts. Apparently the fine print says that if they don't have the parts, they don't need to hit their service levels.

[deedeedee @ Oct 29th 2007 10:24AM]

my 1st gen macbook pro from apple took a month and half for them to fix, cuz they didnt have parts...I should have listened to people when they say not to purchase 1st gen product from apple. hope that make you feel better ;)

I thought IBM/Lenovo usually have quality and solid product. And by solid I mean literally Solid, My Thinkpad from work,though built with plastic, feels more solid than my MBP which im always afraid of bending it cuz its made from alum and very freaking heavy.

[LondonConsultant @ Oct 29th 2007 7:01AM]

This laptop has VibrantView (there's no option without that), so it has a high gloss screen with glare/reflection that's unsuitable for business. I personally hate the glare on modern glossy screens... I'll stick with ThinkPads which, having had several models, I still think are the best thing since sliced bread...

[tekdroid @ Oct 29th 2007 7:29AM]

the glossy screens have taken over and are here to stay, it seems.

They are actually brighter, clearer, more vivid. I'll give them that.

They are easier on the eyes (far easier) in the sun, too. Matte screens just get washed out completely whereas the gloss screens maintain a smidgen of usability.

However, their mirror-like reflections vary from mildly annoying to severely annoying. Diffused lighting is best to avoid really distracting reflections.

I'm probably stating the obvious here but really they are better in some areas, worse in others. In the past I used to think they were all worse, so they have surprised me in some areas.

[LondonConsultant @ Oct 30th 2007 8:54AM]

I also think there will soon be no choice but widescreen - and a pity as the old standard format was better for business. So, what with widescreen and high-gloss, there will soon be only consumer-oriented laptops left. At least DVDs will look good on the train/plane...

[Reader @ Oct 29th 2007 7:21AM]

Stop being a cheap skate by spamming blogs. Save up a little money for some proper advertisement.

Or in Russian, poshol nahuj.

[polvadis @ Oct 29th 2007 1:17PM]

That's funny. I'm polish and I still got your russian message just fine.

[naveen sangwan @ Oct 29th 2007 7:55AM]

hello

[FRiC @ Oct 29th 2007 8:08AM]

This is probably Lenovo's first consumer laptop in the US, but here in Asia, there was also the Y400, and the new low priced G400 ($500-ish).

[naveen sangwan @ Oct 29th 2007 8:26AM]

hi

[chengdude @ Oct 29th 2007 9:13AM]

I also live in China; this one is called the F41 over here and it's a decent little machine. In China, it's configurable any number of ways (faster processors, NVIDIA card, etc.) but what makes it a bit more compelling for you guys over there is the price: you get it cheaper even for the stripped down model shown here. You also don't get the reason I wouldn't buy this thing: the Olympic Rings decorating the lid under the Lenovo badge. For the U.S. I think they've shrunk and migrated inside to the palmrest, which is still sufficiently obnoxious. Congratulations Lenovo on your sponsorship...now why again do I want to pay you to be reminded of it every time I use my computer?? Build quality for me would be above-average for a budget consumer laptop...but agreed they've learned very well from IBM on how to do a keyboard. This model's big brother -the F51 with its 15.4" screen- is put together better IMHO. The orange buttons another commenter asked about are for the "Lenovo Shuttle Center" (media control) and for volume.

[Eric Eickhorst @ Oct 29th 2007 10:07AM]

I was surprised to see this article show up today - I bought the y410 about two weeks ago at Office Depot. It was listed at $899.99 but I got it for $679 after rebates. The model I purchased has one difference from the configuration listed in the article, though - it has a Centrino Duo T5450 processor running at 1.66 GHz, not the Pentium T2310 listed above.

As for build quality, it is outstanding - extremely solid. In fact, that's what attracted me to the y410. Keyboard quality is very very good. I bought a Toshiba U305 a week before this one, but it had so much keyboard flex I just couldn't stand it.

Oh, and as for the Dolby "home theater" speakers with "subwoofer" ... well, as you can probably guess, they're not anything special, but not terrible, either. And as the above poster mentioned, the orange buttons are volume up/down on the right, and EQ presets for the small one.

Overall I think this is a great computer for the price. I didn't know anything about Lenovo before this but I'm impressed with the quality so far. Just thought I'd share my experience!!

[Syliss @ Oct 29th 2007 12:33PM]

How long is the battery?

[Eric Eickhorst @ Oct 29th 2007 12:44PM]

Battery life is respectable; I haven't timed it but I'd say it's at least a couple of hours in power-saving mode with the display brightness turned down. That's also with wireless turned on, running Firefox and a couple other small applications. Haven't tried playing a DVD or anything yet. So anyway, sorry, I know that really doesn't tell you much. The official Lenovo site claims "Approx. 4 hours" but I think that seems a little optimistic.

[Eric Eickhorst @ Oct 29th 2007 12:47PM]

Oh, and to the poster who said they didn't like the Olympic logo on the computer - it's TINY. Maybe a one-inch long by quarter-inch high sticker, all silver, on the lower left-hand side of the keyboard. I'm sure you could peel it off if it bothers you.

[ton herbosa @ Jan 29th 2008 9:19AM]

Hi. I have the same computer. I purchased mine in Thailand though. When I got back home, I noticed that there was something wrong with the Windows. Anyways, I had my computer reformatted. Now everything works fine but the volume controls and equalizer button. Plus the speakers are extremely weak or weaker then they were. I was wondering if you would know what to do. Thanks.

[Andrew @ Oct 29th 2007 11:15AM]

Is there a WXGA+ option for the screen?

[ark_v2 @ Oct 29th 2007 11:26AM]

I don't think it beats the thinkpad's stone-construct structure. They are like fruit cakes.

[Naveed @ Oct 29th 2007 10:45PM]

weird i thought i was playing with this comp at frys two weeks ago

[RMW @ Oct 30th 2007 3:03PM]

What do you mean about the build quality matching their ThinkPad lineup.

I hope it doesn't I have had nothing but grief from my R50e, and it is outperformed by the laptop i am using now, a 7ish year old second hand Toshiba satellite, which is just lighter too.

[Associated Press @ Oct 30th 2007 4:16PM]

i think this thing should have at least a 5000 series processor.

[Associated Press @ Oct 30th 2007 6:42PM]

This definitely might be a winner, but for that price, there should be slightle better specs. HP does a good job of delivering better specas in that price range.

[McNovo @ Oct 31st 2007 2:24AM]

But when are they gonna bring back the McRib!?

What the ramshot!?

SPARTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

+AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

I'm lovin it.