http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/
One question that wasn't answered in the gallery (not enough lighting on some of the shots to see clearly) or written impressions -- does the screen have a latch? one or two hooks?

Asking this because my friend has an 11" Toshiba Portege (Japan model) which has a latchless lid / screen. It's got an over-center action as you get it within an inch or so of being closed, but given that the screen is about as rigid as a sheet of single-ply cardboard, a latch on that unit would certainly give a bit of security when it's thrown in a backpack. ]]>May 3rd 2008 7:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/May 4th 2008 9:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/May 4th 2008 4:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/May 4th 2008 9:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/May 5th 2008 11:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/(no one can live without air though. ;)]]>May 4th 2008 8:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/May 4th 2008 2:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/May 4th 2008 2:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/
No Trackpoint = No Buy.

Seriously though, Trackpoints are so much quicker and more efficient that touchpad's it's ridiculous. Couple that with the middle mouse button underneath for scrolling, fageddaboutit! I even use my wife's work Lattitude and there's just something off about the way Dell's 'Trackpoint' is integrated. Not quite right, and uncomfortable. To each is own and that's just fine I just don't want to see nipple's disappear any time soon. ]]>May 4th 2008 8:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/
+1

Proud Thinkpad user since 2004, mouse-free since 2004]]>May 4th 2008 10:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/
When you see Thinkpads without trackpoints, then you can complain but don't expect to see them on consumer oriented notebooks!]]>May 4th 2008 11:25AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/
To each his own, but most consumers seem to think like me in this regard.]]>May 4th 2008 2:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/
I personally prefer the trackpad... now w/ that said I hated it back in the days when I used PC laptops, but ever since I gotten a Mac (macbook pro) the trackpad on this thing is just amazing - specifically the software support for it (I don't care about the whole flipping images over crap and zoom in/out but the 2 finger scrolling + right click is just awesome, tons better then using buttons...

Now w/ that all said I still use a mouse -- Logitech MX Revolution but not because of the trackpad,, but just because I work that much faster and precise when doing graphics/video...]]>May 4th 2008 2:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/
So no trackpoint, no purchase either.]]>May 4th 2008 3:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/
Shame though, the rest of the machine seems wonderful.]]>May 4th 2008 3:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/
To make a TrackPoint really easy to use, open the Mouse control panel and go to the TrackPoint tab (or if there is an UltraNav tab, go there and then click the Settings button in the TrackPoint section). Move the slider all the way to the right for Light Touch.

Then go to the Pointer Options tab and slide the Motion slider almost all the way to the right (Fast). I like it just one notch from the right edge, but experiment with it to see what suits you. Also on this same tab, make sure the Enhance Pointer Precision checkbox is checked.

The TrackPoint may feel too sensitive with these settings if you've gotten used to the slow factory settings, but give yourself some time to get used to it.

While we're talking TrackPoints, let me put in a plug for a free program I wrote for ThinkPads and other notebook computers, JKLmouse:

http://www.jklmouse.com/

JKLmouse is a "mouse keys" program that's designed to work seamlessly with the TrackPoint or touchpad, so you can use the pointing device for large movements and the keyboard for fine pixel-by-pixel control.]]>May 4th 2008 5:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/Never had a thinkpad and likely never will but I find it interesting so many ppl love the trackpoint. There must be something to it, I always found them awkward and slow. But I also never thought of changing the factory settings since I only tried them in passing.

The trackpad factory settings are also unbearably slow, you have to set it to one below fastest before things start to jive. ]]>May 5th 2008 3:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/May 4th 2008 8:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/May 4th 2008 9:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/May 4th 2008 9:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/for $1,900, you're basically paying for nothing but gloss and .7 pound lighter. bummerr]]>May 4th 2008 9:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/
" though we wish the trackpad supported finger scrolling " ]]>May 4th 2008 10:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/May 4th 2008 9:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/May 4th 2008 9:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/
i just don't see it. not when there are so many similar options that do everything just as well or better for a good deal cheaper.]]>May 4th 2008 9:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/May 4th 2008 9:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/May 4th 2008 7:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/
Comparison with MacBook Air:

Pros:
Bigger HDD
Higher res display
Ethernet
Weighs .6 pounds less with the 4 cell battery
Lots more ports
Bundled external optical drive
Smaller footprint

Cons:
Less battery life
Shitty keyboard
No bluetooth as standard
Smaller screen (dimensions-wise)
Thicker
Costs $100 more

Same:
Processor speed
RAM
Graphics
No internal optical drive

So, given how close these two things are, in specs and price, and that you are essentially only choosing the difference in dimensions (thinner versus smaller) and whether your external optical drive comes bundled or not (bear in mind the difference in price), why the hell did Engadget hate so much on the MacBook Air while sparing this one the brunt?

Strikes me that they're both good machines designed for SLIGHTLY different audiences. This is for business roadsters, the Air is for consumer roadsters.

DIsclosure: written using my MacBook Air.


]]>May 4th 2008 9:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/May 4th 2008 10:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/since it comes with a battery that has the same life as the air its hardly a con
the keyboard is subjective but it is full sized i would wait to try it to see if shiny keys are really that much worse
bluetooth would be nice not a necessity but nice

having said that the asus u2e is better than both and looks better than both to
]]>May 4th 2008 10:10AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/
The Ideapad has 3 USB ports, Firewire port, VGA out, 6-in-1 card reader, Express Card slot, and more importantly, a removable battery, as opposed to the Air which has a single USB port, and DVI.

That is why the Air got so much criticism. It isn't speed or storage that got it so much grief, it was that it lacked so many of the ports that other companies somehow manage to fit on smaller notebooks. It smacked of the ultimate style over substance design decision, and that rubbed reviewers the wrong way.]]>May 4th 2008 12:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/May 4th 2008 9:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/May 4th 2008 9:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/May 4th 2008 9:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/
http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/28/final-specifications-for-lenovos-ideapad-u110-revealed/]]>May 4th 2008 10:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/May 4th 2008 10:05AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/
Sure you can get it cheaper somewhere else
If only wasnt sony....

JL]]>May 4th 2008 10:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/
I got to compare the TZ with the Asus U2E. All three have 11.1" WXGA LED-backlit screens so I thought they'd all look relatively the same.

But the TZ's screen was noticably better than the Asus, being brighter and the colors more vivid.

The U2E's screen by itself looked fine but next to a TZ and the TZ beats it easily.

It is nice this has a Low-Voltage 1.6 ghz processor vs Ultra-Low-Voltage 1.06-1.33ghz processor in U2E/TZ. Though I suppose Lenovo had to cut the DVD drive out of it unlike the other two.]]>May 4th 2008 11:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/
I do like the look of this PC]]>May 4th 2008 11:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/May 4th 2008 11:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/Jun 20th 2008 5:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/
The U110 really looks great, apart from the gloss it's design is exquisite. The tiled interlinked symbols on the top pull off the classy look without appearing cheap or plastered on.]]>May 4th 2008 11:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/
I think trackpoint is especially important for an ultraportable since you may not have enough space for a full size keyboard + trackpad.]]>May 4th 2008 12:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/May 4th 2008 12:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/May 4th 2008 2:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/May 4th 2008 12:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/May 4th 2008 12:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/May 4th 2008 1:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/May 4th 2008 1:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/04/lenovo-ideapad-u110-overview-and-video/May 4th 2008 2:33PM