Lenovo's IdeaPad U330 reviewed: nice for the price

After launching this summer, we're heard way more about netbooks than Lenovo's shiny IdeaPad U330. For those who've refused to forget about it, the aforesaid rig has been reviewed by the kind souls over at Laptop Mag, and impressions were fairly positive overall. The biggest boon here is likely the price -- we mean, $1,199 for a 13-inch lappie of this stature isn't half bad. As with most of the other IdeaPads, the design was applauded, the mix of features and performance was satisfactory and the size (4.4-pounds) was just right. Critics did slam the mushy touch buttons and the below-average battery life, but even so, the U330 was deemed a "a compelling thin-and-light notebook that offered plenty of style and strong performance" for the price.

[James Posted Nov 11th 2008 5:02AM]

If i didnt already have an xps 1330 id definitely consider it. Not bad looking and a pretty good price.

[Yemble Posted Nov 11th 2008 5:28AM]

Me too. I'm pretty disappointed with the m1330. Horrible media "buttons", weak battery life, dodgy build.. and oh yeah that whole nvidia design fault that kills the laptop requiring a motherboard swap 6 months in. A Lenovo will replace this one when the warranty expires.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 11th 2008 5:14AM]

so... Lenovo's answer to the aluminium Macbook...

nearly identical size and weight for 100 bux less...

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 11th 2008 5:38AM]

Are you a retard?
didn't you read the first four words?

[Ruben Posted Nov 11th 2008 7:31AM]

No one mentioned that this laptop has switchable graphics cards. A 4500MHD and an ATI 3450HD with 256MB of ram. And the best part, its 2 clicks and no log-offs away.

[erh Posted Nov 11th 2008 7:52AM]

Looking at the picture... Looking at my 13" MacBook... If that's a 13" laptop, then that touch-pad is TINY! Did they pull it off a netbook?

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 11th 2008 12:47PM]

bigger doesn't necessary means better

The switchable graphics is brilliant. how much longer could it last changing from ATI to the intergrated graphics?

[gonintendo Posted Nov 11th 2008 8:42AM]

At least it registers clicks.

[hds272 Posted Nov 11th 2008 11:38AM]

As much as I hate apple, they got "big boy" touch pads. Once you use one you realize hwo standard they should be.

[gurkha Posted Nov 11th 2008 9:32AM]

good.:)

[PhytoDoc Posted Nov 11th 2008 11:55AM]

Ho hum. There must be more exciting and innovative gadgets to take up this space on the site. Engadget needs to get out more.

[IamJAd Posted Nov 11th 2008 12:30PM]

I just bought this bad boy.... and I have to say I'm impressed. very few ways to customize it from the factory, and full of bloatware, though. Once you uninstall what you need to, it's very cool. Face recognition logs you in very nicely (though typing a password would probably take a second quicker). VERY clean and sharp looks and the switchable graphics lets you shift gears on the fly... in just 3 seconds, your videocard goes from low gear to overdrive! OK, maybe it's not a gaming laptop, but what 4.4 lb laptop is?

This is my first Lenovo after a myriad of Dells and one MacBook Air. I'm very happy.

[seanGadget Posted Nov 11th 2008 1:18PM]

did you try any games on it yet? like Call of Duty? just curious.

[theswiss Posted Nov 11th 2008 3:05PM]

hmm i didn't know that you can refurbish a whole notebook design from your competitor...looks like the step-brother/sister from my MacBook only with a tiny Touchpad...but how should they else make it 100bucks cheaper...

[seanGadget Posted Nov 11th 2008 6:34PM]

first off i did not low rank you, but this laptop has been out for a while now, it was announced in like june, way before the new macbook was. And for the specs, its not a bad price, but not all that great either.

[cout Peter Posted Nov 11th 2008 4:18PM]

Just make it available in Canada and I'll be happy

[linuxamp Posted Nov 11th 2008 11:19PM]

I was about to skip this article thinking it was another Envy review. They appear very similar at first glance. Slim, black, glossy screen...