Sure, the word is that ultraportables – or 11- to 13-inch laptops – aren’t offered quite well, but which hasn’t stopped Lenovo. In fact, the company’s had the particular obsession with 11.6-inch lappies over a final 6 months or so, though sadly any has massively disappointed. Adamantly claiming not to be the netbook, there was initial the ThinkPad X100e, which you found to be good in conditions of pattern as well as size, but seriously spiteful (literally!) in thermals and continuation. Then there was a IdeaPad U160, that packed Core i7 CPU energy, though had a rather awful three hours of battery life. But a third time’s got to be a appeal, right? The ThinkPad Edge 11 has the same framework as the other Edge laptops, which hold a special place in the heart, though is powered by an ultra-low voltage 1.33GHz Core i3 U380 processor, 2GB of IMPEL as well as the 250GB hard drive. It’s not too shabby for the $549 starting cost (the AMD-powered chronicle starts during $449), but has Lenovo learned from the past? Is this the 11-inch notbook (our brand-new term for a appurtenance that looks similar to a netbook, but is way some-more absolute to rival a rest? Read upon to find out in the full review. Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 11 examination

Look as well as feel

If a ThinkPad X100e as well as a ThinkPad Edge 13 swapped DNA – we’ll let you use your aptitude as to how which could occur — a resulting offspring would look the heck of the lot similar to a ThinkPad Edge 11. The 1.1-inch thick / 3.3-pound laptop is about a same size as well as weight as a X100e, but it’s got the Edge’s silken lid, china edges as well as red LED ingrained in a ThinkPad logo. As you’d design for a under $500 starting cost, the machine is still done primarily of plastic, though it’s still got a ThinkPad birthright with an overall stout feel as well as steel hinges. Obviously, you’ve noticed by right away which our section was ornate with a silken cherry red cover — if that’s not your thing, it’ll additionally be accessible in a glossy as well as matte black.

We’re still of the mindset which 11.6-inch laptops have been an preferred distance – a Edge 11 isn’t as tiny or close as the 10-inch netbook, though it’s still light as well as slim sufficient to fit into a tiny shoulder bag as well as leaves some extra room upon a airline tray table. (Although we still proposed yearning for the larger-screened 13-inch appurtenance after about four hours of use.) We’re not thrilled which the Edge 11 has the vertically-protruding battery strike like the x100e, though during slightest this time it pays off in runtime. Fear not, we’ll be entrance back to which soon sufficient, but right away we’ve got to discuss it you what ports surround this fool – there are 3 USB sockets along with combo headphone / mic, VGA, HDMI, as well as Ethernet jacks.

Keyboard, touchpad as well as screen

At this indicate, the love for Lenovo’s brand-new “keycaped” chiclet keyboards should be utterly well well known. The black, matte curved keys are just downright glorious as well as feel as if they’ve been molded generally for the fingertips. We typed the whole of this examination upon the Edge as well as found a panel to be quite organisation and blank of any flex or rebound. The keys essentially have just the right volume of give. You’ll also notice in the gallery that a duty buttons have been shrunken down, though have been adorned with icons of associated shortcuts. Additionally, there have been dual full sized Shift keys, that meant not having to make any adjustments to our common palm positioning. Clearly, you have really low feelings for this keyboard.

Like the X100e, the Edge has a signature red ThinkPad TrackPoint in a center of the keyboard and a not as big touchpad below. We’re indicating hang or outgrowth people – call it what you’d like — but a touchpad is morally sized if that’s your thing. Unfortunately, it’s not dimpled similar to most of the alternative ThinkPads.The multitouch capabilities have been finicky, yet you got a cling to of two-finger scrolling in Internet Explorer 9 after the bit of trial and error.

Sadly, Lenovo didn’t take a X100e’s matte screen — instead, the Edge has silken 11.6-inch, 1366 x 768-resolution display. A 720p Social Network trailer was copiousness splendid and transparent, but, as per common, sloping the screen behind caused Justin Timberlake’s face to mix in with the credentials. Horizontal viewing angles were also slight, though sufferable when sharing the shade with the friend. Similar to the Edge 13, a top screen bezel is home to the low-light webcam, which displayed our face sincerely clearly during a video call in a dim room. And approbation, this “underline” never ceases to creep us out. The orator strip upon the front mouth of a machine produced decently shrill tune, but didn’t seem the loud as a speakers on a Dell Inspiron M101z.

Performance, graphics and battery life

The Edge 11′s 1.33GHz Core i3 U380 as well as 2GB of IMPEL performed only as you’d expect. We had no issues using mixed programs — together with TweetDeck, Internet Explorer 9, Microsoft Word 2010, GIMP — as well as throwing the 720p shave into a brew didn’t have it gasp for air. How does it review to other 11.6-inch laptops we’ve reviewed newly with AMD’s brand-new Nile height? We can’t contend you felt a difference in between the Edge 11 as well as the dual-core AMD powered Inspiron M101z, though the benchmarks show that a Core i3-powered ThinkPad has a slight “corner.”

Graphics-wise the Edge relies on Intel GMA HD graphics, which is excellent for personification back 720p or 1080p video, but unsurprisingly not meant for gangland slaying someone seeking to play Civilization V. According to a benchmarks, AMD’s integrated ATI graphics are still more powerful than Intel’s integrated card.

 PCMarkVantage 3DMark06
 Battery Life 

Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 11 2964 1105 4:42 

Dell Inspiron M101z (Athlon II Neo K325) 2572 1311 3:35 

ASUS Eee PC 1215N 1924 181/2480 5:42 

Acer Aspire One 721 (Athlon II Neo K125)
 1814 1235 3:30 

Lenovo IdeaPad U160 (Core i7 ULV) 3863 1175 3:10 

Lenovo ThinkPad X100e (AMD Athlon Neo) 1511 1060 3:27 

ASUS UL50Vf (Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300) 3724 827 / 3438 6:10 

Alienware M11x (Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300) 2689 654 / 5593 4:30 

So, how’s the battery holdup on this a single? That’s what you’ve been watchful for, right? Undoubtedly, it’s improved than both the U160 as well as the X100e. The 63Whr six-cell battery lasted for four hours as well as 42 mins upon our video outline exam, that loops a same standard clarification video during 65 percent brightness and WiFi upon. That translated to about five hours as well as 15 mins of cord-free computing when only regulating the system to discuss with friends, check Twitter / websites and write this very review in Word. The runtime is actually better than any of the AMD Nile ultraportables we’ve reviewed, though obviously not as prolonged as most Atom-powered netbooks with identical batteries. Still, it’s the major step in a right direction for these sorts of machines. Also, you should discuss you saw no heat issues when contrast a Edge 11 – a keyboard stayed cold as did the bottom of the system when operative with it on our path in bed.

Wrap-up

See what happens when you hang with it? Yes, a third time is certainly the appeal for Lenovo when it comes to the 11.6-inch laptops. The Edge 11 solves all a vital issues you had with the X100e – the little thing didn’t dual as a space heater as well as lasted for over 5 hours on a singular assign all a whilst on condition that a performance you design. All which, along with a Edge 11′s clean-cut design and loveable keyboard puts it during a top of the 11.6-inch laptop list with a Dell Inspiron M101z — we only instruct a 11 were available upon this side of a Atlantic.

Via Engadget