Lenovo Help

Looking for pros and cons of S12 with Ion technology. I'm not cross posting, I'd delete the older posts if the system let me. I've gotten very little response so I'd like to get more info before buying one. The most high tech game I'm gonna be playing will either be Borderlands or L4D2 or SC2(whenever it releases). Everything else is Source and below. Also watching some HD movies 720p. Wanna know if its worth it. Thanks.

 

There's a new review today on the HP Mini 311 which is very similar. The S12 may be a little faster if it's not the Ion LE, like the review Mini 311 unit.

I think you're asking a bit much. The intention of the Ion is to offload some work from the CPU for faster graphical interfaces and video decoding. I think Quake3 engine games might be closer to the limit, but that's just a guess. Remember, Atom is a very, very slow CPU.

I think you'd be better off with something based on AMD's Neo platform, but you'll pay a bit more. If you're stuck on Ion, take a close look at the Mini 311, it looks like it has both advantages and disadvantages with the S12.

Also keep an eye out for Lenovo's rumored Thinkpad e100.

 

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!! I've been looking for a response similar to this. Now the interesting thing that I guess I'd have to ask is. According to a rater on Newegg website, they ran a personal benchmark test and got these results.

Quake 3 @ 1280x800, max detail – 87.8 fps.
3Dmark01 – 5302
3Dmark03 – 3640 (vs. 707 on the standard S12 w/Intel 945 graphics)
3Dmark06 – 1358 (vs. only 71 on the standard S12)

How accurate would you say these benchmarks are and what does it mean for the kind of games I'm looking to play.

I'm not very tech saavy when it comes to benchmarks, I just want to play games and watch movies but remain portable enough that I'm not tied to an outlet in the wall. Again, I don't mind winding down the settings but I do need to try to keep my budget close to or under $650.00. Were it not for the budget issue I'd consider getting a X200.

PS. The rater is at this link. His name is JediTerminator.

 

I looked more closely at the Mini 311 review. I guess he was able to play WoW (probably at very low settings). CS: Source was unplayable at 12-15 fps. As you probably know, CS: Source is not exactly one of the more intensive Source games.

I just don't think a netbook is for you, if gaming is one of the major factors in your purchase.

 

Take a look at the HP DM3 models. They're a bit more, but they'll actually do what you want.

$575 for an AMD Neo X2 L335, 3GB, 320GB, and 802.11N. For another $150 you can get a nice performance boost upgrading the Radeon 3200 to 4330 and doubling the CPU's L2 cache.

 

Wondering if you have a link to the laptop you're talking about since mine came up to over $700.00. Thanks

 

First off, make sure you're looking at the DM3z, the DM3t is the Intel option. I don't think CULV will suit you as well. Nor will the prices or HP's discrete graphics options.

I used the cheapest 'customize' option, and chose nothing but the +$25 CPU/graphics, free memory and hard drive upgrades, and +$25 802.11N wireless. It comes to $575.

Actually, the quick ship model for $590 is the same, except with 4GB. That's a good deal as well, $10 less than if you configured it as such.

 

I think the Ion isn't for you. I'd look for a system with specs similar to the following:

Dell Studio 14z

ASUS UL80Vt

I'm not saying I'd choose either of the above, but I'd look for units with similar specs to the above. You'll be a lot happier.