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    Lenovo IdeaPad Series vs Lenovo SL Series

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by Linuxperiment, Jan 10, 2009.

  1. Linuxperiment

    Linuxperiment Notebook Consultant

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    Is there really any difference between these? I hear the SL series doesn't even have a roll cage. Does it have any magnesium alloy parts in it (or anything metal?) or is it just pure plastic? Just wondering.
     
    Linuxperiment, Jan 10, 2009
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  2. allfiredup

    allfiredup Notebook Virtuoso

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    There is no mention of anything beyond plastics, even on the Lenovo site. All reviews of the various SL models have mentioned that they felt solid, but the plastic tends to flex and give under certain circumstances. The same is true of most consumer notebooks, but it seems unusual for a ThinkPad.

    The IdeaPad case is constructed out of "ABS Plastic", though the Palm Rest is aluminium on the Y530. All reviews note their solid build quality among consumer notebooks and their keyboards are ThinkPad-quality. The Y530 (and the U-series) all have LED-backlit displays standard. A stand-out feature of the Y-series is the exeptional sound quality, thanks to the four Dolby Home Theatre premium stereo speakers plus a separate subwoofer! Several reviewers rate the Y530's sound as the best among budget/mainstream systems. I tend to agree after hearing one for myself.
     
    allfiredup, Jan 10, 2009
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  3. mrjohn

    mrjohn Notebook Consultant

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    One review of the SL500 did say that it had a part magnesium construction (but nothing like a rollcage).

    Apparently though lots of people are having problems with stuttering sound on the SL series (latency issues), it's because of that I've been looking instead at the R series thinkpads which are only about £30-50 more in the UK.
     
    mrjohn, Jan 10, 2009
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  4. EnterKnight

    EnterKnight Notebook Evangelist

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    The IdeaPad U330 features some magnesium alloy strengthening...

    The SL series is nice if you'll only move it around the house, and won't have any issues. The IdeaPads are highly superior, especially the coming-in-March Y450, Y550 and Y650. But the likes of the Y530 now are great.
     
    EnterKnight, Jan 10, 2009
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  5. stewie

    stewie What the deuce?

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    I've both in front of me. The SL500 is pretty thick and bulky, just like EnterKnight stated, it's ok if you use it only around the house like a desktop, although I was surprised that it's not very heavy. I find the finishing quality of the Ideapads to be superior, the casing of the SL is very thin, the semi-glossy finish is quite easy to get scratched and attract fingerprints.
     
    stewie, Jan 10, 2009
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