Lenovo V570-1066AJU First Impressions

Bought this notebook for my son at Best Buy ($579) and since I couldn't find anything on this forum on this specific model, I thought I'd give a quick report on the notebook for anyone else considering it for themselves.

Ended up with this notebook by default after the HP DV6 model which I wanted was unavailable at the under $600 price point. So far, it looks like the unavailability of the HP model was lucky for us.

Quick specs on the notebook show an i5 processor(with onboard intel graphics), 6Gb memory, 750Gb HD, 15.6" screen(1366x768), DVD/CD writer and keyboard with 10 key. Also included are Wireless B/G/N and 4G WiMaxx and the usual ports but no USB 3.0 ports. It also has a fingerprint reader and comes with Win 7 and Norton (free 6 months) preloaded.

What originally drew me to this unit(other than the price) was another feature which I wanted... an aluminum lid and frame.

After removing/uninstalling the Best Buy bloatware and updating the OS and Norton, burning a recovery disk and backing up to external HD, and adding a few other favorite freewares like Skype and following three days of heavy use, here's our initial observations:
- Keyboard very nice. Key size and spacing comfortable. Good tactile feel for touch typists.
- Touchpad, very nice with scroll and single tap ability
- Screen is bright and clear with no observable dead pixels.
- Tested battery life while browsing online with other activities was just over 5 hours and 20 minutes.
- Performance is very fast for our uses so far.
- Sound quality is better than I expected but not quite up to HP Beats quality. Using headphones improve sound when listening to music or videos so weak link might be the onboard speakers, although, they are better than other notebooks I've owned.
- Onboard video processing is sufficiently fast although the only game we tried had to be run on sub optimal settings to get frame rates fast enough to play.
- Peer to peer video conferencing using Skype was easy to setup and the video camera and onboard microphone provided clear audio and video on both sides of the call after a bit of adjustment to the settings.
- Backup to an external HD via one of the USB 2.0 ports was easy and fast, although I wonder how much faster it might have been if the notebook included USB 3.0?

Our only concern is the short 90 day warranty on the physically moving parts like the keyboard, touchpad and hinges of the notebook. Some online complaints involve keyboard failures so the 90 day limit is worrisome. The rest of the notebook is covered by a 1 year warranty on parts.

Overall, we have no complaints so far and would heartily recommend this notebook to anyone looking for a sub-$600 notebook.

I will follow up in this initial impression if any problems occur or at 6 months of use, whichever occurs first.

 

Thanks for the write up. Enjoy your new machine.

 

Cant believe theres only 90 days warranty on those parts!

 

Yeah...I found that surprising too, but I am told that it is standard with consumer type machines. Of course, being used to a 3 yr onsite warranty does colour one's perspective...no?

 

This model is a steal at 579.00 bought one for my GF .. perfect for a home office laptop that won't do much traveling ..also was a PC Mag Editors choice, I believe .. Once the BB bloatware removed, installed Office and MS Security Essentials, Picasa, and Skype .. working very well after the first 30 days ..

 

Thanks for the review!

govtdog is the screen glossy or matte?

 

I must of been a little lucky when I got this lenovo Y570 (specs below) on Christmas eve for $650 in an unopened box off Gumtree I'm guessing he needed the coin for Christmas