Thinking about the new E560 --opinions ??

Was looking at the new E560 and would like to ask what people think of the e series. Don't need a blazer machine, will be used for web/email and to run an astronomy software/telescope control package which works fine on an old core 2 based laptop.

One interesting thing while configuring the system at this time the I-5 6200U is $60 cheaper than the I-3 6100U. Wondering if this is a misprint. Also thoughts in the 1920x1080 IPS screen used in this system.


Thoughts ?

thanks all !!

CPU pricing From the website:

• • Intel Core i5-6200U Processor (3MB Cache, up to 2.80GHz)[subtract $60.00] <------------
  • Intel Core i3-6100U Processor (3MB cache, 2.30GHz)
  • Intel Core i7-6500U Processor (4MB Cache, up to 3.10GHz)Intel Core i7-6500U Processor comes with AMD Radeon R7 M370 2GB graphics card (additional $110)

 

Maybe they're having a special deal on the i5.

Can't say much about the E series. I've only used T- and W-series Thinkpads.

 

E series is basically a redressed Ideapad series with some of the (positive) Thinkpad traits such as the trackpoint setup (and IBM support vs Lenovo support, unless I'm wrong). Decent system for the price, though be careful not to physically abuse it.

That said, it probably is a sale on the i5 CPU and if it's cheaper, go for it. As for the 1080p IPS display, it's probably not the same as on the Thinkpad T/W models (since that option was >$200, last time I checked). However, it should be a decent panel and you can't go wrong with a higher resolution display imo.

 

I'd definitely consider an E series, wish they'd offer the IPS on the AMD models, but my main complaint about them is there's no way to see the keyboard in the dark now that they've taken away the ThinkLight and a backlit keyboard is no longer an option on the non-premium models. I do occasionally use my notebooks in the dark, so some way to see the keyboard is essential, at least for me.

 

If you look at the Lenovo reference book you'll see that the E series has no contrast ratio or viewing angle specs like the L560 and T560 do. For the 1920x1080 screen, the L560 and T560 are specified as 250 nits, 600:1 contrast ratio and 160 degree viewing angle.

For the E560 it just says 250 nits.

I am not sure if that means across the models the screens are the same and Lenovo doesn't want you to know that or if in the E560 Lenovo puts in whatever they can get from their suppliers and thus does not want to commit to any specs other than the nits.

 

Currently (as of 5/21/16), the 1080p IPS display for these models are being sold on Lenovo's site at:

E560: $50 upgrade
T560: $50 upgrade
L560: $120 upgrade

 

Huh, that's weird that the L series has a more expensive option than the T series. Could be worse though (the 1080p upgrade on my W520 was $250, but it's a very very nice display).

 

I have read on more than one forum that Lenovo uses the same IPS screens on the E560, T560 and L560 . Why the L560 is more than 2x the cost to upgrade to the IPS screen, I don't know. Actually, if you price out a T560 and L560 with nearly the same specs (the T560 coming with 4GB RAM vs the L with 8GB), you can get the T560 for about $60 less than the L560. The tipping factor seems to be the IPS screen upgrade on the L560.

However, I am still not convinced that Lenovo does use the same screens across these models. I have read reviews from Notebookcheck.net (and .com, the German version of the site) on all three models. The E and L models do not present PWM (screen flicker showing up when the brightness is turned down, causing eyestrain and headaches), whereas the T model does present PWM. I cannot understand how it could be the same screen in this case.

T560: http://www.notebookcheck.net/Lenovo-ThinkPad-T560-Core-i5-SSHD-Ultrabook-Review.159119.0.html
E560: http://www.notebookcheck.net/Lenovo...-Radeon-R7-M370-Notebook-Review.155741.0.html
L560: https://translate.google.com/transl...560-Core-i5-HDD-Notebook.163758.0.html#footer

One person who suggested that Lenovo uses the same IPS screen in all three models believed that you might just get lucky and get a "good" screen. But since PWM is a particular technology used by many laptops to lower screen brightness, it is either using PWM or it isn't. A "bad" screen isn't going to present PWM if PWM is not the technology being used to adjust the brightness.

Several other users on another Thinkpad forum claims that the IPS screen used in the E560 is the same one used previously in the P50 (P50 being one of the top two, ie most expensive, models in the Thinkpad line).

The only downfalls I can come across so far of the E560 is a slightly lesser keyboard (but still better than many laptops out there) and the cheaper/more flexible ABS plastic used for the body. Sure, it's not built like a tank like the T series. If you're rough on your personal belongings, then perhaps the E series (or any plastic-based laptop) is not for you. I have been using a cheap, all plastic, Acer laptop nearly every day for 5 years. Other than the keyboard and battery having worn out and been replaced, all is well. The only wear is minor and only on the touchpad and the screen bezel.

The only other thing the T560 has going for it (or perhaps also the L model) is re-sale value. Thinkpads regularly garner pretty decent prices on Ebay. If you like to switch to a new computer every year or two, this may be worth it to you. But if you're like me, you like to use the same machine for 5 years or more. IMO, laptop that has been used for 5 years is not worth buying for anything less than dirt cheap, because it has been so used. CPUs and GPUs and hard drives just don't last as long in a laptop vs a desktop, because the cooling is never nearly as good in a laptop than a desktop. It's the trade-off of the compact portability of a laptop. I have had a variety of laptops, some cheapies and some more expensive and they all get hot after a couple years. The fan keeps blowing, even after disassembling the laptop and cleaning any dust bunnies out. The cooling system does it's job, but those components are slowly wearing out from the heat. This is also why I don't care to spend $1000+ on a laptop, it's usefulness and lifespan will not be much better than a $400. Some for sure, but not worth the extra expense in my book. Much of the expense of a new laptop these days comes in the form of upgrades in RAM and to bigger/faster disk drives, such as SSD. For a fraction of the cost of having the laptop come pre-configured how you'd like it, you can purchase your own RAM and SSD and install them yourself.

 

Apparently IPS screen prices have dropped dramatically in recent times, which is one of the reasons why the E series is getting an IPS option now.

The only thing I can think of as to why the L model IPS screen costs more than the E and T models is a demand thing. I think there is probably more demand for the E and T models than the L. They are perhaps capitalizing on that demand.

 

Here's a recent review on the E560. Below category average sRGB color gamut.

http://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/laptops/lenovo-thinkpad-e560