Thinkpad Edge E420s Review

Hello everyne, I finally received my Thinkpad E420s today after a month of waiting. Here is my promised review:

Machine specs in brief:
Core i5 2410M/Intel HD3000 graphics, 4GB RAM, 320GB 7200rpm HDD, 14 inch screen

Opening the box:
Very minimal packaging, nothing fancy
Contents: Manual, laptop, power supply

Initial Impressions:

Laptop is nice and light, feels solid, nothing loose or rattling. Hinges are solid, have nice resistance.
Materials feel premium. Most of the laptop including lid has a softish rubbery coating which feels very nice and does not leave any fingerprints.
Looks really good and professional.
Power supply is tiny, which is a plus.


Setup:

Plugged in the power supply, switched on laptop - was led through set up process - username, password, network and fingerprint reader - took 10 mins to get to desktop.

Screen:

Screen looks good, nothing stellar. I would say its the standard laptop screen. It IS glossy, but less reflective than some glossy screens I have seen. If there is nothing on the screen, you can see yourself clearly but with content on screen, there is nothing to complain about.
There is a pretty thick bezel (approx. 1 inch) around the screen
Webcam, mic and Thinklight are flush with the screen surface.

Keyboard:

It is AWESOME! The keyboard both looks and feels AMAZING. I am writing this review on the laptop. It is an island style keyboard and dare I say it, It is BETTER than the gold standard Thinkpad keyboards.
Key noise is minimal at best and clicks feel satisfying. Your fingers just fly and the key size and shape and spacing all come together beautifully. Cannot say enough good things about the keyboard - Its a delight to use.
PgUp and PgDn keys are placed on either side of the Up arrow key, which is very useful while scrolling.
There are controls for volume, mute, mic mute, projector, brightness, wi-fi, next and previous tracks, play/pause which are mapped to the F keys. F1-12 are accessed by holding down Fn key.
One gripe - the navigation arrow keys are kinda small, but i guess you get used to it.
Enter, Backspace and Shift keys are a full size, which is nice.
There is ample space to rest your palms and type without cramping.

Trackpad:

Trackpad is large- its a clickpad like the Macbooks.
The texture of the trackpad id nice- not too smooth and not too rough and your fingers dont get stuck on it. There are also left and right mouse keys.
Trackpoint works well and as expected - no surprises for thinkpad veterans.

Video:

I have the Intel HD3000 graphics. 1080p video playback was extremely smooth.

Audio:

The speakers are average. They provide good volume, but do not have enough bass, so they sound a little tinny. At full volume, there is a slight crackling. I would say they are on par for laptop speakers
With headphones plugged in though, they sound really really good.

Performance:

QUIET!!! You will not know if the laptop is ON/OFF.
Overall performance is really snappy with this Core i5-2410M processor, but that is expected in a brand new laptop.
With general usage it runs pretty cool - the only slightly warm spot is in the top right corner.
Do not know about gaming yet, have not installed any games on it, but I expect to get good graphics during light gaming like TF2 or SC2. I do not think it will handle the heavy stuff well like Crysis.
NOVABENCH Score: 533 - About the same score as a Macbook core i5 running nvidia gt330m / core2duo with GT 470M - just for comparison sake. FWIW, the graphics portion ran at 65 fps

Miscellaneous notes:

Restart time: 50 seconds
Full battery states 5 hours. Will update later after a couple charge/discharge cycles
Webcam image is crisp, have not tested microphone yet.

In conclusion, I am really happy with the laptop. It feels like a solidly built machine. Apart from a couple of niggles mentioned earlier, there is nothing much to complain about this laptop, especially if you are using it for work. It is very light and slim and look really good.

Please let me know if there is any other topic you would like me to cover and I will try to do so.

Update: Pictures









Charger is pretty small:





Mr.MM, This is the HDD bay, bottom right corner of laptop:





Thinklight in action:

 

Did you get the antiglare screen?

 

There was no antiglare option. This is normal glossy screen.

 

Oh its the 420S model, sorry about that I was interested in the 420 model. I noticed its the antiglare model as default.

 

how much you paid

 

great review, post some pics for us!

and no gaming wont be a bliss on this one

 

It was on offer and a couple of coupons later it was USD 755 + tax = 800 bucks

I will take some pics later and upload. Any particular thing you want to see in the pics? I dont want to shoot a repeat of the product images which are already there on their website.

 

I would like some pics of the HDD and the HDD bay, the bottom of the laptop. and many thanks dear

 

Updated post with pics!

Please let me know if you guys have any other questions.

 

thank you! I asked about the HDD since its a 7mm height drive, and I wanted to know if there is some form of metal enclosure like my last lenovo had, if it comes with it.

 

Thanks for the picture. The laptop look very good for the price. I just wish that Lenovo would hurry up and release the version with the discrete graphic.

 

Yea this is the reason that I'm waiting. From what I've been hearing it'll be another couple of weeks or so.

 

Good thing I am in no hurry to order a new laptop, I still have a couple month before I decide which one I am going to get. By that time, I might have decide that the HD 3000 is enough for what I am doing and get the X220 with the IPS screen or a normal E420.

 

I actually got my eye on the E420 and from all the reviews that I've seen the screen looks decent enough. Also the keyboard has been getting very good reviews (very important to me in a notebook).

I was going to pull the trigger on an E420 with the HD 3000 but with the rumors swirling about a discrete graphics upgrade, I might as well just wait. Hopefully a higher resolution screen (1600x900) will appear along side the discrete gpu.

 

The E420 will not have the discrete graphic at least there is no indication in Lenovo's promotional material. The only reference that does mention the optional discrete graphic is the product showcase page, which Lenovo could be only referring to E520 since they shared the same marketing pitch. The E420/E520's data/spec sheet show that Lenovo only have E520 with 6630 in plan.


I might even get the E420s instead of E420 just for the Thinklight.

OP how does the Thinklight working out for you?

 

Nearly sold on this laptop. (At this point, just waiting for the discrete graphics option). Thanks for the review, and keep us updated!

 

I'm still new to the Thinkpad (havnt looked at one since the T40), but might I ask what is the difference between the E420 and the E420s?

 

Its not bad. It illuminates the keyboard enough to see all the keys.. Typing this right now in a totally dark room and having no problems finding the keys.

 

The E420s have a more premium and stylish laptop.
E420s includes a Thinklight, which might be important for some people.
E420s is a little slimmer.
E420s have an integrated battery that could be use for 1000 charges while the E420 offer an optional longer removable battery that stick out the back.
E420s has chrome edge instead of cheap plastic on the E420
E420s has a glass overlay over the screen like macs, while the E420 have a matte option.
I nearly forgot about this the, E420s have a button-less trackpad, while the E420 has a trackpad with button.

I guess they are very similar, just one is a more premium laptop while the E420 is made for the budget minded consumer.

 

Oh I see, thank you for that.

I think I'm still going to stick with the E420 as I like the anti glare option as well as the removable battery. Do you know if the E420 comes with a backlit keyboard?

 

I don't think so. Lenovo doesn't seem to embrace the blacklit keyboard tech as of yet, they a black-lit edge 14 from the previous gen but those are rare.

 

Backlit keyboards tend to make the keyboard feel worse. Im not sure how useful it really is. Personally I dont look at the keyboard much, and even if it was dark surely theres enough light coming off the screen for those odd times? The added power consumption might be another factor? Might be a few watts, since backlighting a key is probably quite inefficient?

 

OP are you planning on installing a SSD? Is it even possible to put one in?

 

yes, check the photo of the HDD bay, the problem is that the drive is 7mm heigt so it considerably diminishes your choices, barely intel and crucial

 

Buy Intel SSD 7mm. Should fit into your E420S. BTW, is there any option to choose red-color cover instead of black to look more "blink"?

 

I guess my question was if it allowed both the HDD and the SSD in the same bay, since that seems like the only place to put it?

(Btw, I guess you could also use the Intel 320 if you removed the spacer.)

 

well you can buy and install the Intel 310 mpcie SSD

 

I'm just about to order my own E420s (With discrete graphics since I live in Denmark. Sorry guys!). But I don't know which sleeve to get?

Do you think the Lenovo W14 sleeve would be a proper fit? I hate sleeves that don’t fit the notebook tightly.

 

I should be able to tell u tomorrow...as my lenovo sleeve came today and my e420s arrives tomorrow. Will let you know then.

BenMar

 

Any updates on the battery life? That's one of the few things holding me back. If it can actually get 5 hours with regular use (internet, word processing) I would be happy (even though the product page says 7 hours). If it's closer to 3-4 I'm not so sure.

 

I am not planning to install the SSD .. Don't have the budget for that right now.. I think a micro drive SSD is possible alongside HDD, which is used in the the RapidBoot tech of Lenovo.. I don't know if what I am saying is accurate though so don't quote me on it.

For the sleeve, I bought HP 14.5-Inch Notebook Sleeve - Black Link Pattern from amazon

http://www.amazon.com/HP-14-5-Inch-Notebook-Sleeve-Pattern/dp/B003NLOFRW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1304445409&sr=8-2

I know its not a thinkpad sleeve, but its really nice, has a fur like lining on interior so it wont scratch laptop. It also has a handle and an outer pocket which fits my charger nicely

 

On the first run it lasted around 4.5 - 5 hours . Laptop went from 99% to 15% during this time.

Activities included: Setting up laptop, downloading and installing programs, some youtube videos in HD, writing this review, browsing and chatting.

So the initial run looks promising. I will update this after a few cycles of discharge.

 

What brightness level did you have the E420s set to?

 

If we could get some more feedback from new owners that would be great. In the past month I've returned an HP and a Dell Vostro. I've had Thinkpads in the past...and my kids still beat the crap out of it. Can surely get more with my cash from other manufacturers, but this looks to be a nice machine. Just looking for more feedback prior to pulling the trigger. FYI if you chat with a Lenovo rep online they can give some decent discounts. I got an i5 configured for about $711 out the door.

 

I just ordered one yesterday but unfortunately they say it won't be shipped until the 25th. Hopefully it will come earlier. I wasn't looking for a power machine but something that was relatively thin and light and well built. I looked at the other mfgs but couldn't find anything close to matching the weight and thickness at the 420s price point.

There was a link yesterday on one of the deal sites for the X220s. For some reason when you went to that site and navigated up to the 420s models they started at $594 for the i3 model. I chose that model and upgraded to the i5 and added bluetooth. The only thing I didn't get that I wanted was the 4GB of memory on one dimm (it has 2 dimms). After a 5% off coupon I was able to snag it for $666 after tax. The original link is now dead so I'm not sure if it was a one day deal or a mistake. We'll see if mine ships!

 

Okay here is a small update:

The screen is really not that great. It lacks the contrast and punchiness you expect from a glossy screen. This is more of the slightly washed out low contrast look of the matte screens in some thinkpads. So usually you get better colours and contrast when you opt for glossy and deal with reflections, but that does not seem to be the case with this one.

Also the 'infinity glass' over the screen does not seen to be glass at all, unless there is a type of glass that can bend! It flexes if you press on it. I am not sure it does anything for the screen.

The laptop is really nice and solid, but the only thing that is stopping it from becoming an excellent laptop is the screen. Oh and the sound - the speakers are not really good. But that can be overlooked since its meant to be more for work, or you can just plug in your headphones.

 

How bad is "not good"? Would it have changed your mind before you purchased it? I've been using an older macbook pro lately and I'm wondering if I'm going to be disappointed with this. I still have time to cancel my order.

 

Would also love to hear if the screen quality makes this a non-buy.

Here's a review from an editor at ZDNet UK, bought the E420s for his personal use: Lenovo's ThinkPad E420s: A personal take | Mainstream | ZDNet UK

He seems to love it...except for the screen quality. At one point calls it a "great machine."

Part of me hopes Lenovo might offer the 1600x900 option available on the E420...

 

I wouldn't say it is 'bad' . I guess i would say its one of the weak points of this machine. All laptops need a compromise, unless you are shelling out aloot of cash and on this laptop, according to me, the compromise is the screen and the sound.

The macbook screens have always been good, but I can't say if it is because of he look of the OS. I have not seen a macbook while it was running windows so I can't say.
I expected a little more from the screen. It is slightly low res and has a slightly washed out look. I really don't know how to explain it though, sorry

I am not dissatisfied with it, but i guess I expeced a little more.

Battery life update: Lasted 3.5-4 hours with continuous youtube playback and browsing at full brightness. Lowered brightness and only browsing or word/excel use should yield 5 hours.

 

Macbook pro screens generally have better contrast and brightness as can be seen by objective measurement of those values ( The MacBook Pro Review (13 & 15-inch): 2011 Brings Sandy Bridge - AnandTech :: Your Source for Hardware Analysis and News)

 

Heres a review of the e220s on laptopmag if youre interested Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E220s Review

 

I do agree with OP that the screen could be a bit brighter , it good enough indoor . just don't expect using it under direct sunlight

 

Review of E420s with dedicated ATI6630 on Czech website:
NOTEBOOK.cz - Notebooky Recenze - Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E420s - stylov? pro podnikatele

English translation:
Google Translate

Pros / Cons:
+ silent cooling
+ low profile (low thickness) in combination with long good battery life
+ well made (sturdy)
- display with low brightness with light yellow tint
- some 3D applications (OpenGL) are not utilising dedicated GPU (driver / bios issue maybe)

Overall not the most powerful or not the cheapest in the category, but good combination of quality and power, work and multimedia notebook two in one.

 

another review from hardware geeks

HardwareGeeks.com - Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 420s Review

 

: ) I was just about to post the same review!! : )

 

Hey guys, i just got my e420s yesterday. I have a few questions about some problems i'm having. It's probably me, but i would like to know the settings that i should change to fix my issues.
I'm having trouble "agreeing" with the touchpad. When i use the click, a lot of the time it doesn't respond, i have to click it 2 or 3 times for it to click on the screen. Same applies to when i tap. From my old computer, i have the habit of resting my left finger on the bottom of the touchpad where my clicker used to be, and moving the mouse around with my right finger. Obviously that doesn't work well on a touchpad with no buttons, i end up just messing the mouse up, so i have to get used to that. But i don't know what to change to get my clicks to work, because i know some of the time when it doesn't click, i don't have my other hand near the touchpad. I was doing some video editing yesterday, and i would need the touchpad to respond immediately at a spot in the video to cut it, and it wouldn't click, and it would blow right past the section i needed to split, it was so frustrating!
I feel some of it may be user error, so please someone help me!

 

I recieved my E420s and I'm loving it! I'll post when I've played around with it more. I'm also experiencing issues with the touchpad, the double finger scroll is really off and non responsive, and the when I try to click at the bottom it often left clicks. There are tons of cute tuning to be done (at mouse config -> ultranav) but haven't found where to change that - altough it's feeling better and better so it may be that I'm not used to a multitouch trackpad. But fear not if you're thinking of buying it, it's big, really quick and comfortable, and probably works like a charm if you're acustomed to it.

 

tinderey - the touchpad problem seems to be across models. I have a hard time getting the two-finger scrolling (and even the edge scrolling) to work properly.

 

Anymore feedback on the E420s before I pull the trigger?

 

Only that the shipping dates seem to be off. I ordered mine about a week ago with a scheduled ship date of 5/25. I just got my shipping notice today. Will provide feedback when it arrives.

BTW, will I have to do a clean install to get rid of a bunch of bloatware or are these pretty clean from the factory?