Thoughts on IdeaPad

I am in the market for a new notebook. I was looking around the Lenovo site and saw the new Y450 IdeaPad. I haven't found much about it online. Just curious if anyone here has any hands on with the IdeaPads and what you think of them. Thanks for any input.

-Bake

 

I'd prefer a business class notebook, but you didn't say anything about what you need, which makes it difficult to tell if it's a good fit.

 

Thanks for the reply.
My needs are basically a thin light 14" notebook. Any of the current units will have more than enough processor power and memory for me. I don't want to spend much more than 600-700 bucks. I was mainly curious what people thought of these units after spending some time with them.

 

For around $600 you can get a T400 with plenty of processing power. Do you need dedicated graphics?

 

The R400 offers excellent value as well, perhaps better than the T series if you don't need the GPU or WWAN, though it's not quite as thin and light as the T400. Check the Lenovo Outlet too.

 

I'd recommend getting a used but recent ThinkPad, they usually have the specs most people require and also the durability of ThinkPads if you buy the right one.

 

It's true, it's very difficult to find any info on the ideapad y-series. Maybe they're just that new? I ordered a y-550 that should be arriving tommorow!

Lenovo's site has been kinda screwy as far as what they've been offering as options. The day after I ordered mine I noticed they no longer had a build-it-yourself option and I saw no way of getting the 130m gt card either. Here's a copy n' paste of what I got. (This is after a coupon for 75 bucks off but hopefully Lenovo will be offering a lot of the options they've taken away at a later date).
CONFIGURED SYSTEM
08/14/09 $652.05 $652.05
0A01022 INTC2DT6400(2GHZ800MHZ2MBL
0A01084 VBB VISTA HOMEBASIC32BIT
0A01049 SBB VISTAHB SP1-US/ENG
0A01116 VBB GEFORCE GT 130M
0A01118 VBB BLACK GLOSSY COVER AND
0A11165 SBB 15.6 HD WLED GLOSSY-
0A01032 SBB 1+2GB3-8500DDR31066MHZSODI
0A01034 SBB 250GB HDD,5400RPM
0A01037 SBB SUPERMULTIDVD
everything else pretty standard. I'll prolly put a review on it later.

 

Mine is still in process, what is lenovo doing

 

1 4186CT CONFIGURED SYSTEM
08/14/09 $694.19 $694.19
0A01022 SBB INTC2DT6400(2GHZ800MHZ2MBL
0A01087 VBB VISTA HOME BASIC 64BIT
0A01055 SBB VISTAHB64BITSP1-US/ENG
0A01110 VBB BLUETOOTH
0A01116 VBB GEFORCE GT 130M
0A01113 VBB NO DIGITAL(ATS) TV
0A01117 VBB BLACK GLOSSY COVER AND
0A11165 SBB 15.6 HD WLED GLOSSY-
0A01007 SBB PM45,15.6"HD,W/NV10P512MBT
0A01029 SBB 1X2GB3-8500DDR31066MHZSODI
0A01033 SBB 160GB HDD,5400RPM
0A01038 SBB SUPERMULTIDVD REC.(SLOTT.)
0A01020 SBB 6 CELL LITHIUM-ION 2.6AH
0A01041 SBB POWERCORD FOR UL
0A01046 SBB Y550MANUAL,DRIVE+SW,WARR,
0A01042 SBB LENOVO STD.KEYBOARD(WHITE)
Status: In process More info Learn more about estimated ship dates.
Shipment tracking available the morning after shipment.

 

Here is my configured Y550. I ordered it on july 31. Still in process.

4186CTO IDEAPAD Y550 $754.60
08/14/09 Status: In Process.
INTC2DP8600(2.4GHZ 1066MHZ 3MB CACHE)
BLUETOOTH
GEFORCE GT 130M
PM45,15.6"HD,W/NV10P512MBT
2X2GB3-8500DDR31066MHZSODI
250GB HDD,5400RPM
SUPERMULTIDVD REC.(TRAYT.)
LENOVO STD.KEYBOARD(WHITE)
6 CELL LITHIUM-ION 2.6AH
15.6 HD WLED GLOSSY- 1366*768

 

Nah,I don't need dedicated graphics. I have been looking at the T series also. Thanks for the tip on the Outlet. Looks like some pretty good deals in there. You guys post up your thoughts when you get those notebooks in hand. Thanks all.

 

The IdeaPads are a decent line of consumer grade notebooks... I have used a few of them in the past (sisters) and i think they are pretty comparable to the consumer lines from other manufacturers (really just boils down to which has the specs you want) If you can step up to a T series that would be a good idea, even if it is a pretty bare bones model. Business class notebooks def hold up better over the long run.