Which Lenovo Should I purchase?

I am torn between getting a Lenovo U450p Ideapad, or the Lenovo SL410 Thinkpad.

Also, what is the advantage to having a video card in a laptop if you are not a gamer, and do not do video editing? I do watch HD video on my laptop, so would there be a benefit here?

Any input on either issue would be great.

 

I do watch HD video on my laptop, so would there be a benefit here? <- yes

out of the two i would recommend an sL410

 

The intel x4500MHD chipset for integrated graphics does HD decoding.

 

Any reason why you'd recommend the SL410?

 

built quality would be better than the ideapad imho

it's not a real thinkpad, but it's still better than the ideapad range

 

depending on the country, if you are in USA, then i would recommend spend a little more and get a T or R series thinkpad (this may not be possible in some other countries without incurring hefty price markup).

But for the choice of these two laptop, i would go with the SL410. It has all the useful features of the ideapad, without all the useless gimmicks.

 

There is often overlap between the SL4 Thinkpad and the T400 in price. The T400 is better built, and an all-around nicer laptop. I'd take a look at it.

Driver support also seems to be better on the ThinkPad lines than the IdeaPads. I've seen a number of upset IdeaPad owners who didn't get driver updates nearly as quickly as the ThinkPad crowd does.

 

If you only have the budget to buy either one of those I'd say go for the SL410.

I personally checked it out at BestBuy, and the build quality was nice, I could not make it flex near the top of the keyboard or on the keys. Overall a nice 'cheap' Thinkpad, but it looks ugly with that nasty 16:9 screen, although the image was crisp and vibrant.

 

Personally, the SL410's bulky appearance and lack of "true" Thinkpad design elements turn me off, but if it is okay with you, I would say take it over the Ideapad. You may want to invest a bit more for a better-built R400 or T400 though.

If you will not be gaming and will just be watching HD video, I advise you not to get a discrete graphics card. The Intel 4500MHD decodes HD video, as mentioned above, and uses much less power than discrete graphics cards, allowing you to get much better battery life.

 

I have an SL400. Build quality is not up to par with my previous T and R series thinkpads. The lack of a thinklight and the wrist rest flex is quite annoying. At least its got an ultranav (trackpoint ftw)

Id recommend at least an R series and I personally will not be buying another SL series.