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    A perspective buyer (Ideapad Y470)

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by jpmtech7, Oct 3, 2011.

  1. jpmtech7

    jpmtech7 Newbie

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    Hello everyone,

    I have never purchased a Lenovo before, but I am considering a Y470. I'm looking at the Y470 that is on special for $799 that has:
    • Intel Core i7 2Ghz
    • 8GB DDR3-1333
    • 500GB 7200 RPM Hard Drive
    • nVidia Geforce GT550M graphics with optimus

    I just wanted to know of any concerns before buying or if there are any better alternatives in this price range (sub 1k) to look at. The main uses will be web development, casual gaming, word processing, lots of multitaksing, and some moderate 720p video editing in Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects (CS4 or CS 5.5). I was hoping that the GT550M could work in Mercury Playback Engine with the hack (since it has 92 CUDA cores and 1GB of memory, it should be fine). The video editing is for school, and we have editing workstations (that aren't as powerful as this CPU & GPU wise and have less RAM). Those workstations also only have one 7200 RPM HDD, and editing is a little rough at times.... but it is acceptable considering they are older than the HD cameras by about 3 years.

    So is this good or caveat emptor? Is there throttling or heat issues to worry about? Has anyone successfully used this for Adobe Premiere Pro (and used the Mercury Playback hack)? I read about battery life, and considering my current laptop just notched an impressive (sarcasm) 34 minutes in my battery test with screen @ 60%, I would be happy with around 3-4 hours on a machine with this horsepower.

    I originally was thinking about an ENVY 14 with SSD, but this seems to be a really good deal... and has quad core & nVidia graphics (better for video editing).

    Thanks much,
    JP Tech
     
  2. edit1754

    edit1754 Notebook Prophet

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    You may want a better screen than 1366x768 for video editing, so you might want to look into 15-inchers if portability isn't your primary reason for considering Y470.

    And by 15-inchers, I don't mean the Y570, 15.6" laptops that offer resolutions higher than 1366x768.
     
  3. jpmtech7

    jpmtech7 Newbie

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    I have a 23.5" 1920 by 1080 screen that I use as my primary display on my desk. In my class, I can probably hook it up to a larger LCD (forgot resolution). I know that the resolution is a bit lackluster for editing, and spec-wise that is one of the largest issues with the laptop. However, a quad core i7 CPU, nvidia graphics, and 8GB of RAM at this price point makes up for that minor annoyance for me... although it won't for everyone (especially people with bigger budgets).
     
  4. Nemix77

    Nemix77 Notebook Deity

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    For the price...the Y470 is hard to beat but if you got some extra cash you might want to wait around for the Samsung Series 7 Chronos.
     
  5. zarraza

    zarraza Notebook Consultant

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    im happy with my y470. been playing games, with no problem, heat is amazing, 39-45c while watching movies for cpu. for gaming the highest i seen for gpu was 81c. Usually in low-mid 70's. there is also asus 45sf, it has a bit better gpu (555gt).
     
  6. RedxWings

    RedxWings Notebook Enthusiast

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    I say that the Y470 is a good deal if it works properly for you. There is like a 50 50 chance of something happening wrong with the y470. If you beat the odds, you get an awesome machine for the price.
     
  7. jpmtech7

    jpmtech7 Newbie

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    What are the common issues? How bad is it?
     
  8. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    50/50? I doubt it. The Y470 is in line with most other consumer-grade laptops, and there's nothing to suggest otherwise. I'd say the lackluster screen is the biggest downside, but if you need maximum performance in a 14" package for the lowest price, this is probably it. Treat it well and there's no reason it can't serve you well for some 4 years or so.

    As for common issues, most of what I've read are just complaints about lower than expected battery life and high heat at full load (expected given the powerful components).
     
  9. Dragnoak

    Dragnoak Notebook Evangelist

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    I have the Y470 you are thinking of buying. A lot of the complaining on these boards, has to do with the users who are a heavy gamers. Personally to me, I don't think that a 1920 x 1200-pixel display screen resolution, or off the chart FPS scores, should be the main consideration for purchasing a laptop. I wanted the power, and speed, to open a ton of applications, and seamlessly switch between them. The Y470 accomplishes this requirement. I do heavy media work on this machine, and I have it connected to my Panasonic 50" Plasma HDTV. The screen resolution on the connected HDTV is amazing, and far superior to anything I have seen on other laptops, even at the Y470's, 1366x768 limit.

    I will acknowledge the problem with Lenovo's pretty poor "after the sale" support. You need to be ready, to deal with their continuing fumbles. The best you can do is register at their forum, and keep needling them with your problem. Be precise when describing your issue. Remember, English is not their primary language. Tell them exactly what you have done to correct the problem, and any modification you made to their shipped product.

    I'll probably get flamed for my comments, but I don't know how many consumers receive their laptops, and the first thing they do is rip them apart to install some "upgraded" card, or drive, that didn't come from Lenovo. Or they reformat the drive, without first burning the recovery disks. Then they loudly complain to Lenovo when their machines break.

    I certainly don't mean to dis-respect any posters in this forum. Most use them as an excellent source of exchanging information. I just don't want you to be put off by some poster who didn't achieve their goal of a gazillion FPS when playing Total Mayhem 2, on the Y470.

    The first thing that experienced users do is create the recovery disks, then test, test, and test some more on the "shipped" configuration. After you are sure that the installed software/hardware functions as designed, you can do your customization.

    Also, be aware that the Intel 1000 WiFi card does NOT transmit in the 5.0 GZh band. This was my only mistake when ordering my Y470. I ASSUMED that the WiFi card would operate in the 5 GZh band. I can't blame Lenovo for my stupidity. Otherwise I am very happy with my choice of the Y470.

    DragonRider
     
  10. jpmtech7

    jpmtech7 Newbie

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    I consider myself an "advanced" user. In fact, my Toshiba had overheating issues (idling at upper 70's... or worse, under load was 90 - 100 C while being throttled, still would reset some). I now have to blow it out with compressed air more often than what would seem normal to keep it running smooth. However, I called the support line... and... worthless. Obviously, the phone operator neither knew much English or much about computers. I am a tinkerer at times, but I don't think I will do anything beyond maybe adding an SSD (in the future). I probably won't even do that. Anyway, I don't play a lot of games (don't have time), so I'm fine with merely playable on medium settings.
     
  11. Luis_GT

    Luis_GT Notebook Consultant

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    I say buy it... I'm really happy with my i5 equipped 470... I previously had a Sager NP5160 that had a 1080P screen, the real estate was nice, of course it was a 15.6" laptop... but it became eye straining after an hour or so of usage... so I really don't know why people are so insistent on 1080P on such small screens...

    The OE screen in this laptop is good by my standards... but that aside, this laptop packs such a big punch in such a small package, that I can't see myself recommending any other laptop in this price range. This laptop was $200 less than the Sager I returned, and the specs are a bit better, minus the screen, in a smaller, lighter chassis... but, like I said, the 1080P screen in my case wasn't much of an upgrade like some people seem to suggest.
     
  12. RedxWings

    RedxWings Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well I've heard numerous reports of static noise and some hardware issues.

    I haven't had any so I assumed that the ratio between problems and no problems are about equal.
     
  13. zarraza

    zarraza Notebook Consultant

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    i had 17 inch gateway 7811fx, it had 1920x1080 resolution i think, guess what i always used? 1280x720 or very similar :) 1366x768 on this screen is good for me. and like i said, mine has no issues with static sound or hardware (knock on the wood). so far really happy. i dont game much myself, only few franchises, basketball, soccer, hitman and splinter cell, when they come out i play for like a week or two. so far, soccer and basketball i can play on maximum but these are not gpu demanding games. this is a great machine. had toshiba satellite in 2005, its still running, nothing is broken, then had gateway (piece of sh...), and so far really happy with lenovo, i hope it keeps this way.

    edit: fan is placed so nicely, i can put it on my belly while in bed and the fan side is actually not blocked, and cpu idles always at 38-45. hdd is now at 35, was at 31 when i turned on hwmonitor. im impressed with coolness and silentness of this lappy.
     
  14. Koopatrooper

    Koopatrooper Notebook Enthusiast

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    I am also looking at this machine and am on the fence between this and a MBP 13.

    I love how this machine has a lot more firepower than the MBP and is half the price.

    I also come from a long line of THinkpad machines and am typing this on a IBM T40 which I loove!

    SO I might pull the trigger on this as well....seems like a great value.
     
  15. voostro

    voostro Notebook Evangelist

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    ........................
     
  16. Koopatrooper

    Koopatrooper Notebook Enthusiast

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    Beat you to it just picked it up from Lenovo for $750. I just couldn't pass it up.
     
  17. roemer21

    roemer21 Notebook Geek

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    So, what are your thoughts? Did you go for it?
     
  18. Steven

    Steven God Amongst Mere Mortals

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    Resurrecting this dead thread because I'm thinking about purchasing and need more opinions.
     
  19. RedxWings

    RedxWings Notebook Enthusiast

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    Good hardware, but you'll have to live through the screen. Keyboard and speakers are good, touchpad is eh. The 550m can suffice for many current games at med-high.
     
  20. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    Lenovo hasn't changed the bottom line for the IdeaPad Y-series for some time: raw specs for the price are good, except for the sub-par screen. Cooling system and build quality are both average, though.
     
  21. CrypticPH

    CrypticPH Notebook Enthusiast

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    I actually just upgraded from an old Gateway M-6862 to the Ideapad Y470. My opinion is that if money is no object, there are plenty of better laptops. But if you are like me and like absolute bang for your buck, you won't find a better deal. Got mine with the latest i7 for $750 USD, and after a clean install of Win 7 it has exceeded my expectations.
     
  22. taylon

    taylon Newbie

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    Hello, I am wondering if OP ending up ordering the Y470? I placed a order yesterday but my ship date is 4/12/12! Lenovo cannot give me more information, I am wondering if I should cancel or wait, I cannot wait 4 months for this system however.
     
  23. rushmore

    rushmore Notebook Evangelist

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    @taylon,

    Which did you order? I am looking at the Y470 2670qm with Blu-ray for $839. A similar spec M14X is $1,600. If offset for the graphics card in the M14X, it is about $1,500. Sure, the M14X is faster, but on a 14" laptop, I would not be running at above 720p, anyway. FAR more bang for the buck.