Lenovo N100 Review (pics, specs) Discussion

The Lenovo N100 is a new mid-sized offering from Lenovo in the 3000 series line of notebooks. The N100 will come in 14.1" and 15.4" widescreen sizes. Prices will start at $999 for Core Duo based models. Lenovo is positioning the notebook as one for small business and mobile professionals. Following is a full review of the Lenovo N100.

Read the full content of this Article: Lenovo N100 Review (pics, specs)

 

Nice review so far zazonz, maybe you should also add some TFT viewing angle shots and also judge more concrete about the noise emissions of the fans and the optical drive in comparision to Thinkpads, so people maybe get a better idea about the noise levels (are the fans loud or not etc.).

 

use this to rate noice: http://www.overclock.net/faqs/20770-how-loud-decibel-rating-my-fan.html

 

nice review. your T42 does not have scrolling zones set on the right and bottom edges of the touchpad? My T43 came with scroll zones set, even though there are no markings. The software allows for configuration of the width, etc.

 

No Home and End Key? That's weird, I wouldn't like that. I think the styling on this laptop is kind of cool, especially from the back, that curviness definitely gives away this isn't a ThinkPad or your father's laptop.

Nice review, you're the only one that ever properly tests the optical drives!

 

first movie is dark city. is the second gattica?

 

Well that didn't take long.

 

Did i win the laptop?

 

Rofl SRD, you'll be lucky if you win the bubblewrap it came wrapped in. xD!

Great Review. I was excited to see this one up when I visited. Something to do besides my homework when I'm all alone and forgotten in the library. But also I'd been looking forward to seeing more about Levono's new lines.

The curves and te outter coloring are very attractive. It has the two vents on the upper sides around the keyboard like my 6000 and ports marked around the edges and the silver top like an HP which makes me think of it as a comical hybrid between the e1505, and a Dv5000t.

I'm dissapointed if the outter gray is going to look like my two year old Toshiba's blue lid after just a few weeks. The keyboards also a bit to quirky. That's a shame since you said it was a good otherwise Zazon.

Think these will get brick and morter presence like the Thinkpads now have?

Again, great review. * * * * *

 

Must read terms and conditions which I am writing right now.

 

Perhaps it does. I have never set it up though. I use the touchstick to scroll.

 

I think disc burning is one of the main tasks on laptop, at least one of this size. Always nice to see a good one since there is a a lot of junky ones out there.

 

Fox in da fire...

 

Hey zazonz, you ever tried running hl2 at 1280x1024? If so, how did it run? Thanks.

 

This is a dumb question. But will the 14" be available with the dedicated graphics?

 

Nice review, and good pictures. I like the overall design of the machine, but 1.7" thick is unreasonable for a 15.4" machine. My Sager is 1.5" in the back (gradually gets thicker, it is 1" in the front), and that is too much already in my opinion.

Yeah, the lack of Home/End keys would be a bummer for me too, but not a deal breaker. I think this would make a great machine for a college student, or a business that wants to buy low-priced, higher-than-usual quality machines for $1k.

Thanks,
Chaz

 

I did not run HL2 at 1280x1024. I just played it for about a half hour to test it out.

CNET's review which was the 14" model had the integrated Intel 950. Maybe possible to upgrade. We'll find out.

Price will be a big factor. It reminded me in some ways of the dv5000 which is cheaper, but no WSXGA screen.

 

As I have read in news anouncements - no

 

Related to the Lenovo N100 Series 14.1" and 15.4" widescreen TFT-panels, beside glossy panels it seems there will also be anti-glare panels available.

The 14.1" anti-glare and glossy WXGA TFT-panels will be from Samsung, CMO or AUO and are claimed by Lenovo to have 185 nits (well, we will see what independent measurements will show here).

Also the 15.4" anti-glare WXGA TFT-panels will be from Samsung, AUO or CMO. These are also stated to have 185 nits. The 15.4" glare WSXGA+ TFT-panels will be from CMO or LPL and are also specified with 185 nits (cd/m²).

 

I'm a newbie - please be gentle - but just to clarify: Anti-glare on the N100 is matte screen right?

 

I think they offer both types depending on the configuration.

 

That's good to know..I think I'm going to give them a call and find out because I'm fairly sure I want this model.

By the way, Zazonz-I like that little picture you've got posted below your ID. It's funny.

 

well, Zazons is The Critic

 

I have the DVDs so I have an endless supply of them.

 

Great review zazonz, just wanted to point out that you may want to edit out the following from your Cons list:

"Missing Home/End Keys" as the Home key appears to be the same as the PgUp key & the End Key appears to be the same as the PgDn key. This can be seen at url:

http://www.notebookreview.com/assets/10428.jpg

I actually think this is a smart location for them alongside the arrow keys as well.

I also would have liked to see a more budget business spec model (seems to be the market they're going for) like 068938U 14.1" matte screen reviewed instead of their highest end model of the series 07682CU. Too bad the speakers weren't better but the price:feature list otherwise seems quite good. Nice review.

Edit: Just read your review sobered up a bit & noticed:

"One thing I did not like about the keyboard on the N100, it does not have dedicated keys for home and end which I frequently use. You have to hit the function key in conjunction with one of the arrow keys to get the desired result."

So you're right No Dedicated Home/End Keys but the function key would be used in conjunction with PgUp/PgDn keys rather than "in conjunction with one of the arrow keys" that they are grouped with. I guess that technicality threw me off the first read through..my bad '

 

Great review and great pics, ZaZ. Thanks.

...and great machine, by the looks of it. I've been looking around for a new notebook and had pretty much decied on the LG S1, but now that I saw this, I really don't know... oh the tough decisions of life...

Unfortunately this was the only proper review I've found so far... all the others are from magazines, cnet, etc...so it was really helpful, THANKS! Especially for the pics. Does anyone know of any other similar user experience reports on the web, or would be keen to post one? pretty please...

Also, ZaZ, do you have any experience with (or views on) the LG S1 to post a brief comparison?

I know this machine hasn't been out for long, but I imagine it's been over a month now and it's barely mentioned in the forum. I want to know more!!!!

Well, that's about it. Thaks once again for the great review.

All the best.

 

I did see an LG notebook a while back, but they are not sold where I live.

 

That's a shame...it would be really helpful to have a head-to-head comparison of both machines (LG S1 and Lenovo N100) from the same person.

Thanks anyway, ZaZ.

All the best.

 

Thank you for the review!

I wonder if you could answer one question: do you find the keyboard loud and clicky?

The ThinkPads are, and I am wondering whether to get a Lenovo 3000 N100, instead...

THanks!

 

I don't find my T42 to be clicky, but I don't tend to notice those things. The thing I do notice are the clicky buttons which the n100 has, but not as bad as some other notebooks I have seen. In contrast my T42's buttons make no noise at all when pressed.

 

Does Bluetooth on the N100 support A2DP and AVC profiles?