Lenovo Posts first IdeaPad U330/S10 Models

08/23/08​

Lenovo recently added the new U330 13.3" notebooks to their website with a 2 to 3 week estimated ship date. The going price will start at $1,249 but Lenovo is offering $100 off for the first couple of buyers.

System specs include:

Intel Core 2 Duo Penryn P7350 (2GHz, 3MB L2 Cache)
2GB or 3GB of PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM at 1066 MHz
250GB to 320GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive
ATI 3450 Discrete graphics with 256MB dedicated memory
13.3" LED WXGA 1280X800 gloss screen
DVD/CD Reader and Burner
VGA & HDMI ports
Windows Vista Home Premium

A full spec is forth coming, but currently not available either on the sale or support side of the system. I suspect that as the launch date nears, more info should be available. Judging by previous demo pictures and feedback from places such as endgaget.com, expect the 13.3" to be aimed at being competitive against the Sony SR series technology wise with a lower price tag albeit the Lenovo missing a few features that the SR will offer at least as of the current information.

For a look at the 2 current models listed, follow this link here.

Also, as it has been previously said, Lenovo will also begin offering the S10 as its competitor to the exciting new netbook market. Lenovo currently has 3 models listed on their U.S. website. The going price is currently listed at around $429 to $439. Their is no current savings offer for pre-ordering this unit although, at this price, it is understandable.

System specs include:

Intel ATOM Processor N270 Single Core ( 1.60GHz 533MHz 512KB )
10.2 WSVGA AntiGlare TFT with integrated camera 1024x600
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
512 MB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz
80GB 5400 RPM Hard drive
3 Cell Lithium-Ion
Windows XP Home

Like the U330, the base model information gives some more knowledge out, but lacks a full spec to list. The thing that kind of gets me is the integrated graphics. While I can understand keeping cost down in order to make the netbook competitive (i.e. not using the newest chipset with X4500 graphics), I don't understand why they couldn't use the X3100 IGP. The 950 chipset is known to be a bit of a pain to use and deal with. This could severly cripple this system. At least they are not trying to run Vista on the machine like other companies such as HP and their 2133 Mini-Note. It will be interesting to see some test numbers with this unit for comparison. Another intriguing difference is the battery. While other netbooks typically use a 4 cell variant, this will use a 3 cell. Generally this means less battery life, but that is yet to be determined with no true hands on testing and review currently on the net that I could find.

For a look at the 3 models currently listed, simply follow this link here.

If HP can't get the Elitebook 6930P to me before October like they posted in my order status tonight, I may have to look into this as an alternative. Either way, if I get one of the first of either of these units, I will try to post a thourough review.

BBGus

 

After a bit of searching, this news may be a few days old. Sorry if it is a double up of info, but for those that didn't know...there you go.

BBGus

 

What features does the SR have that the u330 doesn't? I actually just returned my SR to get the u330 because the price difference was so dramatic and the u330 seems like the better system.