New Lenovo IdeaPad S10 Netbook Announced

Lenovo today announced its entrance into the budget ultraportable notebook, or "netbook," market with the IdeaPad S10 netbook. Like all netbooks, the slim and small S10 is designed to complement a customer's primary PC rather than function as the main computer in your home. The netbook allows users to do simple activities such as connect to the Internet, check and write emails, listen to music and perform basic applications. The S10 is approximately one inch thick and weighs just more than two pounds in the base configuration.

(view large image)

(view large image)

Lenovo claims that consumer demand for netbooks is growing rapidly around the world and that the IDC forecasts worldwide shipments of ultra-low cost notebooks rising from just 430,000 units in 2007 to 9.2 million in 2012.

A Netbook With Style, Good Features, And A Low Price?

The IdeaPad S10 features a 10.2-inch screen and comes in your choice of white and black as well as red and white. Unlike most notebooks that have a painfully small keyboard, Lenovo designed the keyboard to be 85 percent of the size of a full-function notebook PC's keyboard. The energy-efficient LED backlit display also helps provide longer battery life than traditional displays.

For easy connection to the Internet, the netbook includes WiFi and also has an Express Card slot so users can enable the netbook for high speed mobile broadband connectivity. The IdeaPad S10 also includes a built-in web camera for video messaging, two USB ports and a 4-in-1 multicard reader. The IdeaPad netbooks come equipped with Microsoft Windows XP.

Using the Intel Atom processor, the IdeaPad S10 provides basic notebook functionality as a user's secondary PC. Lenovo offers the IdeaPad S10 netbook in two configurations, with one having 512 MB of memory and an 80 GB hard drive and the second configuration having 1 GB of memory and a 160 GB hard drive. Both configurations should still be perfectly capable of accommodating a variety of data, from a user's digital music library to a student's homework assignments and more. Lenovo engineered the netbook to reduce the heat emitted on key contact areas such as the bottom of the PC, the palm rests and the keyboard. Additionally, Lenovo's "OneKey Rescue System" helps users recover data at the touch of a button should a system error or virus occur.

(view large image)

(view large image)

Pricing and Availability

The IdeaPad S10 netbook will be available beginning in October starting at $399 for the base configuration and $449 for the higher configuration. They will be available through leading retailers and www.lenovo.com.

 

Very cool! A true competition to MSI Wind 10" and probably will be more 'readily' available!

 

if the battery life is around 5 hours as the wind I will buy this one instead

 

no trackpoint? wow lenovo ur an idiot

 

^i dont think that trackpoint would be good on small keyboard

 

1. There isn't much room in the small keyboard for a trackpoint.
2. Lenovo is trying to keep the cost down. The price is at least $100 less than the Wind.

 

No Linux ?
No flash storage ? (WTF it's supposed to be the kind of laptop that is merly fanless and that you can even throw in you bag while it's still powered on.)
Semms like it has a 3cell battery.

In other words... IT'S AWFULL

except for the price and the desing !

Please... give me some suse linux 11 version with 16gb of flash storage and a 6cell battery...

or I should wait till HP put the awsome new VIA processor in their mini-note.

 

I'd rather have 80gb hard drive + windows than 16gb cheap ssd + linux. I'd rather pay less for a pre-installed Windows license than have to buy a full version later.

If Lenovo actually delivers on time (or close to on time) and at that price, I'd be the first to buy it.

I do wish it had a Thinkpad X61 keyboard + trackpoint though... but of course it would not fit. How about an IdeaPad S12

 

Videos: http://jkkmobile.blogspot.com/2008/08/lenovo-ideapad-s-netbook-on-video.html

 

hmm.. this computer looks pretty good.. wonder how is it compared to MSI Wind, Acer Aspire One or the Asus EEE 1000 at this moment..

 

I could care less about anything else...but the teeny weeny right Shift key??

Augh!

 

Now the only question is what companies AREN'T going to release a netbook? So far, its Toshiba, Apple and Sony, I'm waiting for you guys to jump into this incredibly crowded market.

 

Integrated 1.3M Camera
2 stereo speakers
Multi-touch Pad & near full size Keyboard (85% full size)
Integrated Wireless 802.11 b/g,10/100 Ethernet, Bluetooth
Express card slot for WWAN expansion
Up to 2-GB Memory
4in1 Multi-card Reader
Form factor: 250.2 x 183 x 22-27.5mm, lightest configuration of 1.1 kg
Large Panel 10.2” wide, LED backlight 1024x600 WSVGA
Intel Integrated Graphics GMA 950
Intel N270 CPU 1.6 GHz & Intel 945GSE Chipset
Large HDD capacity 160G 9.5mm 2.5” SATA HDD (5400 rpm)
Battery up to 3 hours with 3-cell battery, and up to 6 hours with 6-cell battery

Aside from the battery... everything else impresses me.

 

Looks pretty nice, no obvious flaws in the specs. I wish the big retail stores would carry these things though cause I've never seen one in person and am hesitant to buy something this small without trying it out.

 

The best thing for me is that because it's a Lenovo, I can order them through my corporate channel. In fact, I was picking up a R61i earlier today and mentioned to the sales people that I might be getting another EEE PC (already have the 701) and they said that they have an Ideapad netbook but since it's not yet officially announced they can't tell me more just yet.

 

I want, I want, I want ..... the Red One !!!! Forget waiting for Dell....

 

agreed! msi wind has better keyboard layout.

 

What is wrong with the battery? It seems the same as other netbooks.

Also about trackpoint. They didn't add it because there is no room? But, on the X200 the reason they only have a trackpoint is because there's no room for a touchpad? That does not make sense. I think the real reason is probably because it's more expensive to put in a trackpoint.

I think it's very cool and if the pricing holds up when its released it will bring back the concept of the cheap netbook that Asus has been moving away from.

 

It's an IdeaPad...obviously no TrackPoint.

 

nice, I will be waiting for it.

 

Look around your BestBuy.
Some of them has the Eee 900 with the 16SSD on display.
I didn't realized how how these are until I saw one in person.
Its truely remarkable how small the Eee 900 are.

 

By far....the best looking netbook I've seen.
It seems that the Ideapad took the best of the Eee, Wind and Aspireone and combined them.

-From the Wind, they have the bigger HD, bigger screen.
-From the Aspireone, the collor scheme. I absolute love the red/white combination.
- From the Eee, the multi-touch and everything else.

If you notice, it has the same size LCD as the Wind but a good .5 inch shorter.
It has the same size as the Aspire one but bigger screen and when the lid are up, you don't see the ugly gap like the Aspireone.
Pretty much, if you were to make the Eee900 with a bigger screen, it would be the same size as the Ideapad.
Now I wonder with the 8.9 Ideapad, will it be the same size but with the smaller screen(I would say so to cut down cost).
But imagine if Lenovo would some made the 8.9 with the same footprint as the Eee900, it would be awesome.

I have to say MSI really screwed up with the Wind.
They had an awesome product but all the delays are pissing people off.
They could have establish themselves as major player in this market.
By the time the Ideapad comes out, why would anyone want the Wind ??
It has everything the Wind has but with a smaller footprint(thinner too) and multitouch.
Oh...and cheaper.

 

I am going to have to decide between this and Dell's offering, since both will be cheaper than the Asus Eee 901 and MSI wind. =)

But my brother's Dell Studio 15 just broke, so I guess I'll be leaning toward the Lenovo, since their quality seems better.

 

No Linux version is disappointing.

 

Just a note about those SSDs.... SSDs are mostly only faster on bootup. After that, the advantage disappears. I do think SSD's should be offered as an option for people who are more concerned with power draw and heat production. I like the design but I think I'd prefer if they got an X100 released sometime with an 8.9" screen and focus on less weight/higher quality. Not a bad start though.

Oh, apparently its been said that Lenovo will offer Linux versions sometime afterward. So Linux will probably come at some point, just not at release.

 

The express 34 slot is a definite plus. If Lenovo can deliver at the prices announced, this thing will destroy Asus's watered down EEE brand, especially with Lenovo's typically generous academic and corporate discounts.

 

I can't wait I'm gonna pick one of these up in october or for x-mas

 

Best looking netbook. Clean and flush lines and "boxy" design just like the other Ideapads.

Apparently, there'll be a flavor with Linpus OS; though I couldn't care less.

 

The point with a Linux other than speed is system is price should be lower or specs higher on the Linux version. And if you own a retail version of Windows XP already, you don't want to pay for it again. You rather install it yourself.

 

Good point. But I actually thought the Linux versions of most netbooks had lower specs compared to the XP version (for example, 512MB instead of 1GB of RAM).

 

The Lenovo S10 looks fantastic.

My 1000H arrives today, but I have a feeling I might sell it in a few months to get the Lenovo. If it gets good reviews, then definitely.

I LOVE how thin it is.

Notebook Review - PLEASE review this ASAP!

 

I'm sure Linux is great but for the most part the majority of folks don't know anything about it and can only navigate in Windows. Especially many of us who are the 50+ crowd!

I really do like the specs and looks of the S10 better than anything I've seen so far. We'll see how it pans out.

 

More pictures here:
http://taiwan.cnet.com/crave/0,2000088746,20131000,00.htm

 

I just saw on the Taiwan CNET site.

http://taiwan.cnet.com/crave/0,2000088746,20131000,00.htm

its saying both models will have 1GB RAM.

It is also saying that both models will be more expensive than stated on many pages. they say 12,900 Yuan and 17,900 Yuan for the 8.9 and 10.2 inch models respectively. Since it is a Taiwan site, 17,900 Taiwanese Dollars translates to about 580 USD for a 10.2 inch model,and 420 USD for the 8.9 inch model.

If you take the "yuan" to mean Chinese RMB then the price would be about 2500 USD, which is unrealistic and leads me to think it is Taiwanese Dollars.

Eitherway, doesn't seem like a deal to me unless the prices drop. They do look nice tho.

 

if it is more than $450 for the 10".. then no thanks on this laptop lol too pricey if so.. i'll be off getting a 13" inspiron 13 instead if so..

 

According to the original post and the Lenovo website the price for the S10 will start at $399 and the upgrade will be $449. There is way too much competition in the netbook arena to be pricier than that, IMHO. A crowded market is always good for the consumer price wise!

 

I would like to see the Dell mini inspiron. I think it is supposed to come out this month, but so far I haven't heard any new news on it.

$550 and under seems to be the sweet spot for netbook prices right now. If Lenovo's does come under $500 I'm sure other netbooks will lower their price.

 

You can't simply convert the price in one currency to another to find out what price the product is going to be sold at. It doesn't work that way.

 

How does it work then may I ask.

You are probably correct about the conversion thing, but thats how most tourists and people I know would work. If we want a new gadget we find a friend in Asia and get a price in local currency. Then convert it over to USD or CAD.

Last time I was in Taiwan they had cheaper electronics than North America even after doing currency conversions. That's why I'm wondering why it would cost so much in terms of TWD even without all the shipping charges.

 

Well of course if a tourist is going to buy it in Taiwan, then the conversion applies.

But when people discuss about the price, it's assumed they are talking about the local price. I don't think you'll see lots of Americans complaining "oh damn it, why is the iPhone so expensive in Australia?! Why does it cost 700$AU; more expensive than the American announced price?! I'll wait for the price in Australia to drop." That doesn't make sense at all.

 

Do want .

 

Is there a release date for this yet? And when is Dell's netbook going to be detailed or released?

If neither of these two are available by the end of this month, I'll pull the trigger on a 1330.

 

GPUCafe, just curious why not an MSI Wind or EEEPC 1000H? The Dell and Lenovo ones are similar to those.

I'd also like to see the Dell one. I thought it was supposed to be released this month.

 

I've held out this long before buying a netbook, so I believe that if we can hold out just a little longer we'll be able to see how the major offerings of this field shake out. Acer, Asus, Dell, MSI, Lenovo, Fujitsu, etc. I'm thinking by September we should see somebody do a 'Netbook Shootout' review.

 

lol MSI Wind is hard to find

hold out til September.. i don't know about that... lol

 

According to the Lenovo's PR ( http://www.lenovo.com/news/us/en/2008/08/netbook.html), it's "early October" for the U.S.

Hong.

 

A white one is even harder (and even harder with a 6-cell!!!).

Hong.

 

I was waiting for the dell netbook annoucement. But since Lenovo has one coming out in Oct. I will most likely get one of the Lenovo Ideapad S10. It will compliment my Thinkpad T61(which I love)I purchased last year. Now if RIM would release the Blackberry bold around the same time; I could be in gadget "Heaven".

 

The Aspire One with Intel Atom Processor N270 1.60GHz, 802.11b/g Wireless, 512MB DDR2, 120GB HDD, 8.9" WSVGA, Integrated Webcam, Linpus Linux Lite (Sapphire Blue) is only $350 CDN and is supposedly sturdy. Why even consider anything else more expensive?

 

That's why, in addition to this Lenovo being one of the better looking netbooks, albeit this factor is more of a personal opinion. I've used a couple of Acers and for me, their build quality is a hit or miss, although the 16" notebook they recently released didn't look bad.