Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Two-Pounder From Lenovo Might Be Too Light For Comfort

Posted by timothy on from the my-keyboard-weighs-more-than-this dept.

MojoKid writes: With the advent of solid state storage and faster, lower-powered processors that require less complex cooling solutions, the average mainstream notebook is rather svelte. Recently, however, Lenovo announced their LaVie Z and LaVie Z 360 ultrabooks and at 1.87 and 2.04 pounds respectively, they're almost ridiculously light. Further, with Core i7 mobile processors and fast SSDs on board, these machines perform impressively well in the benchmarks and real world usage. If you actually pick one up though, both models are so light they feel almost empty, like there's nothing inside. Lenovo achieved this in part by utilizing a magnesium--lithium composite material for the casing of the machines. Though they're incredibly light, the feeling is almost too light, such that they tend to feel a little cheap or flimsy. With a tablet, you come to expect a super thin and light experience and when holding them in one hand, the light weight is an advantage. However, banging on a full-up notebook keyboard deck is a different ball of wax.

8 of 134 comments (clear)

  1. Give me battery or give me death by Sowelu · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If you can cut something from 3lb to 2lb, that just means you have room for 1lb more battery.

    Same thing applies with phones. Stop making them thinner, and use the saved space for more battery!

    1. Re:Give me battery or give me death by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Insightful

      Run an OS that doesn't need 3 lbs of batteries...

    2. Re:Give me battery or give me death by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I wasn't aware that there was an OS that provided infinite battery life, thanks!

  2. Weight has always been a "quality" factor by PhrostyMcByte · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Weight plays a lot into our perception for how solid and well built things are, even when they're not. Lightweight is great, but go too far and things feel like a fragile toy.

    This is almost too good a problem to have with a laptop -- too lightweight? Put more battery in it.

  3. Re:Nice by tepples · · Score: 4, Insightful

    A refund for what? It's not like he's paid for the copy of Windows that comes with it.

    Then who did pay for it? I was under the impression that PC makers paid about $60 per copy for a lawful Windows install. Or are you claiming that publishers of Windows-only trialware completely subsidize the Windows license?

  4. Macbook Airs have sold millions by adisakp · · Score: 4, Insightful

    ... and they are in the similar 2 lb weight category.

    1. Re:Macbook Airs have sold millions by adisakp · · Score: 4, Insightful

      As long as there isn't flexing (decent stiffness) and there is a good balance (the screen doesn't want to topple over a too-light base), a light laptop is better than a heavy one. Especially if you want to carry it around with you.

  5. Here's what's wrong by ITRambo · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Lenovo still uses TFT displays in high priced hardware. In this product line you pay an extra $200 to get an IPS display in the Z 360. Our business is a Lenovo authorized reseller. I do not understand why they do not put an IPS display in all their higher end gear. There shouldn't even be a TFT option at $1499. The $1699 model should be the only one available. Reduce the SKU's and hence you have less capital tied up. Sell better products, Lenovo. Your image is tarnishing more all the time. I expect more from the world's #1 PC maker than TFT junk.