Lenovo Releases New IdeaPad Z-series

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In the wake of last week's HP notebook refresh, Lenovo is also announcing new updated models as well as a new line of notebooks. Today Lenovo launches the new IdeaPad Z-series offering a mix of style and high-end entertainment. Lenovo is also releasing new IdeaPad U-series models, which are ultraportable notebooks designed with battery like IBM 08K8193 Battery, IBM 08K8192 Battery, IBM 92P1101 Battery, IBM 92P1089 Battery, IBM 92P1087 Battery, DELL 08K8194 Battery, IBM 08K8196 Battery, IBM 92P1102 Battery, IBM 92P1077 Battery, IBM 92P1073 Battery life and performance in mind.

The new IdeaPad Z-series (not to be confused with the much older Z-series ThinkPad) is going to be a top-tier option in the consumer line offered by Lenovo. The Z360, Z560 and Z565 will have metallic effect lids, home theater-oriented features such as Blu-ray drives and Dolby Advanced Audio, and the latest chiclet keyboard that debuted on ThinkPad Edge notebooks. All models will have a wide range of processor and graphics card options, with Intel-based notebooks paired with NVIDIA discrete graphics and Intel GMA HD integrated graphics and the AMD-based notebooks getting ATI discrete and integrated options.

Hands-on time with the new Z-series and updated U-series notebooks

I had some time to play with the new Z-series IdeaPad a few weeks ago in New York City. The design reminds me a lot of the older IdeaPad models with colorful lid designs and attention to detail on the interiors. Build quality felt very nice with the models we were shown with strong screen covers and a solid chassis. The primary change that you might notice is the inclusion of the hybrid island-style keyboard that Lenovo uses on the new ThinkPad Edge-series. Older IdeaPad models used standard keyboard layouts. Unlike many island or Chiclet-style keyboards on the market, the Lenovo design has rounded and contoured keys that make it easy to touch-type and give great tactile feedback. As we mentioned in our ThinkPad Edge 13 Review, the keyboard is hands-down the best Chiclet-style keyboard on the market. Some might even say it rivals the comfortable design of the standard ThinkPad keyboard. I can't wait till we are sent one of these models to play with for more than a few minutes to see how well they hold up in our tests.

IdeaPad Z360 Specifications:

Up to Intel Core i7- 620M processor

Windows 7 Home Premium

13.3-inch HD screen (1366 x 768), 16:9 widescreen

Up to NVIDIA GeForce 315M 1GB graphics

Up to 8GB DDR3 memory

Up to 640GB HDD storage

Integrated Bluetooth and high-speed integrated 802.11n WiFi

Integrated DVD or Blu-ray disc drive

USB 2.0, eSATA connectors and 5-in-1 card reader

Integrated web camera

Four hours of battery life with 6-cell battery and integrated graphics

Weight: 4.4 pounds with 6-cell battery

Dimensions: 327x20~34x219mm

IdeaPad Z560 Specifications:

Up to Intel Core i7- 620M processor

Up to Windows 7 Home Premium

15.6-inch HD screen (1366 x 768), 16:9 widescreen

Up to NVIDIA GeForce 315M 1GB graphics

Up to 8GB DDR3 memory, up to 640GB HDD storage

Integrated Bluetooth and high-speed integrated 802.11n WiFi

Integrated DVD or Blu-ray disc drive

USB 2.0, eSATA connectors and 5-in-1 card reader

Integrated web camera

Four hours of battery life with 6-cell battery and integrated graphics

Weight: 5.72 pounds with 6-cell battery

Dimensions: 376.8x17.3~34.9x249.8mm

We were very happy to see that the AMD-based Z565 wasn't getting the low-end treatment that models in the past have received. This time around we see a wide range of processor options including the quad-core Phenom N930, triple-core N830, dual-core N620 as well as lower dual and single-core AMD processors. There are plenty of ATI graphics card options. The IdeaPad Z565 can be configured with the Radeon HD4200 on the low-end and the Radeon HD 5470 on the high-end with 1GB and 512MB video memory options. Our only complaint with this model, as well as with the Intel-based Z560, is a lack of higher resolution screen options. Currently both 15.6-inch notebooks peak at a 1366 x 768 WXGA resolution where competing models from other manufacturers might offer resoluations as high as 1600 x 900 or a FullHD 1080P resolution.