Introduction, Design
Lenovo’s 15.6″ Z580 isn’t sexy, but it is useful
Lenovo has become an important player in the mainstream laptop market. Five years ago the offerings from Lenovo were not great, but today the IdeaPad line has matured. This has been reflected in Lenovo’s growth. The company has posted gains in global market share over the last few years.
In this review we’re looking at the Z580, a laptop that’s smack dab in the middle of the company’s IdeaPad brand. It’s a 15.6” laptop that starts at $469 but can be optioned to around $900. Our review unit is a well configured version which includes an Intel Core i5-3210M processor. Lenovo’s website prices it out at a cool $599.
What else will six Benjamin Franklins buy you? Let’s take a look.
The $600 price point is important. Studies of the laptop market have consistently shown that the average price of a new laptop hovers around $600 (much to the dismay of manufacturers, who’d rather people spent more).
This market is extremely completive as a result. If you want a portable laptop with an IPS display you don’t have many options, but consumers who want a powerful and competent laptop for $600 have a buffet to choose from. Can the Z580 make room for itself in this crowd?
Design
Lenovo’s Z series is different from the Y series, but you may have hard time telling from the way the laptops look. The Z580 is a dead ringer for the Y480 that we reviewed a couple months ago. It’s larger, of course, but it uses the same materials and includes the same design traits, such as chrome trim around the touchpad and liberal use of soft white LEDs for indicator lights.
I doubt anyone will describe the Z580 as beautiful or exciting, but it is elegant and functional. It looks downright luxurious when compared to some other laptops sold in the same price range. The metal used both on the lid and along the interior is somewhat glossy, but fingerprints usually don’t show.
Built quality is average. This is a sturdy laptop in general, but some chassis flex can be found around the optical drive and the plastics used on the underside of the laptop are nothing special. Those who want to be able to upgrade their laptop will appreciate the large panel on the underside, which is secured by just one screw.
Connectivity is also on par for the market. You’ll find two USB 3.0 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, HDMI and VGA-out as well as individual headphone and microphone jacks. Most of the ports are easily accessed and the headphone/microphone jacks are placed on the right front corner, which is an excellent location.
How fast for the ethernet,
How fast for the ethernet, Gigabit or slower! no Gigabit no buy! Laptop reviews are like a box of chocolates you never know if it is crappy chocolates ’till you eat (buy) one, laptop purcahses are like this beacuse laptop reviews never tell the complete story! Most laptop reviews are just thinly
vailed ads! Buying a laptop is pretty much a craps shoot, beacuse laptop OEMs and the “friendly” press keep the buyer fixated on theoretical maximum and not the true performence!
true performence that is never put to the test! I have never read a laptop review where the driver software is tested, I have for $$$ gaming rigs! Please tell the reader if the HD graphics drivers are OEM customized or genaric drivers! Please tell The reader more motherboard and chipset info, USB controllers, etc. Hell, Run CPUz on the laptop and print that info!
I agree, the review is not
I agree, the review is not detailed enough. This is just a glossed overview. Details, details, details!
price of lenovo z580 today
price of lenovo z580 today 9-2012 ?
please tell me soon
this was the time i bought
this was the time i bought mine, sept 2012. it was on sale at office depot for $450.
Although computers may have
Although computers may have enhanced our ability to “do business,” they have played hell with the American people’s ability to spell or put together a cogent set of thoughts. Maybe we’d be better off if someone invented a “think-check” that irons out what we want to say before it’s sent.