CPU Performance
Handbrake
In video transcoding with Handbrake, the Intel Core i7-5500U in the LaVie-Z performs as expected. The 300MHz bump over the i5-5200U processors found in both the Dell XPS 13 and Intel NUC provides a bit of a bump in power, but doesn't touch the higher voltage i7-4870HQ found in the MSI GSS30.
CineBench 11.5
In CineBench 11.5, we see the LaVie-Z within 10% of the GS30 in single-threaded performance. However in the multi-threaded test, the i7-5500U performance is more inline with the other dual-core hyperthreaded ULV parts, as opposed to the quad-core hyperthreaded i7-4870HQ.
SiSoft Sandra
The i7-5500U of the LaVie-Z provides a healthy bump in CPU arithmetic over the i5 ultrabook processors, but can't come close to matching the higher voltage i7-4870HQ.
3DMark Cloud Gate
Even though all LaVie-Z configurations feature i7 processors, it still doesn't mean that you'll be doing any serious gaming on this machine. With Intel HD 5500 graphics, you should expect the same GPU performance as you would out of any other modern ultrabook.
Since Lenovo decided to offer only one CPU option for the LaVie-Z laptops, I'm glad they went with the highest performance part for the given thermal constraints. While there may only be a 300MHz or so bump over the more mainstream ultrabook parts like the i5-5200U, the additional speed could help futureproof the machine a bit more without a large sacrifice in battery life.
Ken, great review but I think
Ken, great review but I think you’ve made a small typo under the battery life section:
“While the Dell XPS 13 has a 52Wh battery, the capacity of the battery found in the Lenovo laptop is only 85% of that, at (4.44Wh).”
Shouldn’t that be 44.4Wh?
Nice catch, Thanks!
Nice catch, Thanks!
the 1.72-lb – HZ550
the 1.72-lb – HZ550 model(29.6Wh)
the 2.04-lb HZ750 model (44.4Wh)
I think test laptop – HZ550
I think test laptop – HZ550 29.6Wh
Not sure if anyone’s worked
Not sure if anyone’s worked out an anodising process for MgLi alloys, so that may the the reason for the denting (no hard anodised layer to distribute force).
I think that’s the likely
I think that's the likely culprit here, and something we might see in the near future
After years of technological
After years of technological improvements, we still have fragile, slow laptops with mediocre battery life. This trend of sacrificing everything on the altar of thin and light has gotten ridiculous.
You want a small laptop with
You want a small laptop with a long battery life? Get an X2xx series laptop with a battery slice/wedge. Same solution as pretty much the last decade.
we also have laptops that are
we also have laptops that are tanks with crazy performance and laptops that are built to survive in a warzone. Different strokes.
didn’t ivy bridge tablets
didn’t ivy bridge tablets have a similar battery life and weight?
Good review Ken, but this
Good review Ken, but this thing is easily paralleled IMO. Battery life and durability are pretty damn important. You also mentioned brightness which is poor. These are HUGE features for Ultrabooks. I would rather get the Dell or better yet keep my Acer S7 392-9439.