Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 13: Not your Father's ThinkPad
by Vivek Gowri on April 7, 2010 1:40 AM ESTConclusion
The ThinkPad Edge ends up being a product of compromise, trying to bridge the gap between the business-like ThinkPads and the consumer-centric IdeaPads. But this leaves it somewhere in the middle. It’s a competent and functional laptop, but it’s not good at any one thing, it doesn’t stand out. And on top of that, it’s not a particularly good value. Sure, it costs about the same as the similarly specced Acer Timeline 3810T, but then we wouldn't necessarily recommend that laptop either. If you don't need VT-x, dropping to a Pentium SU4100 will get you about 97% of the SU7300 performance while saving $120.
The Edge 13 CULV can be had for $698, which is the $100 less than the base Alienware M11x (SU4100/2GB/160GB/GT335M) and only $50 less than the ASUS UL30Vt and UL80Vt, which both offer an overclockable SU7300, 4GB/500GB, and switchable NVIDIA G210M graphics. All three offer 8-cell batteries and more battery life than the ThinkPad Edge, in addition to the overall better specs. The Alienware is a legitimately serviceable portable gaming machine, and even though it weighs more and has a smaller screen than the Edge, the sheer amount of graphical horsepower packed into it is astounding. The two ASUS machines have excellent battery life and offer a dedicated GPU for those who need it (though not nearly as powerful as the M11x). The Edge simply does not feature anything compelling over those models. The build quality and keyboard are solid, but not at the classic ThinkPad level and not good enough to make up for the performance deficiencies.
So who is the ThinkPad Edge actually for? A business user would likely get a Dell Latitude for the same price or spend the extra $150 to get a real ThinkPad. Gamers obviously would go for the Alienware M11x, and multimedia/general mobile computing users would probably be more interested in the faster and longer-running ASUS UL series. Bring up the cheaper Acer Timeline series with SU4100 CPUs and it's difficult to recommend the ThinkPad Edge over competing offerings. The base AMD model at under $500 is a more attractive proposition, but you lose a lot of performance and with the 4-cell battery, you’re looking at a somewhat laughable three hours of runtime. So, maybe that’s not so attractive, especially priced in Timeline territory.
Ultimately, the ThinkPad Edge falls right in the middle of a large group of CULV laptops. It has the same performance, but for only slightly more money there are clearly faster laptops; there are also significantly cheaper laptops that provide essentially the same performance. The Edge lacks the build quality of the ThinkPad Classic, but then it's also over $200 cheaper. It should hold up reasonably well over time, and if you need ExpressCard/34 support with CULV it's one of the few offerings to fill that need. Still, there's not enough here to warrant a strong recommendation, unless you really like the matte black aesthetic. We feel most users will be better served by Lenovo's already successful business and consumer notebook lines; the Edge ends up sitting between the proverbial rock and a hard place.
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wicko - Wednesday, April 7, 2010 - link
That intel gpu is just garbage.. not asking for much, just something that can play 1080p content without stuttering and using up the CPU like crazy.AstroGuardian - Wednesday, April 7, 2010 - link
You are so "off topic" here dude. Please concentrate on the topic.wicko - Wednesday, April 7, 2010 - link
Uhh, right, so commenting on the laptop being discussed at hand is off-topic? Right.. I suggest laying off whatever it is you're smoking.MadMan007 - Wednesday, April 7, 2010 - link
Maybe he means you're off topic because the G45 does in fact do video acceleration?AstroGuardian - Thursday, April 8, 2010 - link
My point exactly! And also, these CPUs are not garbage. I am not content with the word "garbage".The CPU is great in what it does. And would you play a 1080p movie on a 13' notebook? If you have a HD screen at home you could get a HTPC for cheap these days and do whatever you like with 1080p. The CULV is better than the Atom and everything else AMD has to offer in that range...
Cali3350 - Wednesday, April 7, 2010 - link
Im loving all the notebook reviews you guys have been pumping out lately.If I may make a request, could you look into the Sony CW line? It offers a i5 520, Geforce 330M and 1600*900 screen and is selling very well. I think a lot would be interested in a review on it. Its just a request though, I'm loving what you guys already put on the site.
You guys are the gold standard for laptop review for me, you cover everything, and then back it up. I love it!
saj4u - Wednesday, April 7, 2010 - link
Just like to add to the notebook list the Lenovo X201. Curious to see how it stands from the T410 you guys just reviewed.aspenland - Wednesday, April 7, 2010 - link
I own x100e... it has the same keyboard and it is horrible. I also own a T400 and T60 with IPS Flexview screen -- best laptop ever, but getting old. The standard ThinkPad keyboards are miles better... This new fashion of square boxy keys introduced by the shape-obsessed and ergonomics-retarded Apple designers is a nightmare for the industry -- I am really scared the ThinkPad T line will now go the same route... it is a clear regress.The new keyboard is physically monotonous -- the feeling of physical articulation is completely lost. Lenovo, please fire your originality-lacking marketing and design people. They will poison your technological marvels with the dumb Apple tricks tailored for the mindless masses...
A cry of despair...
Belard - Thursday, April 8, 2010 - link
Hopefully Lenovo won't mess with the T-Line... I doubt it... They are one of the important hold-outs with the CTRL-Fn key switch...They are proud of their new keyboards, introduced in the T400s with the enhanced ESC and DEL keys.
The things I'd like to see with ThinkPads: switch Ctrl<>Fn (so CTRL is on outside) - some purist will complain which is WHY they haven't... but having a BIOS option to switch the keys would resolve that.
I like the new power & VOL button... easier to find the power button.
The new keyboard standard on ALL Thinkpads, including the SL series.
Stop using decals on keys... which is what EVERYONE does nowadays :(
Wouldn't mind the keyboards having LED lighting (like Apple) so the keys stand out in low-light environments. That would remove the need for the think light :) I'd pay an extra $50 for that option.
Get rid of the stupid USB "expansion" bay which is supposed to replace a true docking bay, it sucks.
Move the EDGE over to IdeaPad or cancel it out.... they have the S-series (netbooks), general notebooks and gaming/multimedia noteboos ($950 for 15" ATI 5730... not bad)... so keep only the AMD Edge version as a very portable notebook between net-book and the mid-range.
Also be cool is Lenovo was clear that which notebooks didn't have ANY horrible GLOSSY screens.
OH... we have some X200s, which are Core2 with 13" screens.
MrSpadge - Thursday, April 8, 2010 - link
It doesn't have any of the good Thinkpad features, except for the track point which I don't use. Why the **** is it called Thinkpad? And why didn't Lenovo at least try to stand out of the CULV croud and offer something they already have: the excellent keyboard and matte screens. That could be enough to tip the balance in favor of the Edge.Now give it an e-IPS panel and you've got a really nice machine.