Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 13: Not your Father's ThinkPad
by Vivek Gowri on April 7, 2010 1:40 AM ESTPerformance
The basic CULV platform has become fairly standardized. The ThinkPad Edge has the dual core Core 2 Duo SU7300, with a 1.3GHz operating frequency and 800MHz FSB. To that, it pairs the GMA 4500MHD integrated graphics chip and 4096MB of DDR3 1066 memory.
As expected, the Edge tends up performing similarly to the Acer 1810T, except in the graphics benchmarks. The 1810T manages to outpace the Edge in the CPU intensive tasks, but PCMark favors the 7200RPM HDD in the Lenovo. As for 3D performance, Intel released updated drivers for the integrated graphics chip that result in better 3DMark scores. It seems particularly optimized specifically for 3DMark Vantage, as it is definitely more competitive there than in the other 3DMark tests.
I use the term "competitive" here quite loosely, since both the M11x and UL50Vf wipe the floor with it. (Note: The UL50Vf has the same specs as the UL30Vt and UL80Vt, except with a larger 15.6" screen and NVIDIA's battery-saving Optimus technology.) Compared to those two notebooks, the Edge doesn't stand a chance in any performance benchmark, as it doesn't have dedicated graphics or the overclocked processor. Overall 3D performance is dismal; GMA 4500MHD is not going to handle anything beyond the most simplistic games, in which case the AMD-based Edge would have an advantage, but HD 3200 isn't going to come anywhere near the performance offered by G210M solutions. What is more troubling is that this lackluster performance doesn't buy the Edge any favors on the battery life side either, as we'll soon see.
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xerophinity - Saturday, April 10, 2010 - link
This notebook doesn't deserve to have the name Thinkpad anywhere on it.. what the hell was Lenovo thinking? It's like BMW sourcing out a car design to GM and putting their name on it.orangesky - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
According to Lenovo's website, and just about every other review I've read of the Edge 13, it does NOT have an EC/34 slot. The 14 & 15 does, but not the 13. Some 13.3 CULVs that do have it include Sony VAIO Y Series and the Dell Vostro V13 / Latitude 13.jolly_jugg - Tuesday, April 20, 2010 - link
"The CULV models start at $700 ($800 MSRP) and with few noteworthy benefits, the Edge is going to be a tough sell. The AMD model drops the price to under $500, but unfortunately battery life also plummets, so unless you're dying for a "Heatwave Red" ThinkPad the AMD Edge may not be the compromise you're after"I have to say your review appears pretty sarcastic. Lets assume the average battery life of both the machines (Average means all kind of applications like web browsing, word type, spreadsheet and multimedia) are 4 hours for intel machine and AMD comes 25% lower at 3 hours. Now are you implying a 25% more average battery power is worth compared to 60% higher average selling price for an Intel machine over AMD machine? Even if 50% of the folks agree with you, I am sure the other 50% will disagree with you. Sure battery power is important for a portable equipment, but equally as important is the price which in this case is 60% lower. For you that may not be the compromise you are looking for but for me its definitely a good compromise, particularly in these trying economic times where salaries are lower and returns are also pretty lower.
Sky Park Schiphol - Wednesday, April 21, 2010 - link
Very interesting. After all of the "you can only integrate the memory controller once" and "it locks you into a specific memory type" talk from Intel back in the Athlon 64 era, now they're taking that route with their ultra low power CPU/platform. Best machine ever, thanks for sharing and great comments. Thanks http://www.smartparkingschiphol.com/vliegvelden/sc...