Review of Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 10 [Review]

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 10 is an entry-level, small and light notebook based on Intel’s latest Baytrail-M platform. Multi-touch screen and a display that rotates are the key features of the notebook which also includes USB 3.0. Like the Blackberry Priv reviewed last week, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 10 also improved on some aspects of specs compared with some devices in its class.

Below are the main hardware and software specifications of the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 10:

• Processor: Intel Ceneron Baytrail-M 1.58 GHz (N2806)
• Graphics: Intel Baytrail HD Graphics
• RAM: 2GB
• Display: 10.1 inches TN LED (Non-IPS), 16:9 @1366×786, 10-finger multi-touch, Kapazitiv, Glossy
• Storage: 250GB Hitachi Travelstar @5400rpm
• Connectivity: 1xUSB 3.0/3.1, 1xUSB 2.0, 1XHDMI, combined 3.5mm audio port
• Wireless: 802.11 b/g/n
• Battery: 24Wh Li-ion non-removable battery
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1
• Camera: 2 Megapixels
• Weight and size: 1.2 KG, HxWxD=(.83×13.5×9.8)inches

Design

Lenovo borrowed the design theme from 2012’s Lenovo Yoga and made it work for the budget notebook category. The notebook feels very light and small to hold and feels like a notebook for a four year-old. Although the notebook’s body feels solid and well-built, the all-black colour is not very inspiring. The hinges feel solid and allow the screen to be rotated all the way back to a stand mode, typical of most other Lenovo gadgets.

Connectivity and input devices

We cannot expect too many ports integrated into a tiny device like this, but Lenovo did well in this regard as a full-size HDMI and USB ports are included. Wi-Fi connectivity strength is good enough and most users will find it adequate, although, it is not the best in its class. The keyboard also feels responsive and has a nice touch to it, but does not offer backlit illumination. The touchpad, however, is tiny and rather difficult to use. Both the keyboard and the touchpad should work just fine for people with small fingers, but things may get a little irritating for people with bigger fingers. The touchpad’s weakness can, however, be easily compensated for by the multi-touch display.

Display and Speakers

The display of the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 10 has neither an IPS nor a wide-angle viewing display. It is also not bright enough to allow comfortable outdoor use and the colour reproduction can also be improved enough. With a DPI of 155, touch experience under the Windows desktop mode can also prove to be tricky, but overall, the touch experience is okay. We also noticed that the touchscreen failed to register inputs under heavy disk usage and windows start-up. The display really left us desiring more out of the notebook.

Like the display, the speakers sound quality can be improved upon, compared to other notebooks in the same price category. The sound is acceptable for casual usage, watching YouTube and Skype conversations.

Performance

Although the CPU and GPU performance provides enough power for a fluid Windows 8 experience. Web Browsing is also fluid, unless you are playing HD videos in YouTube, but you can use the built-in internet explorer for a better YouTube experience and battery life. The notebook is able to play 1080p videos without any issues. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 10 also stayed very quiet even under heavy load, mainly because it is a fan-less device. The only noise we heard was coming from the hard drive as it is just a conventional mechanical drive. The machine also stays cool most of the time, even under medium-heavy load.

Battery

The Intel’s Baytrail platform is very energy-efficient and the Flex 10 posted some good runtime figures when it comes to watching videos and browsing the web. It should easily have some juice left after 3.5 hours of web browsing and a couple of films.

In all, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 10 is a device capable of holding its own in the comity of devices in its class.