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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8steve8 - Wednesday, April 7, 2010 - link
This laptop needs a ULV arrandale CPU like the i7-640UM currently in this fujitsu laptop:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...
Turbo boos on ULV is especially important, the clock rate nearly doubles when thermals allow, under normal usage this will speed you through the rare times CPU is limiting you, at turbo speed and will finish the task before the thermals throttle the frequency.
The keyboard looks perfect, trackpoint is amazingly better than any touchpad, but yes, it needs a better screen and an arrandale.
JarredWalton - Wednesday, April 7, 2010 - link
Unfortunately, that's $1500 for a 2GB, 160GB HDD laptop. Is it faster? Undoubtedly! But it's over twice the cost as well. Ouch!PyroHoltz - Wednesday, April 7, 2010 - link
I agree we NEED new arrandale ULV chips, but that Fugitsu isn't the answer. At 160GB is disk space, thats a waste and who needs an optical drive in an ultramobile...? Give me an 11.6" chassis w/ a 640GB HDD along w/ optimus graphics and 4GB of DDR3 an scratch the i7-640UM for the cheaper i5-520UM. If that notebook is around $700 then I'll get excited.Intel get that damn arrandale ULV chips out to the vendors in mass, this is a joke! The Core 2 CULV chips were great 2 years ago, but we need to move forward. I know plenty of manufacturers have shown their models to carry these chips, MSI x360, Asus' new UL series and HP along w/ Dell all are showing models but nothing is coming because the chips are still delayed!
8steve8 - Wednesday, April 7, 2010 - link
agreed, the fujitsu is just proof that the ULV arrandales are out in some form. and concerning the price, its not like the arrandale is the reason why its $1k more expensive... the cpu is only ~$300PyroHoltz - Wednesday, April 7, 2010 - link
Well I'm glad to see someone else knows what these new chips(Arrandale UM) are all about.zeth006 - Thursday, April 8, 2010 - link
Amen to that. Intel's taking its sweet time. Blames a supply shortage for the delay. That's pure incompetence on Intel's part. Even though we're in a recession, a lot of people foresaw the boom we'd experience in laptop sales. Windows 7 only helped catalyze the sales by unleashing the pent up demand!ET - Wednesday, April 7, 2010 - link
Still, definitely not my father's Thinkpad. He doesn't have one, and will never have, most likely. Me, I'm just happy thinkpads still have a trackpoint.miniguyverona - Wednesday, April 7, 2010 - link
I've got a couple 13's, to go with 3 macbook pro 13's. The Edge 13 running anything other than the AMD Processors throws the cost/benefit off.Mine are all dual core AMD 1.5GHz, with 4GB, and running Windows 7 you never notice a slowdown with normal apps, You can run full 720p flash apps and minor web gaming. And these cost me around $500 each, which is exactly the same as the Dell and HP Atom machines, and the Edges are significantly, and noticeably, faster. Perception of performance is better, and the Atom machines were running XP, and Edges Windows 7. So it's faster, even when running 1.5 generation newer software.
Belard - Wednesday, April 7, 2010 - link
Really... the IdeaPad is line... they are also very good notebooks. And better looking too.And the thing is, Lenovo makes a "thinkpad" Netbook anyways for about $500.
As a ThinkPad owner, I agree the Edge doesn't belong under the ThinkPad name... perhaps as an Ideapad but its in competition with other IdeaPad models. Hmmm... makes me wonder if its an Idea pad under the hood.
pugster - Wednesday, April 7, 2010 - link
I agree. About 3 months ago, my company brought an x200 thinkpad for about $1100. Why? Because of name and service. I really think this is a bad move for Lenovo and put $500 for a thinkpad because of the difference of looks and design compared with the other thinkpads. They should just spend some money promoting their ideapads instead and put the thinkpads name and design in the higher end ones.