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(More customer reviews)I'm a retired university professor. I've published many books. I am a serious blogger. I have owned numerous computers, including several laptops (Apple & Windows). I currently write on a powerhouse, custom-made PC built by Quiet PC out of Vancouver, WA. I'm pretty skilled as an IT person. (I handle all our IT issues in our medical office: my wife is a physician and between us we operate a small medical office.)
All this by way of background, to set the context.
I wanted a truly lightweight, elegant, well-made, compact laptop to free me from my PC. So I could write anywhere in the house. Or, of course, while traveling. Secondly, I wanted Windows, not Apple. (Apple's fabulous, but I simply didn't want to learn the Apple system. I follow Thoreau's famous advice, "Simplify, simplify, simplify.")
Lenovo? I'd never heard of it. But I did due diligence, researching numerous laptops. And, of course, I lusted after the MacAir--except it was Apple. And, like all Apple laptops, it has a keyboard I find difficult to type on. (By the way, I'm an outstanding typist. Whereas most reviewers wax eloquent about the internal specs of computers, I home in on the keyboard and screen and such.)
Okay, you're getting the picture. I was much impressed by the reviews of this Lenovo. Seasoned reviewers--professional reviewers--were listing it in the top 10 of recommended laptops.
The rest is history. I bought it from Amazon and I'm writing this review on it. I've owned the machine for a week, and I'm in love. It's spring, time to be in love--and I'm in love with this thing!
This is one heck of an elegant machine! Extremely well built. Fabulous screen. Terrific, full-size keyboard. Nicely-molded keys. Keys not too hard, not too soft--for me, at any rate. (I'm a pianist; touching keys is important to me. Typing is like playing Bach.) The touch pad is a dream! The touch pad does all the cool stuff touch pads do these days--and does it flawlessly. Yes, it takes getting used to, but worth it.
For me, the 12.5" screen is ideal. I read the NYTimes and NY Review of Books on this thing. It scrolls side to side and up and down with ease, yes, using a feather-light finger motion on the touch pad. And the "enlarge" and "shrink" image feature on the touch pad is more than cool, and works brilliantly.
The machine is sexier than heck! I got the sort-of-orange case. I adore it! And the whole thing is so thin, and actually fun to glance at on the table, when you're walking through the room. And, closed, carrying this around is, well, a delight.
The installed camera seems to work well, when I tested it. It's got an Ethernet port (MacAir does not), 2 USB 2.0 ports (which is all I need), and headphone jack. And you can plug in a monitor or keyboard, if you wish.
A word about the on-board speakers: Terrific! If you listen to audio (music, video, whatever) without plugging in an earphone, you can hear just fine, but the quality is "tinny." This is not a criticism of Lenovo; this is merely a matter of electronics and physics: it's impossible to install a decent external speaker in so small a space.
Now: go to Radio Shack and buy a set of earphone plugs, plug them into the speaker jack and . . . wow! Great sound! Lenovo brags about its speakers (via headphone jack), and it's not hyperbole; it's warranted. The U260 has better speakers than my very expensive, custom-made, huge, and relatively new desktop PC.
Back to features. The U260 comes with Windows 7 Home installed. I upgraded to Windows 7 Pro. In fact, it comes with a variety of programs which I simply dumped. (I believe this is called, in the business, "bloatware," yes?)
By the way, I was dubious of using Windows 7. I've been an XP fan for years. But I gotta tell you, Windows 7 is terrific. The point being, I'm thrilled Lenovo included it in the U260.
A few words about other reviews. Some reviewers griped about the heat produced by this machine. I find it remarkably cool. No heat problems at all. (Yes, I watch videos and all that good stuff.) Some reviewers said the fan runs a whole lot. Wanna know the truth? I have yet to hear the fan. To me (and my hearing's excellent), this machine is silent.
Battery life. Reviewers complained that it has relatively short battery time. Three to four hours. There are laptops out there in this price range that offer far longer battery time. This was not an issue for me, and I find the 3-4 hours is plenty. The charger, incidentally, is small, and recharging is complete in several hours. Like, three. Perhaps less (I didn't time it carefully). All I noted was that it recharges swiftly.
There is no disk drive. Not a problem for me. Having one on board would add to the weight and, as I say, for me it's unnecessary.
I'm writing this review because I have benefitted from Amazon reviews. And I noticed that no one had reviewed the Lenovo. What a shame! It's outstanding! Brilliant, in fact. I would say that if you're lusting after a MacAir, but inclined to stick with Windows--the Lenovo is definitely worth looking at. (And, if it means anything to you, the Lenovo is away sexier than the Air!)
The final word is about Amazon's reviewing process. All praise to Amazon for this! I consider Amazon Reviews to be one of the great democratic processes in the world. I consult Amazon Reviews as a matter of course when buying something--anything, in fact, that's likely sold on Amazon.
Hence, to all you folks who write Amazon reviews--many thanks! I have been the beneficiary of your labors.
And to Amazon: you're an amazingly efficient and elegant company. I've spent many thousands of dollars buying stuff from you for that very reason. This Lenovo being merely the latest in a long list. And your Return Policy: God bless for that! You make it easy to return goods. Very easy. And you're now delivering items at lightning speed, yes, even without expedited delivery.
Forgive me for winding up with a hymn to Amazon, but you--Amazon--deserve it.
...............
A postscript. It's been about a month since I bought this machine. I'm still in love. It continues to amaze me, especially as I learn its elegant ways. I'm now expert at using the keyboard and mousepad. I'd go so far as to say the keyboard is the best I've ever used.
Truth be told, there are moments when I'm tempted to ditch my desktop for good and swear monogamy to this Lenovo. Yeah, it's that good.
A couple additional points not made in my initial review. This thing is fast. Again, I compare it to my relatively new, monster, custom-made PC desktop--with the power of a Boeing 747.
Yeah, well, the Lenovo's faster. Faster start-up, faster shut-down, faster performance in all applications (I don't play games on it). I should add that I've resisted loading it up with software, including those seductive apps calling my name. I made that mistake on laptops before.
The wireless on this is flawless. I mean, picking up the signal. I bought a Linksys router at Radio Shack and was in business in minutes--all over the house.
Forgive my evangelism. I suppose what compels me are the endless customer reviews of competitors like MacAir, HP, Toshiba, Dell, etc--but surprisingly few of Lenovo. (No, I don't own Lenovo stock.)
Regard this as one man's effort to add Lenovo's elegant U260 Porsche to the race.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Lenovo IdeaPad U260 08763DU 12.5-Inch Ultraportable Laptop (Clementine Orange)
Lenovo IdeaPad U260
Luxurious details: textured palm rest and a silky-smooth glass touchpad
Multi-finger touchpad allows users to circle their finger on the touchpad to browse Web pages and files; they can also separate their fingers to enlarge the image or bring their fingers together to diminish the image.
Breathable Keyboard, an Intel® Advanced Cooling Technology that allows your PC to run cooler and maintain spill resistance
The unique micro-porous structure of GORE® Protective Vents enables breathability, while providing a barrier to liquid, dust, and dirt.
Active Protection System (APS)
Mobility
Long battery life with a low-voltage processor for extended use on the move
Thin and light design for easy mobility; just 0.7" thick and 3.04 lbs.
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