The Lenovo IdeaPad S12 netbook has been on the market for a while. I first reviewed this laptop in the summer of 2009. But Lenovo recently sent me an updated model with NVIDIA ION graphics to review. As promised, the NVIDIA graphics give the laptop an extra boost for watching HD video or playing games with 3D graphics.
But as with other ION based systems I've tested, I found that the computer was actually slower at some everyday tasks than a notebook with an Intel Atom processor and integrated graphics. I blame this on the fact that the ION graphics processor only kicks into high gear for certain tasks, which means that for many activities you're left relying on the relatively slow CPU.
To see how the IdeaPad S12 with NVIDIA ION graphics compares to other notebooks in its class, read on.
The demo unit I reviewed has a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 CPU, ION graphics, 2GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive, 802.11b/g WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1, a 6 cell, 52Whr battery, and Windows 7 Home Premium. Lenovo sells this configuration for $599.
Design
Superficially, the NVIDIA ION powered version of the Lenovo IdeaPad S12 is identical to the model I reviewed in July. It has the same 12.1 inch display, 1280 x 800 pixel display and the same full sized keyboard. And both of those are good things. The display is comfortable to read without being too sharp. And the keyboard is comfortable to type on " especially if you're used to Lenovo keyboard which place the Fn key in the lower left corner" to the left of the Ctrl key.
If I have any complaint with the physical design of the IdeaPad S12, it's the battery which sticks out of the back of the laptop like a tumor. Sure, you won't actually have to look at the battery while you're using the laptop. But I would have preferred a battery like the one used on the Lenovo IdeaPad U150, which rests entirely under the body of the laptop without taking up any extra space in the rear.
There is one external difference between the NVIDIA ION model and the version with integrated graphics. The ION version of the Lenovo IdeaPad S12 has an HDMI port, which takes up the space occupied by an ExpressCard/34 slot on the other model. In other words, there's no room for an ExpressCard slot on this model, but you do get HDMI output for pumping out HD video to an external display.
Rounding out the rest of the ports are 3 USB ports, a VGA output, Ethernet jack, microphone and headphone ports, and an SD card slot. There's also a switch on the left side of the computer that you can use to turn the wireless features on and off.
The IdeaPad S12 is available in black or white. Both models have glossy lids, although I feel like the black cover shows fingerprints more easily. The case isn't a solid color though. While it's kind of hard to spot from a distance, when you look at the laptop up close you see a textured pattern of circles.
On the bottom of the laptop you'll find two access panels which you can open up to upgrade or replace the RAM or hard drive. One nice thing about the IdeaPad S12 is that unlike many netbooks, it has 2 RAM slots, making it easy to upgrade the memory.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The IdeaPad S12 is larger than a typical netbook thanks to its 12.1 inch display. And that leaves plenty of room for a full sized keyboard. I found typing on the Lenovo IdeaPad S12 to be quite comfortable " although I'm still not a big fan of Lenovo's decision to place the Fn key to the left of the Ctrl key in the lower left corner of the keyboard.
Arrow, Page Up, Page Down, brightness and volume keys are all located in the bottom right corner of the keyboard. But for some reason Lenovo offers some buttons with duplicate functionality in a row just above the keyboard, where you'll find volume and mute buttons.
This extra row of buttons also features the power
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