Lenovo Z560 Review

The Lenovo Z560 is an new mainstream multimedia laptop aimed at the heart of the laptop market. It promises solid performance at a reasonable price, but there are numerous laptops that compete in this same class. Can the Z560 stand out from the crowd?

Introduction

The Lenovo Z560 is a new laptop from Lenovo advertised as a multimedia laptop. With a display size of 15.6” inches and a weight of about 5.7 pounds, the Z560 is clearly a mainstream laptop targeted toward users who will primarily keep their laptop at home.

The review unit we received came with a Core i3 350M processor (2.26 GHz), 3GB of RAM, a 500GB hard drive and Intel HD graphics. The base price for this entry-level model is generally around $700 ($699 at the time of this writing).

Some significant upgrades are available if desired. A Core i7 dual core processor is available, but quad cores are not. The graphics can be upgraded to an Nvidia GeForce 310M or 315M. Upgrades to the RAM and hard drive are also available.

Impressions
Rating

Build quality is one of the Z560’s best traits. The first thing you notice about the laptop is, unfortunately, a glossy black lid (the only color option so far). However, the lid feels very sturdy when you raise it, and inside you’ll find a nice expanse of brushed aluminum that covers the palm-rest and extends around the enter keyboard.

The trackpad is responsive and has a great texture. The keyboard feels like it would not be entirely out of place on a ThinkPad. Flex exists, but is not readily apparent unless you go banging on the keyboard to look for it. The keys are well spaced and comfortable.

On the downside, the numpad on the right of the laptop is a disaster. It is crammed right next to the keyboard, requiring that some of the keys on the left side of the keyboard – like the Control, Enter and Backspace keys – be cut down or placed in an odd position.

Display quality isn’t great. Although large, the display resolution is a meager 1366x768. Viewing angles are poor, the backlight isn’t particularly bright, and the glossy finish is both distracting and unattractive. But having said all of this, it is hard to knock the Z560 down for these flaws, as virtually every other laptop in this price range has the exact same problems. It seems that you have to spend at least a grand to get a laptop with a decent display in today’s market.

Overall, Z560 leaves a good impression. It feels more expensive than it is.

Performance
Rating

The Core i3 processor in the Z560 runs at 2.26 GHz. It is fast, capable of converting 14 iTunes tracks to AAC in less than two minutes. It is more than adequate for the average laptop buyer. The 5400-RPM hard drive is capable of moving a 2.5GB file from one partition to another in about two and a half minutes, which is about the same as any other laptop with a 5400-RPM hard drive is capable of doing.

Although Intel HD graphics are standard, they do a very good job of accelerating video, which means the Z560 can easily handle any video file you throw at it. An included HDMI port allows for output to an external monitor or HDTV. Surprisingly, the Intel HD Graphics scored almost 1300 in 3DMark 06. That is very low when compared to most graphics solutions, but it is a big improvement over previous Intel integrated graphics solutions.

Avoiding and Diagnosing Laptop Heat Problems

Have you ever wondered does cooling the CPU in laptops make a difference? Learn here, how to make sure you don't cause your laptop to overheat during everyday use, especially at your home

Laptop Cooling

Does CPU cooling make a difference in your laptop's performance? You better believe it does. The main reason why even the newest model laptop computers don't have the same processors as desktop computers is because of heat issues. Laptops are so compact in the way they cram all the components inside that they don't leave much room for ventilation and heat dissipation. This means you must be careful not to block the air flow to and from your laptop. In this article, we'll discuss some of the best methods for keeping your laptop computer cool.

Cooling Pads

Laptop cooling pads do work, but they work even better when you buy the right one that is made for your computer. What they do is provide an extra set of fans that blow or pull air away from the underside of your computer, and they can really make a difference with some model laptops.

When shopping for a laptop cooling pad, you need to pay attention to where the fans are located if you want the most effective pad. Look on the bottom of your laptop and see where it's fans are, since sometimes they can be on the top or bottom or even in the middle. Then you can pick out a cooling pad based on fan location. The idea is to put the fans underneath where the laptop's fans are located. Otherwise, you might get the wrong kind of cooling pad and just be blowing air against plastic and not getting as much use out of the device.

(Image credit: Belkin.com)

Use Compressed Air

Every responsible computer owner should keep a can of compressed air at their desk. They are great for blasting away dust and other debris that clogs fans and disrupts the cooling process on your computer. Compressed air is especially helpful with laptops because you can't easily open up a laptop case like you can a desktop computer. I recommend flipping your laptop upside down and using compressed air to clean out any fans you see underneath. Not only will then help them to run better, but it'll also help keep them from wearing out too quickly and making noise.

Laptops and Pillows

It is not uncommon to see someone take a sofa pillow and put it in their lap, then place their laptop computer on top of the pillow. While this may be much more comfortable than putting the laptop on your legs, it is not good for the computer. The reason for this is that the thick cushion and fabric of the pillow will block airflow from the underside of the laptop. Not only will this make the laptop get hotter, but that could have a negative impact on your hardware's stability as well as the lifecycle.

The ideal way to keep comfortable while using a laptop is to get a cushion with a hard surface on top. A variety of these are available in stores all over the country, with some actually being called laptop cushions while others might be called a lap desk or something similar. Whatever the name may be, the purpose is to provide a solid surface upon which the laptop may sit so that air can get in from underneath.

Now that you know the answer to the question, does cooling CPU in laptops make a difference, for more information, be sure to check out our article on the best laptop desks and cooling pads

Laptop Operating Temperatures: What's Safe, What's Not, and What to Do

Laptops take a bunch of high-performance computer hardware and cram it into a tiny space. This, of course, can cause some heat problems if a laptop's cooling is not running at 100%. In this article we'll take a look a close look at laptop operating temperatures.

Introduction

Laptops cram the power of a desktop computer into a chassis that is roughly a quarter of the size of your typical desktop computer. This, of course, is what makes a laptop portable. But cramming so much hardware into a small space has some disadvantages, and laptop operating temperatures is one of them.

Generally speaking, a laptop has a much harder time shedding excessive heat than a desktop, and is much more sensitive to environmental factors. For example, it isn’t very likely that you’ll end up roasting your desktop computer because it was sitting on a blanket, but you just might do that if you try to use your laptop in your lap on a cold winter’s day.

Many users wonder just how hot their laptop can get before it becomes dangerous and also how they can monitor the temperature of their computer. This guide will provide easy-to-understand advice about laptop operating temperatures.

How High Can Laptop Operating Temperatures Go?

Laptops consist of numerous components that are sensitive to heat. The most sensitive components are the processor, the GPU and the motherboard (particularly the northbridge and/or southbridge).

The maximum operating temperature of these components can vary significantly, but those maximums are not something that we want to have to deal with anyway, as exceeding them will almost certainly result in component failure. Long-term reliability issues and data corruption can take place at far lower temperatures.

For processors, a temperature of higher than 70 degrees Celsius (158 F) is worrisome. A temperature of over 80 degrees Celsius (176 F) is a sign that you should immediately stop using the laptop. These rules can be extend to motherboard components (however, many laptops don’t have sensors that track motherboard temperature).

GPUs can often tolerate higher temperatures, sometimes near 100 degrees Celsius (212 F). It would be preferable for the temperature to never reach much beyond the mid-80s, but high-end gaming laptops are almost guaranteed to report very high GPU temperatures during normal operation.

What Causes High Laptop Temperatures?

Improper usage is probably the most common cause of high laptop operating temperatures. Because laptops are small there is less space inside them and on their exteriors for fans and vents. Many laptops have only one major fan vent, often located on the left or right side. Accidently blocking this vent can cause problems. High laptop operating temperatures can also be caused by using a laptop on a surface that is an insulator. The “lap” in laptop implies that it should have no problem sitting on your laptop, but that isn’t always the case. A blanket-covered lap is terrible for a laptop’s health.

Design flaws can also cause laptop operating temperatures to rise. If you’re using a laptop on a simple wood, metal or plastic desk with the vent free of obstruction and you still see high temperatures it may be because something is wrong inside the laptop. Try searching support forums for your laptop to see if other users have the same problem. Also call customer service to see if they’ll fix the problem under warranty (they should).

Lenovo Laptop Computers with Windows XP

Windows 7 has been out for awhile now, and it is a solid operating system. However, some users may still need to downgrade to Windows XP in order to use special software that has not yet been redesigned for Windows 7. In this article we'll examine how to buy Lenovo laptops with Windows XP.

Lenovo XP Laptops

Do you still want to use Windows XP on a new Lenovo laptop?

If so, your options are more limited than they used to be. Windows 7 is gaining popularity quickly and Lenovo has not felt as pressured to offer a variety of Lenovo XP laptops as a result. However, if you still want to run Windows XP on a Lenovo laptop there are a few options remaining. We'll examine those options below.

New Lenovo Laptops with Windows XP

Lenovo is no longer supports Windows XP (or Windows Vista) as an option when configuring most of the company's laptop computers. The only laptop that appears to have Windows XP available is the base Lenovo Ideapad S10 netbook. In the case of this product Windows XP is offered as the standard OS.

While new Lenovo laptops don't typically offer XP you can still buy a new-to-you Lenovo laptop with XP. The Lenovo Outlet features a variety of refurbished Lenovo laptops that have Windows XP installed. This includes no only Thinkpad laptops (which usually have XP Professional) but also Ideapad laptops (which usually have XP Home Premium or Home Basic).

Because the Outlet Store's inventory is fed by new orders the supply of these refurbished Lenovo XP laptops should be considered limited. Eventually all of the refurbs with XP will be sold and the new refurbs will only be available with Windows 7.

Lenovo Laptop XP Downgrade Options

Although Lenovo does not offer most of its laptops with Windows XP as an option, the online Lenovo support center indicates that it is possible to obtain a Windows XP disc from Lenovo that can be used to install XP over Windows 7. This is called a "downgrade right" and it is available to consumers and businesses that have a Lenovo laptop that came installed with one of the following operating systems.

• Windows Vista Business
• Windows Vista Ultimate
• Windows 7 Professional
• Windows 7 Ultimate

Most of Lenovo's laptops, with the exception of Thinkpad models, come installed with Windows 7 Home standard. This means that, in order to obtain the XP downgrade, you will have to purchase an upgraded version of Windows 7. This isn't even possible on some Lenovo products, such as many Ideapad laptops.

If you do purchase a version of Windows 7 with downgrade rights you'll still need to contact Lenovo support about the XP downgrade. For full information about downgrading visit the Lenovo support page.

Conclusion

Purchasing a Lenovo Windows XP laptop has become difficult, and it will only become more difficult as time goes on. Most users are moving on to Windows 7, making XP something of a niche.

Because of this, you may want to consider purchasing one of the few remaining copies of Windows XP at retail. There are still some available - for example, Windows XP Home is available at Newegg for $104. Get them while they last, because they'll probably be gone within the year.

Dell Studio laptop vs XPS laptop

In the bid to get the best of technology, it's always a good idea to compare and contrast potential computers. Dell has been a leader in both desktop and laptops and in this article, we'll look at the differences between the Dell Studio and the Dell XPS.

Dell computers are probably one of the more popular computer buys, as their prices are low and they offer some very nice deals on their desktops and laptops. The Studio and XPS laptop systems are quite popular picks for those on the move, who need reliable components in order to work or to play.

In this article, we'll take a look at both of these systems, from what their specifications are to how much they cost. At the end, we'll see which laptop is better for what your needs are.

Dell Studio

The Dell Studio, like many of the Dell products, comes in several different 'versions' starting with the Studio 14 and going up to the Studio XPS. The Studio 15 is the cheapest, starting at $449.99, and all of the Studios have customization of colors for the laptop (where the 14, 15, 17 have fourteen choices, the Studio XPS only has three). Here are some of the statistics for a Dell Studio -

• Choice of either Intel's Dual Core, Quad Core or new 2010 processors
• Up to 4GB of memory
• Up to 500GB hard drive
• Choice of either Intel or ATI graphics
• Choice of LCD display sizes (starting at 14" and going to 17.3")
• Features Windows 7 Home Premium

Dell XPS

To be fair, the Dell XPS is actually the Studio 16, placing it as part of the Studio line of laptops. However, this laptop is touted for performance, making it a sleeker model than its fellows. The XPS is a bit thinner than a regular Studio and does have a bit more power to it then the other Studios do. With more performance, it should come as no surprise that the XPS is more expensive than the normal Studio line, with the cheapest model starting at $949.99. Here's some of the stats of a Dell XPS -

• Choice of Core 2 duo or i5/i7 Intel processor
• Up to 4GB of memory
• up to 500GB hard drive
• Choice of Blu-Ray drive
• Features Windows 7 Home Premium

Which is right for you?

Deciding on a laptop can be a tough decision. Ultimately it rests on what you plan on using the laptop for. Both are good models and can easily assist anyone for personal, educational, or even professional use. The ability to customize your Dell laptop guarantees that no two laptops need be the same and this goes for both of these. If planning on using one of these for business purposes, you will want to upgrade form Windows 7 Home to Windows 7 Professional; if you plan on planning video games on your laptop, you'll want to choose the one that will have good graphics and good processing speed.

If you love to play your Blu-Ray discs, you'll obviously want to get the laptop that has that option.

Again, the choice depends on the needs of the user, as well as their financial resources. The regular Studios are good for those wanting or needing a laptop, but don't have a lot of money. The Studio may also be good to use as a secondary computer if a user already owns a desktop. For a user whose laptop is their computer, it may be worth paying for the faster performer of the two.