Anioc.com » Lenovo kicks off IdeaPad Z series

Lenovo kicks off IdeaPad Z series

Lenovo became the latest to overhaul its notebook line tonight with two major additions to its IdeaPads. Of the two, the Z series is entirely new and hits at the mainstream, scaling through all of Intel’s new Core i3/i5/i7 range and also adding the new mobile Phenom II chip seen first in HP’s new Pavilions. They use the new chiclet keys that showed first in newer ThinkPads and a slightly more upscale look as well as the option of Blu-ray.

Just one 13.3-inch model, the Z360, is the smallest of the mix and comes with an Intel chip and dedicated GeForce graphics. The Z560 upgrades to a 15.6-inch display with similar options. The Z565 is the only system given significant detail so far is the lone AMD-equipped model; it scales between single-core V-series chips through to the 2GHz quad-core Phenom II. It also has either integrated Radeon HD 4250 video or a dedicated Mobility Radeon HD 5470 as well as up to 8GB of RAM and a 640GB hard drive. Pricing starts at $649 for an unknown configuration.

The IdeaPad U series has been given an upgrade of its own, borrowing the keyboard and other design traits rolled out since they were last updated. The U160 refreshes the entry-level, 11-inch CULV system and still uses similar processors. Lenovo gives the U460 and U460s more significant updates; compared to the U450 series, both are lighter at 3.8 pounds but still have larger 14-inch screens. The U460s is a direct replacement of the U450p and still uses Intel CULV chips, but the U460 is a completely new, full-power system that carries the same profile even as it upgrades to a Core i7. Specs for all three aren’t available but start with a $699 system.