Lenovo IdeaPad U510 Laptop: Core i5 3317U 1.7GHz, 15.6" 1366x768 LED, 6GB DDR3, 750GB HDD + 24GB SSD, Intel HD 4000, WiFi N, Windows 8 $475 + Free Shipping

I have owned almost every Thinkpad generation laptop starting all the way back from Pentium 1 models. These things are built like a tank. When lenovo bought out the thinkpad line, they luckily have not changed them too much. Through this, they gained relatively good reputation. Then they started manufacturing other lines, like ideapad etc.

My suggestions would be to NEVER buy anything lenovo unless it's the T series, and maybe the W series. I would hesitate the W series only because those are overly packed with powerful components which is usually a problem for laptops in terms of heat.

I have 4 thinkpads right now, 2 of them lenovos. They just won't die and for some reason I don't want to sell them. In all, just stay away from any other line from lenovo except the T series.

Quote from jakespop : It definitely does have a backlit keyboard, tried it in-store today. Fn + spacebar activates it.

really? i thought that was only for the upgraded i7's or something...the video reviews that i have watched make no mention of it

Quote from forumz : really? i thought that was only for the upgraded i7's or something...the video reviews that i have watched make no mention of it

Here's a crappy phone pic but you can see the orange Fn+keyboard symbol on the space bar and you can sort of see the backlit keys.

Quote from jakespop : Here's a crappy phone pic but you can see the orange Fn+keyboard symbol on the space bar and you can sort of see the backlit keys.

oh cool, i was not expecting backlit keys!

does this model have the same wifi issue and coil whine high pitch noise like the u310 or u410. I got a u310 on clearance from staples, like it alot, but have to return it b/c I can't stand that noise.

Quote from max8404 : My suggestions would be to NEVER buy anything lenovo unless it's the T series, and maybe the W series. I would hesitate the W series only because those are overly packed with powerful components which is usually a problem for laptops in terms of heat. I have 4 thinkpads right now, 2 of them lenovos. They just won't die and for some reason I don't want to sell them. In all, just stay away from any other line from lenovo except the T series.

The X-Series have for the most part have been solid machines. The obvious exception being some X61`s heating up on the left side of the palmrest.
This can be debated, but I don`t consider the X61`s heat not to be as big of an issue as the T61`s manufactured prior to August 2008 with an extremely high rate of failing Nvidia chipsets.
I`m also a big fan of IBM/Lenovo, Panny Toughbooks too. My latest Lenovo is a X230T and it`s been great, in my opinion, the best of the X Series by far.
If I was asked to choose between either the new T`s or W`s, give me the W please. Kind of a trick question though, because there was no wrong answer!

anyone get theirs shipped yet?

Quote from deadzoo : The X-Series have for the most part have been solid machines. The obvious exception being some X61`s heating up on the left side of the palmrest. This can be debated, but I don`t consider the X61`s heat not to be as big of an issue as the T61`s manufactured prior to August 2008 with an extremely high rate of failing Nvidia chipsets. I`m also a big fan of IBM/Lenovo, Panny Toughbooks too. My latest Lenovo is a X230T and it`s been great, in my opinion, the best of the X Series by far. If I was asked to choose between either the new T`s or W`s, give me the W please. Kind of a trick question though, because there was no wrong answer!

I don't have much knowledge in the X series, but that's good to hear that the X series are holding up. I think that the X series was started after Lenovo acquired the thinkpad line, that's why I didn't really know much about them. The W series are basically the same thing as the T series, just (a lot) more stuff packed inside. Regarding advanced video chipsets in laptops, they really shouldn't be there in the first place, haha. I agree though, the NVIDIA chipset is not too great in lenovos and I am not sure why it causes so many issues. It's still continuing to do so to a degree. They haven't really figured out too well when to enable the chipset when the user requires it, so it ends up running pretty poorly. I tend to have mine forced to run globally because I notice it does not turn on for some video games. :/

just got my laptop in the mail! they keyboard came popped up for some reason, but it clicked and looks seated well when i pushed it down. and keyboard is confirmed to be backlit. one thing that bothered me upon opening the laptop was the num lock key...does anyone else's numlock key look like it's popped up higher than the rest of the keys when you turn the backlight on?

Quote from Luong1209 : Really wanted this, damn.

Back in stock... don't know for how long, but I just placed an order (10:00PM EST)

Quote from TripleSeven : The cons: -The reboot thing was annoying when you close the lid. But it just involves some settings tweaks. Doesn't happen anymore. Even a basic computer savvy person can fix that.

Care to share what "setting tweaks" can we all make to fix the reboots?

Quote from TripleSeven : -Wifi signal, does seem to drop maybe once in a week. I usually turn on airplane mode, then turn off again, and it reconnects. Don't know why it does this, but it's not as bad as the 2 or 3 feet range that one of the amazon reviews claims, that's just bad.

Disconnects by itself randomly, disconnects every time the laptop wakes up and it takes a manual click to get connected. Airport mode toggle does nothing.

Quote from TripleSeven : -touchpad: Otherwise the touchpad is ok. Doesn't jitter all over the place like some reviews mentioned.

I can barely use the double-tap to enable lock-dragging. Have to tap for that MUCH harder than for any other purpose, like repositioning the cursor.

Quote from TripleSeven : -the metal tends to smudge easily.

Yup.

Quote from TripleSeven : In a nutshell, this is an excellent mid-level laptop that will satisfy most people at this pricepoint. ....I'm happy with the purchase.

I am glad you are happy, disappointed that I am not. Loved everything about it on paper, in reality it's usable but not enjoyable. I will be returning it.

Quote from maratz : Care to share what "setting tweaks" can we all make to fix the reboots? Disconnects by itself randomly, disconnects every time the laptop wakes up and it takes a manual click to get connected. Airport mode toggle does nothing. I can barely use the double-tap to enable lock-dragging. Have to tap for that MUCH harder than for any other purpose, like repositioning the cursor. Yup. I am glad you are happy, disappointed that I am not. Loved everything about it on paper, in reality it's usable but not enjoyable. I will be returning it.

is your numlock key raised a bit higher than the rest of hte keys also? when i turn the backlight on, i can clearly tell on mine. not sure if it's broken or something

Bought this lappy couple of weeks and paid $549 plus tax..had to call Lenovo twice to due to the wireless issues. The WIFI turn off by itself and there is no way to turn it on by ourselves. The so called functions keys to enable/disable the WIFI doesn't work either.

As I couldn't deal with these issues, I ended up returning it. Staples even offered some discount if I like to keep it, but felt it wasn't worth it. Hope this helps some one thinking of going for this laptop.

Quote from forumz : is your numlock key raised a bit higher than the rest of hte keys also? when i turn the backlight on, i can clearly tell on mine. not sure if it's broken or something

I don't see that it is raised, tried to look from all angles. Sorry.