Lenovo offers a low-cost access to industry on 14-inch ThinkPad notebooks L420. The ThinkPad L420 is already available for € 664 in the smallest configuration. We took a look at the version a little stronger at € 899. In addition to a faster processor and more memory capacity, our model has a UMTS module. The model configuration is only low UMTS loan. As appropriate for a ThinkPad, L420 obviously has a matte screen.
As expected, stringent requirements are placed on a ThinkPad ThinkPad Lenovo have there is a very good reputation in business. We cons-examine the budget ThinkPad L420 thoroughly and see how it fares.ces.
Specifications Lenovo ThinkPad L420 NYV4UGE :
- Processor : Intel Core i5 2520M 2.5 GHz
- Mainboard : Intel HM65
- Memory : 4096 MB, Samsung, DDR3-10600, 1333 MHz, max. 8 GBs, 2 banks
- Graphics adapter : Intel HD Graphics 3000, Core: 650 MHz, Memory: 665 MHz, 8.15.10.2321
- Display : 14.0 inch 16:9, 1366x768 pixel, N140BGE-L11, LED backlight, glossy: no
- Harddisk : WDC WD3200BEVT-08A23T1, 320GB 5.400rpm
- Soundcard : Realtek ALC269 @ Intel Cougar Point PCH - High Definition Audio Controller
- Connections : 1 Express Card 54mm, 4 USB 2.0, 1 VGA, 1 DisplayPort, 1 Kensington Lock, 1 eSata, 1 Docking Station Port, Audio Connections: line out / headphone out, Card Reader: 4in1 card reader (MMC, SD, SDHC, SDXC), 1 Fingerprint Reader
- Networking : Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller (10/100/1000MBit), Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 (abgn), 3.0 + HS Bluetooth, F5521gw Mobile Broadband
- Optical drive : Optiarc DVD RW AD-7710H
- Size : height x width x depth (in mm): 32 - 36 x 343.9 x 232.9
- Weight : 2.3 kg Power Supply: 0.17 kg
- Battery : 57 Wh Lithium-Ion, 6 cell battery, 10.8 volts
- Price : 899 Euro
- Operating System : Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64 Bit
- Additional features : Webcam: 720p Webcam, laptop, battery, power adapter, documentation, Rescue and Recovery, Access Connections, Password Manager, ThinkVantage Power Manager, ThinkVantage System Update, Fingerprint Software, ThinkVantage Toolbox, Microsoft Office 2010 (60 day trial version), Corel WinDVD (DVD±RW), Corel Burn.Now Lenovo Edi, 12 Months Warranty, fingerprint reader, 720p webcam, 1 year bring-in, 2 loudspeakers (2 x 1,5 watts), UMTS, optional accessories; docking station, batteries, display port adapter to VGA / DVI
The Lenovo L420 was fitted in the case of the normal custom ThinkPad. The case of angular surfaces Matt make a strong impression and are not sensitive to fingerprints. We have seen in the case of L412 Lenovo Thinkpad laptop. The design is not fancy, but functional. Many users still see the design of the ThinkPad and the reference design for the office laptops.
Lenovo uses the cover design of light in the L420. However, the brackets that hold the lid closed are omitted. The screen is connected to the box with metal hinges. Depends in a very good print quality and high. Have also been adjusted so that the laptop can be easily opened with one hand. However, keeping the screen in place. Flashes do not just look at all.
The laptop is still very strong when it opens. Wherever we look, plastic mat is used everywhere. Rates laptop, as in our pressure testing. The wrist rests are as stable as the palm rest can get. They do not give an inch. The keyboard is not as stable as the other cases. However, such trivialities are not alone. You must apply great pressure on a key on the keyboard before it returns.
Connections
The Lenovo L420 has little to offer in terms of connectivity. Four USB ports are installed and the ports can be directed outward through the docking station. Unfortunately, Lenovo does not install all USB 3.0 ports. Instead, there is at least one port eSATA (combined with USB 2.0). Therefore, external hard drives can quickly connect to the laptop.
As usual, a VGA output is available for analog video output. However, Lenovo has also built a display port. If you do not have a screen or a projector with a DisplayPort interface, you will need to purchase an additional adapter.
In particular, we must remember the door to the left of the gate a critical investment. Mancini does not feel very comfortable and the network cable connected to an external monitor, if the external mouse is connected. You need to take a closer look for if you want to anchor a large extent prevents the cable mess on the table. They are the perfect solution to naturally clean up the desk.
Display
14-inch display with a resolution of 1366x768 pixels is used. Aspect ratio is so common these days, 16:9. Fortunately, Lenovo will be used without the display. So, nothing should prevent and outdoor use, if the brightness is sufficient.
According to our measurements, the brightness of 196.9 cd/m2 half. Compared to other laptops currently on the market, the L420 ThinkPad can not score here. Even the cheapest laptops can often take the course of 200 cd/m2. The backlight can also be a little more homogeneous. This is rather poor in the ThinkPad L420 with 83 percent. However, these differences in the brightness of the screen is not visible to the naked eye.
The display can not score its value in black and contrast that results, either. The value of 1.36 cd/m2 black is clearly too high. Normally the black values of less than 1.0 cd/m2 be desirable. The contrast is also suffering because of the high black. Only in the ThinkPad L420 157:1 and also be called mediocre.
It should become clear later that Lenovo has not installed a special screen made of high quality. Lenovo L420 monitor can only reproduce a small part of the sRGB color space. The scope of laptop is absolutely no office and professional image editing.
Lenovo L420 Monitor by external use. Matt is in favor of showing the contents of readability. It 'also possible to identify something on the screen in direct sunlight. However, slightly higher than the brightness of the screen would be nice.
Viewing angles, unfortunately we can not be convinced. When you look at the front of laptop, you can even stand in front of the screen with various people and see the perfect image. However, falsifies the picture quickly when the screen is tilted up or down.
Performance
Lenovo team small 14-inch laptop with a Core processor i5-2520m high. After all, the processor is up to 2520m high-end dual-core Intel. 2520m processor is a member of the family and enjoy Sandy Bridge and past some improvements over the previous generation.
The processor has a clock of 2.5 GHz 2520m by default. It is possible that, like most other processors Sandy Bridge, be overclocked in two stages. The clock is up to 3.0 GHz memory when the two processor cores are subjected to the load. The clock even increases up to 3.2 GHz single-core load.
Therefore, the processor can provide enough energy a little more in the case of performance bottlenecks - if the laptop manufacturer and is planned to provide adequate cooling. The performance of the 2520m is still more than enough for most demanding tasks like HD video editing.
Processor speed is also contrary to the interests of a few slower quad core clock, until only 1-2 cores loaded quad-core processors. Intel Core i5 2520m graphics card with the system immediately.
Intel HD 3000 Graphics Card is an embedded processor, and to ensure that the image is displayed on the Lenovo L420 monitor. Intel 3000 graphics card is certainly not the fastest graphics solution, but it can certainly compete with some entry-level cards like the Nvidia GeForce 310M.
Although Lenovo L420 is likely to be used only in odd cases, parents play games do not have a problem with the display driver. A few newer games can be displayed without problems in low resolutions and low details (FIFA 11, etc..) Graphics card is really designed for fairly basic tasks in the office.
Cinebench is another program used for CPU performance evaluation of Lenovo L420. Lenovo L420 achieve a score of 4750.0 points Cinebench R10 rendering a (64 bit). Thus, it can be more or less up to our reference table. However, the character is rather new compared to other laptops that use Intel Core i5-2520m.
Lenovo L420 does not seem good for the Toshiba Tecra R840-11E (2520m HD Graphics, 3000) with 5135.0 points. HWInfo64 reported at frequencies up to 3.2 GHz for a short period until the beginning of the test. After this had been reduced to 2.8 GHz, so that the turbo could not take full advantage here. This would also explain the moderate results of this test.
Lenovo ThinkPad L420 can recover some ground again in Cinebench R10 rendering multi (64bit) reference. This could leave the last place, and the difference of the highest rated with a laptop i5-shrunk 2520m course. The laptop now manages L420 ThinkPad 10540.0 points. The top rated mobile 2520m is the Dell Vostro 3550 (Vostro 0112) (2520m, 6630M HD) with 10797.0 points.
We noticed a couple of special conditions during testing. It seems Turbo Boost will not work properly when the laptop is used without the battery, so the AC mode. The markers above were all made with the battery and power supply. Lenovo ThinkPad L420 only reached 1323.0 points in Cinebench R10 rendering unique reference (formerly 4750.0 points) and 2915.0 points in the multi-rendering (formerly 10540.0 points) without a battery.
A significant loss in performance is noticed here. Interestingly, the performance loss is not in the reverse scenario. The new processor delivers the power that comes with the adapter and the battery in battery mode.
In comparison, the Lenovo L420 L412 predecessor (330M, Intel GMA) reached 1923.0 points in Cinebench R10 single supply (64 bit) and 6537.0 points in Cinebench R10 rendering multi (64 bits). The ThinkPad L420 is the undisputed winner and could almost double its performance.
The ThinkPad L420 reached 6601.0 points in our benchmark system, PCMark Vantage. Thus, it is in the top third of our reference table. It is a little more than laptops Lenovo ThinkPad E420 Edge (2410M, 6630M HD) with 6556.0 points.
Discussed in detail, note could be even better, but the hard drive slows things down a bit. If you want your system to deal with something special, you may consider replacing the hard drive to a faster model, or an SSD.
The problem with the battery is noticed here. In PCMark Vantage benchmark score falls 6601.0 2977.0 points to points, while only using the adapter and the battery is removed.
Not much can be expected from the Intel HD 3000 Graphics. Yet we dare to compare. We used the results of Benchmark 3D Mark 06 (1280x1024) as the base. Lenovo L420 ThinkPad notebook is now at the bottom of our benchmark chart with 2528.0 points. The L420 is again ThinkPad marker back.
He is currently the slowest laptop with an Intel graphics card HD 3000 graphics. The laptop next fastest Lenovo ThinkPad L520 NWB53GE (2310M, HD 3000 Graphics) with 2999.0 points. For comparison: one of the best laptops with Intel graphic cards HD 3000 graphics is currently the Packard Bell EasyNote TS11-HR-040UK (2410M, HD 3000 Graphics) with 4607.0 points.
There is a difference very clear. Lenovo ThinkPad L420 can also turn on its predecessor with the graphics card. While the ThinkPad L420 reached 2528.0 points in 3DMark06, the ThinkPad L412 (330M, Intel GMA) only managed 1312.0 points.
One possible reason could be, as Cinebench single-processor tests, only a partial reversal of a load of bandwidth as the Turbo 2520m graphics card device can also be overclocked dynamically.
Otherwise, the battery is a problem seen in other regions was not observed in the benchmark chart. No matter if with or without the battery, prices have remained in the same area.
A 2.5-inch model Western Digital hard drive is used as the Lenovo ThinkPad L420. The WDC WD3200BEVT-08A23T1 has a capacity (gross) of 320 GB and a rotational speed of 5400 rpm per minute. The hard drive can not convince given rates.
Average transfer rate of 70.2 MB / s is mediocre at best and even the maximum transfer rate of 89.1 MB / s is not satisfactory. In exchange, the access time of 18.9 milliseconds is acceptable. If you want to put your system properly, Would you rather start with a Lenovo ThinkPad hard drive is L420.