Lenovo keeps pushing out new Windows notebooks and tablets, with the latest product from the company arriving on our doorsteps for review. Check out the Lenovo LaVie Z, touted as the “world’s lightest 13.3-inch notebook.”
“Despite its record light weight and incredible thinness, it is unbelievably strong using a specialized magnesium-lithium body construction. While light in weight, its heavy in terms of performance starting with a brilliant 13.3-inch QHD screen and a powerful Core i7 processor,” a Lenovo spokesperson told WinBeta.
The Lenovo LaVie Z features an Intel Core i7 processor clocked at 2.4GHz, a 13.3-inch multi-touch WQHD LED anti-glare screen at a resolution of 2560×1440, with 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. The notebook also features an Intel HD Graphics 5500 chip, as well as a 720p webcam and up to 7 hours of battery life. There are also two USB 3.0 ports, one HDMI port, a SD card reader and more. Best of all, this device weighs 1.87 lbs. (the LaVie Z 360 weighs 2.04lbs)
First Impressions
Good lord, this notebook is the lightest notebook I have ever held in my hands. It honestly feels like I am holding an empty notebook shell without any internal components. My first impression of the device was negative — surely this notebook must be slow and compromised in some way in order to make this light weight possible. I was wrong.
Not only is this notebook light weight, but it is blazing fast in terms of performance. There is plenty of RAM, a fast processor, decent storage, and a decent graphics chip. On top of that, it runs Windows 8.1 64-bit. As an added bonus, which i am thankful for, is the addition of two USB 3.0 ports. Thanks Lenovo, because I was sick and tired of seeing USB 2.0 ports on newer machines.
The design of the device is nothing to be excited about. It honestly looks like a typical notebook with a typical design. At times, the display can feel flimsy and I fear that I may break the device if I dropped it, due to its light weight design. Thankfully, I have yet to drop it. It features a Mg-Li case material that is 50% lighter than Aluminum and 25% lighter than Magnesium, but just as strong at the same thickness.
“The LaVie Z is a versatile performer for everything, and everyone. Students will carry it across the quad without added burden; journalists will pack it away and weave through chaos to reach the next big scoop; professionals will power through a day full of meetings without limitation or travel strain,” Lenovo explains.
The LaVie Z 360 model allows you to fold the display to the back of the device, converting it into a tablet for those who desire it. The 360 model also features a touch-screen, while the normal LaVie Z model does not.
So what makes the LaVie Z so special? What contributes to the light weight? The LCD is mounted into the screen bezel, eliminating the need for additional frame mounting and weight. The panel is built directly into the back cover for the light chassis design and for the 360 model the touch senor is directly bonded. The keyboard is also mounted directly to the system chassis. Specialized light film Touch screen is used instead of glass that reduces weight and adds accuracy.
We’ll have our full hands-on review of this device in a few weeks, so stay tuned. So far, this device feels impressive and performs well. Let’s see how it lasts.
