Entry-level laptops have been around for years now but only recently has their popularity increased due to a shift in consumer preferences. In today's society, people want something that is not too expensive but can still perform relatively well. This type of laptop offers an inexpensive alternative to high-end computers which usually cost anywhere from $800-$1200 dollars.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 81VU0079US is a great example of this as it comes in at just under $300, yet features a nice Intel Celeron processor, 4 gigs of RAM, and 64 GB of eMMC storage to get you started.
Sure enough, this model is not for everyone, and it's a far cry from the recently reviewed Asus L410-PS04 or even the Asus L510MA-DB02, but it's definitely still got its advocates and today we're here to see why this laptop has garnered such positive customer reviews. Let's get on that!
Who's it for?
=>Students - There is no doubt that this laptop is great for students, or even homeschooled children. It's affordable for families on a budget and still performs at a level that most will find suitable for their needs.
=>Business People - The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 81VU0079US, in my opinion, is a more than adequate computer for business people. It's portable and durable making it an ideal choice for the road. Plus, at just over 3 lbs, or 1.36 kgs, there is no need to lug around that 6 lb or heavier 12-pound laptop anymore.
=> Elder citizens - This computer is perfect for the elderly. It's lightweight and yet durable enough to handle constant use. The weight alone can remove a ton of stress from your shoulder, neck, or back region.
=>People looking for a secondary or backup laptop - This model in S mode is ideal for those that want a second/backup computer with Windows 10. It's smaller and lighter than most, and since it runs Windows 10 in S mode, you don't have to worry about viruses or any other harmful software.
=> People who don't want a Chromebook - While a lot of people can get by with a browser and little else, it's this "little else" that this Lenovo laptop offers. That means being able to run a few Microsoft programs as well as other software. Sure, we're still looking at an entry-level device here but it still features a few extra functions that are exclusive to windows as we've seen on or post discussing the pros and cons of Chromebooks.
Design
Lenovo has spared no expense when it comes to durability as the entire device is made out of a sturdy material that is resistant to daily wear and tear.
As far as portability is concerned, this model is definitely on the lighter side at just over 3 lbs. This makes it one of the lightest models currently available that still features a 14-inch screen.
What about the display?
Being an entry-level laptop the display is generally the first feature to take a hit. The Lenovo Ideapad 1 81VU0079US is no exception here as the screen only features a 1366 X 768 resolution, while this may be enough for some it's definitely below what we've seen on several other models in its segment which implement Full HD resolutions.
Another disadvantage to the display at hand is that Lenovo uses TN technology. This is different from the IPS displays we typically find on slightly more expensive machines as it doesn't offer the best viewing angles.
In regards to brightness and color production though, this display is pretty good out of the box and will work well for most. It's just important that you keep in mind that it's not going to be competing against displays on mid-range laptops.
Keyboard & Trackpad
Lenovo opted for an island-style keyboard on this model which provides a decent amount of travel and fast response time. The keys are nicely spaced apart, allowing even those with larger hands to type comfortably.
The trackpad is pretty much what we've come to expect from Lenovo; it's responsive, without any input lag or issues with tracking. Beginners will have an easy time getting adjusted to it.
Hardware & Performance
In terms of specs, this model features a decent setup for an entry-level device. Major points include:
- Intel Celeron N4020 Processor (dual-core, 1.6 GHz)
- 4 GB DDR4 RAM
- 64 GB SSD Storage
Even though it's not as powerful as the average laptop out there, there is no doubt that this little machine packs a punch and can handle rather basic tasks with ease.
Specifically, it would be able to handle moderate web browsing, streaming videos from various sites, and even some really light gaming -extremely light-. Of course, if you're looking for a laptop that can run heavy games then this computer isn't going to do the trick.
Overall, you should not forget that it's an entry-level notebook with an entry-level set of specs. That means that you should not expect to be able to run anything overly demanding on it. And by overly demanding I'm talking about Photoshop or other programs that require a lot of power.
Also, being limited to 4 GB of RAM also means that this computer will start to slow down once you have a few tabs open so it's important to keep in mind that this is not designed for heavy multitasking.
The storage on the other hand is pretty basic and we've seen this before with several other notebooks. The biggest disadvantage here though is that there are only 64 GB of storage space, half of which is taken by Windows.
Ergo, if you're looking to expand your storage we really advise having a flash drive always plugged in and set it as external storage from the settings.
Battery Life
In terms of battery life, this model will get you about 6-7 hours under normal usage conditions which is pretty decent for an entry-level laptop. However, it does fall quite short of the recently reviewed Asus L410-PS04 which offers up to 12 hours, while still bringing in a better set of specs and an equally competitive price point.
Connectivity Features
In terms of connectivity features, this model features WiFi 802.11 ac and Bluetooth 4.1 capabilities. Ports include 2 x USB 3.1 (Type-A), a MicroSD Card Reader, an HDMI port, a Microphone / Earphone Combo, and a VGA webcam with a 0.3-megapixel resolution (640 by 480 pixels).
The lack of the newer USB Type-C port is quite surprising as most notebooks feature at least one Type-C port these days. Also, the webcam is a bit of a bust, an HD webcam would've been welcomed but we understand that many laptops on this price range tend to steer towards VGA webcams these days so I guess It's just something we should assume and move on.
Wrapping up
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 81VU0079US reviewed is an entry-level laptop with a set of specs that are decent for the price. It's not going to be as powerful as mid-range laptops, but it will work well for basic tasks like web browsing, streaming videos from various sites, and even light gaming -extremely light-.
The biggest drawbacks are its eMMC storage instead of SSD unit, and its HD display resolution, as well as the fact that it doesn't feature a single USB Type-C port. Having said that, and if you can't go for any of the aforementioned laptops, as long as you know that this is a laptop aimed at very simple tasks and don't demand much more of it, you should be fine.