LENOVO G550 Laptop Review
If you’re after performance at a great price, this may be the machine for you…
Lenovo is arguably most famous for its ThinkPad laptop range, but it also manufactures other lines and the G55o is from its range of entry-level machines. Despite the low price there’s a good deal of performance and usability on offer here, and this is an especially good choice for those looking to multi-task with several applications.
That’s because the laptop boasts the most powerful processer in this group test, accompanied by 2048MB of memory. As a result, it manages to outperform the competition here by quite a way, and this is the only laptop on test which will have no problems multi-tasking everyday programs while running with pleasing speed.
Basic use
Because of this, those who want to seamlessly run their email client while listening to music and browsing the internet will find this laptop answers most of their performance needs without too many issues. However, as with all the machines here, this is not a laptop that will happily run resource-intensive applications such as media editing suites, so it is only suited to the most basic of everyday use.
This applies to graphical use as well and, although this laptop is the second most graphically powerful in this group test, it will manage only the most basic photo editing and internet gaming.
The 16oGB hard drive is about right for this price and will hold thousands of MP3s and images, but those with a large amount of media content to store will want to consider the Acer and Asus – both of which offer considerably more storage space.
We’ve been impressed by all the screens in this group test and this laptop’s panel is no different, with brightness, contrast and detail all very pleasing. The Super-TFT screen coating isn’t too distracting either.
Lenovo’s standard use of matt-black plastics is in place and, white unspectacular, proves very practical in everyday use with scuffs and scratches not showing on the tough surface.
The well-mounted keyboard provides the best typing experience in this group. We found virtually no flex to contend with and the precise action was a pleasure to work with – even for long periods of time.
Mobility-wise the Lenovo can’t match the Acer, but the 205 minute battery life provides enough power for the commute.
Connectivity also can’t match the Acer and 8o2.11g Wi-Fi and 10/100 Ethernet are older and slower networking technologies, but will suffice for most people.
Despite this, the G550 impressed us due to the everyday performance it offers. The lack of cutting-edge networking technology is a shame, however, as is the lack of an HDMI port. A well-deserved Silver award-winner nonetheless.
Specs Detail
- PROCESSOR INTEL 2.2GHZ CELERON 900
- MEMORY 2048MB DDR2 SDRAM
- HARD DRIVE 160GB 5400RPM
- OPTICAL DRIVE TRI-FORMAT DVD
- SCREEN SIZE AND TYPE 15.6-INCH SUPER-TFT
- DISPLAY RESOLUTION 1366 X 768 (WXGA)
- GRAPHICS CARD INTEL GMA 4500M
- DIMENSIONS 381 X 231 X 41MM
- WEIGHT 2.5KG
- WIRELESS LAN 802.11G
- ETHERNET 10/100
- USB PORTS 3
- FREWIRE NO
- OPERATING SYSTEM WINDOWS 7 HOME PREMIUM
- STANDARD WARRANTY 1 YR C&R P&L
Price £299
If you’re after performance at a great price, this may be the machine for you…
Lenovo is arguably most famous for its ThinkPad laptop range, but it also manufactures other lines and the G55o is from its range of entry-level machines. Despite the low price there’s a good deal of performance and usability on offer here, and this is an especially good choice for those looking to multi-task with several applications.
That’s because the laptop boasts the most powerful processer in this group test, accompanied by 2048MB of memory. As a result, it manages to outperform the competition here by quite a way, and this is the only laptop on test which will have no problems multi-tasking everyday programs while running with pleasing speed.
Basic use
Because of this, those who want to seamlessly run their email client while listening to music and browsing the internet will find this laptop answers most of their performance needs without too many issues. However, as with all the machines here, this is not a laptop that will happily run resource-intensive applications such as media editing suites, so it is only suited to the most basic of everyday use.
This applies to graphical use as well and, although this laptop is the second most graphically powerful in this group test, it will manage only the most basic photo editing and internet gaming.
The 16oGB hard drive is about right for this price and will hold thousands of MP3s and images, but those with a large amount of media content to store will want to consider the Acer and Asus – both of which offer considerably more storage space.
We’ve been impressed by all the screens in this group test and this laptop’s panel is no different, with brightness, contrast and detail all very pleasing. The Super-TFT screen coating isn’t too distracting either.
Lenovo’s standard use of matt-black plastics is in place and, white unspectacular, proves very practical in everyday use with scuffs and scratches not showing on the tough surface.
The well-mounted keyboard provides the best typing experience in this group. We found virtually no flex to contend with and the precise action was a pleasure to work with – even for long periods of time.
Mobility-wise the Lenovo can’t match the Acer, but the 205 minute battery life provides enough power for the commute.
Connectivity also can’t match the Acer and 8o2.11g Wi-Fi and 10/100 Ethernet are older and slower networking technologies, but will suffice for most people.
Despite this, the G550 impressed us due to the everyday performance it offers. The lack of cutting-edge networking technology is a shame, however, as is the lack of an HDMI port. A well-deserved Silver award-winner nonetheless.
Specs Detail
- PROCESSOR INTEL 2.2GHZ CELERON 900
- MEMORY 2048MB DDR2 SDRAM
- HARD DRIVE 160GB 5400RPM
- OPTICAL DRIVE TRI-FORMAT DVD
- SCREEN SIZE AND TYPE 15.6-INCH SUPER-TFT
- DISPLAY RESOLUTION 1366 X 768 (WXGA)
- GRAPHICS CARD INTEL GMA 4500M
- DIMENSIONS 381 X 231 X 41MM
- WEIGHT 2.5KG
- WIRELESS LAN 802.11G
- ETHERNET 10/100
- USB PORTS 3
- FREWIRE NO
- OPERATING SYSTEM WINDOWS 7 HOME PREMIUM
- STANDARD WARRANTY 1 YR C&R P&L
Price £299
