Acer Review, Asus Review – Netbook 10

We were pretty happy with the Lenovo S10-3. There are definitely better netbooks out there but the S10-3 is pretty okay on its own.

The Lenovo S10-3t is the convertible version of the Lenovo S10-3. It has multi-touch capabilities and converts into a tablet. At a time when the iPad is making waves, will a convertible netbook be able to compete? And if so, will the Lenovo S10-3t be THAT netbook?

[Rating:5/7]

Features and Drawbacks

• Good design – The S10-3t is one good-looking netbook. The retro pattern is fairly attractive and the netbook is also quite sturdy. It’s also comfortable to hold as a tablet.

• Roomy keyboard, tiny but dotted touchpad – The roomy keyboard makes it comfy to type on, and you can adjust quickly if you came from a full keyboard. The touch keyboard on the tablet is okay from Windows 7, but it’s less reliable to type on. It’s accurate, but you’re going to have to be very patient waiting for it to catch up to you if you’re fast. Th touchpad is tiny and has integrated buttons, but while it’s tiny, it’s wide. The dotted surface also helps you find it even without looking.

• A-Ok screen and cool apps – It comes with a 10.1″ capacitive touchscreen which supports multitouch gesture. It works okay with Windows 7, but it also comes with a bunch of apps and software that can help give you a great touchscreen experience, such as the NaturalTouch software which helps you access a lot of programs by touch. It also comes with other apps like Notes, an app for eBooks, Splashtop instant-on, DirectShare , VeriFace, and OneKey Rescue System. Don’t expect apps in the level of the iPad, though. Compared to that, it’s pretty paltry, but kinda functional. The non-touchscreen… uh, screen is decent, wit clear, vibrant colors.

• Kinda slow performance – With the new Intel Atom N470 processor and 2GB RAM, you expect the netbook to work wonders… or at least, work faster than a last-gen netbook. Instead, it’s a fraction slower, specially if you’re using the touchscreen. If you’re expecting to get instant action as soon as you touch an icon, you’re not going to get it.

• Ordinary battery performance – An 8-cell battery lasts for 7 hours. That’s good, but with netbooks running for 11 hours on a single charge, 7 hours isn’t that impressive any more. Good, but not impressive.

Rating – 5/7

Value for Money – 1
Speed and Performance – 0.5
Screen – 0.5
Keyboard – 1
Portability & Battery Life – 0.5
Looks and Design – 1
Extensibility & connectivity – 0.5

Bottomline
We had high hopes for the Lenovo S10-3t, but sadly, it didn’t live up to our expectations. Plus points is that it’s portable, has an okay battery and is good as a netbook, but since we’re scoring it as a convertible tablet, then it’s slow ways and less than excellent touchscreen performance made it less than what it should be.

Related posts:

1. Lenovo IdeaPad S10-2 Review: Solid but So-so
2. Asus Eee PC 1101HA Review : Slow but Sure
3. Lenovo IdeaPad S10-3t $50 cheaper from Newegg
4. Pre-view: Lenovo S10-3t Convertible (tablet-netbook)
5. Lenovo S10-3 Review: Great Keyboard and Speakers, Slick Design

Filed under: Uncategorized