History

The IdeaPad laptops were announced in January 2008. The first three models in the product line were the Y710, the Y510, and the U110. Some of the features that defined these first three models were widescreens, VeriFace facial recognition, frameless screens, touch controls, and Dolby speaker systems.

The IdeaPad design marked a deviation from the business-oriented ThinkPad

ThinkPad

ThinkPad is line of laptop computers originally sold by IBM but now produced by Lenovo. They are known for their boxy black design, which was modeled after a traditional Japanese lunchbox...

 laptops, towards a more consumer-oriented look and feel. Among these changes were a glossy screen and the absence of the traditional ThinkPad TrackPoint. Notebook Review said the keyboard had a ‘"distinctive ThinkPad feel" and "the touchpad and touchpad buttons were smooth and responsive."

The IdeaPad laptop models currently available from Lenovo are the S Series, Y Series, U Series, and Z Series.

S Series

The first laptop in Lenovo’s netbook

Netbook

Netbooks are a category of small, lightweight, legacy-free, and inexpensive laptop computers.At their inception in late 2007 as smaller notebooks optimized for low weight and low cost — netbooks omitted certain features , featured smaller screens and keyboards, and offered reduced computing...

 IdeaPad S Series

IdeaPad S Series

The first netbook in Lenovo’s IdeaPad S Series was launched in October 2008. The IdeaPad S10 was scheduled for launch in September but was delayed, with an estimated release date indicated as November 2008. Ultimately, the netbook was released in September in China, but in October in the United...

 was scheduled for launch in September 2008 but was delayed, with an estimated release date indicated as November. Ultimately, the laptop was released in September in China, but in October in the United States.

S10 and S9

The S10 featured a 10.2 inches (25.9 cm) TFT active matrix 1024x600 display with a 80 or 160 GB hard disk

Hard disk

A hard disk drive is a non-volatile, random access digital magnetic data storage device. It features rotating rigid platters on a motor-driven spindle within a protective enclosure. Data is magnetically read from and written to the platter by read/write heads that float on a film of air above the...

 drive and 512 MB or 1 GB DDR2

DDR2

DDR2 may refer to:* DDR2 SDRAM, the computer memory technology* Dance Dance Revolution 2ndMix, the video game* DDR2 , a human gene...

 Random Access Memory, both of which could be upgraded via a panel on the bottom of the netbook. The processor was an Intel Atom

Intel Atom

Intel Atom is the brand name for a line of ultra-low-voltage x86 and x86-64 CPUs from Intel, designed in 45 nm CMOS and used mainly in netbooks, nettops, embedded application ranging from health care to advanced robotics and Mobile Internet devices...

 at 1.6 GHz. They supported IEEE 802.11

IEEE 802.11

IEEE 802.11 is a set of standards for implementing wireless local area network computer communication in the 2.4, 3.6 and 5 GHz frequency bands. They are created and maintained by the IEEE LAN/MAN Standards Committee . The base version of the standard IEEE 802.11-2007 has had subsequent...

 b/g wireless networking and had two USB ports, an ExpressCard

ExpressCard

ExpressCard is an interface to allow peripheral devices to be connected to a computer, usually a laptop computer. Formerly called NEWCARD, the ExpressCard standard specifies the design of slots built into the computer and of cards which can be inserted into ExpressCard slots. The cards contain...

 expansion slot, a 4-in-1 media reader, and a VGA output. These computers received positive consumer reviews, and a 9/10 rating from Wired

Wired (magazine)

Wired is a full-color monthly American magazine and on-line periodical, published since January 1993, that reports on how new and developing technology affects culture, the economy, and politics...

magazine.

The Lenovo S10 had model numbers 4231-XYU, where "XY" identified the particular configuration.
In 2009 a S10e model was available in February 2009. It had a 10.1 inches (25.7 cm) screen, and an S9e model with even smaller 8.9 inches (22.6 cm) screen. These versions were available with Windows or Linux

Linux

Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...

.
Both of their model numbers were 4187-XYU where "XY" identified the particular configuration.
As of December 2009, the model number 4068-XYZ was added.
Additional S10e units had model number 4333-XYZ.

In May 2009 Lenovo introduced the S10-2, model number 2957-XYU, where XY identifies the configuration. While the S10-2 shared many traits with the S10/S10e, it featured a new physical design, adds a third USB port, omits the ExpressCard34 slot, and enlarges the keyboard and touchpad. It was available in black, white, pink and grey, and with larger HD and SSD sizes.

Currently, the newest model is the S10-3T, which is a convertible tablet. It has the standard specs (2048 MB ram, 250 GB HDD (active-shock-protection enabled), 10.1" capacitive touch screen, etc.)

While most reviews ranked the Lenovo S10 favorably among comparable netbooks, the fan controller was a common complaint among users with early BIOS versions. The fan's speed would change erratically, often repeatedly turning on at high speed for only a second or two at low temperatures during non-intense use such as web browsing. Lenovo released updated BIOS versions which resolved the problems and the community developed modifications for those who are unsatisfied with Lenovo's solutions.

2011 models

Other S Series laptop models included the S9 with Intel Atom

Intel Atom

Intel Atom is the brand name for a line of ultra-low-voltage x86 and x86-64 CPUs from Intel, designed in 45 nm CMOS and used mainly in netbooks, nettops, embedded application ranging from health care to advanced robotics and Mobile Internet devices...

 N270 (1.6GHz), RAM 1024MB DDRII 667, SATA HDD 120GB, 8.9" (1024х600) TFT / LED backlit, GMA950, Gigabit Ethernet

Gigabit Ethernet

Gigabit Ethernet is a term describing various technologies for transmitting Ethernet frames at a rate of a gigabit per second , as defined by the IEEE 802.3-2008 standard. It came into use beginning in 1999, gradually supplanting Fast Ethernet in wired local networks where it performed...

, Bluetooth

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...

, Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...

, 2хUSB 2.0, SD

Secure Digital

Secure Digital is a non-volatile memory card format developed by the SD Card Association for use in portable devices. The SD technology is used by more than 400 brands across dozens of product categories and more than 8,000 models, and is considered the de-facto industry standard.Secure Digital...

/MMC, ExpressCard

ExpressCard

ExpressCard is an interface to allow peripheral devices to be connected to a computer, usually a laptop computer. Formerly called NEWCARD, the ExpressCard standard specifies the design of slots built into the computer and of cards which can be inserted into ExpressCard slots. The cards contain...

, Web cam, Li-ion 3-cell, and WinXP Home Edition.
The S10 had some models with 3 cell batteries, 512MB RAM and 80GB hard drives in Red, Black and White; blue and pink were released in October 2008.
Others were S10e, S10-2, S10-3, S10-3t Tablet Netbook, S0-3s ("s" for slim), S10-3c .
S Series laptops available from Lenovo were the IdeaPad S10-3, S10-3t, and S205.

Y series

The first laptops in Lenovo’s IdeaPad Y Series

IdeaPad Y Series

The first notebooks in the IdeaPad Y Series from Lenovo were announced in 2008. These were the IdeaPad Y710 and the IdeaPad Y510 notebooks, with screen sizes of 17 inches and 15 inches respectively. The most significant change to the notebooks was a departure from the traditional business...

 were showcased in CES 2008.
These were the IdeaPad Y710 and Y510 laptops, with 17 inch and 15 inch screens respectively.. The most significant change to the laptops was the more consumer-oriented appearance – a marked difference from ThinkPads.

The laptops in the IdeaPad Y Series were Y460p, Y470, Y560, Y560p, Y570, and Y560d.

U series

The IdeaPad U110 was an 11.1 inch laptop, a first for Lenovo in the United States. The most striking feature of the laptop was the red top lid with a flowery pattern on it – another first for a Lenovo laptop. The keyboard also differed from traditional Lenovo keyboards with its glossy, closely set keys.

The laptops available in the IdeaPad U Series are the U260 and the U460. The U150, U350, and U450p are listed, and indicated as being available from resellers.

Features

U Series laptops included:

IdeaPad U260 Laptop

• Has a starting weight of 3.04lbs and is 0.71" thin.
• Was the industry's first 12.5" laptop.
• Uses energy-efficient ULV (ultra-low voltage) processors.
• Has a strong, light, one-piece metal cover.
• Is available in Clementine orange and Mocha brown
• Has a unique palm rest made of faux leather.
• Has a keyboard with taller, reshaped keys for more space between each key.
• Has a glass multi-touch touch pad that resists breakage.

IdeaPad U460 Laptop

• Has a starting weight of 4.3lbs and is less than 1" thin.
• Offers 6 hours of battery life with an 8-cell battery.
• Has a built-in, auto-light sensor.
• Has a fingerprint reader.

U Series laptop models included: U110, U150, U160, U165, U330, U350, U450p, U460, U1.

Z Series

The IdeaPad Z Series

IdeaPad Z Series

The IdeaPad Z Series is designed primarily for entry-level multimedia users. The first three Z Series IdeaPad laptops were the Z360, Z460 and Z560, with 13 inch, 14 inch, and 15 inch screens respectively. All three laptops were released in 2010....

 laptops were designed primarily for entry-level multimedia users. The first Z Series IdeaPad laptops were the Z360, Z460 and Z560, with 13 inch, 14 inch, and 15 inch screens respectively.

The 2011 IdeaPad laptops launched by Lenovo were the Z370, Z470, and Z570. All three incorporated Intel Sandy Bridge processors.

Features

Features of the IdeaPad Z Series laptops were:

• Full HD support and LED screens.
• SRS premium stereo surround sound.
• Premium HD NVIDIA graphics.
• OneKey™ Theatre.
• Thermal management system with four modes.

Connectivity Features:

• OneKey™ Rescue 7.0 for data recovery and antivirus.
• WiFi, Bluetooth™ and 3G connectivity.
• VeriFace™ technology.
• DirectShare for file transfer without internet access.
• VeriFace
  VeriFace
  VeriFace is a face-recognition software package that is a registered trademark of Lenovo.In lieu of passwords, VeriFace identifies users by matching unique features of individual faces to photographs taken by the 1.3-megapixel webcam....
  
   facial recognition security
• Dolby Home Theater sound (5.1 surround sound and subwoofer in 700 series)
• Multimedia Control Center with touch-sensitive buttons
• GameZone
  GameZone
  GameZone is an American multiplatform video game website. GameZone's daily coverage includes reviews, previews, news, hints & cheats, and editorials. Additionally, GameZone offers downloads, a child-targeted website and in association with GameStop, hosts GZGameShop, an online retailer...
  
  keys with secondary display
• 'Hot Swap' Secondary Swappable Hard Drive
• OneKey System Recovery

External links

• Lenovo's Official web site for IdeaPad notebooks from Lenovo
• http://usbestsales.com