Lenovo IdeaPad Z360

Introduction
The 13inch laptop size has become quite popular in the last few years, especially since Apple’s base models of every laptop line is 13inch(except the Macbook Air which starts at 11). Lenovo’s IdeaPad line offers a few laptops in this size such as the U series, Y series (well it’s technically a 14 inch) and the Z series that I am reviewing here. One question I have is does there need to be a Z class? The Y series offers top of the line multimedia entertainment with JBL speakers, DVD burners, and discrete graphics cards. The U series is a little flashier but is also very thin which means less features, and no optical drive. The Z series offers something almost in between the U and Y series for it has a smaller form factor than the Y, yet can offer more than the U in terms of an optical drive while being less expensive than either. Is the Z360 a unique enough machine to buy instead of something from the Y or U series?
Specs
13.3 LED 1366 x 768 LCD
Intel i3 M 350
3 GB RAM
500 GB Hard Drive
4.4 pounds
bluetooth

Outside
The Z360 is a fairly compact computer with a polycarbonate exterior. The black reflective front cover is prone to fingerprints, yet it would be less exaggerated with other colors if they were options. The front has 4 LEDS that light up for power, battery, etc. The first one blinks continuously when the computer is asleep, as though it is looking to be turned off, but not a big deal. There is also a recessed wireless kill-switch and an SD card reader. The right side has the mic in and headphone ports. I’m used to them in the opposite order, but the mic in is a rarely used port, so it doesn’t really matter that much where it’s placed. After that sits the DVD burner and a USB port. While this looks odd for the optical drive to sit in between ports, it actually makes sense when using certain peripherals. If you plug in an ipod or some device that you would be placed infront of your computer, it could get in the way of the optical drive. But for something more location permanent like an external hard drive which would have the cord go out from the back of the computer, it would be out of the way of the optical drive. So if you plan on using the optical drive, I would try to only plug in peripherals that go behind the Z360 in that port.
The left side of the machine houses the ports. Besides the USB port,the others are  that more likely to be used a desk, or other permanent location. From the back to the front, there sits the kensington security slot, VGA port, ethernet, HDMI, USB, and eSata. If I could change anything here, it would be to move the HDMI port next to the VGA port, for it is unlikely that anyone would be using both ports at the same time. While the eSata port can be used for USB, if that port is being used, there isn’t really a nice convenient USB port for something real quick like a thumb drive. This is not a huge deal, but better decisions could have been made in port placement.
Inside
There are a few things that I have come to expect from Lenovo’s laptop line, one is high performance and the other is a well-designed keyboard. One thing I was not expecting is nicer looking machine than the Y460, or than the Toshiba M645. The Z series is less expensive, so I was expecting a more modest design. There is nothing special about the display. It looks great at the right angle, but it does lose contrast and saturation when the screen is tilted past that angle. This should never be problem in normal use, but for when using outside or with a group, this could be an issue.
The inside body looks like aluminum, but is the same polycarbonate as the front cover. The keyboard is actually one of the highlights of this machine. The keys seem to be the perfect size, and are curved. It seems as though they are almost shaped to fit your finger. With only the few extra keys to the right of the normal keyboard along with the delete key, return, and directional arrows smaller than normal. The placement and size of the directional keys takes getting used to because they are noticeably smaller than on larger laptops. To fit even more actions in, Lenovo added a second action to each of those buttons via the function key: pause, break, scrlk, and insert. The function is actually more useful on this machine than any other that I have seen for 35 of the keys have a second function via the function key.
Performance
The base model Z360 does not come with anything special looking purely at specs. The i3 processor and 3 GB of RAM have been keeping up just fine with multiple windows open, and multiple applications running such as Word, Excel, Chrome, and iTunes. In terms of pure processing performance the specs speak for themselves, the 3GB of RAM is lower than the standard 4. In terms of the computer itself, the keyboard itself is fantastic, and although is not quite as number friendly as a keyboard with a separate number pad such as the Sony EB or Samsung R540, with the simple use of the function key the keyboard becomes extremely flexible. The speakers are surprisingly loud and clear for such a little machine, very few laptops in this price range sound better. The only laptops that have a noticeable difference in audio quality are ones with a built in subwoofer such as the Dell XPS 14.
Recommendation
The Lenovo IdeaPad Z class basically fits right in between the ultrathin U class and the high end performing Y class. The U class is more expensive and while it is offered with similar specs at a higher price, it cannot match the graphics performance of the Z class, does not include an optical drive, and is more expensive. For $750 you get a solid performing computer in a compact package. On top of that it gets great battery life and a wonderful keyboard that your hands will appreciate.
If you don’t need a optical drive (or would not have a problem purchasing an external) the U class offers a higher range of screens and low voltage processors for extended battery life; yet it is more expensive. Anything except the baseline Y series model is going to outpace even the decked out Z class 15 inch. In the end the Z class really is a compromise of size, performance and money. So if you are someone looking for a laptop somewhere in the middle between portability and performance, the Z360 is a very viable possibility. The Z560 is very similar for a little less money and larger screen.

Posted in: Lenovo