Product Listing

Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 13: Sliced!

By Aloysius Low - 14 Feb 2010
Launch SRP: S$1189

Edgy Performance

Edgy Performance

Packing an AMD Athlon Neo X2 Dual Core processor L625 (1.6GHz), 2GB DDR2 RAM, 250GB HDD, the ThinkPad Edge 13 is expected to perform much better than a netbook, but does it hold up to Intel's CULV processor platform? To see how the unit holds up, we've thrown in the Acer Ferrari One and the Acer Aspire Timeline 3810t for comparison. The Ferrari One uses AMD's Congo platform, similar to the Edge 13, while the Acer Aspire Timeline uses Intel's CULV processor platform but with the benefit of the additional discrete graphics in the form of an ATI Radeon HD 4330. The HP Pavilion dm3 was also included as a reference point for an Intel CULV class notebook without discrete graphics.

Notebook Comparison Table
Specifications/Notebook Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 13 Acer Ferrari One Acer Aspire Timeline 3810T HP Pavilion dm3
Processor AMD Turion X2 L625 (1.6GHz) with 1MB L2 cache AMD Athlon X2 L310 (1.2GHz) with 1MB L2 cache Intel Core 2 Duo processor SU7300 (1.3GHz with 3MB L2 cache) Intel Core 2 Duo processor SU7300 (1.3GHz with 3MB L2 cache)
Chipset AMD 780G AMD 780G Intel GS45 Intel GS45
Memory 2GB DDR2 4GB DDR2 4GB DDR3 4GB DDR3
HDD 1 x 250GB SATA - 5400RPM 1 x 500GB SATA - 5400RPM 1 x 320GB SATA - 5400RPM 1 x 320GB SATA - 5400RPM
Video ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3200 (Integrated) ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3200 (Integrated) ATI Mobility Radeon HD4330 Intel GMA 4500MHD (Integrated)

The results for the Edge 13 based on the AMD Neo X2 L625 are definitely up to spec, though not quite a fight with the Intel CULV processors just yet. Note that the Edge 13 has better integrated graphics to augment its overall system score, but the CPU scores show a pretty close matchup between the processors. Against the AMD-based Acer Ferrari One, we can see an improvement in CPU scores, though overall system and HDD scores are still in the Ferrari One's favor. The scores do draw one obvious conclusion: the best combination for performance in the ultraportable platform is probably still an Intel CULV solution paired with a discrete graphics solution as shown by the Acer Aspire Timeline 3810t, though the AMD processor has caught up somewhat. A similar results trend was seen with PCMark Vantage and confirms what we know of the platform and notebook's performance.

On 3Dmark06, the scores of the Edge 13 integrated graphics are basically the same as the Acer Ferrari One, so don't expect too much from the unit. You will be able to get some light gaming done, but that's probably about it.


 

Join HWZ's Telegram channel here and catch all the latest tech news!
8.5
  • Design 8.5
  • Features 8.5
  • Performance 8
  • Value 9
  • Mobility 8
The Good
Excellent build
Cheap price
Good keyboard
The Bad
Glossy cover is fingerprint smudge magnet
Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.