New laptop: Lenovo Ideapad U330
Par jd le mercredi, juillet 8 2009, 19:05 - Hardware - Lien permanent
After some though, I decided to switch from my big dual screen workstation (called abydos) to a laptop system. I used this workstation for more than 8 years now (with 2 massive hardware changes) on a desk. But my flat not being that big (you know, Paris, it's expensive to rent), I decided to remove my desktop in favor of my guitar setup. Anyway, doing geek stuff all the day at work, I was not sitting at my desk very often.
I've bought a Lenovo Ideapad U330, which is a really nice machine. It's not like a real ThinkPad (ThinkPad are more expensive) but it's still very nice. It has almost everything a good laptop would have, dual core, 4 GB RAM, 320 GB hard drive, WiFi up to 802.11n, DVD writer, webcam, HDMI, etc. And a not-too-small-not-too-big 13.3" LCD display. It's quite light with only 1.9 Kg, but IMHO, I still think it's a bit heavy. YMMV.
I've installed Debian on it (of course) and everything works like a charm. There's only a little bug with the webcam, since the image is upside down. But I'm pretty sure this is already fixed in kernel > 2.6.30. It has been named keller (Stargate fans will know why).
For now I really recommend this laptop. 
Commentaires
Does HDMI output work?
Does it stay away when keyboard/monitor are attached and the lid is closed?
How much dit it cost with the shipping into France (in euro)? Did you received it fast after your command? Why did you not buy a Dell laptop, like every one else
?
(I looking for a nice and cheap computer for my mother, Debian compliant)
Ryan:
I did not try the HDMI output. This laptop has a 2 video cards, one Intel and one ATI. I can see both in lspci, but X decided to pick the Intel one, which is fine with me. So I can only use LCD + VGA. The HDMI sound and video is handled by the ATI video card, which I did not try yet. At least the ATI sound chipset for the HDMI output is recognized by alsa.
MIchael:
It's the updated version FWIW, the first one had only 3 GB and 250 GB hard drive and a small CPU, this one comes with 4 GB, 320 GB drive and a faster CPU.
I bought it 849 euro from France.
I did not bought a Dell one because I usually find the Dell laptop a little cheap in their finition compared to Lenovo ThinkPad. Even if it's not a ThinkPad, it's quite well finished and looks solid. I guess that's more a design/look preference rather than a rational one.
Where did you buy it ? it doesn't seems to be available online on lenovo site.
Here: http://www.rueducommerce.fr/
Did you work out the graphic chip problem? Can you switch from one to another, or are you stuck with the power-eating one, as i read on other places?