5 reasons to hate the Lenovo Legion gaming laptop, and one reason to love it

The Chinese company Lenovo has succeeded in various technology markets, but its biggest impact is in the laptop market. Lenovo is committed to low prices and offers a variety of ultra-budget models that are accessible to every segment of buyers. It is thanks to these advantages that the high demand for the brand’s products is due, despite active competition from ASUS, HP, Dell and Acer. However, an attractive price always raises some doubts about the quality of the product. We tried to find among Lenovo laptops of different categories those that are really worthy of attention.

10Lenovo Ideapad L340-15IWL (81LG00AHRK)

The “best Lenovo laptops” rating opens with the most budget model, focused on simple work and educational tasks.
It runs on a weak dual-core Intel Celeron 4205U processor, has 4 GB of RAM and the far from popular integrated video chip Intel UHD Graphics 610. To rid the device of stutters and lags, a fast SSD solid-state drive has been introduced, albeit of a very small capacity - only 128 GB. The 15.6-inch laptop display has a high (for this segment) Full HD resolution. The 3-cell battery, according to the manufacturer, can last up to 9.5 hours on a single charge. The network card supports a connection speed of 1000 Mbps, and since the model is relatively new, there is a USB Type-C connector.

Pros:

• Low price
• SSD drive
• USB Type-C
• Lid opening 180 degrees
• Beautiful appearance

Minuses:

• Low memory
• Cheap matrix

Reviews of Asus and Lenovo laptops

Judging by the most recent reviews of our today's heroes, we can see that people are choosing Asus and Lenovo in the mid- and top-end segments, trying to avoid budget models whenever possible. Apparently, the quality of budget models of these laptops has dropped quite significantly, the devices especially suffer from broken cables and overheating of discrete video chips. In more expensive models from one or another manufacturer, such problems are observed much less frequently, except that sometimes you can hear complaints about insufficient cooling in Lenovo laptops.

Statistics of calls to service centers by manufacturer

According to statistical research firm Statistic Brain, Asus laptops are still slightly more reliable than their Chinese rivals. Although Lenovo is good in its own way and beats the famous Acer and HP. Full statistics of calls to service departments is as follows:

1. ASUS - 15.6%.
2. Toshiba - 15.7%.
3. Sony - 16.8%.
4. Apple - 17.4%.
5. Dell - 18.3%.
6. Lenovo - 21.5%.
7. Acer - 23.3%.
8. GateWay - 23.5%.
9. HP - 25.6%.

It is worth noting, however, that these statistics are completely relevant only for the American market. As for the CIS market, the quality of products supplied here may differ slightly from those supplied to the American market, and allowances should be made for this.

9Lenovo V130-15IKB (81HN00QNRU)

Another inexpensive dual-core processor, represented by the budget Intel Pentium 4417U processor.
Like the analogue above, it has 4 GB of RAM and an integrated Intel UHD Graphics 610 video adapter. But there is 875 GB more memory. It was possible to expand its volume by abandoning the more expensive SSD and using the “good old” HDD with a capacity of 1 TB. Also, unlike the aforementioned 81LG00AHRK, there is a DVD drive. This is a multimedia solution that copes with a wide range of tasks of medium complexity. The battery can operate without recharging for approximately 6 hours. The model comes without a pre-installed operating system.

Pros:

• Anti-glare coating
• Minimum weight and small dimensions
• Large data storage capacity
• High quality build

Minuses:

• No access to battery pack
• Unusual location of navigation buttons
• Cheap matrix with small viewing angles

8Lenovo Ideapad 330-15IKB (81DC00F9RU)

At a price of 20,000 rubles for modification 81DC00F9RU, you will receive a slightly more serious Intel Core i3 6006U processor with a frequency of 2 GHz than in previous samples, but still dual-core.
The 4 GB of RAM standard for the segment is complemented by an Intel HD Graphics 520 video chip, which will handle Fortnite, Dirt 4 and Overwatch at minimum levels, but Rise of the Tomb Raider (2016) may refuse to run at all. Still, this laptop is not worth taking for gaming. With a display resolution of 1366×768, it is difficult to classify it as a multimedia class device, however, the hardware capabilities are sufficient for office tasks, as well as for the needs of students. There is no pre-installed OS, so for better system performance you can install Windows 7.

Pros:

• Easy disassembly
• 1 TB memory
• USB Type-C
• Matte display finish

Minuses:

• Low display resolution
• Cheap matrix with faded colors

Lenovo ThinkBook 15

The mid-budget line offers medium-format laptops suitable for entertainment and solving a wide range of work tasks. Like other top Lenovo laptops, the ThinkBook 15 has built-in TPM 2.0 cryptography to encrypt all data and securely work on corporate networks. Typing is quick and easy with a spill-resistant, backlit keyboard with a number pad and 4 programmable keys.

Out of the box, Windows 10 Pro OS is preinstalled on the 128, 256 or 512 GB SSD, and full activation takes no longer than 8-10 seconds. For secure user authorization without entering a password, it is proposed to use the fingerprint module - a fast and reliable unlocking method. The eyes do not get tired even after prolonged work thanks to the high-quality 15.6-inch IPS matrix with FullHD resolution. A good anti-reflective coating is applied to its surface.

The hardware is built on 2/4-core 10th generation Intel Core i3/i5/i7 processors, improved integrated graphics Iris Plus Graphics G4/G7 and 8/16 GB of RAM. True, 16 GB is its maximum volume. The filling is hidden in a shock-resistant case certified according to the American military standard MIL-STD-810G. The battery life is about 9 hours with support for fast charging - 80% in just 60 minutes.

Pros:

• 5 USB ports, including Thunderbolt v3 support;
• Wi-Fi 6 and the ability to connect to a wired network;
• Looks elegant;
• Small and lightweight;
• Good thin-frame monitor;
• Fingerprint authorization;
• Spill-resistant keyboard and shock-resistant case;
• Monitor opening angle 180 degrees;
• Decent autonomy;
• Hidden input for connecting a mouse;
• Turn-on speed is less than 10 seconds.

Minuses:

• One slot for RAM (up to 16 GB);
• The lid is a bit difficult to open.

7Lenovo Ideapad 330 15 Intel (81DE02XTRU)

Add another ten thousand and you will get a laptop with a serious processor (Intel Core i5 8250U, 4 cores) + a good built-in video card (Intel UHD Graphics 620, often installed in more expensive laptops).
RAM is still 4 GB, internal memory is 500 GB. What does all of this mean? The device will cope with any tasks of moderate complexity, but it is not recommended to force it with games, complex video and photo editors (especially on a TN matrix). Buyers note that almost every modification of the Ideapad 330 15 Intel model is worth the money. In turn, our sample is aimed primarily at those users who require a fast processor, Full HD display resolution and operation without annoying noise.

Pros:

• The optimal solution in its price category
• Fifth generation Intel Core processor
• Easy to disassemble and upgradeable
• Anti-glare display coating
• There is no pre-installed OS (in other modifications, the pre-installed Win10 is very slow)

Minuses:

• Not the most capacious battery
• Slow HDD

Lenovo ThinkPad E14

The ThinkPad E14 is ideal for use outside the home thanks to its modest size - 18 mm thick and weighs 1.73 kg. This is facilitated by a capacious battery that can withstand up to 13 hours of active use. The durable aluminum body is certified to the military standard MIL-STD-810G, which says a lot about its level of durability and tolerance to adverse external influences.

The keyboard is not only protected from moisture, but also equipped with a trackpoint designed to control the cursor. In practice, this is very convenient, because it makes it convenient to work on a laptop without connecting a mouse. There is a TPM 2.0 cryptographic module for reliable encryption of traffic and all user data. The advantageous difference from the lines described above is the use of a thin-frame IPS screen with a diagonal of 14 inches and FHD resolution. Its strengths are realistic color rendition, maximum viewing angles and a brightness reserve of 250 cd/m2.

Good performance is facilitated by the combination of 4-core 10th generation Intel Core i5/i7 chipsets, a significant amount of RAM - 8/16 GB DDR-2666, high-speed solid-state drives and integrated UHD Graphics 620. In older versions, an RX 640 is installed. Alas, but one slot is allocated for RAM, which means you won’t be able to install more than 16 GB.

Access to the network will be lightning fast due to support for Wi-Fi 6. There is a webcam covered with a mechanical curtain, good microphones and a fingerprint scanner. There are four USB ports, and typing will be comfortable even in the dark thanks to the white backlit island-type keyboard.

Pros:

• Productive filling;
• High-speed SSD;
• Memory capacity;
• Case dimensions;
• Additional box with SATA interface for connecting a second drive;
• Does not heat above 80 degrees;
• Low noise level;
• Cool keyboard and touchpad;
• Trackpoint;
• Mechanical camera cover;
• Up to 13 hours without recharging;
• Accurate operation of the fingerprint scanner.

Minuses:

• Removing the cover is not so easy;
• In the reviews, many complain about the fragile RJ-45.

6Lenovo Ideapad S340-15API (81NC006FRK)

To your attention - an ultrabook - a very light and very thin portable computer.
It weighs only 1.8 kg, moreover, it is the leader in our rating in terms of length (245 mm) and 3rd place in terms of thickness (19.4 mm). It is all the more surprising that such a compact device has an affordable price and is equipped with far from the latest components. Since AMD products are noticeably cheaper than Intel's, the use of an AMD Ryzen 5 3500U CPU and an AMD Radeon Vega 8 video card made it possible to keep the price tag at 34,000 rubles without sacrificing performance at all. In terms of this parameter, this copy confidently outperforms everyone that is higher in the rating of “the best Lenovo laptops according to user reviews.”

The S340-15API model will be of interest to buyers who value mobility and do not want to overpay for well-promoted brands.

Pros:

• Good hardware for the price
• Fast SSD + 8 GB RAM
• Backlit keyboard
• Metal body

Minuses:

• Little internal memory (256 GB)
• Only 1 slot for RAM stick

Ridiculous battery life

You turn off the beautiful lighting almost immediately, for the sake of autonomy.

If a laptop weighs 3kg, I sincerely hope that the battery takes up the lion's share of the space inside the case. Okay, maybe not 10 hours of battery life like my MacBook, but at least 4 hours?

It is forbidden. The Lenovo Legion Y-740 works away from a power outlet for about 3 hours, and then only if you type something, don’t watch videos or run games.

If you decide to play, the laptop will turn off after 1.5 hours. Seriously: a heavy gaming laptop lasts 90 minutes on a single charge. There are no words.

5Lenovo Ideapad 330-15ICH (81FK0010RU)

We are considering a “generous” modification of a budget laptop.
It was possible to protect it from forced price increases due to the use of a TN display matrix and a plastic case, and the absence of a fingerprint scanner. But the performance is excellent. The mobile “brother” (with the prefix H) of the popular Intel Core i5 8300 processor is complemented by a powerful 4-GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 video card (179th place in the overall Technical.city rating). There is 8 GB of RAM and 1000 GB of internal memory. If you wish, you can get to the bottom of the power button - it is “disguised” as other keys, finding its place in the corner of the keyboard. It should also be noted that the cooling system of this model copes well with i5 processors, but modifications with i7 will keep the temperature low by noticeably reducing the clock frequency.

Pros:

• Doesn't get hot and doesn't make noise
• 1 TB memory
• Powerful video card for its price
• Easy assembly/disassembly process

Minuses:

• No fast SSD storage
• Cheap plastic housing
• Matrix TN

The plastic body is pressed when you print

The plastic under the keyboard can be pressed with your finger.
Very unpleasant sensations. My Lenovo Legion Y-740 costs a lot of money. Okay, you can put up with the plastic case: let it be an attempt to make the laptop lighter (FAIL), but there’s something that’s impossible to get used to – too thin plastic around the keyboard.

It just bends under your fingers, like foil.

Perhaps this was done on purpose so that the plastic does not crack due to the heating of the laptop. Well, you know, when plastic heats up, it deforms a little. But is this really the only solution that the creators of the top gaming gadget can offer?

Maybe it would have been worth using other materials in the design of the Lenovo Legion Y-740, the same aluminum, for example.

4Lenovo Ideapad L340-15IRH Gaming (81LK009RRU)

Lenovo proudly positions this model as a gaming model, although it is not much different from the previous model.
Having found the “extra” 5,000 rubles, you will get a faster central processor (Intel Core i5 9300H) and the same video card, only with 1 GB less video memory. However, the performance of the laptop here is much higher thanks to a 256 GB SSD drive (M.2 interface). The RAM can be expanded from 8 GB to 16 GB, but the presence of only one slot will force you to get rid of the 8 GB slot. It has become a traditional habit for Lenovo to save money on the display. But this is the last laptop in the rating with a TN matrix and a price of around 50,000 rubles. At the same time, you will be pleased with the pleasant backlighting of the keyboard, full equipment with connectors, and support for Dolby Audio.

Pros:

• Price/feature ratio
• Silent and easy-to-operate blue-backlit keys
• Fast storage
• Powerful video card for its price

Minuses:

• Mediocre battery
• Matrix TN

The main reason to love Lenovo Legion Y-740

Lenovo Legion Y-740 easily runs all games at maximum graphics settings. I fed this monster a dozen shooters and racing games, from The Crew 2 to Doom: there was not a single lag or slowdown.

Maximum performance is the only thing that justifies the purchase of this laptop. It is unlikely that anyone can be surprised by the multi-colored keyboard backlight or a separate button to call up the Lenovo proprietary menu. You know for sure that you need to PLAY a variety of games on this laptop, but certainly at maximum speed.

But then the pain begins.

3Lenovo Legion Y530-15ICH (81FV002DRU)

The top three include models of a slightly different level.
The Legion line turned out to be the most gaming-ready: a 6-core, 12-thread seventh-generation Intel Core i7 8750H processor, 16 GB of RAM, a powerful 4 GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti video card. On ultra settings in World of Tanks, the average FPS is 52, in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - 38, in Metro Exodus - 27. Fast system operation is ensured by installing Windows on an SSD (256 GB), and a large data storage will create another storage – HDD 1 TB (7200 rpm).

There are 3 USB ports, USB 3.1 Type-C, Mini DisplayPort output. The keyboard is backlit. What the Legion is not impressive about is the battery - the manufacturer claims only 5 hours of operation on a single charge.

Pros:

• The best price/quality ratio on the market
• Strict design, without gamer “pampering”
• Good IPS matrix (144 Hz)
• Possibility of overclocking and upgrade

Minuses:

• Terrible Lenovo software
• Low display brightness
• Weak battery

2Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen2 (20QV000XRT)

A very expensive laptop with ultra-capabilities.
Firstly, the display resolution is Ultra HD. How justified such a solution is for a 15.6-inch and a “laptop” battery is another question. Secondly, the ultra-powerful Intel Core i7-9750H processor, the most powerful in our rating (6 cores, 9 MB L3 cache). Thirdly, a large amount of RAM - 32 GB (at a frequency of 2666 MHz!), which is also the largest figure among the proposed analogues. Fourthly, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q video card, which, although slightly weaker than the GTX 1050 Ti, is still on the list of the most powerful gaming cards. When you pay two hundred thousand for a laptop, you probably won't tolerate compromises. You no longer need to choose between a large storage capacity (HDD) or a high speed drive (SSD), because an SSD with a memory capacity of 1 TB has been shoved here!

Nice additions include a 720p HD infrared webcam and a 3-year warranty.

Pros:

• The most powerful hardware, in particular the processor
• Premium Look
• Minimum dimensions and weight (1.7 kg)
• Wide range of upgrade options
• 4K display on IPS matrix

Minuses:

• Very expensive
• There are some assembly flaws

Lenovo IdeaPad 5

The line includes relatively small universal-purpose laptops, the images of which are displayed on excellent 15.6-inch IPS matrices. They were equipped with FullHD resolution, increased brightness to 300 cd/m2 and anti-reflective coating. Compared to the previous model year, the hardware has improved. Now 4/6/8-core AMD Ryzen 3/5 4300U/4500U/4600U processors are installed. They bring technology to a new level of performance, and at the same time reduce energy consumption and heat generation by switching to a 7-NM process technology.

As a result, autonomy has increased to 14 hours, and in one hour 80% of the charge is replenished. The RAM is soldered on the board, but it has a high frequency of 3200 MHz and a capacity of 16 GB. The island keyboard with NUM block, white backlight and 4 additional buttons contributes to comfortable work. There are only 3 USB ports, but with support for Thunderbolt 3. The case will please you with its size - 18 mm thick and weighs 1.7 kg, and reliable metal and plastic are used for its assembly. There are stereo speakers, impressive HD web and a card reader. Integrated video core - AMD Radeon Vega 5/6.

Pros:

• Looks stylish;
• Copes with video editing and many games;
• Increased monitor brightness reserve;
• Up to 14 hours from 1 charge;
• Modern 7-NM processors;
• Thunderbolt 3 support;
• RAM with a frequency of 3200 MHz;
• Very light - 1.7 kg;
• Impeccable assembly.

Minuses:

• RAM soldered on board;
• The keyboard bends;
• Only 3 USB ports.

On topic: The best 15 inch laptops

1Lenovo Legion Y740-17ICHg (81HH000URU)

Not as ultimate a laptop as the ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen2, but at the same time a more justified solution, both from a financial and practical point of view.
If in the previous case you noticeably overpay for technical characteristics that are more suitable for showing off to friends than for expanding the user's capabilities, then here the purchase is completely worth the money spent. The previous sample has an order of magnitude more powerful processor (therefore it is more suitable for professional tasks), but this gaming copy contains inside the case a top-end, one of the best in the world, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 2080 video card with 8 GB of GDDR6 video memory! However, the Core i7-8750H processor with a frequency of 2.2 GHz can be easily overclocked to 4.1 GHz.

Unlike other models in the rating, where the diagonal is strictly 15.6 inches, when purchasing the Y740 you will receive an enlarged display up to 17.3″. The case material is a combination of metal and plastic. The laptop goes on sale with Windows 10 Home pre-installed.

Pros:

• Advanced graphics card
• Fast RAM (2666 MHz)
• Large diagonal
• Two drives (1256 GB)
• Dolby Atmos support

Minuses:

• Relatively large weight (2.8 kg) and dimensions
• Cost not affordable for everyone

How and why I stopped buying new laptops

This article was written on a 2006 ThinkPad X60s.
When I worked as a freelance journalist (or worked in an office, if you like), I always thought that I needed a good computer, and that I should pay for quality. Between 2000 and 2021 I used three laptops, on which I spent a total of about 5,000 euros - approximately 300 euros per year. The average lifespan of each of these three laptops was 5.7 years.

In 2021, when I left the office and started working on my website, I decided that I would no longer buy new laptops. I bought a 2006 laptop on the secondary market for 50 euros - and it does everything I need. Together with a new battery and a couple of hardware upgrades, it cost me 150 euros.

If my 2006 laptop lasts as long as previous machines (it needs to last another 1.7 years), then it will only cost me 26 euros per year. This is 10 times less than the cost of my previous laptops. In this article, I'll tell you why I stopped buying new laptops and explain how you can do the same. Telegram channel with the agenda of the global IT elite: “HackerNews in Russian”

Energy and material aspects of using a laptop

By not buying new laptops, you can save a lot of money, as well as save a lot of resources and reduce environmental pollution.
According to modern research, it takes between 3,010 and 4,340 megajoules of primary energy to make a laptop—including mining materials, manufacturing the machine, and bringing it to market. [1] Between 160 and 200 million laptops are sold each year. Using the data above, it can be calculated that the production of laptops requires from 480 to 868 petajoules per year, which corresponds to a quarter to almost half of all solar energy produced in the world in 2021 (2023 petajoules). Laptop production also involves a lot of material consumption , including minerals that may be considered scarce due to various types of constraints: economic, social, geochemical and geopolitical. [3,4]

Manufacturing microchips is a very energy- and material-intensive process, but this is not the only problem. The high resource costs of laptop production are also associated with their very short service life. Most of the 160-200 million laptops sold each year are purchased as replacements. On average, a laptop is replaced every 3 years (in business) to five years (in other places). My 5.7 years of experience with a laptop is no exception.

Laptops don't change

There is a 2011 study that talks about a 2001 machine: the Dell Inspiron 2500. If you think the "laptop life cycle analysis" there is outdated, it's not.
A 2015 study shows that the amount of energy expended does not change. [5] Scientists disassembled 11 laptops of similar dimensions, produced between 1999 and 2008, and weighed various components. In addition, they measured the silicon die area in all motherboards and 30 DRAM sticks produced around the same time (before 2011). They found that the mass and material composition of all key components—battery, motherboard, hard drive, memory—did not change significantly, even as manufacturing processes became more energy and material efficient.

The reason is simple: the improvements in functionality balance the efficiency gains gained in the manufacturing process. The weight of the battery, memory and hard drive decreased per unit of functionality, but the average for the year did not change. These same dynamics explain why newer laptops aren't any more energy efficient than older ones. New laptops may be more energy efficient in terms of processing power, but this gain is offset by the increase in processing power itself. Nowhere is Jevons' paradox more evident than in computation.

Problem

All this means is that replacing an old laptop with a new one will not bring any benefits from an environmental or financial point of view. On the contrary, the only thing a consumer can do to improve the environmental and economic efficiency of their laptop is to use it for as long as possible. This is helped by the fact that laptops use mature technology, making the machines themselves have more than enough processing power. But there is one problem. Consumers who try to work on their old laptops for as long as possible will likely end up disappointed. Below I will briefly discuss my disappointments. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has encountered this.

Three new laptops that I used from 2000 to 2017.

My first laptop: Apple iBook (2000-2005)

In 2000, while working as a freelance science and technology journalist in Belgium, I bought my first laptop, an Apple iBook. After 2-3 years, my charging started to work poorly. When I was told the price of the new charger, I was so unhappy with Apple's sales strategy (the chargers are very cheap to make, but Apple sold them for a lot of money) that I decided not to buy it. Instead, I was able to use the old charger for several more years - at first I pressed it down with books and furniture, and when that stopped working, I tightened it with a tight clamp.

My second laptop: IBM ThinkPad R52 (2005-2013)

When the charger finally died in 2005, I decided to look for a new laptop.
I only had one requirement: its charger had to be reliable (or at least cheap to replace). And what I found exceeded my expectations. I bought an IBM Thinkpad R52, it was love at first sight. My IBM laptop was a copy of the Apple iBook, but not in terms of design (black rectangular box). More importantly, the machine was built to last, be reliable, and be easy to repair. Modular devices are all the rage these days, but even back then my IBM ThinkPad was exactly that. Every component in the laptop could be unscrewed and replaced, the durable chassis (with steel hinges) was spacious enough to make major upgrades possible, and it had every port you could imagine. My 2005 car is still running today and I'm convinced it could last another 500 years with proper care. Like the pre-industrial windmill, its lifespan could be extended indefinitely by gradually repairing and replacing each part. The question is not how we can move towards a circular economy, but why we continue to move away from it.

The IBM ThinkPad R52 from 2005.

My Thinkpad was more expensive than my iBook, but at least I spent all that money not on a fancy design, but on a decent computer. The charger was no problem, and when I lost it on a trip and had to buy a new one, I was able to do so at a reasonable cost. I had no idea that my lucky purchase would become such an important event in my life.

My third laptop: Lenovo Thinkpad T430 (2013-2017)

Fast forward to 2013.
I live in Spain and write for Low-tech Magazine. I'm still working on my IBM Thinkpad R52, but there are problems on the horizon. First of all, Microsoft will soon force me to upgrade my operating system because support for Windows XP will end in 2014. I don't want to spend a couple of hundred euros on a new operating system that will be too demanding for my old laptop. In addition, the laptop began to slow down even after resetting to factory settings. In short, I fell into the trap that the hardware and software industries have set for us. I made the mistake of thinking I needed a new laptop. I loved my Thinkpad so much that I didn't hesitate to buy a new version. The problem is this: in 2005, shortly after I bought my first Thinkpad, Lenovo (a Chinese company that is now the largest computer manufacturer in the world) bought IBM's PC business.

Chinese companies do not have a reputation for producing quality products, especially at that time. However, since Lenovo was still selling Thinkpad branded laptops that seemed almost identical to those sold by IBM, I decided to try my luck and bought a Lenovo Thinkpad T430 in April 2013. It was expensive, but I assumed you had to pay for quality.

My mistake was obvious from the very beginning. I had to order replacement of new laptops twice due to case deformations. When I finally got a laptop that didn't wobble on my desk, another problem arose: the keys started flying out. I still remember how I couldn’t believe it the first time it happened. IBM's ThinkPad laptops were known for the reliability of their keyboards. They could only be broken with a hammer. Lenovo apparently thought that this was not very important and replaced the keyboards with cheaper ones. You might suspect that I type very furiously, but I've never had a single keyboard break before.

I was very unhappy and ordered replacement keys for 15 euros. As a result, replacing keys became one of my expenses. After spending over 100 euros on plastic keys, I estimated that there are 90 keys in the entire keyboard, which means replacing them would cost 1350 euros. At some point, I stopped using the laptop keyboard and started connecting an external one. However, this was very impractical, especially when working outside the home - which is exactly what I need a laptop for.

This couldn't go on: I needed a new laptop. Again. But which one? Of course, it won't be from Lenovo or Apple.

Replacing all the keys on my Lenovo T430 would cost me 1350 euros.

My fourth laptop: IBM Thinkpad X60s (2017-present)

Not finding what I was looking for, I decided to go back in time.
It dawned on me that modern laptops are of lower quality than older ones, even if they are very expensive. I found out that Lenovo changed the keyboard around 2011 and started looking at auctions for Thinkpad series laptops released before that year. I could go back to my 2005 ThinkPad R52, but I'm used to a Spanish keyboard, and the R52 had a Belgian one. In April 2021, I settled on a used 2006 Thinkpad X60s. [6] As of December 2020, the machine has been in use for almost 4 years and is 14 years old – 3-5 times older than the average laptop. While I liked the 2005 Thinkpad R52, I absolutely adore my 2006 Thinkpad X60s. It's just as durable - it's already survived a drop off a table onto a concrete floor - but it's much smaller and lighter: 1.43kg versus 3.2kg.

My 2006 Thinkpad X60s does everything I need it to do. I use it for writing articles, research, and maintaining websites. I have also used it on stage to give lectures while displaying images on a large screen. There is only one thing missing from my laptop, especially now: a webcam. I solve this problem by turning on the damn 2013 laptop with broken keys whenever I need to and happily using it without using the keyboard. You can also solve this problem by upgrading to the 2008 ThinkPad X200 - this is a new version of the same model with a webcam.

My ThinkPad X60s.

How to make an old laptop work like a new one

Avoiding buying new laptops is not as easy as buying a used laptop. It is advisable to update its hardware and roll back the software version. You need to do two things:

Install low power software

My laptop runs Linux Lite, one of several open-source operating systems specifically designed to run on older computers.
Using the Linux operating system is not just an idea. You won't be able to use your old laptop, Windows or MacOS, because the computer will instantly freeze. Linux Lite doesn't have the flashy visuals of the latest Apple and Windows interfaces, but it does have a familiar GUI that doesn't feel dated. Linux Lite takes up very little hard drive space and is undemanding in terms of hardware power. With it, the old laptop, despite its limited capabilities, works without failures. I also use lightweight browsers: Vivaldi and Midori. I worked on Microsoft Windows for a long time and I think that Linux operating systems are much better, especially since they are free to download and install. What's more, Linux operating systems don't steal your personal data or try to lock you into their ecosystem like the latest operating systems from Microsoft and Apple do. However, even with Linux you cannot avoid obsolescence. For example, Linux Lite will end support for 32-bit computers in 2021, which means I'll soon have to look for a different operating system or buy a slightly newer 64-bit laptop.

Replace HDD with SSD

In recent years, solid state drives (SSDs), which are much faster than hard drives (HDDs), have become much more affordable.
You can revive an old laptop by simply installing a lightweight operating system on it. But if you also replace the HDD with an SSD, then you will have a machine that is as fast as a new laptop. Depending on the desired capacity, the SSD will cost from 20 euros (120 GB) to 100 euros (960 GB). Installing an SSD is quite simple and is perfectly described on the Internet. SSDs are quiet and more resistant to physical shock, but have a shorter life expectancy than HDDs. Mine has been working for almost 4 years now. It seems that from both an environmental and financial point of view, an old laptop with an SSD is a much better choice than buying a new laptop, even if you have to replace the SSD from time to time.

Spare laptops

Meanwhile, my strategy has evolved.
I bought two identical laptops at a similar price in 2021 and early 2021 to use as spares. Now I plan to continue working on these machines for as long as possible, I have more than enough spare parts. Since purchasing my last laptop I have had two problems. After about a year of use, my cooler broke. They fixed it for me overnight in a tiny, dirty computer shop in Antwerp run by a Chinese guy. He said that the repaired fan will work for another six months, although it has been working for two years now. Then, last year, my X60s suddenly refused to charge, a problem that had been occurring with my damn 2013 laptop. Seems to be a common problem for Thinkpads, but I haven't been able to solve it yet. In fact, I didn't have to, because I had a spare laptop ready - I started using it whenever I needed (or wanted) to work outside.

Three identical laptops from 2006, all in working order, cost me less than 200 euros.

Thinkpad X60s internals. Source: Service Manual.

Magic SD card

Now I want to tell you about a magical SD card that will make your old (and new) laptops easier to use.
Many people store their personal documents on a hard drive and then, if all goes well, back them up to external media. I do the opposite. I keep all my data on a 128GB SD card, which I can connect to any of the laptops I have. I make monthly SD card backups that I store on external media, and I also regularly make backups of documents I'm working on that I temporarily store on the drive of the laptop I'm working on. This approach turned out to be very reliable, at least for me: I stopped losing work due to computer problems and lack of backup copies.

Another advantage is that I can work on any laptop, and access to work materials is not dependent on a specific machine. All these benefits can also be obtained by storing data in the cloud, but an SD card is more stable and works without Internet access.

Hypothetically, two hard drives could fail on me every day, and I would continue to work as if nothing had happened. Since I now use both laptops alternately (one with battery, one without) I can also leave them in different places and switch between those places while only carrying the SD card in my wallet. Try this with your new expensive laptop. I can also use my laptops together if I need an extra screen.

A 128 GB SD card will cost you 20-40 euros, depending on the brand. When combined with a hard drive, an SD card also increases the performance of an older laptop and can be an alternative to installing an SSD. My spare laptop doesn't have it, and it can be slow when browsing heavy websites. However, with an SD card, opening a map or document is almost instantaneous, as is viewing or saving the document. The SD card also keeps the hard drive running fast because it is not occupied by anything. I don't know how practical it is to use an SD card in other laptops, but all my Thinkpads have a slot for them.

Expenses

Let's do a full cost calculation, including the cost of spare laptops and an SD card, and using today's prices for both SSDs and SD cards - they've gotten a lot cheaper since I bought them:

• ThinkPad X60s: 50 euros
• Spare ThinkPad X60s: 60 euros
• Spare ThinkPad X60: €75
• Two replacement batteries: 50 euros
• 240 GB SSD: €30
• 128 GB SD card: 20 euros
• Total: 285 euros

Even if you buy all this, you will only spend 285 euros. For that price you can buy the crappiest new laptop on the market, but you clearly won't be able to buy two spare laptops. If you manage to work with this stuff for ten years, the cost of your laptop will be 28.5 euros per year. You may have to replace a few SSDs and SD cards, but it won't make much of a difference. Plus, you'll reduce the environmental damage that comes with buying a new laptop every 5.7 years.

My laptop needs are satisfied for the foreseeable future

Don't go too far

Although I used my Thinkpad X60s as an example, the same strategy works with other Thinkpad models (here's a review of all the models) and laptops from other manufacturers (which I know nothing about).
If you prefer not to buy from auction sites, you can walk to the nearest pawn shop and get a used laptop with a guarantee. Chances are, you won't even need to buy anything, since many people have old laptops lying around. It is not necessary to buy a laptop made in 2006. I hope everyone understands what I'm trying to say. I was probably trying to go back as much as possible while still being practical. My first attempt was a used 2002 ThinkPad X30, but it was too old. It has a different charger, no SD card slot, and I couldn't connect to Wi-Fi. For many, all this may be a reason to look for a younger laptop. You might be able to find a machine with 64-bit architecture and a webcam, that will make things easier. Of course, you can also try to beat me and go back to the 90s, but then you will have to make do without USB and wireless Internet connection.

Your choice of laptop also depends on what you intend to do with it. If you use it mainly for writing, web browsing, communication and entertainment, you can save money like I did. If you do graphics or work with multimedia, then everything is more complicated. In this case, you are probably working with an Apple machine. The same strategy can be applied to younger and more expensive laptops, but it's worth switching from MacOS to Linux. When it comes to office applications, Linux is clearly superior to its commercial alternatives. Due to lack of experience, I can't tell you if this is true for other software as well.

This is a life hack, not a new economic model

While capitalism can provide us with used laptops for decades to come, the above strategy should be viewed as a hack rather than an economic model.
It's a way to deal with an economic system that tries to force you and me to consume as much as possible. This is an attempt to break this system, but it is not a solution in its essence. We need an economic model in which all laptops will be assembled like ThinkPads before 2011. Laptop sales will fall, but that's exactly what we need. Given today's computing efficiency, if we could reverse the trend towards increased functionality, we could significantly reduce the operational and internal power consumption of laptops. It is noteworthy that changes in hardware and software cause computers to become obsolete quickly, but the latter has now become the most important factor. A 15 year old computer has all the hardware you need, but is not compatible with the latest (commercial) software. This is true for operating systems and all types of software, from games to office applications to websites. Therefore, to make laptop computers more durable over the long term, the software industry should make new versions of its products lighter, not heavier. The lighter the software, the longer our laptops will last, and we will need less energy to use and produce them.

Notes

1 Deng, Liqiu, Callie W. Babbitt, and Eric D. Williams.
“Economic-balance hybrid LCA extended with uncertainty analysis: case study of a laptop computer.” Journal of Cleaner Production 19.11 (2011): 1198-1206. www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959652611000801 2 International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). www.irena.org/solar

3 André, Hampus, Maria Ljunggren Söderman, and Anders Nordelöf. “Resource and environmental impacts of using second-hand laptop computers: A case study of commercial reuse.” Waste Management 88 (2019): 268-279. www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0956053X19301825

4 Bihouix, Philippe. The Age of Low Tech: Towards a Technologically Sustainable Civilization. Policy Press, 2021. bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/the-age-of-low-tech

4 Kasulaitis, Barbara V., et al. “Evolving materials, attributes, and functionality in consumer electronics: Case study of laptop computers.” Resources, conservation and recycling 100 (2015): 1-10. www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0921344915000683

6 Lenovo acquired IBM's PC business in 2005, and strictly speaking, I bought Lenovo Thinkpad X60s. However, the hardware has not changed yet and the laptop bears the IBM logo. On my spare laptop, an almost identical model of the same year (X60 instead of X60s), nothing reminds me of Lenovo.

• Discussion on HackerNews
• Telegram channel “HackerNews in Russian”

Which Lenovo laptop is best to buy in 2019-2020?

This article contains quite a lot of numbers and technical characteristics, and this is explained simply - the models presented in the rating meet all the basic requirements of ordinary users in terms of mobility, convenience, and the absence of typical troubles in the form of overheating, freezing, and rapid failure of components. We considered modifications of models that justify the costs and will obediently perform their daily tasks, without unnecessary nerves and stress.

If you keep up with the times and want to purchase a laptop that keeps up with technological progress, carefully study the specifications. Do not buy laptops with a processor lower than Core i3, preferably i5 8250U / AMD Ryzen 5 3500U and higher. Do you like games? Give preference to a discrete video card, at least NVIDIA GeForce MX150 / AMD Radeon Vega 8. 4 GB of RAM is the required minimum today.

The volume and type of storage is at your discretion, however, we note that HDD hard drives are rapidly losing their relevance. Thanks to the presence of Thunderbolt or miniDisplay ports, you can connect external 4K displays, and Dolby Atmos will give you a new audio experience. And try to avoid TN matrices if picture quality matters to you at all.

Comparison of popular lines of laptops from Asus and Lenovo

Before you choose which laptop is best to buy, it’s not superfluous to orient yourself not only on the hardware, but also on what kind of laptop computer you want and how much you are willing to pay for it. In each price segment, companies have their own lines of devices that meet certain customer requirements.

By purpose

If you want a universal device that will allow you to perform basic everyday tasks, allow you to play a little games, but nevertheless have a long battery life and will not be expensive... then such a laptop probably does not exist. Joke. Then you need to pay attention to the VivoBook line from Asus and the IdeaPad line in the case of Lenovo. These lines form the main backbone of all laptops from companies and are the most popular, often budget solutions. It is unlikely that you will be able to find the ideal car among them, but they will definitely cope with the above tasks.

If you like to travel a lot or just often take a laptop from home, if you like thin and multifunctional devices, then your choice is Zenbook from Asus and Yoga from Lenovo. These laptops are very light, thin and compact, they are distinguished by good case materials and long battery life, but it is worth considering that such devices use not very productive hardware.

For gamers, companies also have special lines of devices with which the user can enjoy demanding modern games. We are, of course, talking about ROG and Legion devices from Asus and Lenovo, respectively. Such laptops are distinguished by powerful discrete graphics, efficient processors and a very considerable cost.

Well, if you are a business shark, often go to meetings, conferences, and you need your laptop not only to work quickly, but also to look as presentable as possible, then your choice should definitely strive for the Lenovo ThinkPad and Asus ASUSPRO lines.

By price

We have already introduced you a little to price categories in the previous block of the article. All company lines are in one way or another divided into budget, medium and top segments. However, it is worth considering that this division is very conditional. Since sometimes individual laptops from the budget line can be quite expensive due to the configuration with high-performance hardware. And at the same time, a more premium line may not be so expensive due to the use of the minimum necessary components. However, in the question “Lenovo or Asus?” You should be aware of which specific segment this or that device belongs to, so that you can more correctly compare them on store shelves.

Asus's budget lines include the following series: E, FX/ZX and X. The cost of such laptops rarely exceeds $350. Lenovo's budget lines include the lines designated by the letters G and V. When we talk about Asus, the mid-budget segment should include a model such as the VivoBook, although sometimes its cost can fall into the budget segment and soar into the premium one. Lenovo's IdeaPad and Yoga lines can be considered the average model. And finally, premium laptops - we have ZenBook and ROG from Asus, as well as ThinkPad and Legion from Lenovo.