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MagyarLenovo IdeaPad 305-15 (Core i5-5200U, Radeon R5 M330) Notebook Review
For the original German review, see here.
With the IdeaPad 305-15IBD, Lenovo has thrown a 15.6-inch all-rounder onto the market. Under the hood, there is a Broadwell processor and a graphics core from AMD. The computer is not unknown to us. Recently, we reviewed a technically weaker sibling. The device could not really convince us. Our review will reveal whether the current test model can leave a better impression. The IdeaPad is available for about 700 Euros (~$747). For example the Acer Aspire E5-573G, the Dell Inspiron 15-5558, and the HP Pavilion 15 are competitors at the same price point.
Since both of our IdeaPad 305-15 test models use the same design as the Lenovo B50-80, we will not cover case, connectivity, input devices and speakers in detail here. Please refer to our Lenovo B50-80 review for information about these.
Display
Lenovo has equipped the IdeaPad with a matte 15.6-inch display with a native resolution of 1366x768 pixels. Its brightness of 228.2 cd/m² is too low. We expect a value above 250 cd/m². The contrast of 510:1 is acceptable. This panel does not use pulse width modulation (PWM) for brightness control. Thus, the image never flickers.
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Brightness Distribution: 84 %
Center on Battery: 175 cd/m²
Contrast: 510:1 (Black: 0.42 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 12.18 | 0.5-29.43 Ø5
ΔE Greyscale 13.53 | 0.57-98 Ø5.3
62% sRGB (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
39% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
42.52% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
61.9% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
41.15% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.26
The DeltaE 2000 shift is 12.18 out-of-the-box (target range: DeltaE smaller than 3). Such a value is acceptable in the budget segment, but we expect more from a notebook for 700 Euros (~$747). In addition, the display is very bluish.
Lenovo has equipped the IdeaPad with a TN panel with narrow viewing angles. Thus, it is not possible to read from the screen from every position. It is possible to use the notebook outdoors, albeit in the shade.
Performance
With the IdeaPad 305-15IBD, Lenovo is offering a 15.6-inch all-rounder. It brings sufficient performance for everyday tasks and can run games to some extent. Our test model was not listed in price search engines or online shops at the time of testing. Thus, we cannot tell the exact price. Comparable IdeaPad 305 models are available for about 700 Euros (~$747). We assume, that the price of our test model might be similar. In addition, Lenovo is offering several other configurations with Intel as well as AMD components. We have recently reviewed a cheaper representative of the series with the IdeaPad 305-15ABM.
Processor
The IdeaPad is powered by a mid-range CPU from Intel. The Core i5-5200U processor (Broadwell) works at a base clock of 2.2 GHz. Thanks to Turbo, the clock rate can be increased to 2.5 GHz (two cores) or 2.7 GHz (one core). In our CPU tests, the processor works at full speed in mains operation as well as on battery. The performance of the processor should be more than sufficient for the requirements of most users.
| JetStream 1.1 - Total Score (sort by value) | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad 305-15IBD | |
| HP Pavilion 15-ab052ng | |
| Peacekeeper - --- (sort by value) | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad 305-15IBD | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad 305-15ABM | |
| Acer Aspire E5-573G-5785 | |
| HP Pavilion 15-ab052ng | |
| HP Pavilion 15-ab022ng | |
| Dell Inspiron 15-5558 | |
| HP 350 G2 L8B05ES | |
* ... smaller is better
System Performance
The system runs smoothly without problems. The results of the PCMark benchmarks are good, too. The computer performs slightly better than comparable devices with Nvidia graphics cores. In particular, the PCMark 8 benchmark profits from AMD GPUs. It is possible to increase the system performance of the IdeaPad. Replacing the hard drive with a Solid State Drive would have the biggest effect. Windows would boot faster and the whole system would be more responsive. Another option would be adding a second RAM module.
| PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2 | 3144 points | |
| PCMark 8 Creative Score Accelerated v2 | 3576 points | |
| PCMark 8 Work Score Accelerated v2 | 4124 points | |
Help | ||
Storage Device
Lenovo has equipped the IdeaPad with a conventional 2.5-inch hard drive. The model from Seagate rotates at 5400 rpm and has a capacity of 1 TB. The transfer rates of the hard drive are normal for a 5400 rpm model.
Graphics Card
The IdeaPad comes with an AMD Radeon R5 M330 graphics core. It is a lower mid-range model and supports DirectX 12. According to AMD's website, the maximum clock of the GPU is 1030 MHz. However, the model in the IdeaPad only reaches a maximum clock rate of 955 MHz. This throttling is not caused by overheating. Lenovo has simply limited the clock rate to 955 MHz. Since the Lenovo B50-80 is the only other notebook with this GPU we have reviewed so far, we cannot tell whether this graphics core clocks higher in other notebooks. The IdeaPad and the Lenovo B50-80 are identical. They use the same case and innards. The direct competitor of the AMD GPU is Nvidia's GeForce 920M. The 3DMark results of these two are on par.
AMD's graphics core and Intel's HD Graphics 5500 graphics chip form a graphics-switch solution (Enduro). The Intel GPU is responsible for everyday tasks and battery mode, while the Radeon GPU is used in performance-hungry applications like computer games. Usually, the graphics units are switched automatically, but sometimes the user has to manually intervene. AMD's graphics switch does not work quite as smoothly as Nvidia's counterpart.
| 3DMark 11 Performance | 1782 points | |
| 3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score | 36301 points | |
| 3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score | 4194 points | |
| 3DMark Fire Strike Score | 843 points | |
Help | ||
Gaming Performance
Although Lenovo is charging just under 700 Euros (~$747) for the IdeaPad, its gaming capabilities are limited at best. The notebook can smoothly run several games at low resolution and low to partly medium settings. However, this is only true for games with moderate hardware requirements. Performance-hungry titles like Batman: Arkham Knight or The Witcher 3 are not playable at all.
While AMD's graphics core can still keep up with the GeForce 920M GPU in the 3DMark benchmarks, it falls significantly behind in gaming practice. However, GeForce 920M notebooks cost less. The frame rates of the Lenovo are on par with the recently reviewed HP 350 G2's (Core i5-5200U, Radeon R5 M240). The latter is priced at about 480 Euros (~$512). In other words: You can get the same gaming performance for above 200 Euros (~$213) less at HP.
Those who are willing to spend up to 700 Euros (~$747) for a notebook should select a different model, for example the Acer Aspire E5-573G-57NU (Core i5-5200U, GeForce 940M, Full HD-display, 8 GB RAM, 1 TB SSHD, Windows 10). Its configuration is better in all aspects for the same price.
| low | med. | high | ultra | |
| The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011) | 41.7 | 27.6 | 18.2 | |
| Tomb Raider (2013) | 51.5 | 26.8 | 20.5 | |
| Wolfenstein: The New Order (2014) | 31.6 | 29 | ||
| Watch Dogs (2014) | 26.1 | 16 | ||
| GRID: Autosport (2014) | 104.5 | 38.9 | ||
| Risen 3: Titan Lords (2014) | 25.3 | 16 | ||
| Ryse: Son of Rome (2014) | 22.4 | 13.9 | ||
| The Evil Within (2014) | 22.5 | 15.3 | ||
| Assassin's Creed Unity (2014) | 16.5 | 10.8 | ||
| Far Cry 4 (2014) | 25.6 | 17.6 | ||
| The Crew (2014) | 21.1 | 16 | ||
| Dirt Rally (2015) | 106.2 | 26.3 | ||
| The Witcher 3 (2015) | 15.9 | 10.7 | ||
| World of Warships (2015) | 49.1 | 34.7 | ||
| FIFA 16 (2015) | 51 | 37.1 | ||
| Anno 2205 (2015) | 25.4 | 13.7 | ||
| Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 (2015) | 30.2 | 17.9 |
| Wolfenstein: The New Order - 1280x720 Low Preset (sort by value) | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad 305-15IBD | |
| Lenovo Z51-70-80K6 | |
| Dell Inspiron 15-5558 | |
| HP 350 G2 L8B05ES | |
| Dell Inspiron 15 3542-2293 | |
| GRID: Autosport - 1024x768 Ultra Low Preset (sort by value) | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad 305-15IBD | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad 305-15ABM | |
| HP 350 G2 L8B05ES | |
| Dell Inspiron 15 3542-2293 | |
| World of Warships - 1366x768 Low Preset AF:Trilinear (sort by value) | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad 305-15IBD | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad 305-15ABM | |
| HP Pavilion 15-ab052ng | |
| HP 350 G2 L8B05ES | |
| FIFA 16 - 1280x720 Low Preset (sort by value) | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad 305-15IBD | |
| HP Pavilion 15-ab052ng | |
| HP 350 G2 L8B05ES | |
Emissions & Energy
System Noise
While idle, the fan works at low speed and produces a quiet, constant noise. In addition, the noise of the hard drive is audible. You can only tell the noises of the two components apart with your ear close to the device. During the stress test, the fan speeds up and the noise level increases to up to 43.6 dB. Since the IdeaPad only gets moderately warmer during the stress test, a more conservative fan control would be possible.
Noise Level
| Idle |
| 33.8 / 33.8 / 33.8 dB(A) |
| HDD |
| 34 dB(A) |
| DVD |
| 37.6 / dB(A) |
| Load |
| 39.5 / 43.6 dB(A) |
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30 dB silent 40 dB(A) audible 50 dB(A) loud |
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min:  , med:  , max:  Voltcraft sl-320 (15 cm distance) | ||
Temperature
The processor works at 2.5 GHz in our stress test (Prime95 and Furmark run for at least one hour) in mains operation and on battery. The graphics core clocks at 400 MHz (on battery) and 955 MHz (in mains operation), respectively. Although CPU and GPU work at full speed, the notebook gets only moderately warmer. During the stress test, the temperatures remained below 40 °C in all measurement segments.
(+) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 39.4 °C / 103 F, compared to the average of 36.9 °C / 98 F, ranging from 21.1 to 71 °C for the class Multimedia.
(+) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 36.6 °C / 98 F, compared to the average of 39.1 °C / 102 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 25.2 °C / 77 F, compared to the device average of 31.2 °C / 88 F.
(+) The palmrests and touchpad are reaching skin temperature as a maximum (35.3 °C / 95.5 F) and are therefore not hot.
(-) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 28.8 °C / 83.8 F (-6.5 °C / -11.7 F).
Power Consumption
The IdeaPad is relatively frugal while idle. We measured a maximum power consumption of 7.6 Watt. However, the computer is more demanding than comparable GeForce 920M notebooks like the Dell lnspiron 15-5558 under load. During the stress test as well as in everyday gaming, the Lenovo computer requires more energy - although the gaming performance is lower. In our experience, AMD GPUs generally need more energy than their Nvidia counterparts.
| Off / Standby | 0.3 / 0.4 Watt |
| Idle | 5 / 7.1 / 7.6 Watt |
| Load |
39.5 / 43.6 Watt |
   
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Battery Life
In the realistic Wi-Fi test, we simulate the load during web surfing. The profile "balanced" is active and the display brightness is set to about 150 cd/m². The IdeaPad achieves a battery life of 3:41 h, which is not impressive at all. We expect about 5 hours from 15.6-inch notebooks in this test.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
With the IdeaPad 305-15IBD, Lenovo has a 15.6-inch all-rounder in its portfolio. The incorporated Core i5 processor delivers sufficient performance for all usual application scenarios. The notebook can also run computer games with limitations. Usually, it works quietly and hardly gets warmer. Thanks to a 1 TB hard drive, there is not a lack of storage capacity. The hard drive can be easily replaced with a model with bigger capacity or an SSD via a maintenance hatch. The IdeaPad's display won't win any prizes. Its brightness is low and its viewing angles are narrow. Only the contrast is acceptable. In addition, we did not like the springy keyboard and the battery life is too short.
The price of the IdeaPad is the biggest point of critique. Just under 700 Euros (~$747) is simply too much for the delivered performance/features. In our opinion a price of 500 Euros (~$534) would be fairer.
In the recently reviewed 350 G2 (Core i5-5200U, Radeon R5 M240), HP has a comparable notebook in its line-up, which only costs 480 Euros (~$512). Thus, the HP is more recommendable than the IdeaPad.
Lenovo IdeaPad 305-15IBD
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11/07/2015 v4(old)
Sascha Mölck
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