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Review Lenovo IdeaPad Y500 Notebook

Surprise candidate. Lenovo again ventures into the highly competitive gaming sector with the IdeaPad Y500. The UltraBay technology enables the 15-incher to be equipped with an optical drive, a second GPU, an auxiliary fan or another hard disk. A thrilling concept that lets the laptop stand out from the competition. We exhaustively tested the SLI alternative.
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500

For the original German review, see here.

Lenovo and gaming? Does that match at all? The manufacturer, mainly known for its office laptops, now also wants to make a name for itself in the gaming sector. The IdeaPad Y500 is not just a copy of the devices from MSI, Asus or Samsung, but a unique product that in many ways treads new, or at least different paths.

For example, the UltraBay mentioned in the introduction is unique. In simple words, it is a special drive compartment that can optionally harbor a second graphics card. System fan modules (better cooling for 20 Euros/~$27), a hard disk module (750 GB HDD for 90 Euros/~$121) and a DVD/CD burner module (70 Euros/~$94) are also offered in Lenovo's German shop.

Lenovo relies on a well-tried DirectX 11 accelerator from Nvidia for the GPU. While the 15-incher places itself in the midrange with a single GeForce GT 650M, the laptop is propelled into the high-end range when using an SLI configuration.

The other components can also compete with the contenders. The model we tested is dubbed MBG3DGE and sports 16 GB of DDR3 RAM (1600 MHz), a 1000 GB, 5400 rpm HDD and a small 16 GB mSATA SSD, which serves as a cache and cannot be used directly. Intel's popular Core i7-3630QM takes care of CPU calculations. Its four cores can clock with 2.4 to 3.4 GHz in load. The glossy-type LED screen unsurprisingly has a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. This bundle's price: 1100 Euros (~$1481).

Buyers who do not want to spend more than 1000 Euros (~$1346) could opt for the MBG2JGE. The 100 Euros (~$135) cheaper family member sports a single GPU and a still fully sufficient eight GB of DDR3 RAM. The processor, screen and hard disk capacity are identical. Both laptops have Windows 8 64-bit in common.

Can the 15-incher attain a place among the premium gaming laptops? Our test shows whether the daring idea is successful or Lenovo goes belly up with it. Various complaints about the American version were made not long after its release (useless touchpads, non-functional power supplies, etc.). 

Case

Metal lid
Metal lid
Unstable touchpad
Unstable touchpad

The IdeaPad Y500 looks rather unimposing in a closed state. The dark color and rather basic design do not exactly indicate potent hardware. Only the wide vents that blow out waste heat toward the (mouse) hand hint at the device's purpose. However, the manufacturer's ambitions quickly become evident as soon as the laptop is opened. The keys' red rim and speakers' red highlighted grille downright scream for games.

While the lid and the wrist rest are made of brushed aluminum, the base is completely composed of plastic. The surfaces will soon be covered with smudge despite the matte finish because the laptop is susceptible to greasy fingers.

The glossy keyboard bed and display bezel is even more sensitive. Particularly the latter proves to be a real dust magnet. Fingerprints and scratches are also an issue here. The wide plastic bezel basically does not quite fit into the overall picture. It mars both the quality impression as well as the looks. Overall, the design places itself between the devices from Clevo (basic) and MSI (flashy).

Although the casing tends to yield in a few areas, such as the keyboard's left and right area, the stability is on a satisfactory to good level. Only the touchpad yields extremely at its sides and toward its bottom. The same applies to workmanship. The positive overall impression is marred by a few irregular material transitions.

The manufacturer earns kudos for the moderate size. With a height of almost 40 millimeters (~1.57 inches) and a weight of approximately 2.9 kilograms (~6.4 pounds), the 15-incher is significantly below the high-end Asus G55VW (50 mm, 3.8 kg/~1.97 inches and ~8.4 pounds), MSI GT60 (58 mm, 3.5 kg/~2.28 inches and ~7.7 pounds) and Schenker XMG P502 (51 mm, 3.2 kg/~2.01 inches and ~7.1 pounds), which may perform slower depending on the hardware configuration. The IdeaPad Y500's numbers are closer to competitors such as Asus' N56VZ GT 650 (37 mm, 2.7 kg/~1.46 inches and ~6.0 pounds), DevilTech's Fire DTX (38 mm, 2.6 kg/~1.50 inches and ~5.7 pounds) and Schenker's XMG A502 (47 mm, 2.9 kg/~1.85 inches and ~6.4 pounds). The laptop is also suitable for frequent transportation owing to its reasonable weight.

Connectivity

Interfaces

Most interfaces are on the laptop's front half because of the unfavorably placed vents. The laptop only achieves "satisfactory" in this category since Lenovo omits a FireWire or eSATA port as well as a DisplayPort.

Two audio jacks (in + out) and an RJ45 Gigabit LAN port should be included in a gaming laptop just like a VGA and HDMI socket. Two of the three USB ports support the latest 3.0 standard. The 15-incher can optionally be secured against theft via the Kensington lock. According to the homepage, the card reader on the casing's front detects SD, SD Pro, MMC, MS, MS Pro and xD formats.

Wireless Communication

As expected, an Intel module is used for wireless communication. The Centrino Wireless N-2230 is installed in many devices due to its decent performance. Besides Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 is also available. Data is transmitted with a maximum speed of 300 Mbit/s (2.4 GHz). The device does not support 5.0 GHz. The transmission range was satisfactory in the test.

Left: AC-in, VGA, RJ45 Gigabit LAN, HDMI, 2x USB 3.0
Left: AC-in, VGA, RJ45 Gigabit LAN, HDMI, 2x USB 3.0
Front: 6in1 card reader
Front: 6in1 card reader
Right: Headphone, microphone, USB 2.0, UltraBay slot, Kensington lock
Right: Headphone, microphone, USB 2.0, UltraBay slot, Kensington lock

Maintenance

The maintenance option left us with mixed feelings. We will start with the positive aspects. The manufacturer has done a good job with the UltraBay's release mechanism (illustrated on a sticker on the bottom). The user merely has to bring the release lever to the right position and firmly push the button in the vent's center after removing the battery. The module can then be easily removed (see picture gallery on the right). The drive automatically clicks in when the drive is inserted.

Removing the base tray is rather awkward. Lenovo secures the bottom with a total of nine Phillips screws. The big maintenance cover can only be removed with quite a bit of effort. The user should take care to prevent damaging anything.

Regardless of the base unit's build, almost all components can be accessed under the hood. Unlike the hard disk, working memory and wireless module, the fan and CPU/GPU cooling components regrettably cannot be removed. The IdeaPad Y580 is similar. Users who would like full control over the innards should preferably take a device form Clevo or MSI (e.g. Schenker's XMG A522 or DevilTech's Devil 6700).

Preinstalled software
Preinstalled software

As can be seen on the right screenshot, Lenovo installs a lot of software on the laptop. Besides useless bloatware, the hard disk also sports a few convenient programs, such as OneKey Recovery for backing up or recovering the operating system (this is also possible with Windows 8 restore function). The accessories do not include a full version of the recovery DVD. Lenovo stores the drivers on a small 25 GB partition.

Information
Configuration
Security
Boot
BIOS screens Lenovo IdeaPad Y500

Accessories

The IdeaPad Y500 does not come with many accessories. The manufacturer limits itself to a 168 x 78 x 35 millimeter (~6.6 x 3.1 x 1.4 inch) 170 Watt power supply unit (675 grams/~1.48 pounds), a 27 centimeter (~10.6 inch) long 6-cell battery (323 grams/~0.71 pounds) and several information leaflets.

Warranty

The 24-month warranty is industry standard. Various upgrades are available for a surcharge. An on-site service and accidental damage protection are listed on the homepage among others.

Input Devices

Keyboard

Lenovo dubs the backlit chiclet keyboard AccuType. The characteristic curve at the keys' lower edge needs some familiarization, but typing on the keyboard works flawlessly after a few hours. Not only the separate number pad and good layout struck us in the test, but the clever distribution of the FN functions. Like in MSI's devices, the brightness and volume control are on the full-sized arrow keys. However, Lenovo halved the size of the right shift key and "0" on the number pad.

We found the F row's mapping particularly nifty. The FN + F9 key combo opens Windows 8's Charm Bar, FN + F10 trigger the search function and FN + F12 prompt the installed apps. Lenovo spares the user from needless clicking and/or looking up the corresponding Windows commands.

The key size of 14.5 x 14.5 millimeters (~0.57 inches) is fully sufficient and remains without reproach. The key spacing is less than four millimeters (~0.16 inches). However, as promising as all that sounds, the typing feel is a bit spongy. The pressure point and stroke do not give an outstanding performance. Compared with other keyboard units, the input device does not seem particularly defined. A partly cheap-sounding typing noise and moderate stability add to that. The freestanding keys in the corners can be obviously lifted.

The two-stage lighting, which unfortunately does not feature color modification, nevertheless helps the Y500 to a good input rating. Users without an especially high requirement on the keyboard will be satisfied.

Keyboard
Keyboard
Touchpad
Touchpad

Touchpad

The 106 x 70 millimeter (~4.2 x 2.8 inch) and, from a gamers’ point of view, extremely far left Synaptics' ClickPad V1.1 is one of the gaming laptops biggest shortcomings. As previously hinted, the mouse replacement is relatively unstable and clattery. The keys implemented in the main field can be pressed a few millimeters into the casing under higher force. Although it could be said that this is due to the underlying mechanics, other laptops using a similar touchpad do not yield as much.

The wobbly surface unfortunately causes the mouse cursor to slip away while tapping and the input is consequently misinterpreted. The cursor occasionally jumps around or is slowed down without reason even during normal movements. The supported gestures, such as scrolling, zooming, rotating, etc., are also not always detected reliably. Nevertheless, we would not call it a complete catastrophe as said in some YouTube videos.

The sleek and consequently very pleasant texture is one of the few highlights. Unintentional inputs during games can be prevented via the deactivation option, as usual.

Display

Opposing the current trend, Lenovo installs a glossy screen rather than a non-glare model. Users who are used to a lower resolution in the 15-inch sector will likely deem 1920x1080 pixels exaggerated at first. However, the generous desktop will not want to be missed after a few days. Compared with a 1600 or 1366 screen, a lot more information finds room on the screen (keyword: multi-window operation).

The SLI version of the Y500 also easily manages games in Full HD, though naturally not always in full details. Admittedly, the single GPU model would look better with an HD+ screen. In case the resolution has to be reduced for performance reasons, 1680x1050 pixels (16:10) was the next step after 1920x1080 pixels (16:9) in our test device. 1366x768 pixels looked very blurred.

252
cd/m²
241
cd/m²
246
cd/m²
240
cd/m²
280
cd/m²
246
cd/m²
265
cd/m²
291
cd/m²
270
cd/m²
Distribution of brightness
LG Philips LP156WF1-TLC1 (LGD01E9) tested with X-Rite i1Pro 2
Maximum: 291 cd/m² (Nits) Average: 259 cd/m²
Brightness Distribution: 82 %
Center on Battery: 280 cd/m²
Contrast: 459:1 (Black: 0.61 cd/m²)59.2% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
85.4% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
57.5% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)

We can attest LG Philips' LP156WF1-TLC1 screen to have a good quality. A brightness of approximately 260 cd/m² refers many contenders to their place. The moderate brightness distribution of just over 80% is hardly visible.

The black value is only midfield. 0.6 cd/m² is neither bad nor particularly good. The contrast of 450:1 is also satisfactory. The glossy surface does a good job in concealing the minor deficits. There is not much room for complaint in terms of colors either. The screen comes quite close to the sRGB color spectrum.

Lenovo IdeaPad Y500 vs. sRGB (grid)
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500 vs. sRGB (grid)
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500 vs. AdobeRGB (grid)
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500 vs. AdobeRGB (grid)
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500 vs. Asus G55VW-S1073V (grid)
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500 vs. Asus G55VW-S1073V (grid)

Despite the above-average brightness, the IdeaPad Y500 can only be used outdoors with restrictions. As can be seen on the screenshots below, massive reflections can turn up outdoors. Users who are often outdoors are better off with a non-glare screen.

Outdoors: Lenovo IdeaPad Y500
Outdoors: Lenovo IdeaPad Y500
Outdoors: Lenovo IdeaPad Y500

The viewing angle stability is very dependent on the direction. While the 15-incher adequately copes with even large deviations horizontally, distortions evolve much sooner vertically. However, there is no need for repeatedly adjusting the screen as known from budget models.

Viewing angles: Lenovo IdeaPad Y500
Viewing angles: Lenovo IdeaPad Y500

Performance

Wie wir testen - Leistung

Processor

Ivy Bridge
Ivy Bridge

The Core i7-3630QM is a mobile high-end processor from Intel's Ivy Bridge range (22nm). The 45 Watt CPU easily deals with even computing-intensive applications with its four cores and six MB L3 cache.

Gamers will particularly be happy about the Turbo Boost technology that lifts the clock considerably above the default rate during load. A theoretical clock frequency of up to 3.4 GHz is possible with the Core i7-3630QM. Hyperthreading, which simulates virtual cores, is more relevant for professional users. Only a few programs presently benefit from eight parallel threads.

The graphics chip dubbed HD Graphics 4000 remains disabled in the IdeaPad Y500. The manufacturer had to waive on Nvidia's Optimus technology due to SLI.

System info CPUZ CPU
System info HDTune
System info GPUZ
System info Nvidia System Control
System info HWiNFO
System info CPUZ RAM SPD
System info CPUZ RAM
System info CPUZ Mainboard
System info CPUZ Cache
System info DPC Latency
System information: Lenovo IdeaPad Y500

Turbo Boost

The dynamic overclocking is more than satisfactory. The Core i7-3630QM always ran with over 3.0 GHz in both the CPU-heavy Cinebench R10 as well as in the GPU-intensive Unigine Heaven benchmark. Although this could be an indication for excellent temperature management, it "only" achieved the default 2.4 GHz during full load.

Single-core rendering
Single-core rendering
Multi-core rendering
Multi-core rendering
CPU & GPU load
CPU & GPU load

CPU Performance

The quad-core did quite a good job in the CPU benchmarks. In Cinebench R11.5's single-core rendering, the IdeaPad Y500 calculated just as fast as DevilTech's HellMachine and Nexoc's M507II also equipped with a Core i7-3630QM (1.41 points). The laptop places itself just behind HP's Envy dv7-7202eg in multi-core rendering (6.37 vs. 6.39 points).

As the screenshot below shows, Intel's Core i7-3610QM (2.3 - 3.3 GHz) is only marginally slower. The brand-new and 300 MHz faster Core i7-3740QM excels by roughly 10% in optimized applications.

Cinebench R10
Rendering Single CPUs 64Bit (sort by value)
Core i7-3630QM
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500
5953 Points
Core i7-3610QM
MSI GE60-i789W7H
5589 Points -6%
Core i7-3740QM
One M73-2N
6366 Points +7%
Rendering Multiple CPUs 64Bit (sort by value)
Core i7-3630QM
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500
21733 Points
Core i7-3610QM
MSI GE60-i789W7H
21337 Points -2%
Core i7-3740QM
One M73-2N
24299 Points +12%
Cinebench R10 Rendering Single CPUs 64Bit
5953 Points
Cinebench R10 Rendering Multiple CPUs 64Bit
21733 Points
Cinebench R10 Shading 64Bit
6613 Points
Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64Bit
1.41 Points
Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64Bit
6.37 Points
Cinebench R11.5 OpenGL 64Bit
43.53 fps
Help

Graphics Card

Clock behavior
Clock behavior
SLI
SLI

The GeForce GT 650M is based on the GK107 chip from the Kepler generation and is built in a 28 nm process. The DirectX 11 GPU belongs to the upper midrange in view of 1.3 billion transistors and 384 Unified Shaders.

Lenovo opts for the faster 2048 MB GDDR5 version and a 128-bit memory bus. A clock rate of 790 MHz is slightly above average. The previously tested GDDR5 models were usually specified with 745 MHz (e.g. Alienware's M14x R2Asus' UX51VZDell's Inspiron 17R, DevilTech's Fire DTX or MSI's GE60/GE70).

However, it is too bad that the automatic overclocking GPU Boost (Nvidia's counterpart to Intel's Turbo Boost) is not enabled. Unlike other GT 650M laptops, the core frequency is not increased to a maximum of 835 MHz during load, but stays at 790 MHz. In return, the memory clocks with 1000 MHz.

Two graphics cards are merged to a performance increasing array in SLI mode. We manually updated the GPU driver to the latest version to extract the maximum performance from the 15-incher (ForceWare 310.90 rather than 306.00).

5.9
Windows 8 Experience Index
Processor
Calculations per second
7.8
Memory (RAM)
Memory operations per second
7.9
Graphics
Desktop performance for Windows Aero
6.5
Gaming graphics
3D business and gaming graphics
6.5
Primary hard disk
Disk data transfer rate
5.9

GPU Performance

Many readers will be wondering whether two GeForce GT 650M GPUs can compete with real high-end models. To make it short, the answer is yes. The speed increases considerably when the SLI mode is available in a 3D program.

For example, both graphics cards achieved a GPU score of 3612 points in 3DMark 11 (1280x720, performance preset) and slightly surpass the GeForce GTX 670MX, which is also a member of the Kepler generation (3567 points @ Asus G75VX-T4020H). A single GeForce GT 650M results in a 40% lower score (2099 points @ Dell's Inspiron 17R).

It looks the same in the Unigine Heaven 3.0 benchmark using 1920x1080, high, default tessellation. The single GT 650M can only dream of 35.8 fps (21.5 fps @ DevilTech's Fire DTX). Even the GeForce GTX 670MX's 34.3 fps is again defeated.

3DMark Vantage - 1280x1024 P GPU no PhysX (sort by value)
GeForce GT 650M SLI (ForceWare 310.90)
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500
12801 Points
GeForce GT 650M (ForceWare 295.93)
DevilTech Fire DTX
8570 Points -33%
GeForce GTX 670MX (ForceWare 306.14)
Asus G75VX-T4020H
12997 Points +2%
Unigine Heaven 2.1 - 1280x1024 high, Tesselation (normal), DirectX11 AA:off AF:1x (sort by value)
GeForce GT 650M SLI (ForceWare 310.90)
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500
47.6 fps
GeForce GT 650M (ForceWare 295.93)
DevilTech Fire DTX
29 fps -39%
GeForce GTX 670MX (ForceWare 306.14)
Asus G75VX-T4020H
45.2 fps -5%
3DMark 03 Standard
57023 points
3DMark 05 Standard
24750 points
3DMark 06 Standard Score
19069 points
3DMark Vantage P Result
14151 points
3DMark 11 Performance
3676 points
Help

Storage Devices

CrystalDiskMark
CrystalDiskMark

The 16 GB mSATA SSD does not appear in Windows Explorer. Samsung's MZMPA016HMCD solid state drive merely works as a cache that speeds up the system and supports the HDD.

The 1000 GB primary hard disk also comes from Samsung and is dubbed SpinPoint M8 HN-M1010MBB. Although the HDD "only" spins with 5400 rpm, the benchmark results are impressive. An average transfer rate of 86.4 MB/s and an average access time of 17.0 ms in HDTune are pretty decent for a 5400 rpm model. The sequential read and write rate in CrystalDiskMark was just under 100 MB/s.

Subjectively, the operating system is relatively fast although the cache of course cannot replace a "genuine" SSD. Standard laptops without a cache and with a weaker HDD are sometimes much slower in terms of installations, loading and booting times as well as in multitasking. The HDD/SSD combo is more than acceptable in view of the targeted price.

Samsung SpinPoint M8 HN-M101MBB
Transfer Rate Minimum: 50.2 MB/s
Transfer Rate Maximum: 141.9 MB/s
Transfer Rate Average: 86.4 MB/s
Access Time: 17 ms
Burst Rate: 108.2 MB/s
CPU Usage: 1.6 %

System Performance

PCMark 7 was developed to test the overall performance of a system. With 3505 points, the 15-incher places itself between Acer's Aspire M3-581TG and HP's Envy 6-1000sg midrange laptops. The scores tend toward 4000 - 4500 points when stronger components and/or a faster hard disk are used (e.g. DevilTech's Devil 6700).

PCMark 7 Score
3505 points
Help

Gaming Performance

Even demanding games can be played
Even demanding games can be played

After almost 90 gaming benchmarks, we dare say that an SLI array of two GT 650M cards is an appealing option for casual gamers.

The majority of games also ran well with 1920x1080 pixels when the ultra-level and 4x anti-aliasing was left disabled where necessary. High graphics settings and 2x anti-aliasing were usually rendered smoothly. Reducing the pixel count was not necessary in most cases.

A single GeForce GT 650M lags behind by about 66% in all benchmarks. The performance gain is between 0 and over 90% depending on the game. The GeForce GTX 670MX also lags behind, although its difference of 10% is rather marginal. The SLI array is no threat for the GeForce GTX 675MX. Nvidia's Kepler-based high-end graphics card manages a lead of approximately 20%.

A few words about micro-stutters as they are a significant issue in the IdeaPad Y500. Annoying interruptions sometimes occur due to the varying frame spacing, which is caused by the deviating image calculation and theoretically affects all dual GPU systems. The range below 40 fps, where the laptop often hovers in demanding tracks, is particularly affected. Rendering appears a lot smoother with the GeForce GTX 670MX despite its weaker performance.

We included a comprehensive comparison chart at the end of this review. More information about the different graphics cards can also be found in our gaming list.

Graphics Card Overall Performance
GeForce GTX 675MX +20 %
GeForce GT 650M SLI Base (average of 24 games)
GeForce GTX 670MX -10 %
GeForce GT 650M -40 %
low med. high ultra
Battlefield 3 (2011) 92.3 71 55 26.8
CoD: Modern Warfare 3 (2011) 176.5 152.3 124.1 73.6
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011) 90.4 73.4 45.4
Anno 2070 (2011) 147.5 78.9 54.1 30.5
Alan Wake (2012) 100.4 63.6 30.8
Mass Effect 3 (2012) 59.9 59.9 59.8
Risen 2: Dark Waters (2012) 95.7 76.7 61.2 29.8
Diablo III (2012) 241.4 197 178.4 106.7
Dirt Showdown (2012) 104.7 83.6 53 19.2
Max Payne 3 (2012) 74.8 71.6 33.1 26.1
Darksiders II (2012) 116.9 69.8
Sleeping Dogs (2012) 135.9 97.7 52.5 13.6
Counter-Strike: GO (2012) 246.9 218.7 199.7 138.7
Guild Wars 2 (2012) 92 47.1 23.2
F1 2012 (2012) 140 114 109 53
Borderlands 2 (2012) 89.9 79.6 78.2 59.9
Fifa 13 (2012) 274.2 225.1 208.4 194.4
Dishonored (2012) 128.5 128 123.3 95.8
Medal of Honor: Warfighter (2012) 118.9 86.6 71.3 31.2
Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2012) 59.9 49.6 29.9 17.4
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (2012) 147.7 121.3 81.8 55.3
Hitman: Absolution (2012) 68.4 59.7 35.8 19.1
Assassin´s Creed III (2012) 63 59.9 22.2
Far Cry 3 (2012) 105.7 88.8 42.6 15.6

Emissions

Casing's fan
Casing's fan

System Noise

Many multimedia and gaming laptops have to accept serious reproach when it comes to noise development. The casing’s fan spins at a high speed particularly under load. Although the IdeaPad Y500 is not exceptionally quiet in gaming operation, the 15-incher is far from a distractingly loud level. Just under 40 dB (A) in 3DMark 06 is a decent result.

For comparison: Schenker's XMG A522 (GeForce GTX 660M) and Medion's Erazer X6821 (GeForce GTX 670M) both reached approximately 43 dB (A) in the test. The fan sometimes completely receded into the background depending on the volume and intensity of the game's soundtrack.

The laptop is generally hardly audible at idle. Except for an unobtrusive fan or HDD noise, the laptop remains agreeably quiet. An average of 31 dB (A) will unlikely aggravate even sensitive users.

Noise Level

Idle
30.7 / 31.2 / 31.5 dB(A)
Load
40.5 / 41.8 dB(A)
  red to green bar
 
 
30 dB
silent
40 dB(A)
audible
50 dB(A)
loud
 
min: dark, med: mid, max: light   Voltcraft sl-320 (15 cm distance)

Temperature

Stress test (Furmark & Prime)
Stress test (Furmark & Prime)

The temperatures only partly convinced us. When the laptop was idle, (hardly or not at all loaded), the casing's surface temperature settled to an acceptable 31 °C (87.8 °F).

In return, the chassis heated up quite strongly during full load. Our thermometer recorded an average of 43 °C (109.4 °F) on the top and 41 °C (105.8 °F) on the bottom after one hour of stress testing via the tools FurMark and Prime95. At times we even measured 50 °C (122 °F). The IdeaPad Y500 did not heat up quite as badly in "normal" 3D programs. Games can thus be enjoyed without major restrictions.

The components also get fairly warm in extreme conditions. The CPU clock dropped to a still viable 2.4 GHz while climbing up to 90 °C (194 °F). The graphics cards exhibited a completely different behavior in the stress test. While the one GT 650M ran with the usual 790/1000 MHz (maximum 84 °C/183.2 °F), the second GT 650M throttled to low 135/203 MHz very soon. However, we are not sure whether FurMark ran properly on the second accelerator since the load tended to 0 in GPU-Z.

Max. Load
 50.4 °C
123 F
50 °C
122 F
35.7 °C
96 F
 
 48.9 °C
120 F
50.9 °C
124 F
35.9 °C
97 F
 
 41.8 °C
107 F
42.3 °C
108 F
31.6 °C
89 F
 
Maximum: 50.9 °C = 124 F
Average: 43.1 °C = 110 F
31.2 °C
88 F
42 °C
108 F
47.4 °C
117 F
32.1 °C
90 F
45.6 °C
114 F
49.1 °C
120 F
30.9 °C
88 F
44.3 °C
112 F
44.5 °C
112 F
Maximum: 49.1 °C = 120 F
Average: 40.8 °C = 105 F
Power Supply (max.)  53.3 °C = 128 F | Room Temperature 22 °C = 72 F | Voltcraft IR-550
(-) The average temperature for the upper side under maximal load is 43.1 °C / 110 F, compared to the average of 33.8 °C / 93 F for the devices in the class Gaming.
(-) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 50.9 °C / 124 F, compared to the average of 40.4 °C / 105 F, ranging from 21.2 to 68.8 °C for the class Gaming.
(-) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 49.1 °C / 120 F, compared to the average of 43.2 °C / 110 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 31.4 °C / 89 F, compared to the device average of 33.8 °C / 93 F.
(-) The palmrests and touchpad can get very hot to the touch with a maximum of 42.3 °C / 108.1 F.
(-) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 28.9 °C / 84 F (-13.4 °C / -24.1 F).

Speakers

Lenovo self-confidently touts the device with "premium JBL speakers" The California-based company will likely be known to many readers. The sound expert has contributed to good sound in many laptops - above all, Dell's XPS 15 and XPS 17. And unsurprisingly, the IdeaPad Y500 also features an appealing sound.

Alongside Dolby Home Theater v4 technology, the sound is above the average mainstream level. The bass is astonishingly strong for a 2.0 system without a subwoofer. Games and movies can be enjoyed quite well despite the slightly tinny and artificial sound. This is a typical laptop problem that is particularly noticed in music tracks. The decent maximum volume should not be turned up to maximum because the speakers tend to fray in louder volumes.

Nevertheless, we cannot criticize Lenovo much when looking at the competition. Other devices sound much worse. Nevertheless it is not enough to be worthy of reference. In the writer's opinion, MSI's DynAudio Systems still dominates the speaker category (GX60/GT60/GT70). Incidentally, the sound output is transmitted via a jack (S/PDIF support) or HDMI (surround sound).

Energy Management

Power Consumption

The omitted graphics switching is noticed in power consumption. With 18 - 25 Watts, the 15-incher consumes more energy when idling than many Optimus contenders. Gigabyte's bright yellow and also 15.6-inch P2542G (Core i7-3610QM & GeForce GTX 660M) only consumed 11 - 18 Watts in the test.

We compared the IdeaPad Y500 with an equal, high-end laptop during load. Around 104 Watts in the first 3DMark 06 scenario are considerably higher than that of Asus' G75VX (82 Watts @ Core i7-3630QM & GeForce GTX 670MX). Note: The keyboard's backlight and SLI were enabled for all tests.

Power Consumption
Off / Standbydarklight 0.1 / 0.3 Watt
Idledarkmidlight 17.8 / 23.8 / 24.9 Watt
Load midlight 103.6 / 105.1 Watt
 color bar
Key: min: dark, med: mid, max: light        Voltcraft VC 940
Currently we use the Metrahit Energy, a professional single phase power quality and energy measurement digital multimeter, for our measurements. Find out more about it here. All of our test methods can be found here.

Battery Runtime

Maximum battery runtime (Reader's Test)
Reader's Test
Minimum runtime (Classic Test)
Classic Test

The removable lithium-ion battery provides a decent capacity of 72 Wh or 6700 mAh; at least theoretically because its real-life runtimes are not exactly compelling. 1.5 hours during high load and maximum brightness are just as poor as three hours of wireless Internet browsing (medium brightness). The 15-incher only managed a little over four hours at idle and minimum brightness.

Battery Runtime
Idle (without WLAN, min brightness)
4h 04min
WiFi Surfing
3h 10min
Load (maximum brightness)
1h 27min

Verdict

Lenovo IdeaPad Y500 (Picture: Lenovo)
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500

Following the successful IdeaPad Y580, Lenovo presents the next gaming-suitable laptop based on Nvidia's Kepler architecture. The IdeaPad Y500 particularly impresses with its well-conceived UltraBay. The option of inserting an optical drive, a second graphics card or an additional hard disk is a fresh idea in the gaming sector.

Owing to Nvidia's great driver support, the GeForce GT 650M really revs up in SLI mode. Even high-end graphics cards like the GeForce GTX 670MX play catch-up in most games. There is hardly a faster laptop currently available for 1100 Euros (~$1481). The lush memory configuration and the swift quad-core processor contribute to the high overall performance. The lack of a "full-blown" solid state drive is somewhat regrettable, but the small 16 GB ExpressCache compensates this drawback quite well.

The fairly high-quality TN screen draws praise although its glossy surface disturbed us. The relatively good JBL speakers are another plus point. Owing to the bright red keyboard light, the 15-incher looks good 24 hours a day (with exception of the sensitive surfaces).

Regrettably, the black and mainly metal casing exhibits a few needless flaws. For example, its clattery touchpad that does not always work reliably and displays poor stability or the adverse placing of interfaces and fan. Who wants the whole waste heat to be blown on their hand when playing with an external mouse? Moreover, the keyboard lacks crisp feedback. Lenovo's IdeaPad Y500 proves to be inconspicuous, that is average up to good, in the other categories (build, noise, temperature, battery runtime, weight, etc.).

Buyers looking for a versatile and a (still) attractively priced gaming laptop and who can live with the listed shortcomings should give the 15-incher a chance. The non-SLI version is not quite as interesting due to superior and/or cheaper alternatives. The surcharge for the dual GPU model is definitely worthwhile in view of performance.

 

For comparison

Far Cry 3 - 1920x1080 DX11 Ultra Preset (HDAO, Enhanced Alpha To Coverage) AA:4x MS (sort by value)
GeForce GT 650M SLI (ForceWare 310.90)
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500
15.6 fps
GeForce GT 650M (mixed driver)
Schenker XMG A502
8.8 fps -44%
GeForce GTX 670MX (Forceware 310.61)
DevilTech HellMachine
13.7 fps -12%
GeForce GTX 675MX (mixed driver)
Schenker XMG P502
17.5 fps +12%
Hitman: Absolution - 1920x1080 Ultra Preset AA:4xMS AF:16x (sort by value)
GeForce GT 650M SLI (ForceWare 310.90)
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500
19.1 fps
GeForce GT 650M (mixed driver)
Schenker XMG A502
9.9 fps -48%
GeForce GTX 670MX (Forceware 310.61)
DevilTech HellMachine
12.7 fps -34%
GeForce GTX 675MX (mixed driver)
Schenker XMG P502
19.3 fps +1%
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 - 1920x1080 (Extra) High / On, FXAA AA:4xMS (sort by value)
GeForce GT 650M SLI (ForceWare 310.90)
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500
55.3 fps
GeForce GT 650M (mixed driver)
Schenker XMG A502
28.2 fps -49%
GeForce GTX 670MX (Forceware 310.61)
DevilTech HellMachine
46.2 fps -16%
GeForce GTX 675MX (mixed driver)
Schenker XMG P502
57.4 fps +4%
Need for Speed: Most Wanted - 1920x1080 High / On (sort by value)
GeForce GT 650M SLI (ForceWare 310.90)
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500
17.4 fps
GeForce GT 650M (mixed driver)
Schenker XMG A502
19.7 fps +13%
GeForce GTX 670MX (Forceware 310.61)
DevilTech HellMachine
29 fps +67%
GeForce GTX 675MX (mixed driver)
Schenker XMG P502
38.2 fps +120%
Medal of Honor: Warfighter - 1920x1080 Ultra Preset AA:4xMS AF:16x (sort by value)
GeForce GT 650M SLI (ForceWare 310.90)
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500
31.2 fps
GeForce GT 650M (mixed driver)
Schenker XMG A502
17.6 fps -44%
GeForce GTX 670MX (Forceware 310.61)
DevilTech HellMachine
25 fps -20%
GeForce GTX 675MX (mixed driver)
Schenker XMG P502
34 fps +9%
Dishonored - 1920x1080 High / On, FOV: 75 AA:FX (sort by value)
GeForce GT 650M SLI (ForceWare 310.90)
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500
95.8 fps
GeForce GT 650M (mixed driver)
Schenker XMG A502
56 fps -42%
GeForce GTX 670MX (Forceware 310.61)
DevilTech HellMachine
75.4 fps -21%
GeForce GTX 675MX (ForceWare 306.14)
One M73-2N
103 fps +8%
Fifa 13 - 1920x1080 High AA:4xMS (sort by value)
GeForce GT 650M SLI (ForceWare 310.90)
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500
194.4 fps
GeForce GT 650M (mixed driver)
Schenker XMG A502
132.8 fps -32%
GeForce GTX 670MX (Forceware 310.61)
DevilTech HellMachine
180.6 fps -7%
GeForce GTX 675MX (ForceWare 306.14)
One M73-2N
248 fps +28%
Borderlands 2 - 1920x1080 (Ultra) High / On (PhysX low) AA:FX AF:8x (sort by value)
GeForce GT 650M SLI (ForceWare 310.90)
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500
59.9 fps
GeForce GT 650M (mixed driver)
Schenker XMG A502
35.7 fps -40%
GeForce GTX 670MX (Forceware 310.61)
DevilTech HellMachine
45.3 fps -24%
GeForce GTX 675MX (ForceWare 306.14)
One M73-2N
62.9 fps +5%
F1 2012 - 1920x1080 Ultra Preset AA:4xMS (sort by value)
GeForce GT 650M SLI (ForceWare 310.90)
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500
53 fps
GeForce GT 650M (mixed driver)
Schenker XMG A502
32 fps -40%
GeForce GTX 670MX (Forceware 310.61)
DevilTech HellMachine
46 fps -13%
GeForce GTX 675MX (ForceWare 306.14)
One M73-2N
62 fps +17%
Guild Wars 2 - 1920x1080 All Maximum / On AA:FX (sort by value)
GeForce GT 650M SLI (ForceWare 310.90)
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500
23.2 fps
GeForce GT 650M (mixed driver)
Schenker XMG A502
12.5 fps -46%
GeForce GTX 670MX (Forceware 310.61)
DevilTech HellMachine
18.8 fps -19%
GeForce GTX 675MX (ForceWare 306.14)
One M73-2N
24.7 fps +6%
Counter-Strike: GO - 1920x1080 (Very) High, FXAA AA:4x MS AF:8x (sort by value)
GeForce GT 650M SLI (ForceWare 310.90)
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500
138.7 fps
GeForce GT 650M (mixed driver)
Schenker XMG A502
72.3 fps -48%
GeForce GTX 670MX (Forceware 310.61)
DevilTech HellMachine
95.7 fps -31%
GeForce GTX 675MX (ForceWare 306.14)
One M73-2N
131 fps -6%
Sleeping Dogs - 1920x1080 Extreme Preset AA:Extreme (sort by value)
GeForce GT 650M SLI (ForceWare 310.90)
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500
13.6 fps
GeForce GT 650M (mixed driver)
Schenker XMG A502
7.5 fps -45%
GeForce GTX 670MX (Forceware 310.61)
DevilTech HellMachine
13.1 fps -4%
GeForce GTX 675MX (ForceWare 306.14)
One M73-2N
16.1 fps +18%
Darksiders II - 1920x1080 2/4 Shadows, No Ambient Occlusion, AA:Low (sort by value)
GeForce GT 650M SLI (ForceWare 310.90)
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500
69.8 fps
GeForce GT 650M (mixed driver)
Schenker XMG A502
41.1 fps -41%
GeForce GTX 670MX (Forceware 310.61)
DevilTech HellMachine
63.2 fps -9%
GeForce GTX 675MX (ForceWare 306.14)
One M73-2N
80.2 fps +15%
Max Payne 3 - 1920x1080 Very High, DX11 AA:Very High FX AF:8x (sort by value)
GeForce GT 650M SLI (ForceWare 310.90)
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500
26.1 fps
GeForce GT 650M (ForceWare 295.93)
DevilTech Fire DTX
16.3 fps -38%
GeForce GTX 670MX (Forceware 310.61)
DevilTech HellMachine
24.8 fps -5%
GeForce GTX 675MX (ForceWare 306.14)
One M73-2N
30.5 fps +17%
Dirt Showdown - 1920x1080 Ultra Preset AA:4xMS (sort by value)
GeForce GT 650M SLI (ForceWare 310.90)
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500
19.2 fps
GeForce GT 650M (ForceWare 295.93)
DevilTech Fire DTX
17 fps -11%
GeForce GTX 670MX (Forceware 310.61)
DevilTech HellMachine
32.4 fps +69%
GeForce GTX 675MX (ForceWare 306.14)
One M73-2N
39.4 fps +105%
Diablo III - 1920x1080 High AA:on (sort by value)
GeForce GT 650M SLI (ForceWare 310.90)
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500
106.7 fps
GeForce GT 650M (ForceWare 295.93)
DevilTech Fire DTX
59.3 fps -44%
GeForce GTX 670MX (Forceware 310.61)
DevilTech HellMachine
89.5 fps -16%
GeForce GTX 675MX (ForceWare 306.14)
One M73-2N
109.9 fps +3%
Risen 2: Dark Waters - 1920x1080 Ultra / on AA:on AF:8x (sort by value)
GeForce GT 650M SLI (ForceWare 310.90)
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500
29.8 fps
GeForce GT 650M (ForceWare 295.93)
DevilTech Fire DTX
16 fps -46%
GeForce GTX 670MX (Forceware 310.61)
DevilTech HellMachine
23.4 fps -21%
GeForce GTX 675MX (ForceWare 306.14)
One M73-2N
31.6 fps +6%
Alan Wake - 1920x1080 High Preset AA:4x AF:8x (sort by value)
GeForce GT 650M SLI (ForceWare 310.90)
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500
30.8 fps
GeForce GTX 670MX (Forceware 310.61)
DevilTech HellMachine
23 fps -25%
GeForce GTX 675MX (ForceWare 306.14)
One M73-2N
32.4 fps +5%
Anno 2070 - 1920x1080 Very High Preset AA:on AF:4x (sort by value)
GeForce GT 650M SLI (ForceWare 310.90)
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500
30.5 fps
GeForce GTX 670MX (Forceware 310.61)
DevilTech HellMachine
32.4 fps +6%
GeForce GTX 675MX (ForceWare 306.14)
One M73-2N
37.7 fps +24%
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - 1920x1080 Ultra Preset AA:8x AF:16x (sort by value)
GeForce GT 650M SLI (ForceWare 310.90)
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500
45.4 fps
GeForce GT 650M (ForceWare 295.93)
DevilTech Fire DTX
24.4 fps -46%
GeForce GTX 670MX (Forceware 310.61)
DevilTech HellMachine
34.3 fps -24%
GeForce GTX 675MX (ForceWare 306.14)
One M73-2N
44 fps -3%
CoD: Modern Warfare 3 - 1920x1080 Extra, all on, Image Quality: Native AA:4x (sort by value)
GeForce GT 650M SLI (ForceWare 310.90)
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500
73.6 fps
GeForce GT 650M (ForceWare 295.93)
DevilTech Fire DTX
41.6 fps -43%
GeForce GTX 670MX (Forceware 310.61)
DevilTech HellMachine
61 fps -17%
GeForce GTX 675MX (ForceWare 306.14)
One M73-2N
80.6 fps +10%
Battlefield 3 - 1920x1080 ultra AA:4x MS AF:16x (sort by value)
GeForce GT 650M SLI (ForceWare 310.90)
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500
26.8 fps
GeForce GT 650M (ForceWare 295.93)
DevilTech Fire DTX
15.2 fps -43%
GeForce GTX 670MX (Forceware 310.61)
DevilTech HellMachine
21.8 fps -19%
GeForce GTX 675MX (ForceWare 306.14)
One M73-2N
28.6 fps +7%
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In Review: Lenovo IdeaPad Y500 (Picture: Lenovo)
In Review: Lenovo IdeaPad Y500, courtesy of:

Specifications

Lenovo IdeaPad Y500 (IdeaPad Y500 Series)
Processor
Intel Core i7-3630QM 4 x 2.4 - 3.4 GHz (Intel Core i7)
Graphics adapter
NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M SLI - 2x 2048 MB VRAM, Core: 790 MHz, Memory: 1000 MHz, GDDR5, ForceWare 310.90
Memory
16 GB 
, 2x 8192 MB SO-DIMM DDR3-RAM PC3-12800 (1600 MHz), 2 slots, max. 16 GB
Display
15.60 inch 16:9, 1920 x 1080 pixel, LG Philips LP156WF1-TLC1 (LGD01E9), TN LED, Full-HD, diagonal: 39.6 cm, glossy: yes
Mainboard
Intel HM76 (Panther Point)
Storage
Samsung SpinPoint M8 HN-M101MBB, 1000 GB 
, 5400 rpm, + Samsung MZMPA016HMCD, 16 GB SSD (ExpressCache)
Soundcard
Realtek ALC269 @ Intel Panther Point PCH - High Definition Audio Controller
Connections
1 USB 2.0, 2 USB 3.0 / 3.1 Gen1, 1 VGA, 1 HDMI, 1 Kensington Lock, Audio Connections: headphone (S/PDIF), microphone, Card Reader: SD,SD Pro,MMC,MS,MS Pro,xD
Networking
Atheros AR8161/8165 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller (10/100/1000MBit/s), Intel Centrino Wireless-N 2230 (b/g/n = Wi-Fi 4/), Bluetooth 4.0
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 39 x 387 x 259 ( = 1.54 x 15.24 x 10.2 in)
Battery
72 Wh Lithium-Ion, 6700 mAh, 10.8V, 6 cell, 0.323 kg
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 8 64 Bit
Camera
Webcam: HD (720p)
Additional features
Speakers: 2.0 (JBL, Dolby Home Theater v4), Keyboard: chiclet, Keyboard Light: yes, PSU: 170 Watt, instructions, warranty card, Microsoft Office 2010 Starter, 24 Months Warranty
Weight
2.93 kg ( = 103.35 oz / 6.46 pounds), Power Supply: 675 g ( = 23.81 oz / 1.49 pounds)
Price
1099 Euro

 

The IdeaPad Y500 falls into the DTR category due to two graphics cards.
The IdeaPad Y500 falls into the DTR category due to two graphics cards.
The keyboard's backlight features two levels and can be turned off.
The keyboard's backlight features two levels and can be turned off.
No wonder: JBL had already provided good sound in Dell's XPS 15.
No wonder: JBL had already provided good sound in Dell's XPS 15.
The sound is astonishingly good for laptop conditions.
The sound is astonishingly good for laptop conditions.
The display bezel proves to be extremely sensitive. We've lost count on how many times we've reproached this, dear manufacturers.
The display bezel proves to be extremely sensitive. We've lost count on how many times we've reproached this, dear manufacturers.
The Y500's HD webcam is not really a surprise.
The Y500's HD webcam is not really a surprise.
Even inexperienced users can remove the second GPU.
Even inexperienced users can remove the second GPU.
Lenovo has designed a clever opening mechanism.
Lenovo has designed a clever opening mechanism.
The battery life is only average due to the lack of graphics switching.
The battery life is only average due to the lack of graphics switching.
The keys' curve immediately reveals the manufacturer.
The keys' curve immediately reveals the manufacturer.
The position of volume and brightness control corresponds to MSI laptops.
The position of volume and brightness control corresponds to MSI laptops.
FireWire, eSATA, and DisplayPort are not installed.
FireWire, eSATA, and DisplayPort are not installed.
The laptop's power socket is on the left.
The laptop's power socket is on the left.
Hot air is blown out toward the (mouse) hand during games.
Hot air is blown out toward the (mouse) hand during games.
One USB 2.0 and two audio jacks are on the right.
One USB 2.0 and two audio jacks are on the right.
The integrated card reader on the front supports six formats.
The integrated card reader on the front supports six formats.
The UltraBay slot is the Y500's biggest unique selling point.
The UltraBay slot is the Y500's biggest unique selling point.
The touchpad is cause for controversy.
The touchpad is cause for controversy.
Quad-core power by Intel, DirectX 11 power by Nvidia.
Quad-core power by Intel, DirectX 11 power by Nvidia.
The battery almost takes up the entire rear.
The battery almost takes up the entire rear.
Left: Both DDR3 RAM banks. Right: The small mSATA SSD.
Left: Both DDR3 RAM banks. Right: The small mSATA SSD.
Compared with MSI, the design is not as flashy.
Compared with MSI, the design is not as flashy.
The SLI device weighs just less than three kilograms.
The SLI device weighs just less than three kilograms.
The maximum opening angle is approx. 130°.
The maximum opening angle is approx. 130°.
The 15 incher is not particularly high despite dual GPU option.
The 15 incher is not particularly high despite dual GPU option.
Greasy fingers soon leave unsightly marks.
Greasy fingers soon leave unsightly marks.
The keys' red rim is doubtlessly an eye-catcher.
The keys' red rim is doubtlessly an eye-catcher.
The black lid proves to be rather plain.
The black lid proves to be rather plain.
Lenovo opted for a glare-type Full HD screen.
Lenovo opted for a glare-type Full HD screen.
The manufacturer relies on a mix of plastic and metal.
The manufacturer relies on a mix of plastic and metal.
The screen is very reflective depending on the surroundings.
The screen is very reflective depending on the surroundings.
The manufacturer relies on Intel for the Wi-Fi module.
The manufacturer relies on Intel for the Wi-Fi module.
The hard disk is underneath a foil.
The hard disk is underneath a foil.
Only a part of the components can be replaced.
Only a part of the components can be replaced.
Fresh air is sucked in over the casing's bottom.
Fresh air is sucked in over the casing's bottom.
Other modules can be inserted in place of the second graphics card.
Other modules can be inserted in place of the second graphics card.
We did not really like the interface positioning.
We did not really like the interface positioning.
We would call the workmanship decent despite a few minor flaws.
We would call the workmanship decent despite a few minor flaws.
The base tray is secured with nine screws.
The base tray is secured with nine screws.
The 675 gram PSU is specified with 170 watts.
The 675 gram PSU is specified with 170 watts.

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Links

  • Manufacturer's information

Compare Prices

Pros

+Backlit keyboard
+Decent sound
+Speedy hardware
+UltraBay slot
+Decent FHD screen
+SSD cache
+A lot of metal
 

Cons

-Unfavorable interface and vent positioning
-Clattery and unstable touchpad
-Reflective screen surface
-Quite sensitive casing
-Somewhat spongy keyboard
-Slim scope of delivery

Shortcut

What we like

The UltraBay feature is well-designed.

What we'd like to see

A matte screen surface and a better touchpad.

What surprises us

Finally, a feasible sound system again.

The competition

15 inch versatile laptops sporting a Kepler GPU. Midrange: Asus N56VZ, DevilTech Fire DTX, MSI GE60, Schenker XMG A502. Premium range: Asus G55VW, Gigabyte P2542G, Lenovo IdeaPad Y580, Schenker XMG A522.

Rating

Lenovo IdeaPad Y500 - 07/14/2013 v3(old)
Florian Glaser

Chassis
80%
Keyboard
80%
Pointing Device
68%
Connectivity
74%
Weight
74%
Battery
78%
Display
78%
Games Performance
92%
Application Performance
93%
Temperature
76%
Noise
84%
Add Points
84%
Average
80%
82%
Gaming - Weighted Average
Florian Glaser, 2013-01-23 (Update: 2013-06- 6)