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Lenovo G50-30 Notebook Review Update

Fan-less. Yet another laptop wants to lure potential buyers with a low price and an outstanding performance, dubbed Lenovo G50-30. A Bay Trail Celeron paired with 2 GB of working memory is apt for office and Internet applications. Will the laptop surprise us in any of our tests?

For the original German review, see here.

Lenovo has countless laptop models from the most various price and configuration categories within its G50 product line. We previously tested two members of the range in the forms of the IdeaPad G50-70 (Core i5-4200U, Radeon R5 M230) and IdeaPad G50-45 (AMD A6-6310, Radeon R4 (Beema)). Now we have our hands on the lowest priced model of the series dubbed G50-30. Lenovo does not even use the label "IdeaPad" for this incarnation. Does Lenovo have a decent low-budget laptop in its lineup with the G50-30?

All low-budget laptops are rivals, in particular models that feature the Windows 8.1 with Bing operating system. We have encountered many of the kind recently, among others, Asus' X551MAV-SX391B, Packard Bell's EasyNote TF71BM-C8R1, and HP's 250 G3.

Since the G50-30 is identical to the G50 models we tested, we will not go in-depth about casing, connectivity, input devices or speakers. The corresponding information can be found in the reviews of the IdeaPad G50-45 and IdeaPad G50-70.

Display

Like in both previously reviewed G50 models, the G50-30 is equipped with a 15.6-inch, glare-type screen. It has a native resolution of 1366x768 pixels, and the brightness of 216.1 cd/m² corresponds to the laptop's price level. The screens in HP's 250 G3 (206.4 cd/m²) and Asus' X551MAV (203.3 cd/m²) are on par.

239
cd/m²
218
cd/m²
180
cd/m²
229
cd/m²
226
cd/m²
199
cd/m²
241
cd/m²
220
cd/m²
193
cd/m²
Distribution of brightness
Samsung LATLTN156AT37L01 tested with X-Rite i1Pro 2
Maximum: 241 cd/m² (Nits) Average: 216.1 cd/m²
Brightness Distribution: 75 %
Center on Battery: 226 cd/m²
Contrast: 161:1 (Black: 1.4 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 14.49 | 0.5-29.43 Ø5
ΔE Greyscale 15 | 0.57-98 Ø5.3
33% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
35.67% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
52% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
34.53% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.14
Lenovo G50-30
HD Graphics (Bay Trail), N2830, WDC Blue WD3200LPCX-24C6HT0
HP 250 G3
HD Graphics (Bay Trail), N2830, Hitachi Travelstar Z5K500 HTS545032A7E680
Asus X551MAV-SX391B
HD Graphics (Bay Trail), N2830, Seagate Momentus Thin ST500LT012-1DG142
Packard Bell Easynote TF71BM-C8R1
HD Graphics (Bay Trail), N2830, Seagate Momentus Thin ST500LT012-1DG142
Lenovo IdeaPad G50-45
Radeon R4 (Beema), A6-6310, Seagate ST500LM000 Solid State Hybrid Drive
Display
20%
57%
55%
17%
Display P3 Coverage
34.53
41.53
20%
54.2
57%
53.7
56%
40.42
17%
sRGB Coverage
52
62.4
20%
81.6
57%
80.6
55%
60.8
17%
AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage
35.67
42.92
20%
56
57%
55.4
55%
41.78
17%
Screen
31%
39%
51%
40%
Brightness middle
226
225
0%
221
-2%
197
-13%
227
0%
Brightness
216
206
-5%
203
-6%
177
-18%
210
-3%
Brightness Distribution
75
87
16%
85
13%
80
7%
87
16%
Black Level *
1.4
0.67
52%
0.75
46%
0.37
74%
0.55
61%
Contrast
161
336
109%
295
83%
532
230%
413
157%
Colorchecker dE 2000 *
14.49
10.64
27%
5.61
61%
8.93
38%
11.12
23%
Greyscale dE 2000 *
15
10.61
29%
6.55
56%
10.03
33%
11.22
25%
Gamma
2.14 103%
1.99 111%
2.79 79%
2.62 84%
2.12 104%
CCT
22937 28%
11338 57%
8018 81%
11850 55%
12270 53%
Color Space (Percent of AdobeRGB 1998)
33
40
21%
52
58%
51
55%
Total Average (Program / Settings)
26% / 28%
48% / 44%
53% / 52%
29% / 33%

* ... smaller is better

While the screen's brightness is still acceptable in view of the price, the contrast of 161:1 and black level of 1.4 cd/m² are abysmal. Such rates are not acceptable even in the low-budget sector. Packard Bell's EasyNote TF71BN-C8R1 (532:1; 0.37 cd/m²), for example, proves that better is possible.

The screen's average DeltaE 2000 shift in state of delivery is 14.49. That is worse than the majority of screens that we have tested (DeltaE from 10 to 12). A rate less than 3 would be desirable. The screen also exhibits an intense bluish cast.

CalMAN - ColorChecker
CalMAN - ColorChecker
CalMAN - Grayscale
CalMAN - Grayscale
CalMAN - Saturation Sweeps
CalMAN - Saturation Sweeps
Lenovo G50-30 outdoors
Lenovo G50-30 outdoors

The screen in the G50-30 only offers limited viewing angles. That was expected and is normal in the price range of Lenovo's laptop. It will only be possible to use the laptop in the shade outdoors. The combination of a reflective surface and low contrast thwart anything else.

Performance

Lenovo offers a basic office laptop for a low price with its G50-30. The laptop's power will not really be enough for applications that go beyond office and Internet. Our review sample is sold for approximately 270 Euros (~$337), but Lenovo has countless other configurations within the G50 line, with both Intel and AMD innards.

Processor

Like in most below-300 Euro (~$374) laptops that we have recently tested, Lenovo's G50-30 is powered by an Intel Celeron N2830 dual-core processor (Bay Trail). It clocks with a base speed of 2.16 GHz, which can be increased to 2.416 GHz via Turbo. The CPU performed the tests of the Cinebench benchmarks with its full speed (2.416 GHz). The processor operated with its base clock of 2.16 GHz in battery mode.

Cinebench R10 Rendering Single 32Bit
1088
Cinebench R10 Rendering Multiple CPUs 32Bit
2221
Cinebench R10 Shading 32Bit
2551
Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64Bit
0.81 Points
Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64Bit
0.4 Points
Cinebench R11.5 OpenGL 64Bit
6.08 fps
Cinebench R15 Ref. Match 64Bit
97.8 %
Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64Bit
67 Points
Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64Bit
36 Points
Cinebench R15 OpenGL 64Bit
5.08 fps
Help
Cinebench R11.5 - CPU Single 64Bit (sort by value)
Lenovo G50-30
HD Graphics (Bay Trail), N2830, WDC Blue WD3200LPCX-24C6HT0
0.4 Points
HP 255 G2
Radeon HD 8210, E1-2100, Hitachi Travelstar Z5K500 HTS545050A7E380
0.25 Points -37%
HP Pavilion 15-n050sg
Radeon HD 8330, A4-5000, HGST Travelstar 5K1000 HTS541075A9E680
0.39 Points -2%
Asus X551MAV-SX391B
HD Graphics (Bay Trail), N2830, Seagate Momentus Thin ST500LT012-1DG142
0.43 Points +8%
HP 250 G3
HD Graphics (Bay Trail), N2830, Hitachi Travelstar Z5K500 HTS545032A7E680
0.43 Points +8%
Packard Bell Easynote TF71BM-C8R1
HD Graphics (Bay Trail), N2830, Seagate Momentus Thin ST500LT012-1DG142
0.44 Points +10%
Lenovo IdeaPad G50-45
Radeon R4 (Beema), A6-6310, Seagate ST500LM000 Solid State Hybrid Drive
0.56 Points +40%
Acer Aspire E1-532
HD Graphics (Haswell), 2955U, Seagate Momentus Thin ST500LT0 12-9WS142
0.61 Points +53%
Lenovo IdeaPad G50-70
Radeon R5 M230, 4200U, Seagate Momentus Thin ST500LT012-1DG142
1.12 Points +180%
Cinebench R11.5 - CPU Multi 64Bit (sort by value)
Lenovo G50-30
HD Graphics (Bay Trail), N2830, WDC Blue WD3200LPCX-24C6HT0
0.81 Points
HP 255 G2
Radeon HD 8210, E1-2100, Hitachi Travelstar Z5K500 HTS545050A7E380
0.47 Points -42%
Asus X551MAV-SX391B
HD Graphics (Bay Trail), N2830, Seagate Momentus Thin ST500LT012-1DG142
0.81 Points 0%
Packard Bell Easynote TF71BM-C8R1
HD Graphics (Bay Trail), N2830, Seagate Momentus Thin ST500LT012-1DG142
0.82 Points +1%
HP 250 G3
HD Graphics (Bay Trail), N2830, Hitachi Travelstar Z5K500 HTS545032A7E680
0.87 Points +7%
Acer Aspire E1-532
HD Graphics (Haswell), 2955U, Seagate Momentus Thin ST500LT0 12-9WS142
1.14 Points +41%
HP Pavilion 15-n050sg
Radeon HD 8330, A4-5000, HGST Travelstar 5K1000 HTS541075A9E680
1.48 Points +83%
Lenovo IdeaPad G50-45
Radeon R4 (Beema), A6-6310, Seagate ST500LM000 Solid State Hybrid Drive
1.98 Points +144%
Lenovo IdeaPad G50-70
Radeon R5 M230, 4200U, Seagate Momentus Thin ST500LT012-1DG142
2.5 Points +209%

System Performance

The G50-30 runs smoothly. The low operating speed of 2 GB is first really noticed when multiple windows are open. The PCMark benchmark scores are at the lower end of the performance scale. That is not surprising and corresponds to the capacities of the installed processor.

PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2
1206 points
PCMark 8 Creative Score Accelerated v2
987 points
PCMark 8 Work Score Accelerated v2
1283 points
Help
PCMark 8 - Home Score Accelerated v2 (sort by value)
Lenovo G50-30
HD Graphics (Bay Trail), N2830, WDC Blue WD3200LPCX-24C6HT0
1206 Points
Asus X551MAV-SX391B
HD Graphics (Bay Trail), N2830, Seagate Momentus Thin ST500LT012-1DG142
1214 Points +1%
HP 250 G3
HD Graphics (Bay Trail), N2830, Hitachi Travelstar Z5K500 HTS545032A7E680
1226 Points +2%
Packard Bell Easynote TF71BM-C8R1
HD Graphics (Bay Trail), N2830, Seagate Momentus Thin ST500LT012-1DG142
1231 Points +2%
Lenovo IdeaPad G50-45
Radeon R4 (Beema), A6-6310, Seagate ST500LM000 Solid State Hybrid Drive
2011 Points +67%
Lenovo IdeaPad G50-70
Radeon R5 M230, 4200U, Seagate Momentus Thin ST500LT012-1DG142
2974 Points +147%

Storage Devices

A hard drive from Western Digital is installed. It has a capacity of 320 GB and spins with 5400 revolutions per minute. The drive's transfer rates are slightly disappointing. HD Tune recorded an average transfer rate of 73.1 MB/s. Modern hard drives should achieve rates from 80 to 90 MB/s. However, the drive's relatively low access time is pleasing.

WDC Blue WD3200LPCX-24C6HT0
Transfer Rate Minimum: 43.3 MB/s
Transfer Rate Maximum: 94.6 MB/s
Transfer Rate Average: 73.1 MB/s
Access Time: 16.6 ms
Burst Rate: 148 MB/s
CPU Usage: 8.1 %

Graphics Card

Intel's weakest GPU is responsible for video output. The HD Graphics core supports DirectX 11 and clocks with speeds of up to 750 MHz. The chip cannot compete with the stronger AMD counterparts, such as the Radeon R3 (Mullins/Beema) and Radeon R4 (Beema).

3DMark 11 Performance
225 points
3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score
15348 points
3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score
1177 points
Help
3DMark 11 - 1280x720 Performance (sort by value)
Lenovo G50-30
HD Graphics (Bay Trail), N2830, WDC Blue WD3200LPCX-24C6HT0
225 Points
Packard Bell Easynote TF71BM-C8R1
HD Graphics (Bay Trail), N2830, Seagate Momentus Thin ST500LT012-1DG142
214 Points -5%
HP 250 G3
HD Graphics (Bay Trail), N2830, Hitachi Travelstar Z5K500 HTS545032A7E680
223 Points -1%
Asus X551MAV-SX391B
HD Graphics (Bay Trail), N2830, Seagate Momentus Thin ST500LT012-1DG142
227 Points +1%
HP Stream 14-z050ng
Radeon R3 (Mullins/Beema), A4 Micro-6400T, 32 GB eMMC Flash
444 Points +97%
Acer Aspire E1-532
HD Graphics (Haswell), 2955U, Seagate Momentus Thin ST500LT0 12-9WS142
480 Points +113%
Lenovo IdeaPad G50-45
Radeon R4 (Beema), A6-6310, Seagate ST500LM000 Solid State Hybrid Drive
795 Points +253%
Lenovo IdeaPad G50-70
Radeon R5 M230, 4200U, Seagate Momentus Thin ST500LT012-1DG142
1302 Points +479%

Gaming Performance

The G50-30 is not meant for playing up-to-date 3D games. Smooth frame rates are only possible with a handful of games - and then only in a low resolution and low quality settings. This looks different with games from the Windows Store. Most titles should be playable.

low med. high ultra
Tomb Raider (2013) 14.8 7.5 4.5
Alien: Isolation (2014) 9.1 5.1
F1 2014 (2014) 14 12

Emissions

System Noise

The G50-30 is fan-less. Consequently, only the hard drive's base noise and access noises are heard from the laptop.

Noise Level

Idle
32 / 32 / 32 dB(A)
HDD
32.4 dB(A)
DVD
38 / dB(A)
Load
32.3 / 32.3 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

Lenovo G50-30 in the stress test
Lenovo G50-30 in the stress test

The graphics core always performed the stress test (Prime95 and Furmark run for at least one hour) with 720 MHz. The processor started the stress test with 2.416 GHz but throttled to 2.166 GHz after a while in AC mode. The CPU operated with 2.166 GHz from the outset in battery mode. The casing did not heat up excessively despite the fan-less design. 40 °C was only surpassed on two measuring points in the stress test. The virtually identically equipped Asus X551MAV-SX391B and Packard Bell's EasyNote TF71BM-C8R1 stay cooler during full load because they both have a fan.

 25.9 °C
79 F
25.3 °C
78 F
23.5 °C
74 F
 
 27.1 °C
81 F
26.6 °C
80 F
23.3 °C
74 F
 
 26.3 °C
79 F
26 °C
79 F
28.4 °C
83 F
 
Maximum: 28.4 °C = 83 F
Average: 25.8 °C = 78 F
24.3 °C
76 F
25.7 °C
78 F
27.6 °C
82 F
25.5 °C
78 F
27.9 °C
82 F
28.3 °C
83 F
24.8 °C
77 F
25.3 °C
78 F
25.3 °C
78 F
Maximum: 28.3 °C = 83 F
Average: 26.1 °C = 79 F
Power Supply (max.)  31.7 °C = 89 F | Room Temperature 22 °C = 72 F | Voltcraft IR-360
(±) The average temperature for the upper side under maximal load is 32.8 °C / 91 F, compared to the average of 29.5 °C / 85 F for the devices in the class Office.
(+) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 39.1 °C / 102 F, compared to the average of 34.2 °C / 94 F, ranging from 21.2 to 62.5 °C for the class Office.
(±) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 43.7 °C / 111 F, compared to the average of 36.7 °C / 98 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 25.8 °C / 78 F, compared to the device average of 29.5 °C / 85 F.
(+) The palmrests and touchpad are reaching skin temperature as a maximum (34.4 °C / 93.9 F) and are therefore not hot.
(-) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 27.7 °C / 81.9 F (-6.7 °C / -12 F).

Energy Management

Power Consumption

Intel's Bay Trail processors are overall quite energy efficient and thus correspondingly configured laptops are fairly economic in total. The G50-30's power requirement climbed to 14 watts in the stress test, which is on par with comparable laptops like Asus' X551MAV-SX391B or Packard Bell's EasyNote TF71BM-C8R1.

Power Consumption
Off / Standbydarklight 0 / 0.2 Watt
Idledarkmidlight 0 / 0 / 0 Watt
Load midlight 13.3 / 14 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

Websites are opened automatically every 40 seconds using the energy-saving profile and a screen brightness of approximately 150 cd/m² in the practical Wi-Fi test. The G50-30 achieved a runtime of 5:11 h here, which is a good rate. Packard Bell's EasyNote TF71BM-C8R1 (7:09 h) also from the low-budget sector lasts considerably longer.

Battery Runtime
WiFi Surfing
5h 11min
Battery Runtime - WiFi (sort by value)
Lenovo G50-30
HD Graphics (Bay Trail), N2830, WDC Blue WD3200LPCX-24C6HT0
311 min
HP 250 G3
HD Graphics (Bay Trail), N2830, Hitachi Travelstar Z5K500 HTS545032A7E680
209 min
Lenovo IdeaPad G50-45
Radeon R4 (Beema), A6-6310, Seagate ST500LM000 Solid State Hybrid Drive
230 min
Asus X551MAV-SX391B
HD Graphics (Bay Trail), N2830, Seagate Momentus Thin ST500LT012-1DG142
244 min
Acer Aspire E1-532
HD Graphics (Haswell), 2955U, Seagate Momentus Thin ST500LT0 12-9WS142
270 min
Lenovo IdeaPad G50-70
Radeon R5 M230, 4200U, Seagate Momentus Thin ST500LT012-1DG142
344 min
Packard Bell Easynote TF71BM-C8R1
HD Graphics (Bay Trail), N2830, Seagate Momentus Thin ST500LT012-1DG142
429 min

Verdict

We have now encountered the hardware platform used in the G50-30 in multiple laptops. Like identically configured contenders, such as Asus' X551MAV-SX391B and Packard Bell's EasyNote TF71BM-C8R1, the G50-30 is also apt for basic tasks like browsing, Skype or watching videos. The laptop only needs little power and operates quietly. Users who replace the installed hard drive with a solid state drive will have a silent laptop. That would not be a problem owing to the maintenance cover. The biggest shortcoming of Lenovo's laptop is its screen: It only has a very low contrast and displays a major color shift. The one-year warranty also has to be reproached. Acer includes a two-year warranty on its Packard Bell EasyNote TF71BM-C8R1. In contrast to the G50-30, Packard Bell's EasyNote TF71BM-C8R1 also offers a matte screen and a considerably better battery life.

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In review: Lenovo G50-30. Test model courtesy of Notebooksbilliger.de
In review: Lenovo G50-30. Test model courtesy of Notebooksbilliger.de

Specifications

Lenovo G50-30 (G50 Series)
Processor
Intel Celeron N2830 2 x 2.2 - 2.4 GHz, Bay Trail-M
Graphics adapter
Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail), Core: 750 MHz, 10.18.10.3496
Memory
2048 MB 
, DDR3, single-channel, one memory bank (filled)
Display
15.60 inch 16:9, 1366 x 768 pixel, Samsung LATLTN156AT37L01, TN LED, glossy: yes
Storage
WDC Blue WD3200LPCX-24C6HT0, 320 GB 
, 5400 rpm, 220 GB free
Soundcard
Intel Valleyview SoC - HD Audio Controller
Connections
2 USB 2.0, 1 USB 3.0 / 3.1 Gen1, 1 VGA, 1 HDMI, 1 Kensington Lock, Audio Connections: combo audio jack, Card Reader: SD
Networking
Realtek RTL8102E Family PCI-E Fast Ethernet (10/100MBit/s), Realtek RTL8723BE Wireless LAN 802.11n PCI-E NIC (b/g/n = Wi-Fi 4/), Bluetooth 4.0
Optical drive
HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GTA0N
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 25 x 384 x 265 ( = 0.98 x 15.12 x 10.43 in)
Battery
32 Wh Lithium-Ion
Operating System
Windows 8.1 (64 Bit) + Bing
Camera
Webcam: HD webcam
Additional features
Speakers: stereo, Keyboard: chiclet, Keyboard Light: no, Cyberlink PowerDirector 10, Cyberlink PowerDVD 10, Cyberlink Power2Go, McAfee LiveSafe-Internet Security (trial), MS Office (trial), 12 Months Warranty
Weight
2.1 kg ( = 74.08 oz / 4.63 pounds) ( = 0 oz / 0 pounds)
Price
269 Euro

 

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Links

  • Manufacturer's information

Compare Prices

Pros

+Decent keyboard
+Good battery life
+Easy maintenance and upgrade options
+Always quiet operating noise
+Low power consumption
 

Cons

-Low-contrast screen
-Only 12 month warranty

Shortcut

What we like

The laptop is silent apart from the hard drive's noise.

What we'd like to see

A brighter, higher-contrast screen with a matte surface.

What surprises us

While other manufacturers include a two-year warranty even in the low-budget sector, Lenovo only grants twelve months.

The competition

Lenovo IdeaPad G50-45, HP 250 G3, Acer Extensa 2509-C052, Packard Bell EasyNote TF71BM-C8R1, Asus X551MAV-SX391B.

Rating

Lenovo G50-30 - 11/01/2014 v4(old)
Sascha Mölck

Chassis
66 / 98 → 67%
Keyboard
72%
Pointing Device
72%
Connectivity
64 / 80 → 80%
Weight
62 / 20-67 → 89%
Battery
88%
Display
63%
Games Performance
37 / 68 → 54%
Application Performance
39 / 92 → 42%
Temperature
89%
Noise
95%
Audio
62%
Camera
42 / 85 → 49%
Average
65%
72%
Office - Weighted Average
Sascha Mölck, 2014-11- 5 (Update: 2014-11- 5)