Lenovo introduces ThinkPad Edge E220s and E420s

CES 2011 is around the corner and manufacturers are gearing up to beat one another, each trying to up the performance threshold with their devices. Lenovo is not behind in this race too, as it today announced a handful of new laptops in its ThinkPad range of business laptops-the ThinkPad Edge E220s and E420s. These two laptops would be seen wearing Lenovo’s latest, and trademark, Edge design which was first unveiled in the CES 2010. And as can be expected with CES 2011 nearby, both devices are Sandy Bridge-based. We will now take a closer look at the new Lenovo laptops.

Processor, memory and storage

The ThinkPad Edge E220s will have the option of being powered by the Intel Core i5 or i7 (Sandy Bridge) ULV processor and boasts of memory that will be expandable up to 4GB DDR3. Graphics duties are handled by Intel’s integrated graphics. For storage you get 5,400 or 7,200 rpm hard drives in 250GB or 320GB capacities or a 128GB SSD. What’s more, you can also opt to team the main drive with another 80GB Rapid Drive SSD. If “Rapid Drive” sounds new to you, then let us tell you that this new piece of technology helps quick-boot your machine and lets you open applications quickly too by storing the operating system, program files and some documents on the SSD and the remaining data on the main drive.

Talking of the ThinkPad Edge E420s, the laptop will feature Intel standard voltage Core i3 / i5 / i7 processors and the provision for expansion up to 8GB of DDR3 RAM. For graphics you can choose from Intel integrated graphics or AMD Radeon HD 6630M switchable graphics. You get options of a 5,400 or 7,200 rpm hard drive in 250GB or 320GB capacities or a 128GB SSD for storage. Just like the E220s, you get the optional 80GB Rapid Drive SSD to couple with the main drive.

Display and design

The ThinkPad Edge E220s is the smaller one of the two with a 12.5-inch 1366 x 768 display. Weighing 3.5 pounds and measuring 12.3 x 8.4 x 0.9 inches, the E220s is lighter too. The E420s, on the other hand, has a 14-inch 1366 x 768 display and is a tad heavier with a weight of 4.14 pounds and measures 13.7 x 9.3 x 0.9 to 1.2 inches. Both laptops get premium touches like a rubberized soft-touch finish, real chrome trim and a 720p HD webcam.

Other specs and Pricing

Although both laptops are well-specced, the only downer here is the absence of an optical drive in the E220s due to its small size; the E420s is equipped with a Slot-loading DVD drive. Shipping for the E220s and E420s will begin in April and at prices starting from $899 and $749 respectively.

Sandy-Bridge platform

Sandy bridge is the code-name of what is hailed as a fitting successor to the Nehalem processor architecture that Intel manufactures. It is based on 32-nm manufacturing base – same as that of Westmere. It supports both hyper-threading and Turbo boost with the standard clock speed ranging from 2.2 GHz to 3.4 GHz according to the models.

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