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All six Y480 models currently available share the same 8GB of RAM, Nvidia GeForce GT640M GPU, and 2.3GHz Intel Core I7-3610QM processor. In our benchmark tests, it performed very well, on par with the other quad-core Core i7 laptops we've seen with the new Intel third-generation Core processors. It fell behind the ridiculously overclocked and overpowered Origin EON17-S, and was a couple of seconds faster than the Asus G75. All of these Ivy Bridge laptops handily beat out even high-end second-generation Intel Core i-series models.
That said, for the average 14-inch laptop user, a killer quad-core Core i7 CPU isn't really necessary. For Web surfing, media playback, and office work, this is definitely overkill.
The discrete Nvidia GeForce 640M GPU is a highlight, but again, the low display resolution cripples its usefulness. Nonetheless, Street Fighter IV ran at a speedy 59.8 frames per second. That's excellent, and this system will play any current game well (especially considering you can't crank up the resolution), but the Origin EON17-S ran the same test at 216fps, and the Asus G75 at 99.5fps, with the GeForce 675 and 660 GPU models, respectively.
 Juice box |
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| Lenovo IdeaPad Y480 | Avg watts/hour |
| Off (60%) | 0.38 |
| Sleep (10%) | 0.69 |
| Idle (25%) | 10.79 |
| Load (05%) | 46.56 |
| Raw kWh number | 46.63 |
| Annual power consumption cost | $5.29 |
While the IdeaPad Y480 doesn't necessarily stand out in most other categories, it kills in battery life. In our video playback battery drain test, the system ran for 3 hours and 51 minutes. For a 14-inch laptop that's not great, but for one with the very latest high-end quad-core processor, it's excellent. Think of this as essentially desktop replacement hardware in a midsize laptop body.
Lenovo includes an industry-standard one-year parts and labor warranty with the system. Upgrading to a three-year plan will cost an extra $69, or $104 if you include on-site service, and various other two- and three-year options are available. Support is accessible through a 24-7 toll-free phone line, an online knowledge base, and driver downloads.
The IdeaPad line is a great way for someone to get Lenovo's excellent construction quality and ergonomic design without having a "business" laptop. This version is interesting, in that it has the kind of power you'd expect in a big 17-inch desktop replacement, but pairing with with a 1,366x768-pixel display, and for more then $1,000, seems shortsighted.
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
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Native resolution, 2X AA, V Sync off |
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
What You'll Pay
- MSRP: $1,079.00
- Similar model: $819.99
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