Lenovo IdeaPad Y510p review: a high-performance laptop for work and play

Better known for its robust and reliable Thinkpad series, Lenovo has been a popular choice in corporate circle. But with its Y510p, another addition to its gaming line, the company is poised to outdo itself.

Better known for its robust and reliable Thinkpad series, Lenovo has been a popular choice in corporate circle. But with its Y510p, another addition to its gaming line, the company is poised to outdo itself. The machine's performance on top of its sleek design is something to be reckoned with.

Design:
Not very distinguished from its predecessor - Lenovo IdeaPad Y500, Y510p has a dark brushed metal finish and an aluminium lid that conceals a magnificent machine.

The red Backlit AccuType keyboard accentuates the keys as you switch on the laptop, giving it a mean look. The keys are well spaced, thanks to a thick chassis. However, it is the Caps Lock indicator which seems to be oddly placed on the front left, next to the media card reader rather than on the key. The red and black speaker grills compliment the overall design of the laptop and add a bit of aggression.

The sides of the laptop contain the necessary connectivity options. The right side hosts a USB 2.0 port along with 3.5mm mic and headphone jacks and an optical drive. The left side has 2 USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI out, an Ethernet jack and a large cooling vent with red grille.

Features and specifications:
The Y510p packs considerable power under the hood. The system is equipped with a 2GB NVIDIA GeForce GT750M graphics chip, 1TB storage capacity, 8GB (DDR3) RAM and an Intel 4th Gen Core i7-4700MQ quad core processor clocking at 2.4GHz.

It sports a 15.6' HD display and a 720p HD webcam for video chatting and conferencing. Functioning on a 64 bit Windows 8 operating system, it weighs around 2.7 kg with 6-cell battery backup. The connectivity options are standard with Intel Centrino Wireless Ethernet and Bluetooth 4.0.

A special feature that impressed us was the Ultrabay, an interchangeable bay that can be instantly swapped out for dual graphics capability. This can be used for increased storage space or an additional fan for cooling.

The Y510p has built-in JBL-designed stereo speakers powered by Dolby Home Theatre v4 technology.

Another attractive feature is the always-on USB port that lets you recharge your mobile device even when the laptop is powered off and unplugged from the mains.

Performance
The 15.6' 1080p HD display offers vivid and sharp details. However, the glossy finish hampers outdoor viewing. The display lid is sturdy enough, though, viewing it from a side slightly changes the way the images look.

The combination of the NVIDIA graphics card and the JBL speakers provides an exhilarating gaming experience. Whether it is playing hi-end games or watching high-resolution movies, users are in for a treat. While playing Discovery's 1080p 'Planet Earth: Amazing nature scenery' video, the graphics and sound details were so crisp and clear that it was hard not to get carried away. The laptop met our expectations while performing difficult tasks and didn't show any signs of overheating while editing HD videos using Adobe creative suite.

The Y510p's 1 megapixel camera is not extraordinary. The colour and accuracy matched our expectations. However, the sharpness could have been better.

The AccuType keys are firm and springy. However, you might feel the need to use an external mouse while using trackpad. Moreover, short battery life - somewhere around 2.6 hours with the brightness turned down to around 30% is disheartening.

Love:
Excellent graphics and performance
Clear sound effects
Comfortable backlit keyboard

Hate:
Below average battery life
The position of Caps Lock indicator
Tacky trackpad
Considerably bulky and heavy

Verdict
The Lenovo IdeaPad Y510p is a good option for gaming and entertainment enthusiasts. Incredibly quick, it is perfect for those who like to shuttle between work and play. Priced less than its competitors, the laptop packs enough punch to keep you hooked.