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| Lenovo IdeaPad Y510p Review (image via pixabay) |
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Lenovo IdeaPad Y510p Key Specifications
Before we dive deep, let’s quickly glance at the specifications:
- Processor: Up to Intel Core i7-4700MQ (4th Gen)
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M (1GB/2GB GDDR5)
- RAM: Up to 16GB DDR3L
- Storage: 1TB HDD or 1TB + 24GB SSD (optional)
- Display: 15.6-inch Full HD (1920x1080)
- Operating System: Windows 8/8.1
- Battery Life: Up to 5 hours
Design and Build Quality
The Lenovo IdeaPad Y510p has a sleek yet robust design. Its black and red theme gives it a bold, gaming-centric look. The brushed aluminum finish adds a touch of elegance and feels solid. The laptop weighs around 2.9 kg, which is slightly heavy, but that’s common for gaming laptops.
The build quality is sturdy, with no signs of flex on the keyboard or screen. However, carrying it around frequently may be a bit challenging due to its weight. The dual-fan design helps in cooling, but it can make the laptop bulkier.
Display and Audio
The Y510p boasts a 15.6-inch Full HD display, which is bright and vibrant. The resolution of 1920x1080 offers clear and sharp visuals. For gamers, this is great as it enhances the gameplay experience. The colors are vivid, and the screen brightness is decent enough for indoor use. However, under direct sunlight, the screen might seem a bit dim.
When it comes to audio, the JBL speakers do a good job. They are loud, clear, and have a decent amount of bass. While it doesn’t replace the need for a good gaming headset, it’s still better than most laptops in this range.
Keyboard and Touchpad
One of the highlights of the Lenovo IdeaPad Y510p is its keyboard. The full-sized keyboard with red backlighting is great for gaming in low-light conditions. The keys are well-spaced and offer a good amount of travel, making typing comfortable. The WASD keys are easy to locate, which is a plus for gamers.
The touchpad is smooth and responsive. It supports multi-touch gestures, which is handy. However, for gaming, you’d still prefer using an external mouse for better control and precision.
Performance
Now, let’s talk about performance, which is the most important aspect of any gaming laptop. The Lenovo IdeaPad Y510p, powered by Intel’s 4th Gen Core i7-4700MQ processor and NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M graphics card, was once a powerhouse. It can still handle most modern games, but don’t expect to play the latest AAA titles at high settings without some lag.
With up to 16GB RAM, multitasking is smooth. You can run multiple applications without much slowdown. The optional 24GB SSD, if included, helps in faster boot times and quicker load speeds for games. However, as the hardware is quite dated, the performance will not match that of current-gen gaming laptops.
Gaming Experience
The Lenovo IdeaPad Y510p is equipped to handle mid-range gaming quite well. Games like "League of Legends," "Dota 2," and "Counter-Strike: Global Offensive" run smoothly at medium to high settings. For graphically demanding games like "The Witcher 3" or "Cyberpunk 2077," you may need to lower the settings for a playable experience.
The laptop supports Lenovo's Ultrabay feature, allowing users to swap out the optical drive for another graphics card, extra storage, or a cooling fan. This feature can enhance gaming performance if you opt for an extra GPU. However, this technology feels a bit outdated now, as most modern laptops offer more integrated solutions.
Battery Life
Gaming laptops are notorious for having short battery life, and the Lenovo IdeaPad Y510p is no exception. With normal usage like browsing or watching videos, you can expect around 4-5 hours of battery life. However, gaming drains the battery much faster, giving you just around 1-2 hours. It’s best to keep the charger handy when you’re gaming.
Cooling System
One of the strong points of the Y510p is its cooling system. The dual fans and large vents help in keeping the laptop cool, even during long gaming sessions. However, the fans can get quite loud, which may be distracting for some users. The Ultrabay feature also allows for an additional cooling fan, which can be helpful during intense gaming sessions.
Storage Options
The IdeaPad Y510p offers multiple storage options, including a 1TB HDD and a combination of 1TB HDD + 24GB SSD. The SSD helps in speeding up the boot process and reduces load times. However, compared to modern SSDs, the 24GB option is quite limited. It may not be sufficient for installing multiple large games, so users may need to upgrade storage or rely on external drives.
Software and Features
The laptop originally came with Windows 8, but it’s compatible with Windows 10 as well. You might want to upgrade to get better performance and security features. Lenovo also includes a few pre-installed applications, but most of them are not very useful for gamers. You can easily uninstall them to free up space and resources.
The Ultrabay, as mentioned earlier, is a unique feature that allows for hardware customization. However, its relevance has diminished over time, as more efficient gaming setups are available now.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Good build quality and stylish design
- Impressive display with Full HD resolution
- Decent performance for mid-range gaming
- Keyboard with red backlighting
- Expandable storage and hardware through Ultrabay
Cons:
- Heavy and bulky
- Short battery life for gaming
- Outdated hardware by today’s standards
- Noisy fans during heavy use
- Limited SSD storage options
Should You Buy the Lenovo IdeaPad Y510p?
The Lenovo IdeaPad Y510p was a fantastic gaming laptop when it was first released. Its robust build, good display, and innovative Ultrabay feature made it a solid choice for gamers. However, in today’s market, it feels outdated. The hardware struggles to keep up with modern games, and the battery life is limited.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option for mid-range gaming or need a laptop for casual use, it can still serve you well. However, if you want to play the latest games at high settings or need the latest technology, it’s better to invest in a more modern gaming laptop.
Conclusion
The Lenovo IdeaPad Y510p is a reminder of how far gaming laptops have come. It offered innovative features and solid performance back in its day. While it might not be the best choice for modern gamers, it can still be a decent option for those on a budget who don’t mind playing older titles or engaging in less resource-intensive tasks.
In summary, if you’re considering the Lenovo IdeaPad Y510p, weigh its pros and cons carefully. It’s not the latest and greatest, but it still has a few tricks up its sleeve.