{"id":2282,"date":"2013-10-08T21:22:43","date_gmt":"2013-10-08T13:22:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/?p=2282"},"modified":"2013-10-08T21:22:43","modified_gmt":"2013-10-08T13:22:43","slug":"lenovo-thinkpad-twist-s230u-good-try-somewhat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/2013\/10\/08\/lenovo-thinkpad-twist-s230u-good-try-somewhat\/","title":{"rendered":"Lenovo ThinkPad Twist S230u: Good try, somewhat"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Mikee dela Cruz<\/h2>\n

Pros<\/strong>
\nThinkPad design and construction
\nWay COOL keyboard
\nSturdy hinge<\/p>\n

Cons<\/strong>
\nSo-so battery life
\nLacks full vPro support
\nNo stylus support<\/p>\n

\"ThinkPad-Twist-S230u-7\"<\/a><\/p>\n

When companies were still experimenting with laptops that doubled as tablets, I had the (mis)fortune of owning Lenovo\u2019s IdeaPad s10-3t, a convertible Netbook tablet priced (in 2010, at a staggering $549) to compete with the iPad. Don\u2019t get me wrong, since it somewhat served its purpose \u2013 I was, after all, able to do small presentations using its (at times laggy) touchscreen capability; though, in hindsight, that seemed to be the only purpose it served me.\u00a0 It was, as another tech writer said, \u201cthe tablet without the tablet capability\u201d \u2013 and (considering I had to even ask a friend to buy it for me all the way from the US) I had to grudgingly agree with him.<\/p>\n

While I understand that companies were still experimenting with tablets in those days (no matter that it was only three years ago), the experience still left me somewhat cold when dealing with convertibles.<\/p>\n

And so I was, admittedly, apprehensive in considering Lenovo\u2019s ThinkPad Twist S230u.<\/p>\n

DESIGN<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is an ultrabook \u2013 and that means \u201cthin\u201d, with a capital \u201cT\u201d. But, as this is also a ThinkPad, (almost) everything needed is, well, there, no matter the size.<\/p>\n

I, personally, am not the biggest fan of the matte-black rubberized finish \u2013 it reminds me so much of my black HTC One X, which \u2013 when held with wet\/sweaty hands \u2013 emphasizes how wet\/sweaty the handler is. Black is NOT always sexy, I tell you\u2026 But then again, ThinkPad\u2019s made an image using this finish, so\u2026<\/p>\n

The screen measures 12.5 inches, using edge-to-edge Gorilla Glass \u2013 but there\u2019s plastic that seemingly \u201cframes\u201d the screen, which is somewhat bothersome for me, as it reminded me of (of all things!) a digital album. The screen itself is a five-point touchscreen with a resolution of 1,366 by 768 pixels (125ppi) \u2013 sharp enough depending on the viewing angle, though if you look too closely you\u2019d see the oh-so-unsexy pixilating.<\/p>\n

As its name suggests (i.e. Twist), you can twist the screen 180 degrees clockwise (in case someone dumb borrowed your unit and didn\u2019t know which way to twist, a small arrow just under the screen provides the direction for twisting) to face away from the keyboard. As a tablet, though, this is chunky. The unit\u2019s flexibility allows it to also be used in \u201ctent\u201d mode \u2013 that is, while on tablet mode, slowly opening the display by several inches, thereby enabling it to stand. Should you need it, an autorotation on and off button is available on the bottom right-hand side of the lid, above the power button.<\/p>\n

The Twist’s keyboard is just as you\u2019d expect from a ThinkPad \u2013 well-considered, complete with the red TrackPoint between the G,H and B keys (that has its loyal following), though there\u2019s also a large touchpad if you are not into that, as well as a trio of mouse buttons below the keyboard.<\/p>\n

You can find a media card reader, a full-size RJ-45 Ethernet port, a Mini-HDMI port, a USB 3.0 port and an audio-out jack on the left-hand side of the unit; while the power input, a Mini-DisplayPort connector, a second USB 3.0 port and the hard drive removal door are on the right-hand side.<\/p>\n

If, like me, you\u2019re still continuing to adjust to Windows 8 (always reaching for that \u201cback\u201d button\u2026), Twist has a physical Windows 8 button on the lid, in the very middle, right under the screen.<\/p>\n

And for those Webchats, there\u2019s a 720p webcam above, and two noise-cancelling microphones.<\/p>\n

FEATURES<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Twist can be powered by a 1.8GHz Core i3 (3217U), a 1.7-2.6GHz Intel Core i5 (3317U) \u2013 our review unit \u2013 or a 1.9-3.0GHz Core i7 (3517U) processor, and it uses the HM77 Express chipset. It also comes with Lenovo Solutions for Small Business (or LSSB), a package that allows users (ideally, the admin) to perform everything from backups to restore to software updates to\u2026 well, we already said \u201ceverything\u201d. Theoretically, this makes life simpler, considering the \u201cone-stop\u201d concept.<\/p>\n

Providing wireless connectivity is Intel’s Centrino Wireless-N 2230 module that supports single-band 802.11b\/g\/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0.<\/p>\n

SPEAKERS<\/strong><\/p>\n

The ThinkPad Twist (only) boasts dual 1 W speakers, with the audio emanating from underneath the keyboard.\u00a0 So, no, don\u2019t expect the DOLBY Sound-like quality you may want. But \u2013 to be completely honest \u2013 I watched a flick, and it didn\u2019t sound all that bad at all.<\/p>\n

BATTERY LIFE<\/strong><\/p>\n

The ThinkPad Twist is powered by an 8-cell Li-ion battery rated at 42.4 watt-hours (Wh). Check Lenovo\u2019s website, and they claim that the battery can last for up to six hours. The battery is non-removable, so there’s no option to fit a second battery.<\/p>\n

But let\u2019s be blunt here: the ThinkPad Twist is but a moderate performer. Day-in to day-out meetings are, therefore, out; ditto long-lasting gaming. But if you don\u2019t mind being always plugged in, well\u2026 the six hours should be good enough.<\/p>\n

A drawback of being always plugged in? The ThinkPad Twist becomes noticeably warm.<\/p>\n

CONCLUSION<\/strong><\/p>\n

The ThinkPad Twist is \u2013 surprisingly for me \u2013 not all that bad (considering my earlier mentioned somewhat so-so, if not actually traumatic, experience with Lenovo\u2019s IdeaPad s10-3t convertible Netbook tablet). But \u2013 and let\u2019s be completely honest here \u2013 this isn\u2019t the perfect replacement to your superpowered laptop.\u00a0 It is but a good substitute, somehow \u2013 that much can be said.<\/p>\n

Yes, its build quality is good (it\u2019s a ThinkPad, after all).
\nYes, you end up not only having an ultrabook, but also a (albeit somewhat bulky) tablet.
\nYes, there are business-friendly features.<\/p>\n

In the end\u2026
\nIf you have the budget, you may as well grab Lenovo\u2019s own IdeaPad Yoga 13 (laptop cum tablet, too).
\nOtherwise, if you’re budget-conscious, this one should suffice.<\/p>\n\n\t\t