The good: Gorgeous design; lightweight yet solid construction; sharp screen resolution; comfortable keyboard; ships with two batteries.

The bad: Lacks a built-in optical drive; glossy screen finish sometimes produces annoying reflections; piano finish on keyboard is prone to smudges; fixed configuration can't be customized; no 3G/HSDPA option.

The bottom line: The 11.1-inch Lenovo IdeaPad U110 is the most beautiful laptop we've seen in years, and behind those good looks is a well-appointed, fairly priced ultraportable. Despite a few minor nitpicks, we recommend the IdeaPad U110 to those who want a lightweight, eye-catching laptop for frequent travel.

Read full review of the Lenovo IdeaPad U110 »

By Michelle Thatcher, CNET.com
May 16, 2008

The Lenovo IdeaPad U110 looks more like an object of art than a piece of consumer electronics. The tendril pattern etched into its aluminum lid (available in black or red) and the patterned vents on its base both bring to mind an illuminated manuscript or a fine textile. But a laptop it is, and for its S$2,999 (US$2,163.16) price tag, the IdeaPad U110 is a pretty good ultraportable.

Editors' note : This review is based on tests done by our sister site CNET.com. As such, please note that there may be slight differences in the testing procedure and ratings system. For more information on the actual tests conducted on the product, please inquire directly at the site where the article was originally published. References made to some of other products in this review may not be available or applicable in Asia. Please check directly with your local distributor for details.

Design

Despite its compact size, the IdeaPad U110's screen and keyboard are comfortable to use for long stretches. Its case is stocked with current-generation components and a decent set of features--though media fanatics should note that its DVD burner is an external drive. The fastidious should also note that the very shine that makes the laptop so appealing is easily dulled by fingerprints. Despite these imperfections, the Lenovo IdeaPad U110 offers a combination of price, features, and performance that's competitive with such ultraportables as the Toshiba Portege R500 and the Sony Vaio TZ series, inside a package of unparalleled beauty.



The Lenovo IdeaPad U110 is imperceptibly smaller than one of our favorite 11.1-inch ultraportables, the Sony Vaio TZ series. It gives up 2 inches in screen size to the 13.3-inch MacBook Air, but the U110 weighs less (when using its four-cell battery). Toshiba's Portege R500, on the other hand, weighs about the same and gives you an extra inch with its 12.1-inch screen. Aside from its diminutive size and stunning design, the IdeaPad U110 is remarkable in its sturdy construction, thanks to an aluminum cover and magnesium aluminum case.

The sturdy construction seems to owe something to Lenovo's business-focused ThinkPad line. But the IdeaPad U110 is considerably different from the company's other flagship ultraportable, the ThinkPad X300. The latter maintains the familiar ThinkPad DNA--rectangular black case, great keyboard, and such corporate-friendly features as 3G/HSDPA and a Trusted Platform Module--while still allowing for innovation in design and cutting-edge components. The IdeaPad U110, on the other hand, is focused on the consumer market, and as such gives Lenovo more freedom to experiment with design while still incorporating new technologies. Speaking more concretely, the 11.1-inch IdeaPad U110 is considerably smaller and lighter than the 13.3-inch ThinkPad X300.

The entire keyboard deck on the IdeaPad U110--including the keyboard, touchpad, mouse buttons, and quick-launch keys--is one flush surface, all in a glossy piano finish. At first the flatness of the keys, and the lack of space between them, had us worried about typing comfort. But closer inspection revealed that the keys have a slightly concave surface, and while the keyboard did feel noticeably less than full-size, typing was remarkably comfortable and error-free. Part of the reason: Lenovo extended the keyboard quite nearly to the edges of the system, similar to the HP 2133 Mini-Note, to accommodate larger keys than would ordinarily be found on such a compact laptop. Unfortunately, a concession had to be made when it came to the touchpad; the IdeaPad U110's narrow depth means the touchpad sits uncomfortably low on the keyboard deck, and its mouse buttons are part of the laptop's front edge. We were able to complete a day's work with this setup, but would likely want to pack a travel mouse for better ergonomics on lengthy trips. Also, the meticulous among us might be put off by the shiny interior, which easily picks up fingerprints. (Lenovo does include a chamois cloth to help you keep the IdeaPad U110 looking sharp).

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