The good: Excellent keyboard, bright, crisp screen; ExpressCard slot.

The bad: Same old Atom N270 processor.

The bottom line: If you're looking for a comfortable Netbook with a 12.1-inch screen, the Lenovo IdeaPad S12 feels handy and light--but at this size, we wish it had an Intel CULV processor.

Read full review of the Lenovo IdeaPad S12 »

By Scott Stein
Aug 5, 2009

When we first heard Lenovo had an IdeaPad S12 on its way, we were expecting the long-anticipated Nvidia Ion-packing version, which will include graphics power decent enough to accomplish HD video and even some demanding gaming. Instead, we got a configuration that includes an Intel Atom N270 processor and GMA 950 graphics--essentially the same configuration as any current Netbook.

The IdeaPad S12 does, however, have a 12.1-inch screen and full keyboard, giving this Netbook more of a laptop feel. (Of course, it comes with a premium Netbook price tag: US$499.) Just don't expect more than a larger version of the Lenovo IdeaPad S10-2 Netbook. The S12 is an excellent compromise for a notebook, but thin-and-light ultra-low-voltage processor laptops such as the Acer Aspire Timeline 3810T and MSI X-Slim X340 give a lot more bang, albeit for more bucks.

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. Do check directly with your local distributor for details.

Design

The IdeaPad S12 comes in two processor flavors: One with a Via Nano ULV (a newer processor than the Atom, but less powerful than Core 2 Duo and Solo CULV processors) and one with an Intel Atom N270. Our configuration was an Atom, but it should be noted that the Nano is even cheaper (and in our own tests with Nano processors, they can perform quite well). The S12 also comes in black or white, with our review unit in black.



From a design standpoint, the S12 looks like a larger brother of the recently revamped Lenovo IdeaPad S10-2 Netbook. Compact and well-proportioned, the outer matte-black plastic case is topped with a glossy plastic lid patterned in a subtle series of varying polka dots. It's a smudge collector, but attractive. Inside, smooth matte-black plastic surrounds the keyboard, while the 12-inch glossy screen is surrounded in likewise glossy plastic. It looks professional and stylishly austere, not unlike a ThinkPad. The full keyboard feels great, and the touchpad is an improvement on the S10-2 in terms of size. It feels like a "real" laptop.

Above the keyboard are a few dedicated buttons for volume control and muting, along with a QuickStart button that launches a Splashtop instant-on operating system. The browser, music player, and photo viewer in this OS are serviceable and load faster than booting up XP, but the fastest way to "boot" is still keeping the S12 in standby and reawakening as needed. Facial recognition security software that operates off the Webcam and a OneKey backup/data recovery hot button are also included.

Features

The 12.1-inch glossy LCD has a 1,280 x 800 native resolution, which is standard for a screen this size. The effect of having a larger screen, especially in the vertical dimension, is critical for ease of use when browsing the Web and working on office documents. The added screen real estate really made a difference on our productivity, as opposed to the 10.2-inch IdeaPad S10-2. While the extra screen and keyboard size obviously increases the unit's bulk, it's a tradeoff that really makes the Netbook far more usable. It's up to you whether portability or productivity matters more, but it's a distinction that's a key defining point between the two models' philosophies.



Whereas the S10-2 dropped a useful ExpressCard slot found on its predecessor--the S10--the S12 has one. It's useful for 3G cards and other accessories that expand the limited connectivity options of Netbooks. Not having 802.11n Wi-Fi or Bluetooth is a disappointment, however, as these could have further justified the price difference between the S12 from the S10-2.

Tags: Netbook, Expresscard, Keyboard, processor, Intel Corp.

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