This review is specific to below configuration: Lenovo G50-80 / Core i3 [5th Gen] processor/ 2.0 GHz Speed/ 4-GB RAM/ 500-GB HDD/15.6" Screen and Windows 8.1 OS.
After going through an ordeal of buying an AC for home, I went through another painful exercise of research to buy a laptop this time
With the proliferation of tablets and smartphones and technology becoming available to you at your palm - the laptop market is shrinking, however laptops still make a lot of sense and it’s a must-have for a any home, now.
I did some self-study/research, talking to people(as I was somewhat lagging behind on the technology front), I understood what processors are in the market, what most laptops offer at what rate, what RAM is minimum, what is the OS trending and so on. Once all that was done, I decided on following:
Processor: Core i3 [5th Gen] - I could have gone for i5, but that would cost me more so was happy with i3.
Clock Speed: 2.0 GHz Speed - good enough for home usage.
RAM: 4-GB Again, 8-GB would have been better but RAM can always be increased if felt needed later at a cheap rate.
HDD: 500-GB: This is huge for my requirements. 1-TB was another option, however I already have an external disk of 500 gigz!
Screen: 15.6" which is quite a standard.
OS: Win 8.1 I always wanted to buy a laptop with OS to avoid hassles of pirated software. Win-10 would have been a better choice but there is a limited offer to upgrade to 10 for free.
Price: 25K - this was always my budget.
Brand: Lenovo Some of the technical people at my office advised that Lenovo is a leading brand currently.
My needs were minimal: Email, Word/Excel, playing Videos/Music, Browsing and storing all my personal data like photos and Mp3s and hence I did not wanted it to have an excellent graphic card etc and I bet, if it’s for home use, you would never use it for anything more than what I mentioned above.
Once these criteria were finalized - the decision on choosing a model was swift. I knew exactly what configuration I needed and I had decided to buy it from Paytm as I knew the prices here would be the least - so it was really a quick.
Buying Experience: was smooth as always how it has been with Paytm. Paytm has never let me down. There was a nominal delivery charge of Rs.99/- and the laptop was delivered ahead of delivery date, well packed, with all promised items and configuration - happy with the purchase!
Hands-on Experience: The first thing I noticed when I opened the packet - the model is very slim and kind of light weight. Battery is slim too. Charger comes with USB type connector and with UK type 3-pin adapter, along with a Indian type converter plug(not sure what is the idea behind providing such a connector and then the additional pin - the whole bunch looks too heavy on the switch board).
Rest all is excellent - configuration has come as promised. Supports USB 3.0, has an inbuilt web-cam, weighs about 3KGs and made in China(and still comes with 1 year warranty:-) - we are used to this, by now!)
Win 8.1 experience is different and if you have not used it previously you may find it difficult to use, in few days, you get used to the same. I am waiting for the system to be upgraded to Win 10.
The only con I see and that probably is the biggest problem I have seen so far with this model is the buttons on touch-pad - utterly useless! I am not exaggerating but to keep the button pressed with my thumb and then trying to scroll up and down with other finger is almost impossible for me! Those keys are so hard and most tough to be pressed - I am really surprised, how did this model pass the user tests!(if they did any). Had I purchased this model from a local dealer, I would have surely opted not to buy the same only because of this one problem with it.
But, I have a way out - use mouse! So, I will not let this one problem, write-off this, otherwise an excellent model.
Battery, I thought was dying somewhat fast - which I did not expect considering its a brand new, but have not really tested and I think it’s fine as it’s for home use and I can be connected to plug all the time.
Well, I cannot end this review without mentioning another thing here is the Dolby Audio - when I connect my external speakers and play music, the sound quality is amazing, I was considering buying new speakers but with this laptop, I don’t think I will do that as I am happy with the sound quality.
One last advice: Remember to make recovery disks of OS as there is word of caution that it’s the users responsibility to ensure that they back-up the OS as there is no warranty for the same and that Lenovo is not responsible for any recovery in case of a Windows crash. (a Windows feature well-known to most of us:-)
Reference to my guide on buying an AC: https://mouthshut.com/review/General-Advice-on-Air-Conditioners-review-nnutrrqnplm
Reference to my guide on buying a Laptop:https://mouthshut.com/review/Buying-a-Laptop-Notebook-review-qquroouoqlm