The chiclet keyboard in the IdeaPad 500S is based on Lenovo's standard layout that is characterized by the position of additional keys in the keyboard's right edge and the function key row's inverted arrangement.
Lenovo offers an optional warranty upgrade to 3 years when ordered via the manufacturer's online shop. The battery is covered for only one year. Lenovo includes a two-year warranty on the IdeaPad 500S. The IdeaPad does not have maintenance hatches or an easy to remove battery. Thus, it should be possible to access the installed components by simply releasing the screws on the casing's underside. However, the IdeaPad is obviously based on the same casing as Lenovo's U31-70 that we have recently examined. We did not open the laptop because our review sample was a shop device. The buyer will not find a microfiber cloth or a sleeve that are included in Asus' UX303 ZenBooks lineup. In addition to the mandatory power supply, only a quick start guide and warranty conditions are found in the box. Lenovo does not include accessories beyond the standard. Some rivals, such as Asus' ZenBook UX303UA-FN121T, have considerably more to offer with maximum rates of over 85 MB/s. Copying 250 JPEG image files with approximately 5 MB each on the IdeaPad's hard drive was performed at an average of 14 MB/s.
A maximum transfer rate of 26.2 MB/s was reached when transferring large data blocks from our Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II reference card to the laptop. The memory card reader's performance is at a low rate.
A Bluetooth 4.0 module is installed for near-field communication. However, the IdeaPad displayed the maximum gross data rate until it lost the signal. The module's range was slightly below average, especially in the 2.4 GHz band in the author's test setup with an Asus RT-AC56U router. The integrated Wi-Fi module by Qualcomm Atheros transmits in both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands, and supports the current AC standard with gross transmission rates of up to 433 Mbit/s (1 antenna). With a weight of approximately 1.5 kilograms (~3.3 lb) and a surface area of 323 x 230 millimeters (12.7 x 9 in), the handy device joins the ranks of the other contenders. It caused crackling noises when opening the laptop. Only the display lid's black frame that is not firmly fixed to all parts of the red cover plate spoils this impression slightly. The impeccable fitting shows that all components have been assembled carefully, particularly in a closed state. The review sample's build makes a decent impression. It can at most lead to a temporary brightening of dark contents. Fortunately, this does not cause annoying image distortions.
While the base unit proves to be quite robust, the display's lid yields more easily under pressure. However, to a large extent the hinge keeps the display firmly in position even when it is shaken. It is not possible to open the laptop with one hand because it lifts off the surface.
Although there are no glossy elements, it can quickly collect fingerprints on the wrist rest that are difficult to remove. The display's lid and base unit's upper tray are metal. The review sample's casing shimmers almost completely in metallic red from the outside while black dominates the inside. 3D Printing, 5G, Accessory, AI, Alder Lake, AMD, Android, Apple, ARM, Audio, Benchmark, Biotech, Business, Camera, Cannon Lake, Cezanne (Zen 3), Charts, Chinese Tech, Chromebook, Coffee Lake, Comet Lake, Console, Convertible / 2-in-1, Cryptocurrency, Cyberlaw, Deal, Desktop, E-Mobility, Education, Exclusive, Fail, Foldable, Gadget, Galaxy Note, Galaxy S, Gamecheck, Gaming, Geforce, Google Pixel, GPU, How To, Ice Lake, Intel, Intel Evo, Internet of Things (IoT), iOS, iPad, iPad Pro, iPhone, Jasper Lake, Lakefield, Laptop, Launch, Leaks / Rumors, Linux / Unix, List, Lucienne (Zen 2), MacBook, Mini PC, Monitor, MSI, OnePlus, Opinion, Phablet, Radeon, Raptor Lake, Renoir, Review Snippet, Rocket Lake, Ryzen (Zen), Science, Security, Single-Board Computer (SBC), Smart Home, Smartphone, Smartwatch, Software, Storage, Tablet, ThinkPad, Thunderbolt, Tiger Lake, Touchscreen, Ultrabook, Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR), Wearable, Wi-Fi 7, Windows, Workstation, XPS, Zen 3 (Vermeer), Zen 4