IdeaPad Y series
| Company type | Product line |
|---|---|
| Industry | Consumer electronics, Computer hardware |
| Predecessor | None |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Founder | Lenovo |
| Successor | Legion Y series |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Laptops (gaming and multimedia) |
| Owner | Lenovo |
The IdeaPad Y series represented Lenovo's consumer-oriented line of laptops, introduced in 2008. Positioned as premium, high-performance machines tailored for multimedia use and gaming, these models were a segment within the broader IdeaPad lineup.
Distinct from Lenovo's business-centric ThinkPad range, the Y series emphasized a design and hardware configuration aimed at everyday consumers seeking powerful performance. Notable features included chiclet-style keyboards with rounded keys. The first releases in this series were the IdeaPad Y710 with a 17-inch screen and the Y510 featuring a 15-inch display.
Eventually, the Legion Y series replaced the IdeaPad Y lineup.
Y900
In January 2016, Lenovo launched the IdeaPad Y900 targeting dedicated gamers. It was equipped with Intel’s 6th Generation Core i7 processors that supported overclocking through Lenovo’s proprietary software. The laptop showcased a black aluminum body accented with red highlights, along with a mechanical keyboard offering customizable RGB lighting across keys and touchpad for improved visibility.
The 17.3-inch screen utilized an IPS panel with an anti-glare finish and full HD resolution (1920×1080). Memory capacity reached up to 64GiB of RAM, while dual drive bays allowed RAID 0 configurations using SSDs or traditional hard drives. Graphics performance was delivered by an Nvidia GeForce GTX 980M GPU, available in variants with either 4 or 8 GiB of VRAM.
Connectivity options included several USB ports, DisplayPort, HDMI, RJ-45 Ethernet, and a 4-in-1 card reader. Audio output was handled by JBL speakers. Combining advanced hardware with customizable features, the Y900 competed strongly within the high-end gaming laptop segment.
Y700
The Lenovo IdeaPad Y700 lineup consisted of gaming laptops in 14-inch, 15-inch, and 17-inch sizes released between 2015 and 2017. Positioned to rival models like Acer's Predator and Dell's Inspiron and G series, the Y700 targeted gamers demanding robust specifications. This series was later succeeded by the Legion Y720, which maintained similar chassis designs.
Y50-70
The Y50-70 model debuted in 2015 as a modest enhancement over the previous year’s Y50.
Y70
The Y70 offered a 17-inch multitouch display and came standard with a 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5 processor, 8 GB of RAM, a hybrid storage solution combining a 1 TB HDD with SSD technology, and an Nvidia GTX 860M GPU featuring 2 GB of VRAM. Its Full HD LED-backlit screen catered well to both gaming and multimedia applications. Under typical productivity use, battery life extended to roughly 4.5 hours but decreased to about 2.5 hours during intensive gaming.
The Y70 Touch earned favorable reviews within the industry, securing an Editor’s Choice award from Notebook Review for its capabilities as a large-screen entertainment device.
2014
In 2014, Lenovo introduced three flagship models: the IdeaPad Y40, Y50, and Y70 Touch.
Y40 and Y50
Designed with gaming in mind, the Y40 featured a 14-inch display while the Y50 came with a 15-inch screen. Both offered standard Full HD (1080p) panels; additionally, the Y50 provided an optional upgrade to a 4K resolution (3840×2160). Multi-touch functionality was supported on both displays. Powered by Intel Core i7 processors, the Y40 included an AMD Radeon R9 M270 GPU with 2 GB VRAM; meanwhile, the Y50 was equipped with an Nvidia GeForce GTX 860M GPU available in configurations of either 2 GB or 4 GB VRAM. Subsequent versions upgraded to Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 960M GPU. Both models shipped with 8 GB of RAM expandable up to 16 GB. Storage options consisted of a 256 GB SSD for the Y40 and a hybrid drive combining SSD and HDD technology totaling 1 TB for the Y50. Measuring just under one inch thick at approximately 0.9 inches, their weights were about 4.85 lb for the Y40 and roughly 5.68 lb for the Y50; neither model included an optical drive. Announced during CES in early 2014, these laptops became available in U.S. markets by May of that year.
PC World commended the Y50’s gaming capabilities as among the top performers within its category but noted trade-offs in keyboard quality, trackpad responsiveness, and display fidelity due to its mid-range pricing—suggesting users consider external peripherals for enhanced experience. LAPTOP magazine highlighted the affordability of the Y40 at $949 along with solid performance metrics and battery longevity but pointed out its GPU limitations for demanding games and expressed desire for improvements in display sharpness and keyboard feel.
Y40
The Lenovo IdeaPad Y40 made its debut in the United States on January 5, 2014.
- Processor: Up to 5th generation Intel Core i7
- Memory: Maximum 16GiB DDR3L
- Graphics: Up to AMD Radeon M275
- Storage: Options include up to 1TB HDD or a 1TB HDD combined with an 8GB hybrid SSHD
- Battery: Provides up to 5 hours of usage
- Display: 14.1-inch LED-backlit TN LCD panel
- Operating system: Microsoft Windows 8.1
- Weight: Starting from
- Wireless connectivity: Bluetooth 4.02, IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n or 802.11ac Wi-Fi standards
- Ports: Two USB 3.0 ports, one USB 2.0 port, Audio Combo Jack, HDMI output, 4-in-1 card reader, RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet, SPDIF
Y50
Introduced in the second quarter of 2014, the Lenovo IdeaPad Y50 was designed for users requiring high performance.
- Processor: Intel Core i7-4710HQ (4th generation, 2.5GHz)
- Memory: Up to 16GiB PC3-12800 DDR3L SDRAM
- Storage: Choices include 256GB or 512GB SSD, or 500GB/1TB HDD combined with an 8GB hybrid SSHD; external Blu-ray/DVD drive available
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 860M with either 2 or 4GiB GDDR5 memory
- Display: 15.6-inch LED-backlit LCD available in resolutions of 3840×2160, 1920×1080, or multitouch variants
- Operating system: Microsoft Windows 8.1
- Weight:
- Keyboard: Backlit AccuType keyboard
- Media features: 720p webcam and JBL 2.1 speaker system enhanced with Dolby Advanced Audio V2
- Battery life: Up to five hours of Wi-Fi browsing depending on configuration
- Wireless connectivity: Bluetooth version 4.02 and IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n or 802.11ac Wi-Fi support
- Ports: Two USB 3.0 ports, one USB 2.0 port, Audio Combo Jack, HDMI output, a four-in-one card reader, RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet port, and S/PDIF
Notable enhancements in the 2015 update included:
- Replacement of TN display with IPS LCD technology
- Upgrade from Intel Core i7-4710HQ to i7-4720HQ processor
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M substituted the GTX 860M graphics card
Y400
Unveiled at IFA Berlin in late 2012, the IdeaPad Y400 featured a 14-inch display with a resolution of 1366x768 and was powered by a third-generation Intel Core i7 processor supporting up to 16 GB of RAM. It introduced the "Intelligent Touchpad," optimized for Windows 8 functionality and weighed around 5.51 pounds equipped with a six-cell battery.
Y410p
Launched approximately in June 2013, the IdeaPad Y410p came equipped with a fourth-generation Haswell Intel Core i7 processor. Positioned as a competitor to premium laptops such as the Alienware M14x but starting at an accessible price point of $799, it featured an UltraBay slot that allowed installation of a second dedicated GPU, additional storage devices, or enhanced cooling solutions; it also supported secure boot through UEFI.
Technical specifications:
- Processor: Up to Intel Core i7-4700MQ (2.4GHz quad-core)
- Memory: Maximum of 8GiB DDR3 running at 1600MT/s
- Graphics: Integrated Intel HD Graphics 4600 plus NVIDIA GeForce GT755M (2GiB GDDR5) with optional UltraBay GPU expansion
- Operating system: Microsoft Windows 8.1
- Display: Available in either a 14.1-inch LED-backlit TN LCD
Y500
The IdeaPad Y500 was introduced in early January of 2013 as a modular laptop featuring a BD/DVD drive bay that could be replaced by an additional graphics card, extra hard drive, or an exhaust fan equipped with Always-On USB functionality allowing device charging even when the laptop is powered off and unplugged.
Key specifications include:
- Processor: Third-generation Intel Core i7-3630QM (2.4 GHz quad-core)
- Memory: Supports up to 16 GiB DDR3 at 1600 MT/s
- Graphics: Combines Intel HD Graphics 4000 with NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M (2 GiB GDDR5)
- Operating system: Windows 8
- Display: A15.6-inch LED-backlit TN LCD with resolution of1366×768 pixels
- Audio system: JBL speakers complemented by Dolby Home Theater v4 technology
A refreshed model released in June brought upgrades including:
- Display changed to a1366×768 TN panel (down from previous full HD resolution)
- Graphics updated to Intel HD Graphics4600 plus NVIDIA GeForce GT750M (upgraded from GT650M)
- Memory capacity adjusted to support up to8 GiB DDR3 (reduced from previous16 GiB)
Y510p
Launched in June 2013, the IdeaPad Y510p is equipped with a 4th Generation Haswell Intel Core i7 processor and continues to offer a modular ultrabay, which can accommodate a second dedicated GPU, an additional hard drive, or an exhaust fan. It also supports secure boot functionality through UEFI.
Specifications:
- Processor: 4th Generation Intel Core i7-4700MQ (Quad-core 2.4 GHz)
- Memory: Up to 16 GB DDR3 running at 1600 MT/s
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M with 2 GB GDDR5 VRAM, plus an optional secondary GT 750M GPU via the ultrabay
- Display: 15.6-inch LED-backlit TN LCD with a resolution of 1920×1080
- Audio: JBL speakers enhanced by Dolby Home Theatre version 4
- Ports: One always-on USB 2.0, two USB 3.0 ports, a 6-in-1 card reader, headphone jack, microphone input, HDMI output, and VGA port
- Operating system: Windows 8.0 pre-installed, upgradeable to Windows 8.1
2012
The IdeaPad Y-series lineup from Lenovo in 2012 included models such as the Y480 and Y580, followed later by the Y400 and Y500. The latter two incorporated an ultrabay slot that enabled users to interchange components like an extra hard drive, cooling fan, or GPU, facilitating improved performance through SLI technology.
Y480
The Y480 model introduced in 2012 featured:
- Processor: Intel 3rd Generation Core i5 or i7 options:
- i7-3630QM (Quad-core at 2.4 GHz with 6 MB L3 cache)
- i7-3610QM (Quad-core at 2.3 GHz with 6 MB L3 cache)
- i5-3210M (Dual-core running at 2.4 GHz with 6 MB L3 cache)
- Memory: 8 GB DDR3 operating at 1600 MT/s
- Graphics:
- Display: A 14-inch LED-backlit TN LCD panel
- Storage:
- One 2.5-inch SATA bay supporting HDDs from 500 GB up to 1 TB at 5400 RPM
- One mSATA slot equipped with a 32 GB SSD
- Dimensions: Measuring approximately 345 × 239 × 20–32.8 mm
- Operating system: Windows 7 Home Premium
Y580
The Y580, released in late 2012, included:
- Processor: Intel 3rd Generation Core i5 or i7 processors:
- i7-3630QM (Quad-core at 2.4 GHz with a 6 MB L3 cache)
- i7-3610QM (Quad-core running at 2.3 GHz with a 6 MB L3 cache)
- i5-3210M (Dual-core at 2.4 GHz with a 6 MB L3 cache)
- Memory: Available in configurations of either 8 or 16 GB DDR3 at 1600 MT/s
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M featuring 384 Kepler cores and equipped with 2 GB GDDR5 VRAM
- Display: A choice of a 15.6-inch LED-backlit TN LCD panel
- Storage:
- Single 2.5-inch SATA bay offering HDD options ranging from 500 GB to 1 TB at either 5400 or 7200 RPM speeds
- A mSATA slot fitted with a standard 32 GB SSD
- Dimensions: Approximately measuring 385 × 255 × 35.7 mm
- Operating system: Ships with Windows 7 Home Premium or Windows 8
2011
In the year 2011, Lenovo introduced the IdeaPad Y470 and Y570 models within its Y-series portfolio.
Y470
The Y470 model released in that year was powered by Intel’s second-generation Sandy Bridge Core processors including Core i3, i5, and i7 variants: quad-core i7-2720QM running at 2.2 GHz and i7-2630QM at 2.0 GHz, alongside dual-core options such as the i7-2620M, i5-2540M, i5-2520M, i5-2410M, and i3-2310M. It supported up to a maximum of eight gigabytes of DDR3 RAM operating at speeds of either 1066 or1333 MT/s and featured a14-inch TN LCD screen with a resolution of1366×768 pixels. Graphics capabilities combined integrated Intel HD Graphics3000 alongside an NVIDIA GeForce550M GPU available with either one or two gigabytes of VRAM. Storage was provided via a single2.5-inch SATA bay supporting hard drives ranging from250 GB up to1 TB spinning at5400 or7200 RPMs plus an mSATA slot compatible with32 or64 GB SSDs. The device weighed approximately4.85 pounds and came pre-installed with Microsoft Windows7 Professional or Home Premium editions.
Y570
Introduced in 2011, the Y570 featured upgraded Intel Sandy Bridge Core i3/i5/i7 processors, including quad-core options such as the i7-2920XM (2.5 GHz), i7-2820QM, i7-2720QM, i7-2630QM, as well as dual-core variants like the i7-2620M and various i5/i3 models. It supported a maximum of 8 GB DDR3 RAM and was equipped with a 15.6" 1366×768 TN LCD screen. The graphics system combined Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics with an NVIDIA GeForce 555M GPU, available with either 1 or 2 GB of VRAM. Storage options mirrored those of the Y470, offering a SATA bay for HDDs ranging from 250 GB to 1 TB alongside an mSATA slot for SSDs of 32 or 64 GB capacity. The laptop weighed approximately 5.95 pounds and came preloaded with Windows 7 Professional, Home Premium, or Home Basic editions.
2010
The Lenovo IdeaPad Y-series lineup for 2010 consisted of models including the Y460, Y460p, Y730, Y560p, and Y560d.
Y460 and Y460p
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Critics praised the Y460 for its robust gaming capabilities and enhanced design, although some concerns were raised regarding heat generation during intensive gaming sessions. The device's battery longevity and portability received positive remarks, with LAPTOP Magazine highlighting its strength in multimedia and gaming performance alongside a distinctive navigation control feature.
Y560d, Y560, and Y560p
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Y730
The Y730 succeeded the Y710 by incorporating an Intel PM45 chipset and support for DDR3 memory modules. Its principal specifications were:
- Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo X9100 running at 3.06 GHz
- RAM: Equipped with 3 GB DDR3 memory
- Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 3650 XT GPU
- Display: A sizable 17-inch TN LCD panel
- Storage: SATA interface supporting up to a 500 GB hard drive
Reception was mixed regarding its gaming prowess; About.com suggested it was more appropriate for casual gaming and high-definition video playback rather than demanding PC games due to its comparatively low screen resolution. In contrast, GADGETBASE lauded it as "the ultimate notebook," emphasizing its "stellar performance" tailored for dedicated gamers.
2009
Lenovo's Y-series offerings in the year 2009 included models such as the Y450 and Y550.
Y450
The Y450 served as the follow-up to the Y430 and came with:
- Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T6400
- Display: A 14-inch LED-backlit TN LCD featuring a resolution of 1366×768
- Memory: Support for up to 3 GB DDR3 RAM at a speed of 1066 MT/s
- Graphics: Integrated Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics chipset
- Storage: SATA hard drive options up to a capacity of 250 GB at a rotational speed of 5400 RPM
- Wireless Connectivity: Included Intel Wireless Wi-Fi Link 5100 along with Bluetooth version 2.0 + EDR
- Weight: Approximately 4.6 pounds
- Dimensions: Measuring roughly 13.4×9.1×1.4 inches
- Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions
PC World assigned the Y450 a rating of two and a half stars out of five, commending its keyboard quality, overall design, and value proposition while pointing out limited vertical viewing angles as a notable limitation.
Y550
Launched in 2009, the IdeaPad Y550 came equipped with the following features:
- CPU: 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6400
- RAM: Up to 8GB DDR3
- Storage Capacity: Up to 320GB SATA drive
- Screen: 15.6-inch LED-backlit TN LCD with 1366×768 resolution
- Graphics: Integrated Intel X4500MHD
- Weight: Approximately 5 pounds
- Size: 15.2 x 10.0 x 1.02–1.5 inches
Notebook Review commended the Y550 for its robust construction, appealing design, and well-regarded keyboard and touchpad, reinforcing the established strengths of the IdeaPad Y Series.
2008
In 2008, Lenovo’s Y Series lineup comprised models such as the Y710, Y510, Y530, and Y430.
Y430
The IdeaPad Y430 featured a 14.1-inch display, an Intel Core 2 Duo T5800 processor, and Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics, weighing in at 5.3 pounds. PC World recognized it as "one of the top midsize laptops available," praising its sturdy build quality, capable performance for most tasks, and flexible networking options including support for 5 GHz IEEE 802.11n Wi-Fi.
Y510
Specifications for the Y510 included:
- Processor options: Intel Core 2 Duo T2330, T5450, or T5550
- Maximum Memory: Up to 4GB
- Graphics: Integrated Intel X3100 (up to 256MB shared VRAM)
- Display: 15.4-inch TN LCD with 1280×800 resolution
- Storage: Up to a 250GB SATA hard drive
- Optical Drive: DVD burner
- Battery Life: Six-cell battery offering up to four hours of use
- Weight: Approximately 6.4 pounds
- Dimensions: 14.1 x 10.3 x 1.14–1.42 inches
- Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
Y530
As the successor to the Y510, the Y530 maintained the same chassis design but upgraded to an Intel Centrino 2 processor. It weighed around 6.6 pounds and measured 14.2 x 10.3 x 1.4 inches, preserving portability despite a modest increase in thickness.
Notebook Review highlighted its sturdy construction, quality speakers, and comfortable input devices as advantages while pointing out drawbacks such as the NVIDIA 9300M graphics card and a highly reflective screen.
Y710
Among the earliest models in the Y-series were the Y7xx series laptops, including the Y710 and Y730. The Y710 came with an optional "Lenovo Game Zone" module and offered these specifications:
- Processor: Choices of Intel Core 2 Duo T5450, T8100, or T9300
- Memory: Up to 8GB DDR2 RAM
- Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2600 with 256MB VRAM
- Display: 17-inch TN LCD (1610 resolution)
- Storage: Up to a 100GB SATA hard drive
- Optical Drive: DVD burner or Blu-ray drive options
- Battery: Six-cell battery providing up to four hours of usage
- Weight:
- Dimensions:
- Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)