Lenovo Essential laptops
| Company type | Product line |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer hardware |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Products | Laptops (G Series, B Series, V Series) |
Alongside the ThinkPad and IdeaPad laptop ranges, Lenovo provides an affordable lineup known as the Essential series, which encompasses the G Series, B Series, and V Series. Introduced in 2009 with the launch of the G530 model, these laptops are aimed at budget-conscious buyers.
Although some reviews have incorrectly categorized these devices as IdeaPads, they are officially branded under the ‘Lenovo xx’ naming convention, including models like the G480, G580, and G780.
G Series
The Essential G Series from Lenovo is crafted to deliver reliable everyday computing at a competitive price.
2011
The 2011 collection featured models such as the G470, G570, G475, G575, and G770.
G470
Key specifications of the G470 included:
- CPU options: Intel Core i3-2310M or 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5-2410M
- Graphics: Integrated Intel HD 3000
- RAM: Up to 8GB DDR3
- Storage: Standard 500GB HDD plus Ultrabay SATA (DVD writer by default) and an mSATA slot
- Screen: 14-inch 1366x768 TN LED-backlit panel
Its 6-cell battery supported approximately five hours of operation. Blu-ray drives were offered as an optional upgrade.
G570
Launched simultaneously with the G470, the G570 specifications comprised:
- Processors: Intel Core i3-2310M or Core i5-2410M
- Graphics: Intel HD 3000 integrated GPU
- Memory: 4GB DDR3
- Storage capacity: 500GB HDD
- Display size: 15.6 inches
- Battery: 6-cell unit
Similar to the G470, users could opt for a Blu-ray drive instead of the standard DVD writer.
G475
Initially introduced in Japan, the G475 featured:
- Processor: AMD E350 dual-core at 1.6 GHz
- Chipset: AMD A50M
- Graphics: AMD Radeon HD 6310
- RAM: 2GB DDR3
- Storage: 250GB HDD
- Screen resolution: 14" (1366 × 768)
- Optical drive: DVD reader/writer
- USB connectivity: Four USB 2.0 ports
- Operating system: Windows 7 Home Premium
Powered by a 6-cell battery, it delivered up to approximately 5.6 hours of usage.
G575
Planned for an April 2011 release, the G575 included:
- Processor: AMD Fusion E360 dual-core running at 1.6 GHz
- Display: 15.6" TFT LCD (1366 × 768)
- Graphics processing: AMD Radeon HD 6310
- Storage space: 320GB HDD
- Camera: 2MP webcam
- USB ports: Four USB 2.0 connectors
Additional features catering to business users incorporated a two-in-one card reader, Wi-Fi connectivity, Ethernet LAN port, HDMI output, and Windows 7 Home Premium OS.
G770
Targeting users requiring enhanced performance, the Lenovo G770 released in 2011 offered:
- Processor options up to Intel Core i5-2410M at 2.3 GHz
- Graphics choices including:
- Integrated Intel HD graphics
- Discrete ATI Mobility Radeon HD 6650M GPU
- Memory capacity up to 8GB DDR3 RAM
- Storage options up to a 750GB hard drive
- Optical drive supporting dual-layer DVD reading/writing
- Large display measuring 17.3" with HD resolution (1600 × 900)
- Built-in webcam
- Operating system pre-installed as Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
2010
In 2010, Lenovo expanded its Essential G Series portfolio with the introduction of the G455, G555, G460, and G560 models, catering to a broad range of consumer needs.
G455 and G555
Both the G455 and G555 were unveiled simultaneously in 2010, equipped with AMD Turion II dual-core CPUs and built-in ATI Radeon HD graphics. The G455 came with a 14-inch widescreen panel, whereas the G555 featured a larger 15.6-inch display. Initially, the G455 was launched in China as the G455A before its availability in the U.S. market in March 2010.
The G555 was outfitted with 3GB of DDR2 RAM, a 160GB hard disk drive, an integrated webcam, dual-layer DVD read/write capabilities, WiFi support, and operated on Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium.
G460
Launched alongside the G560 at CES 2010, the G460 targeted budget-minded buyers by offering configurations with Intel Core i3 processors, up to 8GB DDR3 memory, a 14-inch LED-backlit screen at 1366 x 768 resolution, a 500GB hard drive, dual-layer DVD read/write drive, and integrated Intel HD Graphics. This model was sold with DOS pre-installed only.
G560
The G560 debuted in 2010 as an affordable consumer notebook option. It weighed approximately 5.73 pounds and measured 14.8 × 9.8 × roughly 0.7–1.4 inches.
Its core features included an Intel Core i3-330M dual-core processor running at 2.13 GHz, Intel HM55 chipset, integrated Intel HD Graphics, 4GB DDR3 dual-channel memory, a 320GB hard disk spinning at 5400 RPM, and a glossy 15.6-inch LED-backlit display with 720p resolution. Connectivity options encompassed Wi-Fi and a DVD reader/writer. The device shipped with Windows 7 Home Premium installed.
Positive aspects noted were its solid build quality, keyboard comfort, variety of ports, battery longevity, low noise output and temperature during operation, as well as overall system performance. Criticisms focused on a less responsive touchpad, a glossy lid prone to fingerprints, and limited screen resolution.
2009
Lenovo's Essential G Series for 2009 consisted primarily of the G530 and G550 models.
G530
As the inaugural model in the Essential G Series lineup, the G530 earned an Editor’s Choice accolade from Notebook Review. It weighed around 5 pounds and measured 14.1 × 10.1 × 1.45 inches.
Key specifications included:
- CPU: Intel Pentium Dual Core or Core 2 Duo
- Display: 15.4-inch (16:10 aspect ratio; maximum resolution of 1280x800)
- Graphics: Integrated Intel GMA 4500MHD
- Storage: 250GB HDD
- Memory: 3GB DDR2 RAM
- Optical Drive: DVD reader/writer
- Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium
Notebook Review preferred the G530 over the ThinkPad SL500 for small to medium-sized business use due to its superior construction quality.
G550
The successor to the G530, the G550 introduced a shift in screen aspect ratio from 16:10 to widescreen 16:9.
Key specifications were:
- Processor options: Intel Pentium Dual Core T4200 at 2 GHz or Core2Duo T6500 at 2.1 GHz
- Display: Glossy 15.6-inch panel (16:9 aspect ratio) with a maximum resolution of 1366x768
- Graphics: Either integrated Intel GMA 4500MHD or discrete NVidia GeForce G105M
- Memory: 3GB DDR3 RAM
- Storage: 250GB hard drive at 5400 RPM
- Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium
Its physical dimensions measured approximately 14.9 × 9.6 × 1.4 inches. Notebook Review praised its sturdy build quality, textured exterior finish, and comfortable keyboard layout. The laptop performed effectively as a desktop replacement for tasks such as web browsing, HD/SD video playback, and casual two-dimensional gaming.
However, certain features present on the G530—such as one USB port and an Express Card slot—were removed without any corresponding price reduction, which was regarded as a disadvantage.
Subsequently, Lenovo released the G580 model that incorporated a webcam and offered upgraded processor choices including Core i3, i5, and i7 variants.
B Series
Lenovo's B Series is positioned as an affordable laptop lineup catering primarily to small business users, closely paralleling the V Series in both target market and design philosophy.
B330
Introduced in 2018, the Lenovo B330 was crafted for home users and small enterprises, featuring a 15.6-inch form factor. It was equipped with Intel Core i5 or i7 CPUs, 6GB of DDR3L RAM, and offered storage choices of either 500GB or 1TB HDD. Audio capabilities included Dolby Advanced Audio or JBL stereo speakers, alongside a front-facing camera integrated with a microphone. Connectivity options encompassed USB 3.0, USB Type-C, HDMI, RJ-45 Ethernet, plus a 4-in-1 card reader. The weight ranged from 2.2 to 3.5 kilograms, with dimensions near 16.45" by 11.51" by 0.99". Lenovo discontinued the B330 model in 2020.
2011
The B Series lineup launched in 2011 consisted of the B470 and B570 models.
B470
Released in April 2011, the Lenovo B470 came preloaded with Windows 7 Home Premium or Professional (64-bit). Processor options included Intel Core i3-2310M at 2.1 GHz or Core i5-2410M at 2.3 GHz. Graphics were either Intel HD 3000 or NVIDIA GeForce 410M with dedicated 1GB VRAM. Memory supported up to 8GB of DDR3 RAM, storage capacity reached up to 1TB, and the display measured 14 inches with a maximum resolution of 1366×768.
B570
Also appearing in 2011, the B570 was praised for its cost-effectiveness, solid performance, design quality, and display clarity. It came with dual-core processors—either a Core i3-2310M clocked at 2.1 GHz or a Pentium B950—along with memory ranging from 3 to 4GB that could be expanded up to 8GB. The laptop sported a 15.6-inch screen at a resolution of 1366×768 and storage options of either 320GB or 500GB HDD. Its primary drawback was limited storage space.
2010
The B Series models released in 2010 were the B460 and B560.
B460
Key features of the B460 included:
- Processor: Intel Core i5-520M (up to)
- Operating System: Windows 7 Professional (up to)
- Display: 14-inch HD (1366 x 768)
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 310M with 512MB VRAM (up to)
- Memory: Up to 8GB DDR3
- Storage: Maximum of 500GB
- Optical Drive: DVD read/write capability
- Webcam: Built-in
B560
Highlighted specifications for the B560:
- Processor: Intel Core i5-580M (maximum)
- Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium (maximum)
- Display: 15.6-inch HD (1366 x 768)
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 310M with 512MB VRAM (maximum)
- Memory: Up to 4GB DDR3
- Storage: Maximum capacity of 500GB
- Optical Drive: Integrated DVD reader/writer
- Webcam: Integrated
V Series
Similar to the B Series, Lenovo's V Series targets small business users seeking cost-effective computing solutions.
2018
The V Series Essential lineup in 2018 featured the V330 model.
V330
The Lenovo V330 series consisted of laptops available in both 14-inch and 15-inch sizes aimed at home users and small business professionals. Launched in 2018, these models offered Intel Core i5 or i7 processors with storage options including either a 500GB or a 1TB drive. Graphics configurations included Intel HD Graphics 520 or AMD Ryzen options. Additional features comprised Dolby Advanced Audio or JBL stereo speakers, fingerprint scanners, and an array of connectivity ports such as USB 3.0, USB Type-C, HDMI, VGA, and Ethernet. The weight ranged from approximately 2.2 to 3.5 kilograms (4.8 to 7.7 pounds), with prices starting between $499 and $599. The V330 series was phased out by Lenovo in 2020.
Available models:
- V330 (14-inch)
- V330 (15-inch)
2011
The 2011 lineup of Lenovo's V Series laptops consisted of the V370, V470, and V570 models. These laptops came with screen sizes measuring 13.3, 14, and 15.6 inches respectively, each offering a maximum resolution of 1366x768 pixels. They were equipped to handle up to Intel Core i7 processors and supported a maximum of 8GB RAM, alongside hard drive capacities reaching 1TB. Connectivity features included WiFi b/g/n, Bluetooth, USB 2.0, HDMI, and eSATA interfaces. Graphics capabilities differed among the models: the V370 was outfitted with an NVIDIA GeForce 315M 1GB GPU, whereas the V470 and V570 were fitted with GeForce 525M 2GB graphics cards.
2010
In 2010, Lenovo's Essential series featured the V360, V460, and V560 laptop models.
V360
The Lenovo V360 was powered by an Intel Core i3-330M processor and included NVIDIA GeForce 305M graphics. It featured a 13.3-inch screen with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels and had a weight of approximately 1.75 kg.
V460
LAPTOP Magazine characterized the V460 as a stylish device with switchable graphics but noted its limited battery endurance. This model contained a Core i5-430M processor clocked at 2.27 GHz, supported up to 8GB of RAM, and offered a 320GB hard drive spinning at 7200 RPM. It incorporated both Intel Graphics Media Accelerator HD and NVIDIA GeForce 310M GPUs. The laptop's dimensions were 13.3 × 9.2 × 1.0 inches, and it weighed around 4.8 pounds.
V560
The Lenovo V560 was equipped with a 2.4 GHz Intel Core i3-370M CPU and utilized the Intel HM55 chipset. It supported up to 4GB of memory and featured NVIDIA GeForce 310M graphics. The display measured 15.6 inches with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels, while storage consisted of a 640GB hard drive operating at 5400 RPM. The physical size of the laptop was 377 × 250 × 30 mm.