Lenovo IdeaPad Z560 0914-3YU

Lenovo IdeaPad Z560 0914-3YU

The Lenovo IdeaPad Z560 0914-3YU ($699.99 list at TigerDirect) is a desktop replacement laptop being marketed as a multimedia machine. Performance and productivity are enhanced by the combination of a Core i5 processor coupled with 15.6-inches of screen real-estate. However, what holds this system back from a higher recommendation, is the overwhelming amount of bloatware and the fact that there are laptops that offer more features for less, like the Sony VAIO VPC-EB33FM/BJ ($629.99 list, 4.5 stars). Manufacturers often turn to plastic as the material of choice for their laptops in an effort to keep pricing low. The Z560 0914-3YU ups the design ante with a plastic resin exterior that sports a patterned design on its lid, and adds a brushed metal interior. The chiclet-style keyboard has keys that are curved so that they cradle your fingers as you type. Lenovo managed to squeeze a compact numeric keypad onto the keyboard, a boon for number crunchers. The function keys double as media controls (play/pause and skip), so you can easily command your music or video on the fly. You can also adjust the brightness and volume by pressing the key combination Fn + arrow up, down (for brightness) and right, left (for volume).