Lenovo 15.6" Core i5 180GB SSD Notebook

I got this laptop as a replacement for my dying MacBook, and have had no hardware problems as of yet. I installed 16GB of RAM I bought from Crucial (i.e. not from Lenovo). I currently run Mint 13 with MATE (which runs like a charm). Hence, I cannot say much with regards to how well the Lenovo distribution of Windows will run. Nowadays, the only time I use Windows is running MS Office inside of VirtualBox. I give it one 2.6GhZ CPU and 2GB of RAM, and it runs fine. Albeit, the limit of my Windows usage is Chrome and MSO, so I wouldn't know about heavy computing in Windows.

Lenovo, unlike any other manufacturer, puts function before form. Here are some specific things I admire about it:

1. It is the only non-Apple laptop I have found that has a keyboard that is pleasant to type on.

2. It has the lost and forgotten mouse thingy in the middle of the keyboard (don't know the technical term for it).

3. The trackpad is flush with the rest of the top plate, making it much easier to clean.

4. Unlike MacBooks, the edges are rounded, so you don't get sores on your forearm after extended usage.

5. The CD drive is a tray instead of a slot.

6. Unlike MacBooks, extended usage of the laptop on top of lap does not result in third-degree burns.

Mine came with Lenovo's own flavor of Win7 Professional 64-bit. I used it for maybe half an hour before I installed Mint, but I can say this:

1. If you want Windows 7 Professional, buy it seperately, and upgrade it yourself. Lenovo's version comes with a good bit of unwanted trial software. This is true of any brand, so don't let it turn you off Lenovo.

2. If you want upgraded RAM, buy it separately, and install it yourself. It isn't that hard, and it's a hell of a lot cheaper than buying it from Lenovo.

3. Don't get the fingerprint reader. If you don't have a choice with regards to getting a fingerprint reader, make sure to disable it in the BIOS. Fingerprints may seem more secure than passwords, but they aren't. Fingerprint readers can be spoofed easily. Using a fingerprint reader instead of a password is like using a password that's literally written on your computer.

If you want any given upgrade, if possible, buy it separately and install it yourself. It will save you a lot of time and money.

Things that I don't like (there aren't many):

1. The physical switch to unlock the monitor seems somewhat flimsy. I anticipate that it will be the first thing to break.

2. The physical monitor is somewhat flexible.

3. It seemed a little heavy at first, but you get used to it. What is one to expect with a 15" laptop? It is certainly lighter than a 15" MacBook.