Lenovo IdeaPad U150 and Dell Inspiron Mini 10 reviewed

Since this isn’t going to be a week for new product launches (other than that one), here’s a look at a couple of new laptop reviews.

First up is the Lenovo IdeaPad U150 ULV laptop at Laptop Mag. This is an 11.6” portable with an Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 processor and draws particular praise for being good-looking and, at 1.45kg, a little lighter than most other ULV models.

As with other small Lenovo laptops we’ve reviewed though, the IdeaPad U150’s six-cell battery juts from the underside and adds to its bulk. Laptop Mag also complains about how hot the laptop gets in use. The review is otherwise positive though, but the ‘mushy’ keyboard is singled out for criticism, as is the high price — $749 in the US (this model is not available in the UK yet).

The Dell Inspiron Mini 10 is a Pine Trail netbook with Intel Atom N450 processor and a 10.1” screen. Liliputing rather likes the design, complete with unusual screen hinge design that leaves a wedge of plastic at the back of the case, but hates the touchpad.

As on the Inspiron 11z, this incorporates the buttons into the touch-sensitive area and really one works with one-finger operation. Dell has dropped multi-touch support from this model though, perhaps in response to complaints about how poorly it was implemented on the Inspiron 11z.

Overall, Liliputing rates the Inspiron Mini 10 as fairly middling, but it likes the long (nine hours) battery life. The Dell Inspiron Mini 10 is available in the UK now, with prices starting from £229.