Lenovo Ideapad 720S-15 IKB Laptop Review

The Lenovo Ideapad 720S-15 IKB is a new and stylish multimedia laptop that belongs to the 15.6-inch category, in its price range. While we have previously reviewed models from the Lenovos 700 series this is their 15-inch version adding uniqueness to their lineup. During our search for laptops, we only found one model of this kind. The model we tested is priced at around 1350 Euros (~$1550 with a US version for $1399) and comes with an Intel Core i7 7700HQ processor, 16 GB of RAM, an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU (using the Energy Max Q design) a 512 GB SSD and a Full HD IPS display (identified as model number 81AC001A). Its counterpart (model number 81AC001N) is more budget-friendly and costs under 1100 Euros ($1275 with a US version priced at $999).

Specifications of Lenovo Ideapad 720s-15

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Pros and Cons

1. Build Quality & Design of Lenovo Ideapad 720s-15

This notebook gives off an impression, from the start. Its body is silver and you’ll notice a discreet “Lenovo” engraving on the top right corner of the lid. Unlike laptops, this one has a texture on the bottom without any unsightly stickers except for the necessary Microsoft logo. The top area is protected by a layer instead of a thick metal plate like those found in the XPS line making it less prone to bending.

One thing to be mindful of is that there’s an edge on the inside surface of this laptop. While it doesn’t affect usability negatively I can see how it might be susceptible to scratches and chips over time. Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that there’s a gap between the plate and the body of the laptop. This seems more intentional than an error, in manufacturing. However, it lacks the appeal of a connection.

2. Display of Lenovo Ideapad 720s-15

The laptop display is really impressive even when it, is in power-saving mode and set to 40% brightness. The colors are vibrant and bright. The viewing angles are excellent. Some people have mentioned leakage issues with this model (explained, but I haven’t experienced any problems with my laptop in that regard. The display works smoothly at 60 Hz without any ghosting. The speakers, positioned at the back of the laptop produce good quality audio. However, it’s important to note that if you place the laptop on a surface, like a blanket the sound quality may be affected.

3. Keyboard & Trackpad

When you open the laptop you’ll notice a keyboard that follows the layout. It even has a keypad, on the side. What adds a stylish touch is the backlighting that illuminates all the keys. The trackpad stands out for its durability and quick response. One unique feature of this laptop is how the buttons seamlessly blend into the trackpad making them almost invisible, to the eye.

4. Connectivity Ports

One thing to consider is the laptop’s selection of ports. The 720S 15 model has a range, including 1 USB 3.0 a headphone jack 1 USB Type C, 1 USB Type A and an SD Card reader slot. However, there is a limitation when it comes to connecting USB A accessories or using video output especially if you need to use a Logitech mouse adapter. This might require some steps or workarounds. It’s worth noting that there is no lock hole, on the laptop, which could be inconvenient for those who work in places. The unique square port is, for the AC adapter.

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5. Battery of Lenovo Ideapad 720s-15

One notable feature that distinguishes this laptop from others with specifications is its 79-watt-hour battery, built to last for extended periods of use. Although I haven’t completely drained the battery yet it’s currently, at 72% charge after a 3-hour session of browsing, writing and streaming. It’s reasonable to assume that the battery will provide a duration of between 8.5 to 10 hours, on a charge.

6. Warranty

The initial price you pay includes a two-year warranty, for customers in the EU region. Lenovo also offers the option to extend warranties. At a cost. We couldn’t determine the warranty options for this device as we don’t have the number. However, as a guideline, you can extend the manufacturer warranty to three years for around 34.51 Euros (~$40) or convert it to an on-site warranty, for two or three years at approximately 35.70/59.50 Euros (~$41/$69) respectively. If you need country-specific information please check out our Guarantees, Return Policies and Warranties FAQ section.

7. Graphics Card of Lenovo Ideapad 720s-15

As mentioned earlier Lenovo’s decision to include the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Max Q, in the 720S demonstrates their choice for a graphics card that balances performance and energy efficiency. This GTX 1050 Ti (Max Q) falls within the range category of graphics cards and is based on the Pascal architecture, which was introduced in January 2018. The GP107 chip offers features such, as DirectX 12.1 support, DisplayPort 1.4 compatibility (ready) HDMI 2.0b support and HDR capabilities. The GDDR5 graphics memory operates at a speed of 7000 MHz connected through a 128-bit bus and has a capacity of 4 GB.

As a point of reference, we can compare the GTX 1050 Ti, in the Asus ZenBook Pro. Based on 3DMark 11 it’s common to see about a 10% decrease in performance for a Max Q graphics card. However, the GPU in our tested device still maintains a 7% advantage over the Ti version of the GTX 1050 and delivers an impressive performance that’s 82% faster than the Nvidia GeForce MX150 found in the HP Spectre. These results place our graphics card’s performance on par with GPUs in its category. When running on battery mode we observe a drop of 1000 points, in the score of the Fire Strike benchmark (3DMark 13).

8. Performance of Lenovo Ideapad 720s-15

The Lenovo Ideapad 720S 15 stands out from its competitors with the inclusion of the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050Ti Max Q. If you’re someone who enjoys playing multiplayer games such, as Warzone, Fortnite, Valorant DOTA 2 League of Legends and similar titles you’ll have no problem achieving frame rates above 60 frames per second.

However, when it comes to single-player games, like God of War Red Dead Redemption 2 Elden Ring and other demanding titles the laptop performance falls short.

Review of Lenovo Ideapad 720s-15

The Lenovo Ideapad 720s-15 is a choice, for those looking for performance, especially for work-related tasks. Even content creators with demanding video editing and creative needs will find the capabilities of this laptop commendable enough.

However if you’re planning to use the laptop for resource activities like animation and gaming it falls short as a suitable recommendation in that regard. Due to its hardware, it struggles to meet the requirements of games and software.

Therefore I would recommend this laptop to working professionals who need a device, for office tasks and students who want a computing solution. However, if you’re a gamer or 3D artist I suggest exploring laptop options that better fit your specific needs.

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Conclusion

The Lenovo Ideapad 720S 15 IKB catches attention with its 4K impressive battery life making it a suitable choice, for work and everyday tasks. However, one should take note of its ports and aging hardware as downsides. It performs well in multitasking. May not meet the requirements, for gaming or graphics work so it’s better suited for professionals and students who prioritize reliability.

Frequently Asked Questions