LaVie Z (HZ550)by Lenovo

It’s not flashy but it’s not rugged either, it looks nice enough to pass for a nice day planner, but thinner.

It’s not flashy but it’s not rugged either, it looks nice enough to pass for a nice day planner, but thinner.

[A]t 1.9 pounds, this is lighter than the 2.04-pound 12-inch MacBook, despite having a better processor and bigger screen (a point worth rep…

[A]t 1.9 pounds, this is lighter than the 2.04-pound 12-inch MacBook, despite having a better processor and bigger screen (a point worth repeating, as it's the biggest selling point for the system).

This isn't just a lightweight laptop – this skinny kid can fight.

This isn't just a lightweight laptop – this skinny kid can fight.

Only when taxed can you hear a faint hum, and even then it’s not all that audible.

Only when taxed can you hear a faint hum, and even then it’s not all that audible.

Indeed, you might have to correct typos fairly often: Because the keyboard is so flat (as is the case on most ultraportables), the buttons d…

Indeed, you might have to correct typos fairly often: Because the keyboard is so flat (as is the case on most ultraportables), the buttons don't offer much travel, which means key presses don't always register unless you hit them very deliberately.

The one area where I expected more than I got from the LaVie Z is battery life.

The one area where I expected more than I got from the LaVie Z is battery life.

[W]e were disappointed to discover the screen is not an in-plane switching (IPS) panel so colors fade out as you move to the sides.

[W]e were disappointed to discover the screen is not an in-plane switching (IPS) panel so colors fade out as you move to the sides.

You can listen to the LaVie Z without headphones...if you don't mind straining your hearing.

You can listen to the LaVie Z without headphones...if you don't mind straining your hearing.

First, it's no looker. There are no smooth contours here, just a square-jawed grey finish reminiscent of ThinkPads of old.

First, it's no looker. There are no smooth contours here, just a square-jawed grey finish reminiscent of ThinkPads of old.

It makes no sense for Lenovo to shove a truncated keyboard onto a 13.3-inch machine.

It makes no sense for Lenovo to shove a truncated keyboard onto a 13.3-inch machine.

For those keeping score, that makes the non-convertible LaVie Z lighter than Apple's MacBook - which is 2.03 pounds

For those keeping score, that makes the non-convertible LaVie Z lighter than Apple's MacBook - which is 2.03 pounds

In fact, it's closer to (and just slightly over) the weight of the original retina iPad.

In fact, it's closer to (and just slightly over) the weight of the original retina iPad.

I was able to do the classic “hold it by the corner” without feeling like the LaVie Z was going to fold up like an empty can of Budweiser.

I was able to do the classic “hold it by the corner” without feeling like the LaVie Z was going to fold up like an empty can of Budweiser.