Features:
- Quad Core i7-4700HQ 2.4 GHz (Turbo 3.4 GHz)
- Geforce GTX860M GPU with 2 GB RAM.
- 8 GB DDR3 RAM.
- 1024 GB HDD Disc with 8GB SSD cache
- 15.6-Inch Full-HD IPS Display.
- Windows 8.1.
Design
After the success of Lenovo’s previous model, the IdeaPad Y510p, Lenovo decided to go even further and change the standard business look for a much more exciting one. The Y50 appearance resembles the Alienware laptops. Its appearance makes it look more like an Ultrabook than a laptop.
Keyboard layout in the Y50 is identical to the Y510p. The metal surface of the workspace is covered in pleasant-to-touch rubber. The obvious thing that we meet in this type of construction dedicated to gamers is a backlit keyboard, which allows for comfortable gaming at night and this one has two brightness levels.
On top and bottom of the Y50screen, the aluminum chasing gets slimmer, which makes it look a little like a sports car mask. To make the laptop look even more aggressive, Lenovo added small, red details here and there and if you switch on the red keyboard backlighting, you will see something that looks like an aggressive red Ferrari ready to go. All this makes the Y50 definitely one of the hottest of laptops I tested.
Processor
The Y50 is designed solely for gamers. In order to meet the requirements of the latest games, it has been equipped with a Quad Core i7 -4710HQ 2.5 GHz processor, which features Hyper-Threading technology that increases the number of threads used to eight, and Turbo Boost technology that allows you to overclock a core up to 3.5 GHz. The Processor has an integrated graphics chip Intel HD 4600, which allows you to browse the Internet and work with simple 2D graphics enabling reduced power consumption from the battery.
Graphic
For games and 3D graphics, the Y50 is equipped with an upper mid-range graphics card. Despite the fact that the Y50’s predecessor had two graphics cards (the second mounted instead of the optical drive), I believe that the one in the Y50 is stronger. The Y50 model I’m testing here is equipped with the Nvidia GeForce GTX860M GPU with 2 GB of RAM. You can also get one with the same GTX860M GPU but with built in 4 gigabyte RAM, (which I review here). Okay, but back to my review – the GTX860M GPU with 2 GB RAM should meet the requirements of any game lover.
RAM
The Laptop has 8 gigabyte DDR3 RAM installed, that should be enough for any current and future games and you can expand the RAM up to 16 GB.
Storage
For storage, you get a hybrid disc with 1 TB 5400 RPM HDD drive + 8 GB SSD cache. This improves its performance allowing the faster load times of the SSD disc, but with the affordable price of an HDD disc.
Screen
To accommodate players who have come to expect high resolution and sharp graphics with gaming laptops, Lenovo uses in this model a 15.2’’ full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) IPS display. Applied matrix provides good angles of vision; however, the screen surface is not matt, which may be a problem because of the reflections for users in a bright room. There is also a slightly more expensive Y50 model with a 4k Ultra HD display (which review you can read here). I personally would like to have a 17’’ screen, since the 15” may be sometimes too small but in this price range, you cannot get both high performance and a large screen.
Audio
The Audio chip in the Y50 was created by an American audio electronics company JBL (JBL is currently owned by 
Harman International). Their participation, as a reputable company, in creating sound for the Y50 gave excellent results. JBL® speakers and subwoofer with Advanced Audio V2 offer clear sound, even at the maximum volume, and provide an immersive experience when watching movies and during playing games. The sound is so exquisite and spacious that even audiophiles will be happy with its quality.
Connection and ports
For connection, the Y50 has an Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3160 card, with a 1 GB LAN RJ45 port that you will find on the left side of the laptop and Bluetooth Version 4.0.
When it comes to ports, Y50 offers on the left side: LAN, HDMI and 2 USB 3.0 ports and on the right side, 2 audio ports, analog and digital S/PDIF, memory card reader, USB 2.0 and a Kensington lock.
My thought
While working on the Internet or in Microsoft Office applications, the Y50 is very quiet, and the cooling system is almost inaudible. The hard drive is louder, it emits about 30 dB. At low performance, surface temperature didn’t even reach 85°F (about 30 Celsius).
But while playing games, the noise can reach 41 dB and the temperature increased significantly, exceeding 130°F (about 55 Celsius) in some places. This is one of the biggest drawbacks of this laptop and can introduce some discomfort while playing the most demanding games. At the same time, the processor got warmer than 190°F (about 90° C) and the graphics card went up to 175° (80°C).
The other down side is the screen, which if you are outside, reflects the sun and makes using the laptop uncomfortable.
On the plus side, the tech specs of the Y50 are great. I didn’t have any problems running any game and it performs amazingly in video rendering. I would definitely consider buying this laptop for myself if I were looking for something around $1000
LENOVO Y50 Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Interesting and modern look.
- High quality audio
- Very good quad core Intel i7 processor
- Pretty good GPU best one available in price range around 1000$
- Fast and big hybrid Hard Drive
Cons:
- Noise
- Casing temperature whew playing high end games
- No internal optical driver
- 15.6 inches screen size
Frank is an expert computer service man who seek to share his knowledge by writing various articles about computer, peripheral and other tools. He is inspired to make blog to share information that most clients inquire him evry day. He also loves playing HD games such as Planetside 2, Dota, Hawken and more.