Lenovo IdeaPad S540-14API: one of the best value for money on the market

Presentation

Lenovo offers several ranges of ultraportables. Among them, that of IdeaPad, PCs in classic format, neither hybrid nor two-in-one. The IdeaPad S540-14API is a 14-inch ultraportable computer, interesting for more than one reason.

Its particularity is to be sold for less than 600 € on Amazon - at the time of writing. It should also be noted that Lenovo has decided to trust AMD on this model since it is equipped with a Ryzen 5 3500U processor, a mid-range SoC usually very solid in terms of performance. In addition, it has an integrated graphics circuit Radeon Vega 8, theoretically capable of operating games that consume little power.

With its attractive technical characteristics and its low price, the IdeaPad S540 has everything to please on paper, which undoubtedly explains its good sales. But does this apparently attractive offer hide a wolf? A computer is not just a technical sheet. Chassis, screen, autonomy, are all these elements up to the task?

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Construction

The Ideapad range offers neatly designed chassis, whatever the price of the computer. The Ideapad S540 is no exception to the rule and presents an all-aluminum design that would not be dishonor for a high-end. No frills on the hood, apart from the Lenovo border discreetly printed on the edge. The only criticism that we could make of this PC is a somewhat sad gray color and lines lacking in personality.

This simplicity of design is confirmed on the angular edges without frills as well as on the discreet hinge. Remember that the Ideapad is not a hybrid or a two-in-one, and therefore does not have the hinge in two parts of Yoga. Its 14-inch screen is also not tactile.

This desire of Lenovo to make a premium design for its product does not stop there. The manufacturer has indeed included a fingerprint sensor (which works very well via Windows Hello) to unlock the machine below the keyboard, something still unusual for products in this price segment.

Another appreciable thing concerning security: the presence of a physical cache for the webcam, in order to protect yourself as best as possible. Something that we would like to see systematic on all PCs on the market. However, note that the camera does not allow you to unlock a session.

Lenovo is also trying to provide a personalized software experience. The manufacturer has for example preinstalled a Norton antivirus (which can be uninstalled), but also Lenovo Vantage software. A very simple software intended for the neophytes users, which gives an overview of the computer and which allows to update it in one click. Very practical for those who do not want to complicate their lives.

Keyboard design has never been Lenovo's strong point, and the Ideapad S540 is unfortunately no exception. The keys are indeed small and unpleasant under the fingers, the very hard mechanics do not offer pleasant writing sessions. It is all the more unfortunate that the placement of the keys is well thought out, in particular with an Enter key on two levels and without a column of keys to its right. In addition, the keyboard is backlit on three levels, which allows serene work in case of lack of light. The trackpad accomplishes its duty; it responds well to user requests, whether when scrolling with two fingers or with a well-adjusted mechanical click.

The IdeaPad S540 has adequate connectivity for its format. Thus, we find on the edges a USB 3.1 Type-C port (not compatible with Thunderbolt), two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, an HDMI port as well as an SD card reader, practical for photographers. The only thing missing is an Ethernet port, but it's not dramatic. Regarding wireless, the PC has Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity.

Using a precision screwdriver with a star head, it is very easy to disassemble the IdeaPad S540. Once the operation has been carried out, the user accesses the memory module and can replace it if he deems it necessary. However, the PC only offers a single slot for a RAM module, occupied here by a 4 GB module. Four additional gigabytes are soldered to the motherboard, which means that if you want to add more, you have to say goodbye to dual channel. However, this is not necessarily a handicap for a mid-range product not dedicated to gaming.

In terms of storage, the Lenovo has a 256 GB SSD in M.2 2242 format, half the size of a conventional M.2 SSD. Note that it is placed on a conventional location (for M.2 2280), but accompanied by an adapter to wedge there. The PC has a second port dedicated exclusively to SSDs in 2242 format, which are more difficult to find. To increase storage, we therefore recommend adding a classic M.2 2280 SSD to the first location, and moving the SSD already present on the second port.

The IdeaPad S540 has a low-power Ryzen 5 processor coupled with an efficient cooling system. During a half-hour session on Diablo 3, the processor rose to 70 ° C, while the chassis did not exceed 41 ° C on the ventilation grilles (located under the PC). Similarly, the heater is well distributed and does not interfere with the user at the wrists. It is not offset by excessive noise measured by us at 40 dB. At work, he can only hear himself in a very quiet room. All this demonstrates a very neat chassis from Lenovo which does not neglect the mid-range computers of its IdeaPad line.

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Screen

The Lenovo IdeaPad S540 is equipped with a 14 inch IPS non-touch screen with a definition of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels. The screen / facade ratio is 80%, which is in line with what is currently done in this segment. The vertical edges are only 5 mm thick, which is significant.

According to the measurements made in our labs, the panel of the Lenovo IdeaPad pleasantly surprises by its quality. Here, it is especially the respect of colors which is to be noted, with an average delta E of 3.8. If it is not the best on the market in this area, it remains correct to view photos, for example. The color temperature of the screen is also controlled, since it is measured at 7,000 K, close to 6,500 K of the video standard. On a white page, the screen draws very slightly blue, but the thing is not perceptible by an untrained eye. Contrast is controlled for a laptop, amounting to 1,250: 1. It is not very high in absolute terms, but is about the average of what is found on laptops equipped with IPS panels.

The remanence is passable, measured at 17 ms by us, while a correct remanence is generally below 15 ms. If this is not very serious for office use, the image may still leave "fuzzy traces" during movements and annoy the most sensitive users. Finally, the maximum brightness is average (346 cd / m²) and will not compensate for a very bright panel (average reflectance of 50%) when working outdoors. Thus, in a park in full sun, it will be difficult to distinguish what is on the screen, even with the brightness set to the maximum.

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Performances

The Lenovo IdeaPad S540-14API is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 5 3500U processor (engraved in 12 nm) low consumption with 4 physical cores as well as 8 threads. It has a maximum frequency up to 3.7 GHz. It is accompanied by 8 GB of RAM as well as a 256 GB NVMe SSD.

During our test protocol, the Lenovo IdeaPad S540 Ryzen 5 left the competition in place, reaching the index of 64 on our scale of values, thus surpassing the 9th and 10th generation Intel Core i5 of the same segment, c is that of low consumption. This is explained by the frequency of the processor. During our video encoding tests on Handbrake, it knows an average of 2.7 GHz, which is very high compared to the Surface Laptop 3 (1.6 GHz) for example, which reaches the index of 54. Thus, the user gains in power, which allows him to use more serenely computational software. At the same price for the IdeaPad S540, it is therefore better to opt for a Ryzen 5 than for an Intel Core i5.

The processor houses an integrated graphics circuit AMD Radeon Vega 8. If we are far from a graphics card in good and due form, this iGPU can still allow to play by making concessions. In our 1080p tests, Diablo 3 averaged 25 fps with the graphics set to "high", while Overwatch peaked at 37 fps with the settings set to "low".

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Mobility / Autonomy

The Lenovo IdeaPad S540 is built for mobility with its 14-inch screen and 1.6 cm thick chassis. Its weight of 1.4 kg is not excessive for daily transport in a bag or satchel. In addition, its power supply is also light with its weight of 209 g and barely larger than a smartphone charger, which will allow it to find its place alongside the PC when traveling.

If it does not make sparks in terms of autonomy, the IdeaPad still delivers correct results. During our usual test protocol, ie Netflix under Chrome, screen brightness set to 200 cd / m², headphones plugged in and keyboard backlight off, the PC shut down after 6 h 13 min. A score that we would have liked higher, especially for an ultraportable which must reach the minimum 7 hours. However, the IdeaPad is far from being catastrophic in this area, even if the user will have to take his charger to avoid battery failure during the day.

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Audio

The Lenovo IdeaPad S540 comes with preinstalled Dolby Audio software. We recommend leaving it activated, in personalized mode with all the effects removed. Thus, the PC offers a balanced and natural sound, whether for listening to music or voice communication. The only small disappointment resides in a box effect, the chassis vibrating slightly, which could disturb the most sensitive ears. Finally, note that the speakers are placed on the front, on either side of the keyboard, which contributes to its quality, the sound being projected directly to the user.

The headphone jack provides clear, controlled sound. However, it lacks a bit of power, which peaks at only 110 mVrms. Most headsets will do with it, but not the hi-fi or monitoring headphones a little greedy.

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Conclusion

We feared the disappointment with the Lenovo IdeaPad S540-14API, a computer offering good features at a price yet contained. However, Lenovo surprises us by delivering a particularly well-balanced PC, with no real unacceptable defects. One of the best value for money on the market at the time of writing, quite simply.

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