IdeaPad S10-2 Review Verdict: No Match for the Competition

We just posted our full review of the Lenovo IdeaPad S10-2 netbook ($474.99). We found that, while the system is thinner, lighter, and longer-lasting than its predecessor, the IdeaPad S10 just doesn’t have as long a battery life or as good a keyboard as most other netbooks in the same $399.99 price range. With around 6 hours  of endurance and a weight of 2.6 pounds, it’s a solid choice for those who really want the Quick Start instant-on OS that comes with it or are attracted to its looks.

Speaking of its aesthetics, we don’t like them. The circle pattern on the cover reminds us of 1970s-era wallpaper .  The plastic material, the dull lights, and the way the battery sticks out of the bottom all make us feel like this is one of the more unattractive notebooks we’ve seen lately. And we liked the looks of the original IdeaPad S10 quite a bit. But when you lay the S10-2 down next to attractive systems like the Toshiba NB205 ($399.99), the ASUS Eee PC 1005HA, the Samsung N120 ($429.99),  the Acer AOD250, the MSI U120, or any of the recent HPs, it just looks kinda cheap to us.

Of course, there’s no right answer when it comes to matters of taste. Check out our full review of the S10-2 and let us know what you think of system’s looks by commenting on this post and voting in the poll below.