The Lenovo ThinkPad E585 is part of the esteemed ThinkPad series, known for its robust build quality and reliable performance. Targeted at business professionals and students alike, this laptop aims to strike a balance between performance, durability, and affordability. This review delves into the E585’s design, performance, features, and overall value, ultimately concluding whether it lives up to the ThinkPad legacy.
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TheTechBasic Verdict
The Lenovo ThinkPad E585 is a solid, affordable laptop that offers reliable performance and robust build quality. Ideal for business professionals and students, it features a comfortable keyboard, decent battery life, and good connectivity options. While not suited for high-end tasks, it excels in everyday use, making it a great value for its price.
Pros
- Durable Build Quality: Sturdy chassis and professional design.
- Comfortable Keyboard: Excellent typing experience with responsive keys.
- Good Performance: Smooth multitasking with AMD Ryzen processors.
- Decent Display: Full HD screen with anti-glare coating.
- Adequate Connectivity: Multiple ports including USB-C and HDMI.
Cons
- Average Graphics: Not suitable for high-end gaming or intensive graphics work.
- Moderate Color Accuracy: The display may not satisfy professional designers.
- Mediocre Battery Life: Up to 8 hours, which could be better for long days.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 2500U, 4 cores, 2.0 – 3.6 GHz, Zen architecture |
| Graphics | AMD Radeon RX Vega 8 (Ryzen 2000/3000 series) |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM |
| Display | 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080 pixels, 16:9 aspect ratio, 141 PPI, non-glossy |
| Storage | 256 GB SSD |
| Connections | 1 USB 2.0, 3 USB 3.1 Gen 2, 1 HDMI, SD card reader |
| Networking | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (Wi-Fi 4 and Wi-Fi 5), Bluetooth 4.1 |
| Size | 20 mm x 369 mm x 252 mm (0.79 in x 14.53 in x 9.92 in) |
| Battery | 45 Wh |
| Operating System | Microsoft Windows 10 Pro 64-bit |
| Weight | 2.1 kg (4.63 pounds) |
Overview of Lenovo ThinkPad E585
Today, we’re examining a larger version of a familiar design: the 15.6-inch Lenovo ThinkPad E585. Lenovo has a longstanding reputation for building exceptionally durable ThinkPad models, tracing back to the IBM era. However, to stay relevant in today’s market, they must adapt. The traditional rectangular shape isn’t as attractive anymore. With the rise of sleek MacBooks and even thinner Dell XPS devices, the ThinkPad series needed a refresh to remain competitive. You might wonder why we’re comparing these premium brands when the ThinkPad E585 starts at just $630. The answer is simple: this laptop provides everything you need.
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Firstly, the CPU options are impressive, featuring the powerful yet energy-efficient Core i5-8250U and Core i7-8550U. While Lenovo offers the choice of a dedicated Radeon RX 550 graphics card, our review unit is equipped with the integrated HD Graphics 620U. Importantly, this model is designed to meet the essential requirements of the business sector, including a fast NVMe SSD.
Unboxing of Lenovo ThinkPad E585
Lenovo ThinkPad E585 was joined by a 65W charging connector as well as a pack, containing a few manuals and set-up guides. We need to prise Lenovo for utilizing two enormous froth pieces to shield the valuable PC from possible kicks or drops during transportation.
Construction and Design of Lenovo ThinkPad E585
The Lenovo ThinkPad E585 features a plastic design that adheres closely to the ThinkPad aesthetic. It has a straightforward appearance rather than a flashy one, but the 3D logo in the corner and the glowing red dot on the “i” when powered on add nice touches. While it’s not the thinnest or lightest option available, its shape is appealing to business users. The dimensions are 369 x 252 x 19.95 mm (14.53″ x 9.92″ x 0.79″) and it weighs 2.10 kg (4.6 lbs). However, the plastic surface tends to attract fingerprints easily.
Opening the lid (which requires two hands) reveals a full-size keyboard with well-placed arrow keys that extend slightly onto the palm rest area. The keys are spacious, with good travel and a satisfying click, which we appreciated. However, the placement of the “ctrl” and “fn” keys can be confusing, leading to frequent mix-ups, though there’s an option in the BIOS to swap them.
As is typical for ThinkPads, the device includes the signature red “joystick” and mouse buttons above the touchpad, with additional buttons embedded in the touchpad itself. The touchpad uses Windows Precision drivers, delivering a fast and responsive experience. While it may not be the best on the market, it’s quite good for a business laptop. Above the ThinkPad logo on the right, where the “i” dot glows again, is the fingerprint reader.
You might struggle to find the heat exhaust vents, as they are discreetly located where the body meets the lid, leaving the sides available solely for ports. On the left, you’ll find a USB 3.1 Type-C port that supports charging and DisplayPort output, along with an HDMI port and two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, one of which is Always On. Additionally, there’s a 3.5 mm combo jack. On the right side, the ports include an Ethernet connector, a USB 2.0 Type-A port, and a Micro SD card reader.
Maintenance and Disassembly of Lenovo ThinkPad E585
Gaining access to the internals of the Lenovo ThinkPad E585 is a straightforward process, requiring the removal of just nine screws. Once you unscrew them and carefully lift them off the bottom panel, you’ll be greeted with a fairly standard internal layout that is typical for laptops in this category.
At the heart of the device, the Intel Core i5-8250U is situated and effectively cooled by a single heat pipe. The heat generated by the CPU is managed by a medium-sized fan that exhausts warm air from the system. While this cooling solution may not be the most robust, it is sufficient given the ultra-low voltage (ULV) characteristics of the processor, which are designed for efficiency rather than high performance.
Positioned close to the CPU are two RAM DIMM slots that support a maximum of 32 GB of DDR4 memory. In our review unit, one of these slots is currently unoccupied, allowing for potential future upgrades. This flexibility is a significant advantage for users looking to enhance the laptop’s performance over time. Additionally, on the right side of the motherboard, you’ll find a compact Intel-made Wi-Fi adapter, which provides reliable wireless connectivity.
Moving further down, the device houses a 45Wh battery, consisting of three cells that are easily identifiable beneath a protective black casing. This battery size strikes a good balance between portability and power, ensuring that the laptop can handle typical business tasks without frequent recharging.
One of the standout features inside the ThinkPad E585 is the fast PCIe NVMe SSD, which is produced by Lenovo. This storage component is identified by the model number LENSE20256GMSP34MEAT2TA and offers a capacity of 256 GB. While we struggled to find extensive information about this specific SSD online, we conducted tests on its read and write speeds, which can be found in the “Storage performance” section of this review. It’s worth noting that storage options can vary by region, so don’t be surprised if the unit you purchase features a different SSD than the one we reviewed.
Overall, the internal design of the Lenovo ThinkPad E585 reflects a well-thought-out approach to providing essential components while allowing for easy access and potential upgrades. With its solid cooling solution, ample RAM upgrade potential, and reliable SSD, this laptop is engineered to meet the needs of business professionals seeking a balance of performance and practicality. Whether you’re a student, a corporate worker, or a remote employee, the internal layout and components of the E585 cater to a wide range of everyday computing tasks.
Display of Lenovo ThinkPad E585
The Lenovo ThinkPad E585 features a 15.6-inch Full HD (1920×1080) IPS display with a pixel density of 142 ppi and a pixel pitch of 0.18 x 0.18 mm. This screen, identified by the model number NV156FHM-N49, can be considered “Retina” quality when viewed from at least 60 cm away.
The viewing angles on this device are impressive, ensuring a consistent visual experience from various perspectives.
During our tests, we recorded a peak brightness of 277 nits at the center of the screen and an average brightness of 262 nits across the entire display. The maximum brightness variation was noted to be 17% in the bottom right corner. At maximum brightness, the correlated color temperature was measured at 6000K, which is slightly warmer than the standard sRGB temperature of 6500K. As the grayscale is examined, the temperature shifts even warmer to 5850K. You can observe how these values change at a brightness level of 145 nits (72%).
For color accuracy, the maximum color deviation (dE2000) should ideally be below 4.0. If you’re involved in color-critical tasks, it should be lower than 2.0. The contrast ratio of this display is commendable, sitting at 1300:1, and 1140:1 after calibration.
Color Reproduction of Lenovo ThinkPad E585
To ensure clarity, let’s briefly discuss color gamut: the sRGB color gamut and Adobe RGB. The CIE 1976 Uniform Chromaticity Diagram illustrates the visible spectrum of colors as perceived by the human eye, providing insight into color gamut coverage and accuracy.
The standard color gamut (sRGB) is represented within a black triangle and is widely used in HDTVs and online content. In contrast, Adobe RGB is utilized in professional photography and printing. The colors within the black triangle are essential for determining the color quality and accuracy of mainstream laptops.
Additionally, we consider other color spaces, including the DCI-P3 standard used in filmmaking and the UHD Rec.2020 standard, which is still evolving and challenging for current displays to fully cover. We also reference the Pointer’s Gamut, which represents the range of colors found in everyday life.
Unfortunately, the E586’s display can only reproduce about 50% of the sRGB color gamut, resulting in images that lack vibrancy and saturation.
Our “Design and Gaming” profile aims to deliver an optimal color temperature of 6500K at a luminance of 141 nits while using the sRGB gamma mode. We assessed the display’s accuracy across 24 commonly used colors, including various skin tones, sky blue, grass green, and shades of orange. You can view the results both in factory settings and with the “Design and Gaming” profile enabled.
The accompanying figure illustrates the display’s performance in reproducing darker image areas, which is crucial for watching movies or gaming in low-light environments. The left side of the image shows the display under default settings, while the right side displays the results with the “Gaming and Web Design” profile activated. The horizontal axis represents the grayscale, while the vertical axis indicates the display’s luminance.
The graphs below provide a visual representation of how well the display handles the darkest tones. Keep in mind that these results may vary based on your specific display settings, calibration, viewing angles, and surrounding light conditions.
Response Time (Gaming Capabilities) of Lenovo ThinkPad E585
To evaluate the pixel response time of the Lenovo ThinkPad E585, we employed the standard “black-to-white” and “white-to-black” testing methods, measuring the time taken for pixels to transition from 10% to 90% brightness and back again. Our findings showed a total response time of 33 ms when combining Fall Time and Rise Time. While this result is not among the fastest available on the market, it is acceptable for an IPS panel, particularly in a business-oriented laptop.
PWM (Screen Flickering) of Lenovo ThinkPad E585
Pulse-width modulation (PWM) is a common technique used to manage monitor brightness. Instead of simply reducing the light intensity of the backlight when dimming the screen, the backlight is turned on and off rapidly by the monitor’s electronics. This flickering occurs at a frequency that is usually imperceptible to the human eye. However, the ratio of “on” time to “off” time can vary with brightness adjustments, potentially leading to eye strain over prolonged use.
Our testing tools detected PWM adjustment across all brightness levels except at the maximum setting. Fortunately, the frequency of these flickers was high enough to minimize harmful effects, making them less likely to cause discomfort during extended periods of usage.
Blue Light Emissions of Lenovo ThinkPad E585
To further enhance user comfort, we implemented our Health-Guard profile, which not only eliminates PWM but also significantly reduces harmful blue light emissions. This adjustment helps maintain color accuracy while protecting your eyes from the adverse effects associated with blue light exposure. For those who may not be familiar with the topic, blue light refers to high-energy visible light that can negatively impact your eyes, skin, and overall well-being.
Excessive exposure to blue light, especially from screens, has been linked to various health issues, including digital eye strain and sleep disturbances. Our Health-Guard profile serves as a protective measure, allowing users to enjoy their screen time without compromising their eye health. For more in-depth information on blue light and its potential risks.
Battery Life of Lenovo ThinkPad E585
The Lenovo ThinkPad E585 offers an impressive battery life of around 7 hours, making it an excellent choice for individuals who frequently travel or find themselves away from a power outlet for extended periods. This level of battery performance ensures that users can stay productive during long journeys without the constant worry of needing to recharge their devices.
While many laptops on the market boast longer battery life, it’s important to approach those claims with caution. Often, these advertised figures can be misleading, as they typically assume the device is being used while plugged into a power source. In reality, when utilized on battery power alone, users may experience a significant reduction in battery longevity sometimes by an hour or even two, depending on the usage conditions.
The E585’s reliable battery life stands out, especially for professionals and students who require a dependable laptop for daily tasks. Whether you’re attending meetings, working from a cafe, or studying in a library, the 7-hour battery life offers peace of mind that you can accomplish your tasks without frequent interruptions for charging. Overall, the Lenovo ThinkPad E585 provides a practical solution for those in need of a reliable, portable computing option that can keep up with their on-the-go lifestyle.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Lenovo ThinkPad E585 stands out as a solid choice for those seeking a reliable and versatile laptop without breaking the bank. Its durable build quality, comfortable keyboard, and respectable performance make it an excellent option for business professionals, students, and casual users alike. While it may not offer the top-tier performance of more expensive models, it strikes a commendable balance between cost and capability.
The ThinkPad E585 successfully carries forward the legacy of the ThinkPad series, offering a compelling package that combines solid performance, good build quality, and a reasonable price. Whether you need a dependable machine for everyday tasks, work, or study, the Lenovo ThinkPad E585 is a worthy contender that delivers on its promises.
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