 |
| The Lecoo 14 with Ryzen 7 170 costs around $662 in China. Pictured: a front of the laptop. |
A new lightweight contender emerges, but its "new" processor tells a familiar story.
Lenovo has quietly expanded its Lecoo laptop lineup in China with the introduction of the Lecoo 14, a thin-and-light notebook that pairs an eye-catching design with a somewhat misleadingly named processor. The star of the show is the AMD Ryzen 7 170, but tech enthusiasts will quickly recognize this as a rebranded version of the well-regarded Ryzen 7 6800HS from AMD's Rembrandt generation.
This strategic move allows Lenovo to offer a compelling budget-friendly package without compromising on core performance, leveraging mature silicon to deliver a balanced daily driver. But does the rest of the hardware live up to the promise? Let's dive into the details.
The Brains: Ryzen 7 170 – An Old Friend in New Clothing
The headline feature is undoubtedly the AMD Ryzen 7 170 processor. While the name might suggest a new entry in AMD's lineup, it is actually the Ryzen 7 6800HS under the hood. This APU is built on the older, but still very capable, Zen 3+ architecture.
For those keeping score, this means you're getting an 8-core, 16-thread CPU that can handle demanding productivity tasks with ease. The real draw, however, is the integrated Radeon 680M graphics. While it can't quite match the performance of the newer Radeon 890M found in the latest Ryzen 8000 series chips, the Radeon 680M remains a potent integrated GPU. It is more than capable of handling casual gaming at 1080p resolution, provided you're willing to dial down the visual settings on more graphically intensive titles. For everyday tasks, multimedia consumption, and light creative work, this APU offers a smooth and responsive experience.
Memory, Storage, and a Stunning Display
The processor is complemented by a solid, if not revolutionary, set of components. The Lecoo 14 comes equipped with 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and a 512GB SSD. This configuration is the sweet spot for most users, providing ample memory for multitasking and enough fast storage for your essential files and applications.
Where the laptop truly shines is its display. Lenovo has outfitted the Lecoo 14 with a 14-inch IPS screen boasting a sharp 2240x1400 pixel resolution. This is a significant step up from standard 1080p panels, offering crisp text and more screen real estate for work. Additionally, the display covers 100% of the sRGB color gamut, making it suitable for photo editing and content creation where color accuracy is important. While a peak brightness of 300 nits is adequate for indoor use, it might struggle in brightly lit environments.
Ultra-Portable Design and Connectivity
As the name suggests, the Lecoo 14 is designed for life on the go. Its thin and light chassis measures a mere 16.8mm at its thinnest point and weighs an incredibly portable 1.15kg (about 2.54lbs) . This makes it an ideal companion for students, professionals, and frequent travelers who need a capable machine without the back-breaking weight.
For more details on the official listing and specs, you can check out the product page directly.
Powering all this hardware is a 55Wh battery, which Lenovo claims will last through a typical workday. When it's time to recharge, the laptop supports 65W PD fast charging. Interestingly, this makes it compatible with a wide range of third-party GaN chargers.
Speaking of connectivity, the Lecoo 14 offers a decent selection of ports, ensuring you won't be overly reliant on dongles for most tasks. The port configuration includes:
- 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (5Gbps)
- 1x USB 2.0 Type-A (480Mbps)
- 1x USB 2.0 Type-C (480Mbps)
- 1x Full-featured USB Type-C (5Gbps)
- 1x HDMI 2.0
- 1x 3.5mm Audio Combo Jack
While the inclusion of slower USB 2.0 ports is a bit of a head-scratcher, the presence of two Type-A and two Type-C ports, along with HDMI, provides good flexibility for connecting peripherals, external displays, and storage devices. For those looking for a high-quality GaN charger to pair with this laptop, the popular Ugreen Nexode Air 65W is a great option (currently available on Amazon).
Pricing and Global Availability
In China, the Lecoo 14 is priced competitively at CNY 4,499, which converts to approximately $662. With government subsidies, the price can drop even further to around CNY 3,824. This aggressive pricing positions it as a strong contender in the budget-to-mid-range laptop segment.
However, there's a catch for those outside of China. Lecoo is a sub-brand primarily aimed at the Chinese domestic market, and Lenovo has not announced any plans for a wide international release. Historically, Lecoo-branded products have rarely made their way to global markets. While it's not impossible that a similar model could appear under a different name, potential buyers in North America, Europe, and other regions shouldn't hold their breath for an official launch.
Final Thoughts: A Compelling Value Proposition, if You Can Get It
The Lenovo Lecoo 14 with the Ryzen 7 170 is a fascinating example of a company using established technology to create a highly attractive and affordable product. By rebranding the capable Ryzen 7 6800HS, Lenovo is able to deliver solid performance, a high-resolution screen, and ultra-portable design at a price point that undercuts many competitors.
It's a fantastic option for users who prioritize portability and productivity over having the absolute latest hardware. The primary question mark, however, is its availability. For now, this remains a compelling Chinese market exclusive, offering a tantalizing glimpse of what a budget-friendly, high-performance thin-and-light can be. You can read more about the original announcement on ITHome.
Source : Lenovo CN via: ITHome
 |
| Main highlights of the laptop (machine translated) |