Lenovo G500 Review: A Basic 15.6-Inch Laptop for Everyday Use

Editor note: This English review is an original adaptation based on source material from Notebook-Center.ru.

Overview

The Lenovo G500 is a budget 15.6-inch notebook built for simple daily work rather than demanding tasks. In this configuration it combines an Intel Core i5-3230M processor, 4 GB of DDR3 memory, a 500 GB hard drive, and AMD Radeon HD 8570M graphics. The overall package is aimed at web browsing, office work, video playback, and light casual gaming, while the main compromises are the basic screen, short battery life, and average chassis quality.

Technical Specifications

Design and Build

The G500 uses a fully plastic chassis, which is typical for this class. The black finish looks practical at first, but fingerprints remain visible on the surfaces, especially around the lid and display frame. The source review also notes that the fit of some panels is not very tight and the body can creak under pressure, so this is not a machine for users who expect a particularly solid feel.

Display and Multimedia

The 15.6-inch TN panel has a standard 1366x768 resolution and a glossy finish. According to the source material, viewing angles are narrow, brightness is limited, and colors are only moderate, so the display is better suited to basic indoor use than to photo work or bright environments. Audio comes from two speakers above the keyboard; they can fill a medium-size room, but the quality is modest, so headphones remain the better choice. The 0.3 MP webcam is included for simple video calls, though image quality is low.

Keyboard and Input

Lenovo equips the G500 with an island-style keyboard and a numeric keypad. The layout gives enough spacing between the main keys, but the very short key travel may not suit every user. The source also points out that the function row works together with the Fn key, which some users may find less convenient. The touchpad supports multitouch gestures and responds well in normal use, although its dedicated buttons are stiff and produce a loud click.

Performance

This configuration is suitable for light everyday computing, not for heavy creative workloads or modern gaming. The Core i5-3230M is an older dual-core Ivy Bridge processor, and the Radeon HD 8570M is also dated by the standards of newer systems. Together they are enough for office tasks, streaming, web use, and simple games. The notebook includes 4 GB of RAM as standard, and the source review states that memory can be expanded up to 16 GB. Storage is handled by a 500 GB hard drive, which offers decent capacity but does not promise fast responsiveness.

Ports and Battery

One practical strength of the G500 is connectivity. The thicker chassis leaves room for an optical DVD drive and a useful selection of ports, including VGA and RJ-45 for older displays and wired networking. Users also get HDMI, one USB 2.0 port, two USB 3.0 ports, an SD card reader, and a combined audio jack. Wireless connections are standard for its time with Wi-Fi 802.11n and Bluetooth 4.0. Battery life is limited: the 6-cell 4400 mAh battery delivers a little more than two hours under load in the source test, which makes this notebook better for desk use than for travel.

Verdict

The Lenovo G500 fits buyers who want an inexpensive 15.6-inch laptop for simple home or study tasks and who still value legacy features such as a DVD drive, VGA, and wired Ethernet. Its main strength is a practical feature set for basic use at a low price level. Its main compromises are the low-quality display, modest battery life, and average build quality. For light workloads it remains serviceable, but it is clearly a budget machine with clear limits.