Lenovo X230 review

If we consider expectations of the audio, it’s not nonsense to talk about the build. The Lenovo Thinkpad X230 was a mid‐price computer, stripped of features, robust, and intended for office and/or industrial use. So what of the audio system—the computer needed one, so did Lenovo feel it should be good? Did the designers work on it? To my surprise, I was able to find a spec sheet, which listed the chip as a Realtek. I was able to confirm a Realtek was handling audio (with an Intel chip as controller). Cann’t confirm the model. A search didn’t tell me the spec, so maximum bit count is a guess.

Volume boost is poor. Volume range is reasonable. Timing is good, and so is attack and decay, maybe a little lazy. Never gets confused by swells. There does seem to be a screech in high voice. Frequency range is narrow, lacking both low and high notes in audible range—there is some low, but it’s underpowered. There’s paper in the sound, but not poor. Detail is short, but balanced against color and, when it is there, adds what it should. Color is reasonable. Both detail and color seem held back by a narrow frequency range. Positioning is vague, scale reasonable.

Though it lets voice through, not a good voice amp. Due to neatness of timing and volume, it’s good for pop and rock. It can walk an orchestral track but without leaving an impression, and the paper is intrusive on solo instruments. The X230 amp is atmospheric but weightless for games and soundtracks.