We had enough time to play around with the IdeaPad 700 from Lenovo so now it’s time to see what makes this notebook tick. And fortunately, the notebook is fairly easy to disassemble and also has a decent amount of upgrade options considering the price tag. And if you still don’t know what we are talking about, it’s the M.2 SSD slot we are referring to. In fact, the machine supports not only M.2 sticks but can also make us of the full potential the PCIe NVMe standard.
You can find the notebook’s price and configurations here: http://amzn.to/1sx3Jau
1. Removing the bottom lid
The notebook doesn’t have any service lids for an easy upgrade but the bottom cover comes off pretty easily anyway so no hassle here. You just need to remove all the screws holding the plate.
2. Storage devices
The notebook has one 2.5-inch slot, which is taken by an HDD manufactured by WD with 1TB capacity and 5400 rpm speed.
Near the battery, you will find the M.2 SSD slot that supports 2280 sticks with using the PCIe NVMe controller for ultra-fast data transfer and read speeds. The one you see in the photo below is just a unit we used to test the notebook with so we aren’t sure what the type of SSD will Lenovo include in their retail units.
3. Other hardware
The motherboard holds two RAM slots supporting up to 16GB of DDR4-2133 RAM, which in our case are two 4GB RAM sticks manufactured by SKhynix.
There’s also the Wi-Fi module, again near the battery unit, manufactured by Qualcomm with model number QCNFA435 from the Atheros series. It supports 802.11a/b/g/n/ac + BT 4.1.
As for the battery, it’s rated at 45Wh but we doubt it will be sufficient to power up the demanding hardware for longer periods of time.
4. Cooling system
The cooling design is almost identical to the one we saw on the Lenovo Y700 and unfortunately, we weren’t satisfied by its performance. However, with the lower tier graphics card (GTX 950M) we have a good reason to believe that the Ideapad 700 will feel much different from its more expensive counterpart.
You can find the notebook’s price and configurations here: http://amzn.to/1sx3Jau
For the ssd, did you know if a screw was included in the motherboard?
No, unfortunately. You have to get one separately.
🙁
Do you know what size screw it takes?
I just ordered mine so I haven’t &Ave had the chance to check it out yet
Unfortunately no. I used one of the external screws, though, for the writing of the review. It worked as a temporary solution but I suggest you find another one specifically for the M.2 stick.
Hi,
How did you remove the platinum box to see the memories? I can’t see them and they seem to be hidden behind it.
Thanks
oh nevermind, you just pull. I thought it was a heatsink or something.
Thanks for the post. Very informative
Do you happen to know where I could get the HDD bracket that holds the drive from moving around? I have the SSD by default but I wanted to buy a hdd to add storage. I doubt it would be sufficient to install the hdd where it is only held in by the sata connectors.
amazon and ebay has them.
The part number for HDD bracket of this series is 5B40K85930 and is available on Encompass. I looked over internet for hours, could not find any replacement elsewhere and Encompass is out of that part for last 45 days.
Double sided foam tape works perfect to hold the HDD in. I put two strips. One toward back, one toward front. You really don’t need the bracket, which appears to never have been and never will be in stock in the foreseeable. And they list it as $25…
Do you have information is the SSD Samsung SM951 NVMe PCIe x4 supported from the motherboard, cause it’s faster than PM951..?
I believe it does, check the lenovo forum to conform.
It should. The NVMe standard is what matters and as I stated, the notebook supports this standard so no worries.
I asked Lenovo support and they said they expect the options provided (the “generic” Samsung 128GB and 256 GB PCIe to be supported. They said not to try something like a Samsung 950 PCIe…
Not sure I buy that but that’s what they said.
Is that true? I just planning to bought Samsung 950 PRO..
Coud you please tell me if the RAM memory is soldered on or is it easily removable? I’d like to make an upgrade and replace it with 2 memory boards of higher capacity.
You can upgrade the Ram, officially each of the 2 slots can support 8gb of ram (ddr4), but I am able to use a 16gb stick.
I’ve shown and said in the article that the machine features two RAM slots. There are no soldered RAM chips to the motherboard.
Does it matter if I use ddr4-2400 ram?
ddr4-2400 ram works perfectly well. Installed the 32GB months ago with no issues…
It’s great that the memory isn’t soldered on, as I’ve heard other laptops have; it’s easier to change it with something better. Thank you both so much for the info! It is really helpful to me.
monta solo ssd m2 pcie tipo sm951 o anche ssd m2 normali tipo samsung 850 evo?
Will this laptop support the M.2 samsung 850 Evo which has a sata interface? Also will it support this ssd in the link? please help me out here.
http://www.primeabgb.com/online-price-reviews-india/toshiba-256gb-m-2-2280-nvme-ssd-thnsn5256gpu7/
Is the CPU replaceable or is it soldered in?
99% of the notebooks on the market don’t offer any further upgrade of the CPU or GPU, this one included.
Has anyone created a system recovery USB and then “restored” system on a less size SATA SSD (like 512G)?
Hi! How did you remove the motherboard in order to upgrade RAM? I don’t see any screw.Thanks
The RAM chips are under the metal plate, which is located below the heat pipes, between the BIOS battery and Wi-Fi module.
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Hi! Please tell me which type of edge connector the SSD uses(B, M or B&M)? Because I found a Kingston SSD with B&M key an I’m curious that it is ok or not. Thank you in advance!
B&M key SSDs always fit, no matter what’s the type of the connector.
Its great! Thank you once again!
What’s the max RAM that can be installed??
some webs say 16GB and others 32GB, like http://eu.crucial.com/eur/en/compatible-upgrade-for//ideapad-700-%2815-inch%29, or I’m looking the wrong model??
Thanks!!!
From Lenovo you can buy 16GB ram max, I asked the sales representative and they confirmed it. But you can put 32GB max for this model. Have a look at the lenovo spec sheet: http://psref.lenovo.com/Product/ideapad_700_15
What disk is used to boot, I assume the 1TB, but would really like to have OS on the SSD and then (later) replace the 1TB with an SSD.
If your laptop comes with ssd it should come installed on the ssd
Does the 17″ come with the Gtx 950m? Because I saw 1 in my country but cannot find any information on it on the net.