Lenovo ThinkPad X41 Review
You are all going to start thinking I love Lenovo with all the posts about it lately, but that is honestly not really the case. I just have been running into many articles about the company as they release new models and update the old ThinkPad line with new processors and whatnot, also like Pocket-lint, they are just getting around to being able to review the X41 tablet.
Getting a rating of eight out of ten, the X41 seems like a pretty solid bet, if you are looking for a tablet PC, but they do say that the price is a bit high. They put the battery life in their “good” column, but I think it could be a little bit better, atleast with the stock battery that it comes with, as three hours is reasonable, but not great.
Lenovo is quickly switching their machines over to the new Intel Core Solo and Duo processors to be part of the “in” crowd, but as the reviewer remarks, sticking with the Pentium M actually has not been a bad thing for the ThinkPad line:
While it seems the world is switching over to Intel’s Core Duo chip, Lenovo’s current chip of choice is the ultra-low voltage Pentium M, in this instance the 758, which is backed by 512MB of DDR2 memory. You won’t find this the fastest machine on the market but it’s quick enough to handle office tasks with ease. The pay off comes in how quiet and cool the unit runs in use, so you’ll be able to carry it around without it getting too warm to the touch.
I totally agree with that, as my ThinkPad T43 has done very well for not getting too hot to handle.
Samsung Q1 Review
TabletPCReviewSpot has a first look review of the Samsung Q1, an ultra-mobile personal computer, or UMPC.
They summarize the review in two paragraphs, saying:
I actually like it. You have to know what you’re getting with this type of device and understand the target market. While I believe the target for the Q1 is extremely narrow, for those who need a cost effective, highly portable slate Tablet PC, the Q1 is going to be a solid option.
For me, the UMPC would be an extravagance, a secondary display while I’m at my desk. It might also fill a few minor portable computing voids I have, at times when the Treo isn’t powerful enough and I want something smaller than my notebook. I don’t think it’s worth $1100 for someone like me though, unless your addiction to gadgets outweighs your concerns for fiscal responsibility.
I totally see where he is coming from, and I have not really seen the UMPC as something I currently want, but it really seems like a Star Trek device or something, and I like that direction. Something more powerful than a pocket PC, but smaller and lighter than a full on tablet. I can see this niche market growing exceptionally well, if they keep the prices of the machines down and work more on battery life and processing power.
Lenovo V100 Ultraportable Notebook
As Lenovo continues to drop IBM’s name from its ranks, they have released a notebook that is aimed at the same group of people as many of the ThinkPad’s audience: business users.
The Lenovo V100 is an ultraportable that is part of the Lenovo 3000 series that the company launched this past year. It is being positioned as a machine for small business users and consumers looking for an inexpensive ultraportable.
The V100 comes with a Core Duo or Core Solo processor, a 12.1″ widescreen non-glossy screen, a 5-in1 card reader, 3 USB ports, 1.3 megapixel web cam, and FireWire. It also comes with the option of having a 40 GB through 100 GB hard drive, and includes a fingerprint reader.
It has integrated graphics, which is not surprising for a machine of this size, and will retail around the $1000 range, rather than the higher $1500 range that most ultraportables start at. Expect to see it available this June.
Lenovo ThinkPad T43 Review
That’s right folks, I finally have purchased my own laptop, to keep and use, and it is not a MacBook or MacBook Pro. I chose to buy a Lenovo (IBM) ThinkPad T43. I add the IBM because it has the IBM logo on it rather than the Lenovo branding that their 3000 series has. A tough business machine, with reasonable specifications. In this Core Duo world, can an older Pentium M still stand out?
Specifications
- Intel Pentium M Processor 1.7GHz
- Microsoft Windows XP Professional
- 60 GB 5400RPM Hard Drive
- 512MB DDR2 Memory
- CD-RW/DVD Combo
- 14.1″ TFT Display
- Gigabit Ethernet
- ATI Mobility Radeon x300 64MB Graphics
- Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG 802.11 b/g
- Integrated Fingerprint Reader
I also received an additional 6 Cell Battery and an additional A/C Adapter. I am still waiting on my Organizer Carrying Case, as they currently don’t have any. Hopefully, it will be here soon, as wrapping it in a towel and putting it in my backpack is not the most fun way of lugging my laptop around safely.
Hardware
I chose the to get a ThinkPad rather than anything else due to some of the product reviews I have read, any my previous experience with IBM machines when I worked in the corporate world. I was really impressed with their build quality back then, and I still am. When you open the machine for the first time, it feels strong. You can see the metal hinges and the screen feels reinforced. There is no noticeable flimsiness to the machine, and that makes me feel like I purchased a machine that will last.
I chose the 14.1 inch model, rather than the 15 inch model because of price, weight and battery savings. Battery life to me is of utmost importance, and so gaining an inch of screen to lose any amount of battery life did not seem worth it to me. The resolution on the screen might put some people off as it only displays at a maximum of 1024×768, which is fine by me, though I find myself getting much more used to my 1280×1024 on my desktop at home, making the laptop seem cramped and objects rather large.
The outside of the machine is clad in a matte black finish that while professional looking, it also makes me think old fasioned, as it is not as slick looking as many of the Dell and Apple machines out there today.
The weight of the machine is a reasonable 5.2lbs, which actually feels rather light compared to some of the machines I have looked at lately. The overall size of the T43 is not bad either, and I have found it easy to hold, and move around without fear of dropping it.
On the outside of the machine there are two USB ports, but they are both on the left hand side of the ThinkPad, which I find a little odd as the connection for my mouse has to go around the back of the machine before meeting up with my hand on the right hand side. This won’t really be counted as a negative though, as most corded mice have a cable long enough, and it won’t matter to wireless mice at all which side the USB port is on, but I just fount it a little odd.
On the left hand side it also has connector ports for S-video, a v.92 56k modem, gigabit ethernet, an ExpressCard slot and your headphone and microphone jacks. Along the back you have a printer port (Parallel connection) and A/C adapter connector ports. The right hand side has the VGA out, and the CD Burner/DVD Rom combo drive. In the front you can see the small Infrared port which I have yet to use for anything, but it is always nice to have the option.
The six cell battery currently lasts me around three and a half hours with the wireless on, meaning that between the two batteries I can make a full seven hours without recharging, which while good, is not as much as I hoped to get from each charge, but enough to do almost all I will need in a day. If I was not going to get the extra six cell battery, I would have opted for the larger nine cell battery to get closer to around five hours on a single charge with the single larger battery.
I have found the wireless is really decent on this machine, as I have used it at great distance from my wireless router, and have been able to still connect. I have found though that when on battery it will sometimes lower the power to the wireless radio, meaning a drop in connection speed or a total drop in connection, which can be a bit frustrating, but if you jump through the myriad of options in IBM’s software, you can change its attitude and get your connection back properly, though it will take a fair bit of battery life to do so.
One of the most interesting and fun features to play with is the fingerprint reader. With one swipe of any finger I have entered into the system, it logs me into Windows. Sometimes I swipe too fast or too slow, or at an odd angle, but most of the time it works flawlessly, and is much quicker than pushing CTRL+ALT+DEL and entering in my username and password. It also provides that bit of “wow” factor when people see me do it after my computer boots up. Apple users either think its nifty and wish they had it or that it is gimmicky and silly, but I really like it. Anything that makes my life a bit easier is good in my books, and swiping my finger once rather than typing twenty characters or so, is golden in my book.
Software
The ThinkPad T43 came with Windows XP Pro with Service Pack 2 already installed as well as a variety of IBM Software which is to help me with a variety of tasks, including setting up the fingerprint reader. It also comes with a 90 day trial of Norton Antivirus, but other than that, the machine is relatively empty. No other business software, word processors, or anything.
Overall
I really enjoy having the ThinkPad T43 in my life. I am still confused on if I should call it an IBM, as the branding on the machine says, or Lenovo, as that is who I bought it from and who will be providing support for me, but identity issues aside, the T43 makes a great anything machine. I can watch DVD’s on its combo drive, easily carry it from place to place without worrying it will fall to pieces, and it handles every work related task I throw at it with ease. I highly recommend the ThinkPad T43, and hope to continue to enjoy it for years to come. While the world is going through Intel Core Duo craziness, and MacBook Pro obsession, the ThinkPad T43 is that quiet wonder, and those that own one will not be left wanting anything else.
Apple MacBook Review
Pocket-lint gets a really good look at the Apple MacBook
With the announcement of the new MacBook, Apple has now gone completely Intel-based with its notebook range. Pocket-lint was one of the first in the UK to get a unit in for review, so should you be accidently dropping your current PowerBook so you’ve got an excuse to upgrade? We take a proper look rather than a glance at a security tagged unit in store.
Not surprisingly to me, the MacBook only earns itself a seven out of ten, especially if you have the black version, which while interesting, just does not give off the same “Apple oomph”.
ProStar PR9068-4A Review
Laptop Magazine has a review up on the ProStar PR9068-4A, a beast of a laptop, using an AMD processor.
With Intel’s splashy unveiling of its dual-core platform, it’s no surprise that other manufacturers are trying to ride the marketing wave by selling their own dual-core systems with rival chips from AMD. ProStar’s monster gaming rig, the 17-inch PR9068-4A, combines a powerful AMD dual-core processor with the top graphics solution on the market to create a seriously fast desktop replacement. Too bad this 13-pound behemoth doesn’t look nearly as good as it performs.
They give the ProStar a three and a half out of five, mostly due to the ugly design, but I think the battery life on the machine is absolutely horrible at a measly 1 hour and 16 minutes.
Acer Aspire 5002WLMi Review
Pocket-lint reviews the Acer Aspire 5002WLMi, a budget notebook with some reasonable specs.
If you had asked us 12 months ago how cheap a notebook could get and still offer plenty of punch, we don’t think we’d have said as little as £565, but we would have said that one company who would be at the front of the super-budget notebook would be Acer.
So, here we are with the Aspire 5002WLMi, which comes in at the aforementioned price and manages to pack in an AMD Turion 64 ML-30 chip, which runs at 1.6GHz, and 512MB of memory.
In the end they gave the 5002WLMi, a seven out of ten, due to its horrible choice in integrated graphics. I say, spend the extra money, and get something that will work well for you in any situation.
First 64-Bit Dual-Core Mobile Processor
AMD today introduced AMD Turion™ 64 X2 mobile technology, the first and only family of 64-bit dual-core processors designed for thin and light notebook PCs. AMD Turion 64 X2 mobile technology allows people to get more from their mobile lifestyle through long battery life and outstanding performance, even when using multiple applications simultaneously, including demanding digital media applications.
Continuing its technology leadership, AMD also is bringing 64-bit computing to the Mobile AMD Sempron™ processor family. Now AMD delivers the only complete mobile product portfolio offering the ability to seamlessly transition between 32- and 64-bit computing.
“AMD is first to market with the only 64-bit dual-core mobile processor, driving the wave of next-generation mobile platforms that are ready today to run the upcoming 64-bit version of Microsoft Windows Vista™,” said Chris Cloran, vice president, AMD Mobile Division. “This is advanced mobile technology for the office or home, packing dual-core processing for extreme multi-tasking, 64-bit computing, extended battery life and cutting-edge technology from industry leaders in wireless, connectivity and graphics.”
Using an open standards-based approach, AMD collaborates with industry leaders in graphics and wireless solutions to enable OEM customers to deliver feature-rich notebooks that stand out from the crowd of overly standardized choices. AMD Turion 64 X2 mobile technology-based notebooks will offer outstanding graphics and leading wireless solutions for a visually engaging experience, and high-speed connectivity throughout the home or office.
“AMD dual-core technology will help provide HP consumer and commercial notebook customers the freedom to work and play virtually anytime, anywhere,” said Ted Clark, senior vice president and general manager, Notebook Global Business Unit, HP. “Our consumer notebooks based on AMD’s Turion 64 X2 mobile technology, including the latest HP Pavilion and Compaq Presario models, offer outstanding performance, mobile entertainment and a stylish new look.”
(more…)
Apple MacBook Released
Better late than never as the MacBook has been released from Apple.
The specs for the MacBook are as follows:
- 1.83GHz or 2.0GHz Core Duo Processor
- 13.3″ widescreen display with 1280 x 800 native resolution
- 512MB of RAM with support for up to 2GB
- Intel GMA 950 Integrated graphics
- 60GB or 80GB 5400RPM hard drive, optional 80GB, 100GB, 120GB 4200RPM
- Dimensions: 12.78″ x 8.92″ x 1.08″ (width x depth x height)
- Built-in web camera
- 802.11g Wireless
- Ports: One FireWire 400 port (8 watts); Two USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps); Mini-DVI port with support for DVI, VGA, S-video and composite video output (requires adapters, sold separately)
The MacBook will replace the iBook from Apple, and allow them to have two product lines in a total of three sizes, with the 13.3 inch MacBook, the 15″ MacBook Pro, and the 17″ MacBook Pro. Prices start at $1099 USD.
Toshiba Tecra A6 Review
Laptop Magazine reviews the Toshiba Tecra A6, a reasonably priced notebook, especially when you look at the specifications.
In this crop of conservatively designed notebooks, the 5.5-pound Toshiba Tecra A6 comes the closest to sexy. The glossy silver-metallic-flake paint job would look just as at home on an Audi, and we love the 14.1-inch widescreen panel. The Tecra doesn’t have a wireless broadband option, and performance and battery life were on the low side for this group. At only $1,149 (as tested), you get a lot for your money.
In the end they give the Toshiba Tecra A6,a three and a half out of five due to its short battery life and the lack of a DVD burner.
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