Description:
No matter how specific your requirements, chances are IBM has a ready-made notebook to cover them. Incredibly compact and packed with enough amenities to satisfy the average notebook user, this model, the IBM ThinkPad T40 (23737CU), strikes a good balance between affordability and performance. If you want upscale perks such as DVD burning or oodles of memory, you may want to look into another ThinkPad, but the ThinkPad T40 (23737CU) is otherwise a solid yet comparatively economical way to enter the dependable world of ultra-portable IBM notebooks. Driven by a 1.5 GHz Intel Pentium M processor with Intel's new Centrino technology (Centrino processors offer improved battery life and more power than similarly rated non-Centrino CPUs) and a minimal allotment of 256 MB PC2100 DDR SDRAM memory, the ThinkPad T40 (23737CU) will adequately run most any standard mobile task, but may have trouble in instances of complex multitasking. Fortunately, a quick RAM upgrade -- the unit supports up to 2 full GB -- will solve that potential hitch. The system's graphics controller, an ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 with 32 MB of dedicated video memory, will more than suffice for midlevel 3D applications but shouldn't be counted upon for high-end 3D games and design. Tipping the scales at a scant 4.5 lbs. and measuring just 12.2 by 10.0 by 1.0 inches, the ThinkPad T40 (23737CU) is exceptionally easy to transport and operate. IBM has equipped the unit with a midsize 40 GB hard disk for your everyday file and program access, a CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive through which you can listen to and burn audio CDs and watch DVD movies, and a 14.1-inch TFT display screen (1400 by 1050 maximum resolution). In its stock configuration, the unit does not support DVD playing or CD burning, though other ThinkPads certainly do. The ThinkPad T40 (23737CU) is home to many unique and practical perks, including a nifty keyboard-illuminating ThinkLight for low-light situations, an S-Video out port, two high-speed USB 2.0 ports for fast interaction with external peripherals, and a full-size keyboard featuring IBM's user-friendly ThinkPad UltraNav multi-pointing system. An IEEE 1394 FireWire connection, typically used for downloading data from digital camcorders, is not part of the package. Communication options include a low-speed 56K fax/modem, a standard 10/100 Ethernet connector for high-speed network access, and provisions for wireless upgradeability. Battery life is estimated at an impressive 5.4 hours under ideal conditions.
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