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IBM ThinkPad A31 (1.6GHz Pentium 4, 256MB, 40GB, DVD/CDRW, Windows XP, 15

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  • ThinkPad A31 (1.6GHz Pentium 4, 256MB, 40GB, DVD/CDRW, Windows XP, 15
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IBM ThinkPad A31 Review

by Carla Thornton

- WHAT'S HOT: The ThinkPad A31 sports ATI's Mobility Radeon 7500 video chip set with 32MB of dedicated RAM, as well as a 15-inch screen with a resolution of 1400 by 1050. The A-series ThinkPads are nothing if not flexible: Either of the A31's modular bays can hold the DVD-ROM/CD-RW combination drive you get at this price--or an extra-cost second battery, second hard drive, LS-120 SuperDisk drive, or Zip 250 drive. The extra-flexible right bay also can accommodate a numeric keypad or a pop-out syncing cradle for IBM's WorkPad, a Palm OS-based PDA. The A31 features the familiar and comfortable red-eraserhead-equipped IBM keyboard, which now sports a bright-blue Enter key and an Internet scroll key centered between the mouse buttons. Six additional Internet shortcut buttons, the first three user-reprogrammable, march down the left side of the keyboard in a separate vertical panel. On the top edge of its screen the A31 has both a ThinkLight, an LED that helps illuminate the keyboard in dark rooms, and an UltraPort, IBM's proprietary USB 1.1 port. The UltraPort takes any one of several small devices IBM sells, including a basic digital camera.

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User Reviews for IBM ThinkPad A31 (1.6GHz Pentium 4, 256MB, 40GB, DVD/CDRW, Windows XP, 15

  • Reviewed by: bgtrkchuck

    Duration of ownership:

    Strengths: Everything.

    Weaknesses: It's a little heavy after carrying it for a FEW HOURS. Hey, if you don't like the weight, buy a palm pilot!!

    Overall Evaluation: This computer is one fine piece of equipment! I cannot say enough about it. I have found no flaws, never had a problem in the world with it! Battery life is two hours with the "Power Miser" setting at Maximum System Performance - that is everything running at top speed. If you switch it to "maximum battery life" I have had a battery last almost four hours (display dimmed also). I read one review on here that said something about how hot it gets. Well, right now I am on my couch, computer on lap, been here four hours surfing the web and I can barely feel any heat at all! I can't say anything about support with IBM since I have never had to call them or email them. The trackpoint (mouse thingy) takes some getting used to but I like it better than a touchpad or trackball now. Can't think of what else to say other than you can't go wrong with this computer in my opinon!

  • Reviewed by: tyofmaryland

    Duration of ownership:

    Strengths: Can be used as George Forman Grill Back-up

    Weaknesses: Very HEAVY and it gets Dangerously HOT after VERY SHORT period of time. VERY SHORT BATTERY life. Very FLimsy and FIRE HAZARD.

    Overall Evaluation: It's too heavy to be called LapTop. It gets VERY HOT after just 15 minutes of use. IBM should recall this STINKPAD "A31" 2652D3U, before someone gets hurt "burned" and sue them. Bettery life is pretty short (52 MINUTES MAX). It does not come with any manual. No decent sofware. No Software back-up CD. Very short Tech support warranty (30 days from the day it's shipped). Tech staff very rude and unhelpful. If you have any software problem after the first 30 days (problem with Windows XP Pro for example) you will pay $2.99 per minute for Tech support. IBM support will put you on hold for over 45 minutes during the call to keep the meter running. AC Adapter gets also VERY HOT after very short time(10 Minutes MAX). The DVD/CDRW drive is very flimsy and very easy to break. Battery loses strength and gets weaker every day (after full charge it still says it's only 82% full, even when it's plugged into electricity will need to replace battery after 3 Months. Fire Hazard

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