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IBM ThinkPad A31 (1.6GHz Pentium 4, 256MB, 40GB, DVD/CDRW, Windows XP, 15
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More…| Overall Rating | 85 |
| PC Worldbench 4: Performance word scores reflect comparions of PCs in the same category (power or value) running the same operating system. See Your guide to the Top 100 for more details. | Good: 90 (Windows XP - Professional) |
| Base Configuration | Outstanding |
| CPU | 1.6-GHz/1.2-GHz Pentium 4 |
| Screen size | 15 inches |
| System memory | 256MB of DDR-266 SDRAM |
| Hard drive | 40GB |
| Graphics | 32MB Ati Mobility Radeon 7500 |
| Pointing device | eraserhead |
| Expandability | Two multipurpose bays, two PC Card slots, expansion bay port |
| Extra features | Good |
| Bundled removable-media drives | 8X DVD-ROM and 4X/4X/24X CD-RW combo drive |
| Communications | #N/A |
| Extra ports | Headphone jack, Svideo port |
| Business suite | Lotus SmartSuite |
| Overall design | excellent |
| Battery life (mm:ss) | Average: 2:33 |
| Weight: typical/minimum (in pounds) | Heavy: 8.2/7.3 |
| Vendor's reliability / service | Good/ Fair |
| Support Policy | Three-year parts and labor warranty; free unlimited 24-hour/7-day toll-free support |
IBM ThinkPad A31
ThinkPad A31 (1.6GHz Pentium 4, 256MB, 40GB, DVD/CDRW, Windows XP, 15 Review, by Carla Thornton May 15, 2002
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.
WHAT'S NOT: The A31 turned in disappointing performance. In our battery-life tests, it lasted only 2 hours, 33 minutes, not much longer than the ThinkPad A30p we tested a few months ago (which used up its charge in 2 hours, 19 minutes). Despite its 1.6-GHz Pentium 4-M processor, the A31 also fell down in speed, with a PC WorldBench 4 score of 90, well below the scores of most notebooks we've tested with the older 1.13-GHz Pentium III processor. IBM's desktop replacements no longer come with floppy drives; a modular-bay model now costs $79 extra.
WHAT ELSE: Other than the new processor, more graphics memory, and a higher screen resolution, the A31 doesn't differ much from its predecessor, the A30. The case slopes from a height of 2.3 inches at the hinges to 1.75 inches at the front, giving the keyboard a built-in tilt. In addition to all standard notebook connections, you get two stacked USB 1.1 ports and an S-Video-out port on the back. The speakers are on the front, where they are muffled a bit by the overhang of the case when it's closed, but they're fine for casual CD listening, aided by volume buttons above the keyboard.
The A31 comes with IBM's fine Access ThinkPad on-screen manual, the best in the business because of its slick and enlightening animation. For instance, you can click on a play button to see each step required to upgrade the hard drive, beginning with an animated screwdriver removing the screw, then the drive sliding out, the brackets falling away, the new drive sliding in, and the screwdriver replacing the screw. However, the printed manual is rather skimpy, and an online manual won't help you much if you get stuck halfway through swapping the hard drive.
UPSHOT: Although the A31 provides plenty of features for the price, those looking for the most features in a notebook should check out the A31's pricier sibling, the $3599 A31p. It boasts a 1600-by-1200 screen, a 60GB hard drive, and an even more powerful ATI video chip with twice the dedicated graphics RAM.
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Review Now! Already own it? Tell us What You Think
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Reviewed by: bgtrkchuck
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: 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!
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Reviewed by: tyofmaryland
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: 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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