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IBM ThinkPad T40
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More…| PC WorldBench 4: Performance word scores reflect comparisons of PCs in the same category (power or value) running the same operating system. See Guide to the Top-Rated Products for more details. | Very good: 124 (Windows XP Professional) |
| Base configuration | Very good |
| CPU | 1.6-GHz Pentium M |
| Screen size | 14.1 inches |
| System memory | 512MB of DDR266 SDRAM |
| Hard drive | 80GB |
| Graphics | 32MB ATI Mobility Radeon 9000 |
| Pointing device | Touchpad, eraserhead |
| Expandability | One multipurpose bay, two PC Card slots, expansion bus port |
| Extra features | Very good |
| Bundled removable-media drives | 8X DVD-ROM and 16X/10X/24X CD-RW combination drive |
| Communications | Built-in V.92 modem, built-in network interface, built-in Bluetooth support |
| Extra ports | Headphone jack, S-Video ports |
| Business suite | None |
| Other features | Built-in 802.11a/b Wi-Fi and Bluetooth |
| Overall design | Outstanding |
| Battery life (hours:minutes) | Outstanding: 6:23 |
| Weight (typical/minimum, in pounds): Typical weight includes the computer, AC adapter, optical drive, and floppy drive (if offered). | Light: 6.2/5.4 |
| Vendor's reliability/service | Good/Good |
| Support policy | Three-year parts and labor warranty; free unlimited 24-hour daily toll-free support |
Bottom Line
Corporations that have already moved to gigabit networks or 802.11a wireless LANs, take heed: A lightweight, last-all-day notebook perfect for the office or travel has arrived. It's very thin and very fast, but also very expensive, especially in these days of $999 notebooks. On the other hand, sub-6-pound notebook computing doesn't get any better than the T40, a ThinkPad that practically incorporates the kitchen sink and makes it look svelte.
IBM ThinkPad T40
ThinkPad T40 Review, by Carla Thornton April 30, 2003
WHAT'S HOT: The new ThinkPad T40 is IBM's best one-bay notebook yet, and not just because it takes all its predecessor's best features and adds a faster processor. It boasts the T30's impressive combination of a big screen, multiple flavors of wireless readiness, and dual pointing devices in a slim notebook. Its modular bay can host a combination DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive, a Zip drive, a second hard drive or battery, or a floppy drive. What's more, you can specify an 80GB hard drive and up to 2GB of system memory.
At 5.4 pounds (without add-ons like an adapter) and a thickness of one inch, it's even skinnier than the T30.
But the real news is that the T40 is ridiculously fast, thanks to Intel's latest generation of thin-laptop processors. Faster yet cooler-running, the Pentium M lets vendors squeeze notebooks into smaller cases. Our review unit used a 1.6-GHz Pentium M chip, equipped with a generous secondary cache of 1MB, to lock down a record-breaking PC WorldBench 4 score of 124. That's about 25 percent higher than the average scored by full-size notebooks we've tested with the regular 1.6-GHz Pentium 4-M chip. In the battery life department, our review machine used a new 9-cell power pack to run almost 6.4 hours.
WHAT'S NOT: This high-end configuration of the T40, loaded with almost every bell and whistle available for the line, is pricey at $3249. One of those high-end features, the extended-life battery, adds almost an extra inch to the back of the notebook. You can order a configuration with a regular 6-cell battery, if you prefer. You won't get 6-hour battery life, but the power pack will sit flush with the back.
WHAT ELSE: IBM does the best job of any vendor in implementing dual pointing devices: Each not only has its own set of directional buttons, but both sets of buttons depress deeply to provide lots of feedback, to a level that no other notebook can match. The typing action, as on all ThinkPads, is firm yet quiet. And to suit any fingertip, three different pointing stick covers come in the box.
The T40 boasts all the same connections as the T30, including legacy parallel and PS/2 ports (but no FireWire port). It has the built-in antennas to speak three different wireless protocols: 802.11b and 802.11a Wi-Fi standards along with Bluetooth.
The main design difference between the T30 and the T40 is that the battery now comes mounted on the rear, and some connections have moved to the sides. For instance, the monitor connection has been displaced to the right side, a location that looks somewhat odd but should not inconvenience too many users. Most parts are easy to access. A lever on the bottom releases the battery, and devices pop out of the modular bay when you pull a side-release tab. The hard drive has a more convenient retaining screw than before--any type of screwdriver works with the Phillips head--but the drive's end piece is stickier (we had to force it off).
The audio in this thinner machine seems compromised--not as round, even though fairly loud. IBM still provides smoothly working buttons at the top of the keyboard for controlling the volume.
Rounding out the features is a smattering of old and new proprietary IBM goodies. For example, the lid doesn't have an Ultraport, IBM's modified USB port, but it does sport a ThinkLight, an LED that illuminates the keyboard in the dark. And a keystroke combination lets you launch a software utility for controlling all the wireless options.
The T40 bundles IBM's electronic manual, now reorganized into five new sections meant to help you locate what you need faster. Some of the section labels (such as "Learn and Configure") are a tad obtuse until you learn what they mean. Fortunately, keyword searches still take you directly to a contents and index page, and IBM has kept its useful animation sequences, such as how to remove the hard drive.
UPSHOT: Corporations that have already moved to gigabit networks or 802.11a wireless LANs, take heed: A lightweight, last-all-day notebook perfect for the office or travel has arrived. It's very thin and very fast, but also very expensive, especially in these days of $999 notebooks. On the other hand, sub-6-pound notebook computing doesn't get any better than the T40, a ThinkPad that practically incorporates the kitchen sink and makes it look svelte.
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Review Now! Already own it? Tell us What You Think
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Reviewed by: Saifong
Strengths: 2gigs of memory upgrade,ultra slim slot,and svideointergrated wireless a/b ,harddrive upgrade to 100 gigs.
Weaknesses: only 2 usb ports, no video upgrade if your a gamer,and no floppy drive.
Overall: This laptop can win over some custom build laptopsand if you buy it at pricegrabber you can get it less then 3 business days. The T40 ibm laptop will satisfied your needs as a personal and home desktop pc.
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Reviewed by: jobrien683
Strengths: Quality built, fast and a lot of features including key board lite and screen magnifier. Dual pointing divices and blue tooth.
Weaknesses: Tech support is weak eventhough it is US based. Solved the problems myself. Example: Page shifter deos not work on AOL but does on MSN. You can create the windows key by going to keyboard utility
Overall: Most every computer in the lap top series is manufactured in China ar another far east country. By choosing a repudable dealer you lesson your chances for
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Reviewed by: kollman
Strengths: Fast, Great Screen, Solid keyboard, Strong Wireless, Lightweight
Weaknesses: Default hidden partition for Rapid Restore (5 Gig?), Video Card is great for business applications not games
Overall: If your looking for a powerfull, lightweight, business lap top, this is the unit for you. However, the Rapid Restore program at this point won't setup for me due to my using a partition program to divide the remaining 73 GIGs of space. Tech support is great. I called in 3 times and got someone in less than a minute. Unfortunately, we were unable to resolve the Rapid Restore issue. Once Rapid Restore is setup, this lap top is in a class of its own and is worth every penny.
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Reviewed by: plrandall
Strengths: Nice sharp display, small, fast, great battery life, nice night lite and display magnifier. Boots up rapidly.
Weaknesses: Expensive, caps lock key easily engaged unintentionally, has a somewhat delicate feel to it, DVD drive has been ocassionally problematic, occasionally will not wake up from sleep mode, poor wireless
Overall: Although there have been a couple of things that I found really annoying, like the battery that didn't work when I opened the box, occasionally not waking up from sleep mode and poor radio reception with LinkSys at more that 15 feet, I found that I really like the machine overall (as long as I keep it hard wired to my network.) It has a great display & keyboard with the exception that I can easly turn on the caps lock unintentionally. When I figured out that IBM gave me a lousy lease through GE Capital, I had to decide to either send it back or keep it and I liked it enough to keep it. But I will pay an arm and a leg for it! Thanks IBM. One other thing, the DVD ROM/CD RW drive offered me an opportunity to make a newly recorded CD compatible with other machines. It should do this automatically, I was not impressed with that. I also wonder about longevity with all that heat coming out of the side vent. I leave mine on a lot & sometimes forget to close the cover which puts it to sleep. It makes a great desktop PC with the Port Replicator II. Comfortable angled keyboard & I do not need a separate montitor & keyboard. It makes a small foot print.
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Reviewed by: HomerSimpson123
Strengths: Size, Performance
Weaknesses: Ctrl key in wrong spot
Overall: Great machine overall, but expensive and concerned aboutlong term quality...not certain if what used to be.Also, wish it had a flexview screen, but overall very nice.
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