IBM IBM ThinkPad X40 (IBM Think Express Program) PM 1.00GHz, 256 MB, 20 GB, 12.1

Reviewed by: PalJoey

Duration of ownership:

Strengths: Small, full size keyboard, light, excellent battery life (8 cell)

Weaknesses: hard disk is only 33 Gbytes

Overall Evaluation: I travel and work on the road a lot and really appreciate the full size keyboard (since I can type), small size and weight. I own a R50P as my full size computer and I sometimes wonder why I have it, as I often use the X40 as my full time computer if I am not doing heavy duty scientific computing. With respect to my comment on hard drive size, there is never enough disk space for me - so take it with a grain of salt. Ideally I would like a 200-300 Gbyte drive (or more). I can work within the 33 Gbyte limit. When I need to, I travel with a 60 Gbyte external USB drive for my data and images. I do heavy scientific computing (large volumes of data) and visualization and 512 Mbytes is about the minimum for me. More than adequate for 99% of the population. The wireless works very well. I was skeptic about the keyboard but it is really full size where it needs to be. I buy IBM's because of the keyboards and screens. A nice feature is that there are USB2 ports on both sides of the computer, nice for mini-mice on short USB cords. Great for planes...can work on my lap in economy. The 8 cell battery works 5+ hours - more than enough time to work (I don't want to work much more than that on an airplane anyway - including something like NY to Tokyo). Screen resolution is fine...I usually work at 1600x1200 on the R50P but getting to be a struggle on my aging eyes and so 1024x768 is adequate. I don't think 1280x1024 would be useful for the screen dimensions. The X40 has changed the way I travel and work...my R50P is really too big to pull out in a meeting to record notes or in Starbucks but the X40 is not obtrusive and has a footprint size of a 8.5"x11" paper - so it doesn't block eye contact and take up too much table space. One change from when I use my R50P. I usually have 10+ windows open with R50P cluttering the screen. I use fewer open windows with the X40 due to the more limited screen real estate. Not a big deal though I like the gazillion windows even if I can't read them - remnant of my techie days. I bought the docking stationand the CD/RW but in hindsight I would not buy the docking station (I don't use it enough - even when in town, I am all over the office) nor the CD drive. I would buy a small external USB CD/DVD-RW. I occasionaly write my data to DVD - CD's are too small these days. It would be smaller and more portable. You need something to install software.