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A new model launched to fill a gaping hole at the lower end of the ThinkPad price range, the ThinkPad G40 clearly belongs to the desktop replacement class of notebook. Big, chunky and using a desktop processor, it's ideal if you don't have much desk space and don't play games on your PC.
Powering the three-spindle beast is a 2.8GHz Pentium 4 processor with a 400MHz FSB, plus 256MB of PC2100 system memory, expandable to a maximum of 1GB via two SODIMM slots. Together with a 40GB Ultra ATA/100 hard drive this should be enough power for even the most demanding mainstream applications.
The use of the desktop processor is one reason why the G40 is so big. You have to get rid of all that heat somehow, and the G40 uses a mighty big heatsink to help with this. The rear section of the chassis is raised up to allow unobstructed air flow from the cooling fan.
The G40 is chunky rather than stylish, weighing in at a hefty 3.8kg. Fortunately the keyboard, ThinkPoint and mouse buttons have the usual quality IBM feel about them and the keyboard is well placed to make typing comfortable.
As with notebooks, the Achilles heel of the G40 is the graphics. This is another notebook you won't be playing the latest games on, but this is no surprise in view of the market segment at which the G40 is aimed.
Powering the 15in XGA screen is Intel's Extreme Graphics integrated chipset, which uses up to 8MB of system memory as standard but can be expanded to a maximum of 64MB. The screen itself has a native resolution of 1,024x768 pixels.
One side of the chassis holds a floppy drive, two USB 2.0 and two audio ports, while the other side has a 24X/10X/24X/8X DVD-RW combo drive and two Type II PC card slots.
As with all the ThinkPad models, the most impressive features are the ones that aren't obvious. The Access IBM button launches the comprehensive IBM ThinkPad help and configuration utilities, including the indispensable Rapid Restore, which provides a one-button route to salvaging lost data files caused by system crashes.
In terms of connectivity the G40 is a little disappointing, with no wireless LAN or Bluetooth. But at least the basics are there, in the form of an integrated 10/100Base-T NIC and a V.92 modem.
The G40 may seem like a step backwards compared to recent top-of-the-range ThinkPad models, but there are plenty of users out there who need a fast, stable, no-nonsense notebook at a competitive price.
Contact: IBM UK (08705) 727 272
www.ibm.com/uk
Specifications:
- Dimensions: (DxWxH) 28.2x30.3x5.8cm Weight: 3.88kg
- CPU: 2.8GHz Intel Pentium 4
- Memory: 256MB PC2100 (maximum 1GB)
- Graphics: Intel Extreme Graphics (8-64MB shared memory)
- Hard disk: 40GB Hitachi Travelstar Ultra ATA/100
- Optical drive: TEAC-224E DVD-RW combo
- Display: 15in TFT, 1,024x768 pixels
- I/O ports: 10/100Base-T, modem, 2xUSB 2.0, VGA, parallel, 2xType II PC card, mic and headphone Warranty: One-year carry-in
See also:
All Notebooks & Tablets PCs
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