I currently use the TP A30 with these specs:
14.1 XGA (1024x768) TFT LCD
Pentium III-M 1.0 GHz (512KB cache)
256 MB (expandable to 1GB)
20 GB HDD (upgradeable to 60GB)
DVD-ROM (UltraBay 2000)
FDD (UltraBay Plus)
ATI Radeon 16MB VRAM
Built-in speakers
Trackpoint buttons with Trackpoint stick
Video out
ThinkLight keyboard light
6-cell battery pack
Pros: I've had this laptop for more than a month now. I like this particular laptop over the previous one because the keyboard is large, since I have large hands and long fingers. It has two bays, so I can have a DVD-ROM and a CD burner if I so choose. The DVD-ROM allows me to watch movies. I lucked out finding this one. I bought this from www.geeks.com when they had a Greenlight Special sale. This unit is still under warranty, even though the original warranty has expired. Whoever had this laptop, prior to me, extended the warranty. I particularly like the Internet keys on the left side of the keyboard. The ThinkLight comes in very handy in dark places (like on an airplane) and not disturb anyone. It has separate up and down volume buttons. The 14 screen is adequate for watching movies. The IrDA will automatically detect and install the printer drivers. This model laptop has two USB ports, instead of one, like some others.
Cons: This particular ThinkPad is very heavy for lugging around. This unit weighs around 8 lbs. so taking it around in a college campus is not recommended. When playing a movie, the battery wears down fast, so you may not be able to watch an entire movie. It gets really hot underneath when leaving it on for so long. I highly recommend getting a laptop cooler to avoid having your lap feel the heat. The casing is black, so on a sunny day sitting outside in a wireless hotspot, the keyboard (or anything around it) will get pretty hot. If you can find a shaded area, that would cut down on the heat being drawn from the black case. The LCD screen is hard to see on a sunny day even at its highest setting. You have to be precise in using the IrDA to print documents. Its preferable to connect to a wireless print server. You have to be careful in not dropping the laptop, or pieces of plastic may break off. The speakers can get covered by your legs, when sitting the laptop on your lap, instead of on a table.
Overall: I recommend this laptop for those that have large hands. It has two USB ports, and you can add on a second battery, a second HDD, a DVD-ROM, a CD-ROM, a CD-RW, a DVD/CD-RW, a SuperDisk (LS-120) or a Zip drive (250 MB) in the UltraBay 2000. If you are a heavy traveler I would advise getting a laptop that is lighter than this one.
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by Boricua65  edited by fire100
last modified: 2005-08-15 19:04:32 |
