ThinkPad 240: A subnotebook for those on the go<\/p>\n
By Zatni Arbi<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Do you spend most of your working day sitting in
\nmeetings and taking notes? And do you often work on text
\ndocuments or spreadsheets away from your regular workplace? If
\nyou're not a weightlifter, what you'd like to have is a
\nlightweight, slim and comfortable notebook computer. No question
\nabout it.<\/p>\n
Luckily today's notebook computers have come down not only in
\nprice but also in size again. Well, a subnotebook is nothing new.
\nThe first subnotebook computer that I played around with several
\nyears ago was the Slimnote made by Taiwan's Twinhead. It was a
\ngood-looking and capable 386-based notebook.<\/p>\n
Compaq also had a 486SX-based Contura Aero, and one of my
\nsenior researchers is still using it today -- although the hinge
\nis broken and the top can't be closed. Toshiba has had the
\nPortege line for many years, but I have not really had the chance
\nto test one. And there are the cool and sleek Sony VAIO 505
\nSeries!<\/p>\n
Courtesy of PT IBM Indonesia, I was able to test drive its
\nfour month old ThinkPad 240, included on the A-list
\nPC\/Computing's December issue. This less than three pounds
\nmini-notebook is not IBM's first attempt in the subnotebook
\ncategory. You might still remember the Butterfly, the subnotebook
\nwith a split keyboard that expanded when opened. Honestly,
\nThinkPad 240 has a much stronger appeal than the Butterfly.<\/p>\n
Capable<\/p>\n
At the recent ThinkPad Advisory Council meeting in Singapore,
\nI had the chance to ask Adalio T. Sanchez, General Manager of
\nMobile Computing, IBM Personal System Group, how he saw the
\nfuture of notebooks considering the strong interest Internet
\nappliances -- hand-held devices that can access the Internet and
\nuse the applications that reside on the providers' servers.<\/p>\n
\"There will always be people who need to work on data, on
\ncontents, and they will continue to use notebooks because they
\nare always on the go,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The ThinkPad 240 may be minuscule, but it is powered by a
\nCeleron processor running at 300 or 400 MHz. The unit I had was
\nequipped with 64 MB of RAM. It had a 10.4 inch TFT display with
\nsharp SuperVGA (800x600) resolution. I found the screen a little
\nbit too small for my poor eyesight, but normal eyes will have no
\nproblem reading the text on it.<\/p>\n
The unit, which is as black as ThinkPads go, is quite sturdy.
\nWhen I torqued the cover from one side, I didn't see much bending
\nlike I observed on the more expensive ThinkPad 570. Bending of
\nthe cover will put unwelcome pressure on the LCD panel, and I
\nthink IBM has fortified the casing to reduce that risk.<\/p>\n
IBM has reduced the size of the notebook without sacrificing
\nmuch of the keyboard comfort that they are known for. Although it
\nis five percent smaller than the ThinkPad keyboard, the keys
\nstill feel responsive, and touch typists will love it. Like most
\nThinkPads, there are no Windows keys. I found the two-button
\nTrackPoint III not as responsive as the one the ThinkPad 570, but
\nit was adequate.<\/p>\n
The 6.4 GB hard disk is partitioned into Drives C: and D:. The
\nmore expensive model has a 12 GB hard drive. The ultra-slim
\nfloppy drive is external, and the port is located on the left
\nside. This is a rather awkward location for righties, but
\nfortunately, floppies are not used as much as before.<\/p>\n
There is only one speaker, and it is located on the palmrest
\nand is covered by your hand when typing. But, with no CD-ROM
\ndrive, there is little use for the speaker anyway. Despite the
\nsize, the array of connection ports is pretty complete, and this
\ncertainly distinguishes ThinkPad 240 from most other subnotebooks
\nthat require port expanders.<\/p>\n
The unit has a serial port, a parallel port, a USB port, an
\ninfrared port, an external monitor port and a built-in V.90
\nmodem. And, if you still prefer an external keyboard or mouse,
\nthere is also a PS\/2 port. There are also ports for audio in, out
\nand microphone.<\/p>\n
Wish list<\/p>\n
Personally, I would prefer a larger screen with the same
\nquality; ideally 12.1 inches. Another wish is that IBM supplied a
\nCD-ROM and floppy combo drive -- something like the combination
\ndrive that Acer supplies with its TravelMate 340 Series. While
\nnot always needed on trips, installing new software will be
\ndifficult without one. IBM seems to expect ThinkPad 240 users
\nwill purchase its optional Portable Drive Bay, which can be
\nfitted with a CD-ROM, a Zip or an LS-120 drive that is compatible
\nacross all UltraBases and UltraBays.<\/p>\n
Another minor design flaw is the rubber cover for the drive
\nport. I think I would lose the cover very quickly. Besides these
\nthree wishes, however, the US$1,799 or US$2,099 -- depending on
\nthe processor speed -- suffers from a rather short battery life.
\nIn my test, it lasted less than one hour. The reports that I have
\nread also pointed out the short battery life as ThinkPad 240's
\nbiggest shortfall. However, if you have not heard, there is a
\ngreat solution for this problem.<\/p>\n
A U.S. company called ElectroFuel (www.electrofuel.com) offers
\na battery pack for notebook computers, named the PowerPad 160.
\nThe name goes harmoniously with ThinkPad, and according to
\nindependent test reports, it can power a ThinkPad 600 for more
\nthan 15 hours -- longer than the time you'd care to spend working
\non a trip from Singapore to Los Angeles. The price of the
\nPowerPad 160 is US$499.<\/p>\n
If complemented with a PowerPad battery pack, this subnotebook
\nis a nice lightweight travel companion. It is capable, very
\nportable, and comfortable to use. (zatni@cbn.net.id)<\/p>",
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