Check out the basic IBM ThinkPad R51 if you're low on cash, but think twice before loading up on expensive options.

IBM's new ThinkPad R51 focuses on function. The mainstream laptop's plain black case doesn't elicit excitement, but its fast Pentium M processor and ATI Mobility Radeon graphics chip deliver ample horsepower for the average user in the home or business. In addition to speed, the IBM ThinkPad R51 boasts some cool component options, such as a 15-inch display with a fine 1,400x1,050 native resolution, a DVD-RW drive, and integrated 802.11b/g wireless. Load up on these options, however, and you could owe IBM a pretty penny, because high-end configurations are pricey. If you're a typical business or home user on a budget and you'd be satisfied with a basic configuration, give the IBM ThinkPad R51 a try.

Editors' note:Specifications differ throughout various regions, the unit which comes with a AU$2,899 pricetag has a Pentium M Processor 1.7GHz, 512MB of RAM, 40GB hard disk drive and a 15 inch display with a maximum resolution of 1400x1050. Please check with your local distributor for more information.

The IBM ThinkPad R51's no-nonsense design doesn't knock our socks off, but this mainstream laptop successfully meets the demands of mobile computing on a tight budget. The 332 x 269 x 38.1 mm laptop weighs 3.0kg on its own, and it's 3.35kg with the AC adapter. One of its best features is a big, 15-inch screen with a high 1,400 x 1,050 native resolution that renders crisp graphics. The wide, comfortable keyboard comes in a close second, offering a familiar, desktoplike layout with one glaring omission: a useful Windows key that activates the Windows Start menu and gives you instant access to applications and system tools. IBM's signature red pointing stick rests above the B key, with a trio of complementary mouse and scroll buttons in the wrist rest below. The company also keeps touch-pad fans in mind, including a pad with two additional mouse buttons. Three handy volume-up, volume-down, and mute buttons sit in the upper-left corner above the board, along with an Access IBM button that connects you to online help and support for the R51.

The IBM ThinkPad R51 includes one convenient, swappable drive bay that supports various modules, including a cutting-edge DVD-RW drive. The 9.5mm-high modules for the thin-and-light IBM ThinkPad T42 conveniently fit in the R51's 12.7mm bay, but not vice versa. The bay opens out of the right edge, which also has a VGA port. A smattering of standard ports and slots reside on the left edge: there are ports for 56Kbps modem, Ethernet (either 10/100 or Gigabit, depending on which configuration you choose), headphone, microphone, S-Video out, two USB 2.0, and two Type II (one Type III) PC Card slots. FireWire isn't included in the offering. A lone parallel port occupies the back edge. The front edge slopes in, making the system appear slightly slimmer from a head-on view. Unfortunately, however, this design also points the speakers and their tinny sound down at your desk rather than straight at you.

IBM offers a dizzying array of component options for the ThinkPad R51, including Celeron M or Pentium M processors, ranging from 1.5GHz to 1.7GHz; up to 2GB of fast 333MHz SDRAM; a CD, DVD, DVD/CD-RW, or DVD-RW drive; a 4,200rpm hard drive measuring between 30GB and 80GB; and a 5,400rpm hard drive at 40GB or 80GB. The R51 comes with IBM's Active Protection System, designed to protect your hard drive from sudden jolts. You can choose among three graphics options: the Intel Extreme Graphics 2 (855GME) integrated graphics subsystem, which borrows up to 64MB of video memory from system RAM, as well as ATI's Mobility Radeon 7500 or 9000 graphics chips with 32MB of dedicated video memory. Screen sizes range from 14.1 to 15 inches, and they feature native resolutions of either 1,024x768, which makes for large, easily readable text, or 1,400x1,050, which results in smaller text but more detailed graphics. You can also choose between 802.11g and dual-band 802.11g/a adapters.

The IBM Web site doesn't list all of these options, though. If you don't see an option online, order your system by phone. Keep in mind, however, that you can usually save a little cash by choosing an Express (that is, preconfigured) model from the site.

With all these options, how do you configure the ideal laptop? Luckily, based on the IBM ThinkPad R51's impressive performance in CNET Labs' tests, you can likely pick low-end parts without sacrificing too much speed.

One of three Microsoft Windows operating systems comes preloaded on the IBM ThinkPad R51: XP Home, XP Professional, and for those who still can't make the leap to XP, Windows 2000. IBM also throws in InterVideo's WinDVD Creator for systems with a DVD-RW drive, and an IBM-branded version of Sonic's RecordNow for laptops with a DVD/CD-RW drive. IBM also bundles its Rescue and Recovery software for data retrieval when your system's in trouble. Finally, the company includes one user license for the Lotus SmartSuite Millennium office suite, along with the option to buy several variations of Microsoft Office.

The IBM ThinkPad R51 scored a performance rating of 164 using Bapco's MobileMark 2002. With its 10.8V, 4,400mAh (48WHr) battery the IBM ThinkPad R51 was able to achieve more than four hours of battery life (248 minutes in total), a good showing for a notebook in this range.

IBM ThinkPad R51
Company: IBM
Price: AU$2899
Phone: 1800 289 426

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