IBM ThinkPad X31
IBM certainly loves the blacker-than-black look. This is the third-lightest notebook behind Toshiba and Sony, at a tad under 1.8kg. It still packs in connectivity onboard with a good range of ports. The 12.1in screen looks rather nice.
A benefit of the IBM is the built-in wireless LAN and CompactFlash memory slot. A drawback is the lack of an internal optical drive.
Overall the IBM is a well-constructed notebook sporting the Intel Centrino badge. We feel the built-in WLAN and CF card reader are prerequisites these days, and the inclusion of a normal parallel port could also be seen as a bonus by some prospective clients.
| Product: | IBM ThinkPad X31 |
| Price: | AU$3599 |
| Vendor: | IBM |
| Phone: | 1800 289 426 |
| Web: | www.ibm.com/au |
| Interoperability: |
½
Wireless LAN, no Bluetooth. |
| Futureproofing: |
½
Great connectability, good upgrade path. |
| ROI: |
Excellent price for a unit of this calibre. |
| Service: |
½3-year pickup warranty is hard to beat. |
| Rating: |
|
Disagree with comments on the Sony. While it is loaded with a lot of stuff, the unit is, like just about every other Sony notebook ever manufactured, cheap junk. Tiny worthless little screen, "chicklet" keyboard, horrible, short warranty serviced by third party companies whose success is based on their ability to evaded their warranty responsibilities. The IBM X31 got short shrift in the review, but it is easily the best unit of all. Maybe the best ultralight ever produced. Solid (titanium case), three year warranty, great customer support, superior high quality hardware.