Review: IBM ThinkPad T40

Important Note: this product is now obsolete and this review is retained for historical reference only. Lenovo's ThinkPad T410 and ThinkPad T410s 14-inch widescreens occupy the equivalent place in their current product line.  [July 7, 2010]

April 6th, 2003

In early April 2003, IBM's ThinkPad T40 became commonly available. The ThinkPad T40 represents the "mid-weight desktop equivelant" portion of IBM's four-part laptop line. It includes the first Pentium-M processor on a two-spindle IBM laptop.

Mostly because of the change to the Pentium-M processor, the ThinkPad T40 is almost half a pound lighter (at 4.9 to 5.3 pounds) than the Pentium 4 Mobile-based ThinkPad T30 it succeeds.

What it has

• Intel Pentium-M processor (1.3 GHz, 1.5 GHz, or 1.6 GHz) with 1 MB level 2 cache
• 2 DIMM slots, currently allowing up to 2.0 GB RAM
• 14.1-inch active-matrix screen with 32 MB ATI Mobility Radeon video controller
• Stereo speakers
• Internal Mini-PCI slot
• Two Type II PC Card (PCMCIA) slots
• Video connectivity; VGA port, S-Video out port
• Audio connectivity; headphone/line-out jack, external microphone input
• Peripheral connectivity; two 480 Mbps USB 2.0 ports, parallel port, infrared 4-Mbps IrDA port, dock/port replicator port
• Network connectivity; Ethernet & V.92 56 kbps modem
• Windows 2000 Professional or Windows XP Professional

What it doesn’t have (that some competitors in the same laptop segment do)

• FireWire port
• DVI port
• Serial port
• Line audio input

Configurations & Availability

The ThinkPad T40 configuration tested for this review was a mid-range version, with a 1.5 GHz processor, a 40 GB hard drive, an XGA display, a CD-RW/DVD-ROM 'combo' drive, and 802.11b Wi-Fi. With these specifications, it comes in at approximately $1,800 educational.

The ThinkPad is offered in many standard configurations, which can be ordered through the Computer Connection. Configurations vary by processor (1.3 GHz to 1.6 GHz), hard drive size (30 GB to 80 GB), display resolution (1024x768 [XGA] or 1400x1050 [SXGA+]), optical drive (DVD-ROM or CD-RW/DVD-ROM 'combo'), ethernet (10/100BaseT or Gigabit), integrated 802.11b (none, Cisco, or Intel), and integrated Bluetooth (yes or no).

The Computer Connection has a specially priced configuration available for the ThinkPad T40:

1.5 GHz/512 MB/40 GB/combo/14.1-inch XGA/modem/ethernet/802.11b (PennKey authentication required)

Beyond these configuration variations, IBM offers the T40p - a high-end version of the T40 intended for CAD and other high-end use. The T40p includes a workstation-class ATI Mobility FireGL 9000 64 MB video card.

Analysis

The ThinkPad T40 forms the vital center of IBM's professional laptop line and is IBM's design leader. IBM attempts to differentiate in this market by the addition of value-added features, such as:

Standard

1. The Ultrabay Slim integrated modular bay supports all optional Ultrabay Slim devices, including CD-RW/DVD-ROM 'combo' drive, hard drive, or second battery. At 9.5 mm, UltraBay Slim modules are among the thinnest in the industry.
2. Flexible docking options common to ThinkPad X, T, and A Series notebooks:
   • ThinkPad Port Replicator - cable management
   • ThinkPad Dock II - cable management plus desktop expansion including an additional Ultrabay 2000
3. For additional durability, the ThinkPad T40 has a magnesium top cover and an Integrated HDD Shock Absorber, which provides a cushion of air to help protect the hard disk drive from the shock of being moved while the ThinkPad notebook is in normal use.
4. Combining a track pad and a TrackPoint pointing device, the ThinkPad UltraNav multi-pointing system lets one work however one is most comfortable. Having this standard is a big change for IBM (it was optional on the T30), and allows users who are uncomfortable with IBM's TrackPoint to still choose ThinkPads.
5. Rapid Restore PC helps protect data and minimize downtime by creating a mirror image of the hard disk drive and restoring it quickly.
6. Integrated wireless technology - a dual antenna system is built into either side of the display for enhanced signal strength, whether with Intel or Cisco Wi-Fi now or for upgrades to future wireless technology.
7. ThinkLight keyboard light lets you work in low-light conditions.

Optional

1. The hardware-based Embedded Security Subsystem 2.0 helps protect data locally and secure communications.
2. Integrated Bluetooth technology lets one connect without cables to enabled peripherals such as printers, cell phones, and handhelds. When (and if) Bluetooth takes off, having it integrated will be a considerable advantage.

Technical issues & recommendations

Information Systems & Computing (ISC) does not expect there to be significant hardware-related compatibility problems with the ThinkPad T40. However, the ThinkPad T40 will have the same software-related conflicts that any Windows 2000 Professional or Windows XP Professional workstation would have.

ISC has tested the ThinkPad T40 for compatibility with University-supported hardware and software. The ThinkPad T40 is compatible with the 2002 PennConnect CD-ROM and with Penn’s supported network applications.

It should be noted that the ThinkPad T40, like many newer laptops, does not ship with a standard floppy drive. IBM's suggested solution for users who need a floppy drive is to connect one via USB.

Properly configured, these workstations meet ISC’s Recommended Configurations for Mid-Weight 'Desktop-Equivalent' Laptop Workstations. As always, support providers should be aware of the potential technical issues associated with any new workstation design.

--John Mulhern III, Nicholas Allen, & Steven Strawser, ISC Technology Support Services (April 6, 2003)