Description
Review summary
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 1,400×1,050 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. Those with a few more Ben Franklins, however, should graduate to a better-equipped thin-and-light laptop, such as the IBM ThinkPad T41 or the HP nc8000. 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 1.5-by-10.6-by-13.1-inch laptop weighs 6.5 pounds on its own, and it’s 7.3 pounds with the AC adapter. One of its best features is a big, 15-inch screen with a high 1,400×1,050 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 1.3GHz 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 20GB 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 1,024×768, which makes for large, easily readable text, or 1,400×1,050, 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. Plus, high-end models tend to cost more than comparably configured systems, such as the Gateway M405XL.
General
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Packaged Quantity1
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Embedded SecurityTrusted Platform Module (TPM) Security Chip
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Operating SystemMicrosoft Windows XP Professional
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ManufacturerLenovo
Processor / Chipset
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CPUIntel Pentium M 735 / 1.4 GHz / 1.5 GHz / 1.7 GHz
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CacheL2 – 2 MB
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Data Bus Speed400 MHz
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Chipset TypeIntel 855GME
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FeaturesEnhanced SpeedStep technology, power-optimized processor system bus
Cache Memory
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TypeL2 cache
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Installed Size2 MB
RAM
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Memory Speed333 MHz
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Memory Specification CompliancePC2700
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TechnologyDDR SDRAM
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Installed Size from Factory512 MB / All have been expanded to 2 GB
Memory
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Max Supported Size2 GB
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TechnologyDDR SDRAM
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Speed333 MHz / PC2700
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Form FactorSO-DIMM 200-pin
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Slots Qty2
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Empty Slots1
Storage
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Optical DriveCD-RW / DVD-ROM combo – removable
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Typenone
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Read Speed24x (CD) / 8x (DVD)
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Write Speed24x
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Rewrite Speed24x
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Typeportable
Display
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Widescreen DisplayNo
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Color Support24-bit (16.7 million colors)
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Diagonal Size (metric)38.1 cm
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Display Resolution AbbreviationXGA
Environmental Parameters
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Sound Emission40 dB
Hard Drive
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Spindle Speed5400 rpm
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TypeHDD
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Capacity40 GB
Audio & Video
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Graphics ProcessorIntel Extreme Graphics 2
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Memory Allocation TechnologyDynamic Video Memory Technology 2.0
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SoundStereo speakers , microphone
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Audio CodecAD1981B
Input
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TypeTrackPoint, UltraNav, keyboard
Communications
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Wireless Protocol802.11a/b/g
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Wired ProtocolGigabit Ethernet
Processor
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TypePentium M
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Processor Number735
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ManufacturerIntel
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Clock Speed1.7 GHz
Optical Storage
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Drive TypeCD-RW / DVD
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TypeCD-RW / DVD-ROM combo
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Form Factorremovable
Floppy Drive
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Typenone
Modem
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FeaturesV.92 upgradable
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Typefax / modem
Battery
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Installed Qty1
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Capacity4000 mAh
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Run Time (Up To)4 sec
AC Adapter
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InputAC 120/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )
Connections & Expansion
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Expansion Bays1 x Ultrabay Enhanced
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Slots2 x memory ( 1 free )
1 x CardBus ( 1 free ) -
Interfaces1 x docking / port replicator
1 x audio – line-out/headphones – mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm
1 x microphone – input – mini-phone 3.5 mm
1 x infrared – IrDA
1 x parallel – IEEE 1284 (EPP/ECP) – 15 pin D-Sub (DB-15)
1 x modem – phone line – RJ-11
1 x display / video – S-video output – 4 pin mini-DIN
2 x USB 2.0 – 4 pin USB Type A
1 x parallel – IEEE 1284 (EPP/ECP) – 25 pin D-Sub (DB-25)
1 x display / video – VGA – 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15)
1 x network – Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T – RJ-45
1 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire) – 4 pin FireWire
Header
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BrandLenovo
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Product LineLenovo ThinkPad R51
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Model2888
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Packaged Quantity1
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CompatibilityPC
Miscellaneous
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Integrated OptionsThinkLight
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SecurityTrusted Platform Module (TPM) Security Chip
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FeaturesThinkVantage Embedded Security Subsystem 2.0, administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password, security lock slot (cable lock sold separately), wake on LAN
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Compliant StandardsACPI 1.0b, ACPI 2.0, DDC-2B
Networking
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Max Transfer Rate56 Kbps
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Data Link ProtocolEthernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
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Wireless LAN SupportedYes
System
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Notebook Typenotebook
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PlatformWindows
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Hard Drive Capacity40 GB
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Embedded SecurityTrusted Platform Module (TPM) Security Chip
Monitor
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Diagonal Size15 in
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Color Support24-bit (16.7 million colors)
Dimensions & Weight
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Width13.1 in
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Depth10.6 in
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Height1.6 in
Chassis
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Built-in DevicesThinkLight
Audio Output
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Compliant StandardsAC ’97, DirectSound
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Typestereo speakers
Mainboard
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Data Bus Speed400 MHz
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Chipset TypeIntel 855GME
Audio Input
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Typemicrophone
Operating System / Software
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OS Provided: TypeMicrosoft Windows XP Professional
Video Output
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Graphics ProcessorIntel Extreme Graphics 2
Video Memory
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Memory Allocation TechnologyDynamic Video Memory Technology 2.0
Input Device
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TypeTrackPoint, UltraNav, keyboard
Expansion Bays
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Specific Bay TypeUltrabay Enhanced
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Total Qty1
Expansion Slots
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TypeCardBus, memory
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Form FactorSO-DIMM 200-pin, type I/II/III
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Total Qty1, 2
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Free Qty1, 1
OS Provided
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FamilyWindows XP
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EditionWindows XP Professional
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TypeMicrosoft Windows XP Professional
Power Device
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Nominal VoltageAC 120/230 V
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Frequency Required50/60 Hz
Supported Battery
-
Max Supported Qty2
General
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ManufacturerLenovo
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