quick review of the IBM Thinkpad R40

[dpopiz]

I got my R40 today, a whopper of a deal: P-M 1.5GHz, 1GB RAM, 60GB HD, 1400x1050 LCD for $650. I'm sorry to say, though that although it's a good deal, this machine disappoints me somewhat.

To put it bluntly, it just doesn't really live up to all that the Thinkpad name stands for.

First of all, the display sucks. It's high res, but other than that it's no better than the old Thinkpad I have from 6 years ago. It's a little dim and has the terrible color accuracy of most LCDs, but worst of all it has that awful short viewing angle that confuses and strains your eyes.

The case isn't nearly as sturdy as people online claimed. Despite its thickness, it does creak and flex a lot with minimal force.

The visual design of this machine is awfully cooky. For one, they took the tried and true Thinkpad "cutting edges" style and mixed in some big dumb looking curvy toilet seat -esque elements. They made the display look off balance by making the hinges assymetric. And what's with the diagonal chop out of one corner? Besides looking dumb, it also adds about a half and inch of wasted space to the left edge of the machine. If you look up close, all that volume is just empty plastic.

The CD tray is partly covered by the chassis when it's open, so you can't just drop a CD in like normal.

The bottom of the unit gets way too hot. Unfortunately, it seems there is no thermal diode on the RAM.

The keyboard is decent (better than Dell), but it absolutely pales in comparison to my old Thinkpad 570 keyboard from 6 years ago. The R40 keyboard is mushy and slow and the entire thing flexes when you press down on it.


Note to IBM: Great value, but don't put the Thinkpad name on it.

More to come if I find anything else that annoys (or pleases) me.

 

[BeauJangles]

where did you get a deal like that?

 

[wisdomtooth]

Probably refurbished... IBM sometimes has R40s available through their refurbished dept.. Otherwise places like Overstock.com or ebay or ubid.

The R-series are definitely the "value" line though. If someone is asking about buying a refurbished Thinkpad, I'd recommend them to spend extra and get a T- or X-series instead.

The T-series are the "premium" travelling notebook line-- Reasonably light (~4 pounds), integrated optical drive, generally more solidly-built. As a matter of fact, IBM has some refurbished "Banias" Pentium-M based T40 Centrinos available for $1230 and up Here.

The other Thinkpad lines:

the A-series are the desktop replacements. BIG, HEAVY, feature-packed, for those who know they won't be moving them around much.

the X-series are the ultralight, ultraportables with NO integrated optical drive. These are pretty solidly built too.

I'd get the R-series only if money is REALLY tight and I have no choice.

 

[cy7878]

I agree that Thinkpad isn't built the way they used to be. On the other hand, my Tp600 cost $4000 when I bought it in 1998. My X31 which is 10 times more powerful was only $1200. I agree the 600's fit and finish and KB is MUCH better, but the times has come for all things to be just a little "cheaper" than before.

Still, this isn't to compare Thinkpads old or new, but if you compare the Tp's to comparable Dells, you will find Tp's are much better.

 

[stateofbeasley]

Display - IBM has fallen down where it comes to LCD displays. I have a T40 (2373-19U) and the LCD is dim and has a lousy viewing angle compared to the Dell 600m. The IBM display is rated at only 150 nits which sucks compared to the Dell (at least 200 nits).

Case - It's an R series, made of regular plastic like the Dell 600m. Its no suprise that its not as sturdy as your old machine.

RAM - thermal diode won't help you here. Hot RAM bay is a common complaint on modern notebooks (D600 owners at school say it gets really toasty). HDD bay also gets hot.

The R40 is pretty much a consumer grade machine aimed at the budget market. A T or X series would be more similar to the quality of your old ThinkPad.

 

[b3b0p]

Originally posted by: cy7878
I agree that Thinkpad isn't built the way they used to be. On the other hand, my Tp600 cost $4000 when I bought it in 1998. My X31 which is 10 times more powerful was only $1200. I agree the 600's fit and finish and KB is MUCH better, but the times has come for all things to be just a little "cheaper" than before.

Still, this isn't to compare Thinkpads old or new, but if you compare the Tp's to comparable Dells, you will find Tp's are much better.

I also payed ~$4000 for thinkpad 600 in 1998 (more like $4500). I compared to current models before getting my dell 8600 and the Dell was very impressive. The thinkpads were not even close to considering for the price (I was looking at T40P and R50P).

Chris

 

[uOpt]

I have a R40 with 1400x1050, too.

I agree that the display is pretty dim and overall it is really a value machine compared to other Thinkpads.

I am happy with the keyboard and touchpad, and with battery life. Not sure I have the same CD problem, didn't noice. It is very quiet, even under load. Almost too cool, I am so used to have my hand warmed up by the Inspiron

The only real nagging things I have is that the ACPI implementation is quite a bit different from the other Thinkpads, so Linux can't control the leds (important for me since I use the LEDs as imcoming mail indicator) and I had to spend a whole evening making the internal wireless work.

But overall, I really want 1400x1050, 1024x768 is just not workable for me. If I want that, and a known-good brand, then this machine is really a good choice. I don't really trust Inspirons and then you get onto thin ice. There are some nice 1280x768 display machines but as a work computer this one is better.

 

[cy7878]

Originally posted by: b3b0p

Originally posted by: cy7878
I agree that Thinkpad isn't built the way they used to be. On the other hand, my Tp600 cost $4000 when I bought it in 1998. My X31 which is 10 times more powerful was only $1200. I agree the 600's fit and finish and KB is MUCH better, but the times has come for all things to be just a little "cheaper" than before.

Still, this isn't to compare Thinkpads old or new, but if you compare the Tp's to comparable Dells, you will find Tp's are much better.

I also payed ~$4000 for thinkpad 600 in 1998 (more like $4500). I compared to current models before getting my dell 8600 and the Dell was very impressive. The thinkpads were not even close to considering for the price (I was looking at T40P and R50P).

Chris

well, I agree the T40 isn't THAT great either. I particularly dislike the flimsy drive doors and the palm pads. Also I still believe the 600 is a more solid machine all the way around. But to say Dell is that much better, I would disagree. Cheaper and better deal, fine. Superior they are not.

 

[Pandaren]

The 9.5mm optical drives do feel flimsy compared to the older 11.5mm and larger bays, but there's always a price for light weight and thinness.

As for the palmrest, there is a version without a touchpad (PALMREST W/TOUCHPAD - FRU 91P8399) that feels far sturdier. I've got one on my T40 and it's excellent

Originally posted by: cy7878
well, I agree the T40 isn't THAT great either. I particularly dislike the flimsy drive doors and the palm pads. Also I still believe the 600 is a more solid machine all the way around. But to say Dell is that much better, I would disagree. Cheaper and better deal, fine. Superior they are not.