- Windows XP Professional OS
- Lots of Expansion Ports
- Lacks Wireless Networking
- Fairly Heavy
- Intel Celeron 2.6GHz Processor
- 256MB PC2100 DDR Memory
- 30GB 4,200rpm Hard Drive
- 24x CD-RW/DVD Combo Optical Drive
- 14.1" XGA LCD and Intel Extreme Integrated Graphics with 64MB Shared Memory
- SoundMAX AC'97 Audio
- v.92 56Kbps Modem and 10/100 Ethernet
- Four USB 2.0 Ports and Two Type II PC Card Slots
- 13" x 11.2" x 2" @ 8.4 lbs.
- Windows XP Professional, IBM Access Productivity Software, Norton Anti-Virus 90-day
10/27/04 - IBM's ThinkPad G40 was released well over a year ago and is in need of an update, but suprisingly it has held up fairly well as a budget notebook computer. Its large dimensions and heavy weight make it less portable, but it is still a good value.
Powering the ThinkPad G40 is the Intel Celeron 2.6GHz processor. This is fairly high speed for a budget notebook computer, but it also means that it will draw a bit more power than mobile design CPUs. Matched to this is 256MB of PC2100 DDR memory that should run Windows XP without many problems unless a lot of multitasking is done.
Storage on the G40 is slightly below average. The 30GB hard drive is a bit smaller than the standard 40GB found in the budget notebook segment. Optical storage is handled by a 24x CD-RW/DVD combo that allows burning of data and music CDs or watching DVD movies.
Graphics are pretty standard for a budget category notebook. The 14.1" XGA display allows for a decent sized work area. The integrated Intel Extreme graphics lack any 3D graphics power for things such as gaming though.
One area where the G40 does well is expansion. The large desktop replacement size allows for a total of four USB 2.0 ports and two PC card slots. It does lack wireless networking that is considered standard in most notebooks today. Also, the slanted keyboard design can be difficult to get used to for some people while others enjoy the layout.
