IBM Thinkpad T40p

IBM Thinkpad T40 Overview Features Intel Pentium M (Banias) 1.3, 1.4, 1,5 or 1,6 GHz CPU (socketed) 256, 512MB or 1GB module PC-2100 memory standard, 2GB max (Intel 855 chipset) 14.1" TFT display with 1400x1050 resolution (TFT) ATI FireGL 9000 (rebranded Radeon 9000 with 64MB dedicated VRAM) Intel AC'97 Audio with AD1981B codec 30, 40 or 60GB 5400rpm PATA HDD Ultrabay Slim with DVD-ROM or DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo or DVD±RW MiniPCI slot with one of the following: none (empty, WLAN upgradable) IBM 11a/b Wireless LAN Mini PCI Adapter Cisco Aironet Wireless 802.11b Intel PRO/Wireless LAN 2100 3B Mini PCI Adapter Proprietary internal connector for Bluetooth 1.0 module Other Stereo speakers (downfiring) 2xPCMCIA Slots VGA Output (DVI, only on docking station) IrDA (infrared) communication, Fingerprint reader (on some models) 10.8V 4800mAh Li Ion rechargeable battery 2xUSB 2.0, Dual PS/2, Parallel ports 16V power supply (separate) Windows XP and Vista support (slow on Windows 7)

Best retro purpose

Mid Windows XP era gaming (DirectX 7-8) or as a medium performance office computer. The high resolution display is not a great design choice. Even on this FireGL chipset (which is actually comparable to Radeon 9000) meanst that 3D accelerated games in native resolution lack performance. Secondly, the Windows XP GUI looks way too small in native resolution with no magnifying applied and if applied, looks odd due to Windows scaling issues. Moreover, high resolution screens are of the IPS type, using old technology that doesn't refresh fast enough, leaving noticeable trails on fast moving objects. Contrast is also lower for IPS screens. ATI Radeon 9000 is not as cool running as Radeon 7500 ones. Windows Vista or 7 runs very slow, especially due to RAM size limitations.

Compatibility-wise, the laptop stands worse than T40-T42 models due to the slightly different implementation of drivers on FireGL vs Radeon chipset lines, meaning that the T40p is a poor choice even if you can run Windows 98SE as well as Windows XP (dual-boot).

Review

A mainstream, quite slim, powerful, business laptop, released in 2002. Despite the laptop being marketed as a pro model, the reason for the p added to the model number, the features and performance are almost entirely similar to a T40 model except that it was always sold with the high resolution screen, the graphics chipset had the top Radeon 9000 capability and double the VRAM. This means that the model was severly overpriced. It had a relatively average mix of performance parts, although it departed from the Windows 98 compatibility slightly, as the FireGL 9000 shows some glitches on this operating system. Windows XP performance is alright with nothing special to report. However, there are great performance gains between T40 and the previous T30 model in just about any respect. The cooling system is improved, the screen has better contrast and the chassis looks a lot better, making the T30 model seem highly dated.

The LCD screen has quite good specifications but high resolution ones are slightly dimmer overall and on the screen edges. Response time is very high on IPS screens, with lots of ghosting, making the laptop having this display suited only for office use. Also, due to the medium quality screen resizing, running 1024x768 or lower resolutions on 1400x1050 screens looks quite blurry. Screens can be easily replaced between similar models but the connector must also be replaced if using different T4x series screens.

It has a quite fast CPU, especially if you compare it with the lacking Pentium 4, despite all the CPU frequency disadvantage you may consider. The battery life and power consumption values are much better. The CPU does not release too much heat compared with previous Pentium 4 models. Unfortunately, the higher performing models with ATI graphics require serious cooling, are noisier and operate warmer. The keyboard is durable and with good tactile feedback. The trackpad buttons are not very durable even if the trackpad itself is so. The trackpoint and keyboard are at the level of the classic, renowed IBM quality.

The removable drive bay can house an optical drive or a hard drive, if you can find a compatible caddy. was a very poor choice, since the belt driven disk rotation fails after many years, compatible belts being harder to find unreliable. The rechargeable battery can be easily removed or replaced. The BIOS and timekeeping battery is a standard CR2032 3V button cell.

The chassis was slim, light, very comfortable, even thinner than later IBM or Lenovo models. The laptop's case is very durable, but plastic can still crack due to age or shocks. The display hinges are overly engineered, eternal. The integrated speakers are quite good, although their position, size and technology is not the best.

The standard HDDs supplied by Western Digital and Hitachi are reasonably fast and quite silent. The only drawback is that only IBM branded or accepted wireless cards can be used.

Software support is great in Windows XP and only average on Windows 98. While it is possible to run Windows 98 SE with Radeon 9000 chipsets (FireGL is mostly a rebranded standard Radeon), the graphics compatibility issues mean that you cannot reliably use it as such. It is entirely possible to dual-boot Windows 98 and Windows XP. Moreover, if you use web browsers you may notice the severe lackluster performance compared with modern expectations. The same goes for wireless as this mode of connectivity was not considered for low-latency or high speed transfers, even if, on paper, it supports well established standards.