Product Reviews

When IBM builds an all-in-one notebook, it builds an all-in-one notebook. Everywhere you look, there are great features, from the DVD/CD-RW combo drive to the 48Gb hard disk to integrated wireless communication, all backed up by an unrivalled selection of accessories and options.

The main reasons for this flexibility are the two Ultrabays. On the left, we have the Ultrabay 2000 - home to your choice of optical drives, storage drives or even a second battery. On the right, there's the Ultrabay Plus. Not only does this take optical and storage drives, but also a docking cradle for your WorkPad (IBM's Palm-based PDA offering) and a numeric keypad.

Plus, at the top of the A30p's screen lies the UltraPort connector, IBM's proprietary way of adding a digital camera, CompactFlash reader or external microphone. On the machine's undercarriage, there's the docking connector for IBM's port replicator and docking station.

Oh, and did I mention the integrated antenna for use with Bluetooth and 802.11b mini-PCI cards? IBM included both in this particular configuration, and they worked together without any problems. Then there's IBM's Embedded Security Subsystem and ImageUltra software, as described in our analysis of the ThinkPad T23 (see Reviews, issue 87, p154).

So this is one versatile machine, and it's incredibly fast too. Its score of 3.66 in our benchmarks is only negligibly second to the 512Mb Fujitsu Siemens Celsius Mobile H (see Reviews, issue 85, p161). Much of the credit goes to Intel's 1.2GHz Pentium III-M processor. Despite IBM opting for a comparatively meagre 128Mb of RAM - upgradable via the single spare SODIMM socket - the A30p raced through our tests.

Its supporting cast shouldn't be dismissed either. IBM's Travelstar 48Gb hard disk is one of the fastest mobile hard disks around, and ATi's Mobility Radeon M6 is another good performer in 2D. It's

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also strong in 3D, as the score of 2,050 in 3DMark2001 (at 1,024 x 768, 16-bit colour) demonstrated. However, the Mobility Radeon stutters at the panel's native resolution of 1,600 x 1,200, returning a score of 829.

Some people find 1,600 x 1,200 too high for 2D work, and they'll be disappointed by the panel's anti-aliasing if they drop it down. But in all other ways, it's an excellent screen. The backlighting is even, and its viewing angles equal the best we've seen on a notebook, while good response times mean it will be comfortable with games or DVD movies too.

Not content with DVD functionality, IBM has evidently decided that 2002 is the year to catch on to that hip new Internet thing, with a selection of six shortcut buttons that are designed to make browsing easier. Although they're of occasional use, most people will now be used to pressing F5 for Refresh.

Oddly, IBM again decided not to include a Windows key, so all of those shortcuts are taken from you. But this is my only criticism, as the keyboard is otherwise up to IBM's high standards. The keys are responsive to the touch, with plenty of travel, and it's nice to see separately grouped 'utility' keys such as Insert, Home and Pg Up.

IBM still opts for its red trackpoint instead of a touchpad. Although some people find this easier to use, it's a shame IBM doesn't choose both, giving its users a choice. Dell and HP already provide this option on many of their laptops. And if you're used to plugging your PS/2 mouse into your notebook, beware that this ThinkPad only includes USB ports.

IBM also refuses to give its ThinkPads a style make-over. It's understandable, as the big, black and square design is almost a brand in itself, and we know that its construction is of the highest standards in the industry - it has consistently come first or second for reliability in our reader-voted awards. Still, it would be better to see some softening of the edges.

It would also be nice for IBM to shave off some of the A30p's 3.5kg weight; this notebook wasn't a pleasure to carry round. But if a solid build, fast performance and flexibility are your priorities rather than style and mobility, this ThinkPad fits the bill.

Unfortunately, there's one factor that stops it from earning a recommendation: the price. Dell prices its notebooks more aggressively, while packing in a next-business-day, on-site warranty as standard. Until IBM follows suit, the A30p will struggle to compete.