IBM ThinkPad A20m

IBM is currently having one of its periodic brand re-organisations, and has introduced two new categories of ThinkPad, the A and T Series. Existing ThinkPad 390 models are morphing into the A20m, while the high-end ThinkPad 770 is being reincarnated as the A20p. To round off the new line-up, the lightweight ThinkPad 600 is set to become the T20.

If you're a long-time fan of the ThinkPad then don't worry - IBM hasn't attempted to fix what isn't broken. The new machine is instantly recognisable thanks to its angular styling and matte black finish, and would still look equally at home perched on a tank turret or the boardroom table.

For the most part the build is a deft combination of light weight and strength. A weak spot was noticed in this review sample over the multipurpose drive bay which sagged under pressure. This could certainly do with strengthening, if only to reduce the bounce in the keyboard baseplate over this spot.

That aside, the A20m feels pretty solid and although the lid surface was plastic, it was thick enough to do a reasonable job of protecting the screen from normal travel wear and tear. IBM has been in the notebook market long enough to avoid obvious mistakes like outward-opening port covers or exposed power switches, and the battery pack and removable drive were securely locked into place.

Like most essentially corporate portables, the ThinkPad is undersupplied with memory, but upgrading the base 64Mb won't be a problem as there's a spare second SODIMM slot readily accessible under a panel in the base.

The removable 24-speed CD-ROM drive supplied with the review machine can be swapped for the usual options, including a DVD-ROM, a CD-RW drive, an LS-120 SuperDisk, a second battery and a second hard disk. In order to make life easier for its corporate customers, IBM has ensured that the drive modules are compatible between A Series and T Series notebooks, and the same goes for the new port replicator and docking station.

Comms are handled by a mini-PCI combo card with an Intel 10/100 Fast Ethernet adaptor and V.90 fax/modem functions, which you can get at quickly via an access plate in the base if it needs replacing or upgrading in the future.

The design of the keyboard is successful because there's nothing crammed into the right of the Enter key, which gives the keypad as a whole enough space to make it comfortable to use. Needless to say essentials like Enter, backspace, Shift, Tab and the spacebar are all of a good size, and the firm, quiet action finishes the whole thing off nicely.

The screen is the usual 14.1in XGA resolution TFT affair that currently dominates the market, but it's particularly well illuminated which makes a welcome change from some competitors' tendency towards dimness. IBM has gone a step further when it comes to lighting, and has added a small but powerful LED to the inside edge of the upper bezel. This little widget, dubbed the ThinkLight, shines down onto the keyboard and provides fractionally more light for you to work by in dark environments.

The most obvious customer-friendly feature is the on-line manual and help system, accessed by pressing a special button above the keyboard. This also contains links to pages on IBM's Web site that deals with service and support, and offers help from IBM technicians and other ThinkPad users. The content on the hard disk itself can be modified to include company-specific information, and the button can be redirected to link to an intranet or help desk rather than the IBM site. Although a helpful trimming, at the end of the day it cuts no ice compared to issues of real significance like battery life.