Next Laptop

What's new?

2004/05/01: added some impressions about Thinkpad A31P I use now and some notes about hellish installation of Client Security Software (CSS)
2003/12/25 added Thinkpad R50p

What is it?

Some notes on my ideal laptop candidates.

Candidates

Parameter/Name	Ideal (all perfect ingredients)	Aviator_ZX7	Dell Inpiron 8500	Mac PowerBook 17"	IBM R50p 183222U	Current IBM A31P	Old IBM A21p
General Impression	cool! only problem is that it does not exist ...	no big brand but packed with features - only question is how reliable is this machine and how long the company stays in the business ... however this is RISKY!!!	nice laptop but screen could be 17" (or bigger) also it seems that it is one generation behind bleeding edge (no HT processor and memory max only 1GB)	really cool but expensive (bad) and slow (and that is very bad!)	workhorse, direct replacement for A line	nice machine but a bit old technologically (memory max only 1GB, older processor and mobo)	slow, slow, and max 512MB ouch
Price	free :-)	2,700	2,700	3300	3500	1600	700
Warranty	3year depot/on-site			Parts and labor: 90 days of telephone support and a one-year limited warranty.	3 years	3 years	3 years
OS	none			Mac OS X	XP Pro	XP Pro	W2K
CPU	P4 3Ghz+ w/ HT		P4 2.5 MHz	1.0 GHz PowerPC G4	PM 1.7GHz	P4M 2Ghz	PIII 850Mhz
Motherboard	400Mhz bus, ATA-100				400MHz Intel 855PM	FSB 400Mhz
Security	PowerOn Supervisor HardDisk Password, Security Chip				All password IBM Embedded Security Subsystem 2.0	All passwords, IBM security chip	All password but no security chip
Memory	1GB (2GB max) DDR		512 (1GB max)	512 MB SDRAM (1GB Max)	512MB/2GB PC27000 DDR SDRAM	1GB PC2100 DDR SDRAM (Max)(upgraded for $200/crucial.com)
Graphics	256MB ATI Radeon 9800 XT or new NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra ...			NVIDIA GeForce4 440 Go AGP	ATI Mobility FireGL T2 128MB DDR 4X AGP	ATI Mobility FireGL 7800 64MB DDR 4x AGP (built upon the Mobility Radeon 7500)	ATI 32MB
Display	17" WUXGA++ 1920x1200 TFT FlexView	17"	15.4" UXGA wide screen great to get more stuff and watch DVDs	17" 1280x854	15" (FlexView)UXGA TFT 1600x1200	15" TFT (FlexView) 1600x1200	15" TFT 1600x1200
Hard drive	>=40GB >=5400RPM (is 7200 quiet enough?)		30GB (upgradeable to 60GB)	60 GB Ultra ATA Hard Disk	60GB 7200rpm	40GB 5400RPM 8MB	32GB 5400 RPM 2MB
3.5" 3-mode FDD	Optional (Modular Bay)				????
Optical drive	DVD-ROM/DVD-RW 4x double capacity		CD-RW: 24x (read), 8x (write); DVD Recorder: 1X;		DVD Multiburner	DVD	DVD
Additional storage	6-in-1 card reader MMC/SD/ MS/CF/IBM Microdrive
PC Card Slots	2 Type I/II or 1 Type III				2 Type I/II or 1 Type III		2 Type I/II or 1 Type III
Extensibility	2 Bays					2 Bays	1 Bay
Keyboard	good feel, Fn/Ctrl/Windows/Alt			illuminated ull-size keyboard with 77 or 78 keys	standard IBM	almost excellent (TP600 was better still...) however keys misplaced: Fn/Ctrl/Alt and no Windows key and addition of useless navigation keys left side (can not be reprogrammed!!!!)	almost excellent (TP600 was better still...) however keys misplaced: Fn/Ctrl/Alt and no Windows key
Navigation:	EraserHead+Touchpad	Only touchpad?!	Only touchpad?!	Apple Trackpad: only touchpad, only one button!!!	Navbar = EraserHead and Touchpad	Only trackpoint (but very good quality)	Only trackpoint (but very good quality)
RJ45_10/100	X			X	X (1GB)	X (100)	X (100)
RJ11_56K_V92	X			X	X	X	X
Wireless	802.11b+g			802.11g AirPort Extreme-	IBM 11a/b/g Wi-Fi Wireless and Bluetooth (54Mbps )
USB	3x2.0			2x1.1	2x2.0	2x1.1
Audio	3D Digital Stereo					SoundMAX (?!)
Headphpne/Mic/LineIn	X/X/X				X/X/X	X/X/X	X/X/X
SP/DIF Jack	X				???
ExternalVGA	X				X	X	X
DigitalVGA (VERY IMPORTANT!!!!)	24-pin DVI-D				NO!!!! seems it may be available through Mini Dock, Dock II, and Port Replicator II	DVI available when docking and when using port replicator	DVI available when docking and when using port replicator
TV_IN/OUT	X/X				S-video OUT	S-video IN/OUT	S-video IN/OUT
BlueTooth	X				X
Firewire	mini IEEE 1394 FireWire port			IEEE 1394 FireWire	NO!!!!	mini IEEE 1394 FireWire port
PS/2	X				???	NO (!!!!)	X
Parallel EPP	X				1	X
Serial port 1	X				???	X
Infrared	Irda1.1				???	X
Battery					5.9 Hrs (9 Cell Lithium-Ion )	2.5 hours
Weight	<8lbs 7.5lbs (3.7Kg)			6.8 lb	6.6/7.1lbs (3/3.2kg)	7.7 lbs (feels much lighter than A21P)
Dimensions				15.4-by-10.2-by-1-inch s	13.1x10.6x1.5" (332x269x37-40mm)	13x10.8x1.9
Height	<2in			1in	1.5in	1.9in

IBM Thinkpad A31P

Notes about installing CSS for ESS

ESS stands for Embedded Security Subsystem and CSS stands for Client Security Software. It is only Windows though. There is nice GPLed LINUX driver and set of example available from http://www.research.ibm.com/gsal/tcpa/

NOTE: after getting through registration and to download page make sure to download additional files in particular Atmel_TPM.msi (other support file CSS Install Support Utility may be also needed ...)

Get CSS from https://www6.software.ibm.com/dl/ibmpc/icss-p

Firs problem i got was that SMBUS (whatever SM stands for ...) installation that is part of CSS seemed to hang. So I unzipped csec521us_004b.exe file and ran manually cbsmbus/smbus.EXE that failed too. It turned out that it MUST be run from location PATH WITHOUT spaces ...

Next obstacle was that installation stopped with this helpful message: "Atmel LPC bus driver version 0.2 or later". Searching for Atmel LPC bus driver (or any combination of keywords) does not bring anything useful on IBM site (or anywhere else).

After some searching I learnt that Atmel is probably the provider of ESS chip and that was important hint as LPC is not important but Atmel as a keyword is though, of course, there is no even a hint of where the driver may be on Atmel.com website ...

Installation guide (ins52mst.pdf) as it does not tell WHAT I discovered (eventually ...). You need to install Atmel TPM Driver Atmel_TPM.msi that is one of those files you need to download in addition to csec521us_004b.exe

You MAY need also to install patch for INTEL 82801/82830 chipset is installed if needed in your system (I did and it added LPC device so looks like needed ... so I did run INFINST_xxx.EXE and it seems it worked OK). Patch is from 2002 so one would expect that it is already part of the latest Windows XP (after SP1 and Windows online updates) but this seems not be the case:
ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pccbbs/mobiles/suppw32.txt

After that it was easy though confusing: you will be welcomed by wizard. Make sure you do write down password(s) if you get CSS to integrate with Windows login (UVM integration) or you may have a scary moment when trying to login fails - passwords for Windows and CSS can be different! All together wizard and GUI is definitely confusing ...

After installing IBM File and Folder Encryption (FE) I successfully encrypted and decrypted a file!

IBM ThinkPad R50p

Product page 183222U

Very nice 3D presentation.

ON DVI output and A/T replicator strange problems hopefully fixed in Rxxx :
http://zurich.csail.mit.edu/hypermail/thinkpad/2001-11/0638.html
http://zurich.ai.mit.edu/hypermail/thinkpad/2003-08/0221.html
http://zurich.ai.mit.edu/hypermail/thinkpad/2003-08/0214.html
http://zurich.ai.mit.edu/hypermail/thinkpad/2003-08/0215.html
http://zurich.csail.mit.edu/hypermail/thinkpad/2003-03/0211.html
http://zurich.ai.mit.edu/hypermail/thinkpad/2002-06/0496.html
http://illuminati.stderr.org/pipermail/thinkpad/2003-August/003616.html
http://illuminati.stderr.org/pipermail/thinkpad/2003-April/001757.html
though it seems it worked for some: http://zurich.csail.mit.edu/hypermail/thinkpad/2001-10/0055.html
as drivers may be now also fixed:http://www-3.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-41604.html?doctype

DVI and IBM ThinkPad Port Replicator ($89): "External digital monitor support (1600 x1200 resolution) via DVI port(19)" where 19 footnote says: "19 For ThinkPad A Series "p" models only. "
http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/thinkpad/docking/replicator.html (02K8667 or 02K8669 ???)
http://www-306.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-4JV3SC
http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?lang=en_US&catalogId=-840&prnbr=02K8667&langId=-1&prmenbr=1&cntrfnbr=1&partNumber=02K8667&storeId=1&cntry=840#

T41p/R50p High End marketing data sheet via "literature" link

Models specs: http://illuminati.stderr.org/pipermail/thinkpad/2003-April/001761.html

Is there somewhere a review of quality/test of top and bottom covers made of titanium composite that supposedly to help protect against knocks and bumps? http://www.pc.ibm.com/europe/thinkpad/why/en/tseries.html

IBM ThinkPad A21p

Good or Very good.

The only limitation for me: 512 MB max of memory. That was OK two years ago but not with current crop of tools ....

Aviator ZX7 in Silver and Graphite

Product page http://www.hypersonic-pc.com/ZX7/

Blog about it http://raibledesigns.com/page/rd?anchor=the_wait_begins similar but more beefed up configuration was bought by y Matt Raible for $3,873.64 including shipping (main difference is 3GHz processor with HT).

UPDATE: after using it for few weeks some things were not working and Matt returned it (in comments: the cheap laptops )or Macs) can be also very hot ...)

As of 7/25/2003 turn-around for a Aviator_ZX7 system is 14-18 days


Price as Configured:   	$2,766.00
Shipping: 	$0.00
Sales Tax: 	$0.00

Non-Operating System Setup, Testing, and Burn-in (Blank HD)
1Year 9/5 Toll-Free Tech Support w/ DEPOT Service & Lifetime Support
Standard Priority

Arctic Silver III High Tech Polysynthetic Heat Dissipation Agent
2.40GHz Intel? Pentium? 4 Processor
512MB PC2700 333MHz DDR RAM SODIMM
512MB PC2700 333MHz DDR RAM SODIMM
40GB 5400rpm Ultra ATA Hard Disk Drive
Toshiba SD-R6012 1X DVD-R/W Drive w/ DVD Recording Software
6 in 1 Flash Media Card Reader Bay
ATI Radeon? 9000 Mobility 64MB (w/ TV Out)
17" WXGA WIDESCREEN High Contrast Active Matrix LCD Display (1440x900)
Built-in 3D Sound System w/ 5.1 Channel S/PDIF
Integrated Realtek RTL8139C Fast Ethernet Controller & 802.11b Wireless LAN
Internal Bluetooth? Module
Integrated V.92 56K Fax/Data Modem
1 Type II PCMCIA PC Card Slot
Integrated Touchpad with Scroll Up/Down Key
1.44MB Floppy Drive
Integrated Color CCD Video Camera


110V/220V Autoswitch AC Adapter

Personalized System Binder with Performance Benchmarks
Personalized System Recovery DVD
Smart Li-ION Battery
Minimum 72-Hour Burn-in & testing with 128-Point Quality Control Process
Configured and tested with latest drivers
User Upgradeable Pentium? 4 Processor
HyperSense? Advanced Remote Diagnostics

Apple PowerBook 17"

Apple PowerBook Notebook 17" M8793LL/A (1.0-GHz PowerPC G4, 512 MB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive, DVD-RW/CD-RW Drive)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000087BHX/

Price: $3,294.99

From amazon.com comments:

HEAT (...) My first problem is that the computer cools itself by conduction through the bottom. As a result, the bottom gets really hot, which is a total bummer when you're literally using the computer on your lap. Also, because of the design, this computer will overheat when placed on a carpet, or bed. If you want to keep the computer quiet and working efficiently, you got to put it on a flat table. (...)

DURABILITY: (...)Second problem for me was the hinge which connects the screen to the rest of the computer is weak and snapped. It was hyperextended accidentally because my little brother was throwing pillows around. The old clamshell iBooks could have taken the beating. (...) * Aluminum Shell is not very tough. Dropped it 8 inches on right on the power connector when plugged in. Left sizable dent & totally destroyed the power adapter which was [expensive] to replace(...)

MONOPOLY: (...) Finally, the monopoly Apple has on replacement parts (such as power adapters) can be counted as a negative. (...)

RELIABILITY (...)* Lets get 1 thing straight... If you watch an Apple Commercial those baffoons who are switching act like a program never crashes & you never have to reboot for problems. BULL! Without any additional programs loaded, standard OSX load out of box Safari crashes on a daily basis. The OS has crashed numerous times. Other apps crash from time to time also. Promising everything always works is complete rubbish.(...)

BATTERY TIME: (...)4.5 advertised Battery Life? BULL!!! 2:15 tops. Do a couple things like watch a DVD & download some files & it drops to 1:40.(...)

SUPPORT (...)..for full support 3 years. Maybe Im spoiled by Dell who allows me to call for support for the lifetime of the machine. Apple- standard 90 days to call before they wash thier hands of tech support for the machine. 1 year Hardware support standard. Pay the [money] & you get 3 years hardware & Software support(...)

Dell Inspiron 8500

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&kc=6V418&l=en&oc=8500CS&s=dhs

$3,143 Before $300 Mail-in Rebate!
Preliminary Ship Date1 8/6/2003

Catalog Number	Description	Product Code	SKU
Inspiron 8500:	Mobile Pentium? 4 Processor,2.2GHz,15.4 WUXGA	LD22PHN	[221-2299]
Memory:	1GB,DDR,266MHz 2 Dimms	1024M2D	[311-2165]
Video Card:	64MB DDR NVIDIA? GeForce? 4 4200 Go AGP 4X Graphics	NV2864P	[462-1055][462-1928]
Hard Drives:	FREE 40GB Ultra ATA Hard Drive Upgrade!	40GBP	[462-0261]
Floppy Drive and Additional Storage Devices:	Modular Floppy Drive	FD	[340-7280]
Operating Systems:	Microsoft? Windows? XP Home Edition	WHXP	[412-0408][420-2575][313-1423]
Integrated Nic And Modem:	Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem	INTNIC	[430-0493]
Modular Internal CD/DVD Drives:	2x CD/DVD burner (DVD+RW/+R)	2XDVDRW	[420-2574][313-1370][313-1850]
Wireless Networking Cards:	Dell TrueMobile?1400 DualBand WLAN (802.11a/b/g, 54Mbps) miniPCI Card	TM1400I	[430-0515]
Productivity Software:	Upgrade to Microsoft? Office Small Business w/ Money 2002 and EducateU	IXPESBM	[A0015607][412-0093][412-1605]
Security Software:	Dell SecurityCenter by McAfee, 90-day introductory offer	MCAFE90	[412-0328]
Digital Music:	Dell Jukebox powered by MUSICMATCH	MMBASE	[412-0298]
Primary Battery:	72 WHr Primary Battery	ADDBATT	[312-0066]
Carrying Case:	Dell Nylon Carrying Case	DNCC	[310-3397]
Limited Warranty, Services and Support:	SAVE $65 (system price shown before rebate) 3 Yr Ltd Warr plus 3 Yr At-Home	SPRO3OS	[950-1000][950-1002][950-3339][960-0057][412-0360]
Dial-Up Internet Access:	6 Months of America Online Membership Included	AOLDHS	[420-3224][412-0371][412-0365]
Digital Imaging Software:	Dell Picture Studio Image Expert Standard	DPS	[412-0275][412-0277]
Multi-Media Players:	RealOne? Player, with 14 day SuperPass trial	REALBAS	[412-0380]
High Speed Internet Access:	Find a high speed Internet service provider in your area	HISPEED	[462-0984]
Mail-In Rebate Offer:	SAVE $300 with mail-in rebate! System price shown before rebate	REBATE2	[462-1534]
Wireless Personal Networking Card:	Dell? TrueMobile? 300 Bluetooth Internal Card	TM300I	[430

For more info contact the author.