Carla Thornton

IBM ThinkPad A31

Two modular bays, a great keyboard, and IBM-exclusive features distinguish the models of the ThinkPad A and A30P lines, including this budget-priced $1974 A31. Either of the A31's bays can hold several different types of devices, starting with the bundled optical drive (an 8X DVD-ROM drive at this price). Extra-cost options, such as a secondary battery, 120MB and 240MB SuperDisk floppy disk drives, a combination DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive, a Zip 250 drive, a second hard drive, and even a numeric keypad and PDA cradle give you lots of flexibility. The keyboard boasts deep-moving but quiet keys, quick-acting volume buttons, and a bright red, easy-to-use eraserhead pointing device. A shortcut button at the top of the keyboard launches the notebook's software-based manual, a tour de force among electronic references thanks to its clear layout and animated instructions (for instance, it walks you through replacing the hard drive). Down the left side of the keyboard is a unique vertical panel of six Web shortcut buttons, three of which are customizable. Located inconspicuously in the top edge of the lid are the UltraPort (a proprietary USB 1.1 port for attaching a digital camera or Bluetooth module) and the ThinkLight (an LED you can switch on for typing in the dark). Wi-Fi (802.11b) wireless antennas are built into the sides of the lid.
This A31 died faster on one battery charge--after only 2.2 hours--than any other A Series notebook we've tested. (An A31 with a slightly slower processor that tested in July lasted 2.5 hours.) A floppy drive costs $79 extra (one of the notebook's bays arrives empty), and little print documentation is provided.
The A31 is the first 1.9-GHz Pentium 4 notebook we've evaluated, but its PC WorldBench 4 score of 97 means that it compares favorably with the 2-GHz P4 notebooks we've tested, which have an average PC WorldBench 4 score of 100. IBM's thoughtful case design includes a built-in keyboard tilt for easier typing, as well as a release tab on the side (instead of the usual switch on the bottom) for removing bay devices. All standard connections are present, plus an S-Video-out port on the back; also, the hard drive, memory slots, and battery are easy to access. When the case is closed, the front overhang muffles the speakers somewhat, but they're fine for casual CD listening.
Though not as suited to graphics pros as its higher-end siblings are, the relatively inexpensive A31 offers the A Series advantages of dual bays and an optional cable-free PDA dock.