Lenovo ThinkPad SL300 review
The Lenovo ThinkPad SL300 is aimed at those small businesses that work from home, so need a laptop that can be used for work during the day but double up as a home machine by night. The ThinkPad SL300 is the smallest version in the range, coming with a 13.3-inch Super-TFT screen and integrated graphics.
The idea is behind the SL series is that you’ll find Lenovo’s high-end business focus, so you get better software and attention to detail than you would in a purely consumer laptop, while at the same time you’ll get the best in specs for the price.
Designed to suit home and office alike, the LenovoThinkPad SL300 has the standard look of a ThinkPad, so it finished in matt black and comes with a solid and robust lid. The difference is, you’ll find that lid has a high-gloss finish, which is supposed to suggest it is for home use.
The screen is a great compromise between portability and usability and being widescreen you can watch movies or view web pages with ease. The 1280 x 800-pixel resolution is standard for this class of machine and the use of integrated graphics
Weighing 2.3kg, this is a highly portable machine and considering we managed to get well over five hours from the standard battery, it’s perfect for using when out and about. The keyboard is smaller than most users will be used to but it’s nearly full-sized so you’ll quickly get the hang of it.
Powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, this is a quick and nibble machine but you may find the 2GB of memory and 160GB hard drive a little under powered for a modern laptop. Extra features include a built-in DVD rewriter, as well as 802.11n wireless LAN, Gigabit Ethernet and comes with Windows Vista Business as standard.
Verdict
We’ve been really impressed with all the Lenovo SL Series an the ThinkPad SL300 is a similarly impressive laptop. The blend of business and pleasure in such an ideal form factor proved reliable and highly usable.
Check out our Lenovo ThinkPad SL300 gallery:
Best features
Amazing battery life
Great build quality
Perfect for work
Not so good
cramped keyboard
Integrated graphics
Closest rivals
Ei Systems 1412 Laptop PC
Another 13.3-inch laptop but this one is pitched clearly at the entry-level user looking for a small laptop for the home. It offers plenty of power at a bargain price, though.
Hewlett Packard DV4-1100EA Laptop PC
The next step up in size, this 14.1-inch laptop manages to pack plenty of performance into a slim and highly usable design. This is a great all-round laptop for any busy househole.
Advent 4489 Netbook PC
If you like the idea of something smaller still, this netbook is the perfect ticket. Weighing just 1.12kg, it manages to pack in a 8.9-inch screen, Windows XP and even 80GB hard drive into its diminutive size.
Tags: os, systems, Network, hard drive, wireless LAN, pcs, Intel Core 2 Duo, windows, thinkpad, intel, ugg, 2 Duo processor, ink, web pages, HTML, ram, Software, windows vista, XP, keyboardcomments
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