Specifications

It might take a little time to
start calling an IBM comput-
er, a Lenovo system, but in
the last year the giant busi-
ness machine company did
sell its computer division to
the Chinese manufacturer
and they are continuing the
effort of producing low-cost,
yet highly effective comput-
er systems that have the
IBM look-and-feel to them.
The Lenovo IBM
ThinkCentere A50 series
computer
receives our
Editor's Choice
Award for func-
tionality, low cost
and value.
The first evaluation
of this system
tends to make us
think that this sys-
tem will likely be
used in offices that
require a low cost,
yet functional com-
puter used as a
workstation. Like
some of IBM's systems in
the past, there's no bells
and whistles that make it
stand out like a sore
thumb, but its con-
sistency and
workability will
make it a work-
horse in the office
while providing a
good value for the
price.
There are several
variations of the computer
available in the A-series,
with a base sticker price
(without monitor) of $399.
Large corporations and gov-
ernment offices that require
a functional base system
will find this price attractive
while providing a functional
PC at an employee's desk.
Although the system is
adjustable at the Lenovo
web site, the base unit is
quite powerful with the stan-
dard configuration.
This standard unit (model
number 8085B1U) comes
with an Intel 2.53GHz
Celeron D processor,
256KB Level 2 cache,
128MB DDR SDRAM
and a fast 40GB 7200RPM
hard drive. Graphics are
driven by an integrated Intel
Extreme Graphics 2 card
with a SoundMax Cadenza
Sound Blaster compatible
sound card. Wi-Fi capabili-
ties will require additional
devices, but the system
does include an Intel
PRO/100 Ethernet
10/100BaseT connection.
It's no great surprise that
this base unit doesn't
include a DVD optical drive,
but the 48x CD-ROM will be
quite sufficient in a business
setting.
The Lenovo A50 series unit
includes standard
equipment like a full-
size keyboard, optical
mouse and six (6) USB
high speed ports for
peripheral expansion.
Lacking any specific
productivity software
the tower does include
the Microsoft Window
XP Home edition
operating system that
is automatically con-
figured for use with
the computer. Add a
functional monitor to
this system and you have
to admit that it does offer
the business consumer a
functional computer sys-
tem with IBM
quality at a
reasonably
low price of
$399.
The
compa-
ny's
website,
directly accessible for this
unit at www-131.ibm.com,
will allow you to order a
Lenovo IBM ThinkCentere
A50 computer with the con-
figuration of your choice.
REVIEWS
+
-
VERDICT
BCM
www.ibm.com
MAIN FEATURES
The IBM Lenovo Thinkpad
X41 Tablet PC is the first
computer offered by the new
group.
OTHER INFO
The unit includes an Intel
1.6GHz Pentium M 758
processor, 512MB RAM and a
40GB hard drive.
PRICE
: $399
A great workstation
system with a great
starting price.
Have to go through
IBM channels to pur-
chase the computer.
EASE OF USE
95%
100%
95%
VALUE FOR MONEY
SUPPORT
9900%%
OVERALL PERCENTAGE
Lenovo IBM ThinkCentere A50 Series
Desktops
Business Computing [59] September 2005 www.businesscomputingmagazine.com
HP Compaq nc6230
REVIEWS
+
-
VERDICT
BCM
www.hp.com
MAIN FEATURES
This slim notebook business-class
computer has some serious com-
puting power at a competitive
price.
OTHER INFO
Contains an Intel 2.0GHz Pentium
M processor, 512MB RAM, 80GB
hard drive and ATI Mobility
Radeon X300 graphics.
PRICE
$1450
A very slim notebook
that packs a punch for
the business class.
A better graphic inter-
face would make this
notebook perfect.
EASE OF USE
95%
100%
100%
VALUE FOR MONEY
SUPPORT
9988%%
OVERALL PERCENTAGE
Desktops
[59] Business Computing September 2005www.businesscomputingmagazine.com
When it comes to purchasing
a business and notebook
computer there are several
requirements
to the design
and function-
ality of the
system. This
includes the
speed, stor-
age capabili-
ties and
mobility. The
HP Compaq
nc6230 offers
all these and
then more.
After testing
this system
we're pleased
with the per-
formance and
give it our
Editor's Choice
Award for speed
and value.
It certainly is a com-
puter to take on the
road, weighing only 5.4
pounds, although it will
leave you wondering how
they fit in all the components
when the laptop's thickness is
only 1-inch. Regardless, they
were able to do it and this
includes the 14.1-inch diago-
nal LCD TFT active matrix
screen with a maximum reso-
lution of 1400x1050!
The HP Compaq nc6230
houses an Intel 2.0GHz
Pentium M processor, 512MB
of DDR SDRAM (and it is
upgradeable) and a 5400RPM
- 80GB hard drive. An integrat-
ed ATI Mobility Radeon X300
graphics system (with 64MB
RAM) nicely complements and
controls the laptops LCD
screen. This combination of
processing and graphics
scored nicely on our applica-
tions testing, proving that the
combination is really effective
as a business machine.
Wireless net-
working is available, as well
as wired10/100/1000BaseT
port, through a Broadcom
Wireless-a/b/g integrated
interface. Although there are
three high speed USB ports,
an SD memory card reader
and an integrated smart-card
reader, strangely missing
from the system was any
FireWire support. The nc6230
includes an optical DVD-ROM
through a hot-swappable bay
that prove useful in playing
DVD media, however serious
users may want to look into
configuring the notebook with
a DVD burner if they have
such a requirement.
When we take a look at this
business notebook we
know that its processing
speed is fast and it will
be able to handle busi-
ness applications as well
as the associated data.
Our next look is towards
mobility. We've already
established the fact that
the system is very light-
weight, but can the sys-
tem be consistent on the
road? When we tested
this laptop the average
battery life is around 3.5
hours. If your use of the
computer extends
beyond this time period
you may want to
consider purchas-
ing a second battery as a
backup. At this point, the sys-
tem truly is a mobile laptop.
The HP Compaq nc6230 is
competitively priced at $1450
for this particular configura-
tion which is well within rea-
son for a business computer
with its capabilities and more
information on this system
and configuration possibilities
are available at
www.hp.com.