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Executive summary: Not perfect, but I'd definitely buy it again.
Specs (basic system, unexpanded):
- Intel T2400 (1.83GHz) dual-core processor
- 100GB 5400rpm SATA drive
- 512MB PC2-5300 sodimm
- NVIDIA Geforce Go 7300 video card w/128MB
- 15.4in 1680x1050 widescreen display (~8.25in H x ~13.1in W)
- 10/100BT wired LAN
- Intel 802.11a/b/g wireless LAN
- Bluetooth
- Modem port
- CD/DVD writer w/dual-layer DVD writing
- Built-in 4-in-1 memory card reader (SD/MMC/MS/XD only)
- Integrated fingerprint reader
- 4 USB ports
- 1 IEEE-1394 port (small connector)
- Analog VGA out
- S-video out
- Windows XP Professional
- Great value for the money. It's hard to find a comparable system for the price.
- An IBM-like Hardware Maintance Manual exists.
- I like the feel of this keyboard better than the one on my dead Thinkpad A31.
- A higher-capacity 9-cell battery is available, for those people who need the extra capacity (the laptop comes with a 6-cell battery).
- Speaker sound quality is rather poor (sounds pretty tinny).
- No old-style, "IBM eraserhead" mouse device. There's only a touchpad.
- The mouse touchpad appears smaller than those of other (older) laptops that I've used. It's around 2.5in x 1.5in in size. It also seems less sensitive in terms of mouse acceleration: even with max acceleration/sensitivity, I can't move the cursor from one side of the display to the other, using one fingerstroke. I have to use 2-3 strokes. However, I can't help but wonder if this problem exists on all high-resolution widescreen displays.
- The Home and End keys are accessed via special function-key presses (Fn-PgUp and Fn-PgDn), which virtually requires two hands to press, given that the keys are at opposite sides of the keyboard.
- Does not come with system recovery disks, although there is a way to burn your own.
- The LED battery indicator does not show when the battery is charging (unlike my Thinkpad A31). However, the indicator does change color when the battery is low.
- It appears that you can only view battery capacity in percent; there seems to be no way to get other information like "remaining time", "number of charge cycles", "battery temperature", etc.
- At the hinges, the edge of the (plastic) display lid appears to flex (inwards) an uncomfortable amount (it feels like a lot, but, realistically, the distance is probably something like 1/16" to 3/32"). My (probably unfounded) worry is that the display backlight could be damaged if something pushes up against the lid hard enough.
- There is no obvious documentation on how to use the fingerprint reader. Fortunately, it's not too difficult to figure out.
There are two PC2-5300 sodimm memory slots, but only one is initially occupied (with a 512MB card). The maximum memory size is 2GB.
If you install a total of 1GB or more of RAM, hibernation may not reliably work, due to an issue with Windows XP. To address this, you need to install Microsoft's update KB909095: http://support.microsoft.com/Default.aspx?kbid=909095
On my laptop, part of the plastic between the keyboard and the display was not properly seated, and would not stay down (it was allowing the upper-right corner of the keyboard to flex upwards slightly, which, amazingly enough, did not affect my typing). I had to pop off the plastic and reseat it a couple of times (hooray for hardware maintenance manuals!).
Even with the above-mentioned lid flex, the laptop seems sturdy enough.
The outside of the laptop is silver-colored, which is a departure from the traditional "IBM black". This doesn't bother me (I rather like it), but it does bother some. The laptop interior, as well as the keyboard, is a very nice "dark color". It's hard to describe the color: "black with a hint of gray/brown", or, maybe, "dark chocolate".
All 4 USB ports appear to be powered (I could use them all to recharge my hard-disk-based MP3 player). However, I'd still be careful about using them with large, bus-powered hard disks, as many of those appear to require more power than the USB spec allows (I've burned out some USB ports on my desktop by doing this).
There is only one combined aux/microphone input (other laptops have separate aux and microphone inputs).
Most of the ports are on the left and right sides: only a modem, s-video, and power jack are at the back.
When viewed head-on, there's an ever-so-slight dimming of the left and right edges of the display, with the right edge being slightly more noticeable. I haven't seen other widescreen laptop displays, but it wouldn't surprise me if this is common. In either case, this doesn't bother me, but I thought that I'd mention it.
However, the viewing angles are definitely smaller than desktop LCD displays. While the screen is "readable" over a decent (but still "smallish-medium") angle, there's only a modest (smaller) angle over which the screen stays maximally bright. If you're used to wide-angle desktop LCD displays, the narrower angle may bother you.
The LCD display is a "VibrantView" type, which means that it is glossy and not antiglare. I thought that this would bother me, but it doesn't in practice. I generally don't notice any glare/reflections, except in windows that are predominantly dark/black.
The Thinkvantage Access Connections appear to work better than the one on my old A31 laptop. On my A31, Access Connections would often auto-select the wrong network profile (or not change at all). The one on the 3000 N100 appears to work much better.
There is no (accessible) PS/2 port, but you can, of course, always plug in a USB mouse. A bluetooth mouse should also work, but I haven't tried that. The mouse acceleration issues still exist, though.
The limited warranty is for one year. An extended/enhanced warranty can also be purchased from Lenovo (but only while the basic warranty is still in effect, I believe). Accidental damage coverage can also be purchased, but is not available everywhere (I think California and Florida are two places where it is not available), and supposedly must be bought within 30 days of purchase.
