Lenovo ThinkPad R50 1836 - Pentium M 1.5 GHz - RAM : 256 MB - HD : 40 GB - DVD - Win XP Pro - 15" TFT 1024 x 768 ( XGA ) - TopSeller

Lenovo ThinkPad R50 1836 - Pentium M 1.5 GHz - RAM : 256 MB - HD : 40 GB - DVD - Win XP Pro - 15

Lenovo ThinkPad R50 1836 - Pentium M 1.5 GHz - RAM : 256 MB - HD : 40 GB - DVD - Win XP Pro - 15" TFT 1024 x 768 ( XGA ) - TopSeller
Manufacturer: Lenovo
Product Type: CE

Editorial Review:
Product Description
Introduce the whole organization to the affordable ThinkPad R50 notebook with Intel Centrino Mobile Technology (select models). This sleek notebook delivers long battery life. Select models even offer 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless technology for connection to any industry-standard wireless network protocol.Chances are you've seen the damage a dropped notebook can suffer. That's why IBM developed the IBM Active Protection System for hard drives. When a fall is detected, this integrated technology can actually park the hard disk drive head.Business advantage? It's in here. Look inside and discover IBM ThinkVantage Technologies and ThinkVantage Designs to help free up IT resources and decrease expenses. You'll see how to work more confidently and efficiently - and gain the time you need to focus on strategic goals.

Average customer rating: 3.5

Good Budget Notebook But Nothing More! => Acer "Barebone Aspired"?!
A great notebook with some fixable flaws...
A+ laptop for a low price

Acer Aspire AS1642WLMi 15.4" Notebook PC (Intel Pentium M Processor 740, 512 MB RAM, 100 GB Hard Drive, DVD-Dual Drive)

Manufacturer: Acer Computer
Product Group: Personal Computer
Binding: Personal Computers
ASIN: B000BN0TVG

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Notebooks

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Product Description

The Aspire 1640 series is a thoroughly practical notebook packed with high-end features, including a wide-screen display with Acer CrystalBrite Technology, integrated wireless LAN and Intel Centrino Mobile Technology. It is a great choice for home users who want a work/entertainment system.

Amazon.com Product Description

Equally comfortable for using at home or with a small business, the Acer Aspire 1642 (AS1642WLMi) notebook PC offers high-end features at an affordable price. Weighing just under 6.5 pounds, the AS1642 is easily portable for trips across town or across the continent. It has a bright 15.4-inch LCD that takes advantage of Acer's CrystalBrite set of display technologies, which provide great color saturation and excellent contrast in all environments. In addition to an integrated 54g wireless LAN, this notebook also includes Acer's SignalUp technology--a super-efficient antenna is built into the case, creating an omni-directional sphere that extends signal range and quality. Other hardware features include a 100 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM (2 GB max), 1.73 GHz Intel Pentium M 740 processor, dual-layer DVD burner, and Windows XP Home operating system.

The Basics
<ul>

Hard Drive: The 100 GB hard drive (4200 RPM) is nicely above average in size for notebook PCs, and it's befitting of such an entertainment-centric PC. It offers more than enough capacity for storing documents and productivity software for road warriors. You'll also be able to store a good-sized digital audio library.

Processor: The Intel Centrino M 740 processor is designed specifically for mobile computing, offering a balanced level of mobile-optimized processor technology, good mobile performance, and exceptional value. It features a Deep Sleep state, which helps enable longer battery life by minimizing the power consumption of the processor during brief periods of inactivity. The 1.73 GHz speed is in the middle of the speed spectrum for this processor (as of autumn, 2005), and it also offers a fast 533 MHz front-side bus (FSB) speed and a large 2 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance.)

Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory (2 x 256 MB, PC4200, DDR2 SDRAM) is a decent start for power users, and it offers a very fast 533 MHz speed. But you'll want to take advantage of the 2 GB capacity for working with today's demanding business productivity applications.

CD/DVD Drive: Offering the latest in DVD writing technology, this multiformat DVD/CD drive is compatible with both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats as well as dual-layer (DL) DVD+R discs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data. It features 2.4x DVD+R DL Write Once, 6x DVD+R, 8x DVD-R, 4x DVD+RW, 4x DVD-RW, 8x DVD-ROM, 24x CD-R, 24x CD-RW, and 24x CD-ROM speeds.

Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook features an 88-key keyboard with inverted T cursor layout, embedded numeric keypad, hotkey controls, international language support, and 2.5mm minimum key travel. The touchpad has a four-way scroll button. </ul> Screen, Graphics and Sound
The 15.4-inch WXGA LCD has a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels--perfect for watching movies in their intended 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. Video is powered by the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900, which uses Intel Dynamic Video Memory Technology (DVMT) and provides up to 128 MB of shared video memory. It also has an integrated audio card with Microsoft DirectSound and Sound Blaster Pro compatibility.

Acer's CrystalBrite display technology guarantees the best possible visual experience by preventing the diffusion of surrounding light and internal ray. Compared to normal TFT LCDs, Acer CrystalBrite technology is able to read color coordinates more accurately, thus minimizing distortion and creating high-fidelity colors in all environments. It's great for sophisticated professional applications, photo manipulation, and immersive 3D games.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The AS1642 has an integrated 54g wireless LAN (Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG) that's compatible with 802.11b and 802.11g networks and offers Acer's SignalUp technology for enhanced antenna efficiency. You get a basic offering of connectivity options (but no FireWire): <ul>

3 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players

1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (one Type II card, 32-bit PC CardBus architecture)

Stereo headphones/speakers/line-out

Microphone/line-in </ul> It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Preloaded System and Software
This system comes with the Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 operating system with Advanced Security Technologies, which helps to reduce unwanted downloads and pop-ups while surfing the Web. It also comes with the following selection of preloaded software titles: Acer eManager, Acer GridVista, Acer Launch Manager, Adobe Acrobat Reader, CyberLink PowerDVD, Norton AntiVirus, NTI CD-Maker.

Dimensions and Weight
This notebook measures 14.3 x 11 x 1.5 inches (WxDxH) and weighs 6.4 pounds.

Power
The four-cell rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to 2 hours of battery life (depending on usage). It takes 2.5 hours to recharge fully with power off; 3.5 hours with power on.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Acer Aspire AS1642WLMi notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty.

Customer Reviews:

Good Budget Notebook But Nothing More! => Acer "Barebone Aspired"?!.......2006-06-28

NOTE: This is review for Acer Aspire 1642WLMi Notebook;
Part Number: LX.A8605.452

Processor: Pentium M Centrino 740 at 1.73GHz, 2MB L2 cache;
Memory: 512MB DDR2 (2 X 256MB RAM sticks, so both slots are occupied.);
Hard Drive: 80GB 4200 RPM (Hard Drive Part Number: ST980829A - Seagate Momentus);
Optical Drive: Pioneer DVD±RW DL,
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition,
LCD Display: 15.4" TFT with Acer CrystalBrite Technology
Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900
Wireless LAN: 802.11 b/g

STRENGTHS: Cheap price; Good screen resolution; DVD burner; DDR2 memory; Built in Microphone; 802.11b/g wireless LAN; Reliable brand (Our another Acer laptop, a year old, still works ok).

WEAKNESSES: No external volume control; No supplied recovery DVD; No dedicated video/graphics card; Junk speakers; Windows XP Home (No CD!); 504MB RAM; No Infrared (and of course No Bluetooth); No FireWire jack; No S-Video jack; Made in China (I've nothing personal against China but electronics items made in China usually don't last long because of low quality.)

SUMMARY: It is a mediocre notebook. Has good LCD with CrystalBrite Technology which is glossy coated and looks really nice but has a mirror effect, you can see reflection of the lamp light nearby, etc. Good thing is that I haven't discovered any dead pixels.

1) Make sure when you first power it up change Display Settings to the highest resolution! (Go to: Start->Control Panel->Display->Settings and choose highest).

2) When you first power up the notebook it will create a Recovery DVD image (it is about 4GB), which takes more than 10 minutes. Then you'll be asked to insert either 1 DVD or 4 CDs (one by one of course). Luckily I had a blank DVD+R, so I inserted it and it took about 20 minutes to burn a Recovery DVD. Shame on Acer for not including it in the package. Previously it was included but not anymore. So prepare 1 blank DVD before you power it up. This notebook has a Pioneer DVD burner, which supports burning of double-layer DVDs.

3) Acer still has a design flaw; if you take the battery off the laptop it won't stay still but lean on the left side. Because a little left rubber piece is attached directly to the battery. Shame on a product engineer team!

4) Windows XP Home (No Windows installation CD included!) is not as good as Windows XP Pro or Windows Media Edition.

5) Doesn't have a dedicated video card but just Intel Graphics Accelerator, which takes memory for graphics needs from the main RAM memory. Upgrade of its RAM memory to 1GB would be a wise idea. However, keep in mind that both slots are occupied (2 X 256MB).

6) Haven't tested battery life because I don't care much for it. It will be mostly used as a desktop replacement.

7) Hard drive is partitioned into two drives (FAT32 formatted). 1st drive ACER (C:) shows free space 30.6 GB out of total size 35.5 GB. The 2nd ACERDATA (D:) shows full free 36.6 GB. So if you add both hard capacities it will be 72.1, but Acer claimed 80GB! Hard drive part number is ST980829A; I put it on search on PriceGrabber. It is Seagate Momentus 4200 RPM (rotations per minute). It is the slowest on market right now, because most notebooks put at least 5400 RPM. So, you get what you pay for!

8) RAM memory shows only 504MB out of claimed 512MB. Shame on Acer for this! It is a common problem with all Acer notebooks. Our other Acer notebook shows 496MB out of 512MB. But my Toshiba Satellite shows its full RAM memory!

9) Not much software comes preinstalled, just freebies like for DVD watching, Norton Antivirus (3-month trial), Acrobat Reader 7.0. In other words, software which you can find and install for free yourself. That's a common practice among notebook retailers, so I'm not complaining on this issue. Product manual is really useless because it is a general description of Acer Aspire 1640s series!

10) Speakers are junk! Volume is TOO LOW even on highest volume setting. I could barely hear DVD movie. So, you MUST buy external speakers! Nobody puts superb speakers in notebooks likes Toshiba does, because they put (in most models) Harman Kardon, which is a renowned brand in audio equipment.

11) I can't comment on durability because it was just purchased. But I already noticed two little pin size holes(not from me) on casing. It raises my concern on durability of its plastic casing. It is definitely not as good as IBM's casing.

12) It has 3 USB ports, headphones and external mic jack. But NO FIREWIRE port was discovered by me; instead Acer put a plastic plug at the place where FireWire suppose to be! When I hardly removed it I found there is just an empty hole but no FireWire. Come on it's not a Celeron cheapo laptop, is it so expensive for Acer to put FireWire in this model?! I don't think it has S-Video out jack either! It is marked on the right side but again there is a sturdy plastic plug which I couldn't remove. So it hasn't S-Video out. Why to close places where FireWire and S-Video jacks suppose to be with plastic plugs?! That's the weirdest thing I've ever seen. As a customer I feel like I was teased and fooled. No Bluetooth; No even Infrared port is included! What's the heck?! Hey, Acer Corporation you should name it BAREBONE ASPIRED because it is barebone inspired?! Can you imagine a hand with 1 or 2 fingers missing? That's how this laptop feels like because of the missing basic features such as Infrared port, FireWire, S-Video!
At least Acer kept in laptop phone jack (dial-up for internet) and network jack. :)

So, if you can live without such basic features as IR port, FireWire, S-Video, it will be acceptable purchase. If you need those features built-in then buy Toshiba or other brands. Otherwise you can of course purchase USB Bluetooth adapter or FireWire PCMCIA Card. But I still can't believe that Acer cut the Infrared port off this budget model. Just for your information, we have at home Toshiba notebook with Pentium MMX processor (Pentium 1 in other words), which is probably more than 10-15 years old. Even that old laptop has built-in infrared port! SHAME ON ACER!!!

I'm wondering what Acer is going to do when build their next budget notebook model, hmm cut off built-in touch pad mouse?!

OVERALL CONCLUSION: I would say it is an extremely budget laptop with a good processor (which is in the mid of Pentium M class) but not much too offer in features. Especially given the fact that they put a 4200RPM hard drive! Upgrade to 1GB of RAM is strongly recommended but for general tasks as web surfing and typing 512MB is ok. With shared graphics accelerator you must give up on graphics intensive games.

Because of the cheap price I view it as a good budget laptop. Don't waste your money on cheaper Celeron M laptops; better get this one which cost about $150 more. But if you add on top of this notebook's price another $200-250 you can buy full featured Toshiba Satellite with at least Core Solo processor (of course Intel Core Duo will be MUCH better option at another extra $200); excellent speakers, 1GB of RAM, fast 100GB hard drive at 5400 RPM; dual layer DVD burner, still graphics accelerator though.
I own a Toshiba Satellite M35-S359 (reviewed here as well), and it is already 2 and half years of accurate use and still works without any problems (Made in Phillippines). If you need multimedia notebook with good speakers and good features I stongly recommend Toshiba over any other brand. Even IBM (I admit IBM has solid case and keyboard) is not as good as Toshiba in building multimedia laptops with perfect speakers. Check specifications before making a purchase, Harman Kardon speakers of Toshiba notebooks are awesome compared to junk laptop speakers put by Acer, Dell, Sony, IBM, HP and others.

If you're short in money or not looking for the above mentioned features then go ahead and buy Acer. It is not that bad, I'm sure it will last a few years. But keep in mind if you remove the battery it won't stay still, perhaps like all other Acer laptops because of the above mentioned design flaw. This may be annoying to persons like me because I for example took the battery off my Toshiba laptop, I don't need it for use at home. This trick to save the battery life can't be done with Acer laptops, unless you're willing to put a magazine under it's left side. :)

In sum, this Acer laptop is satisfactory for basic needs but as of 22 June 2006 it doesn't worth more than $650 (the model with 80GB HDD).

FOLLOW-UP:

Our other Acer laptop recently died (in late April 2007), it won't boot anymore. I'm afraid that it is a motherboard problem.

Laptop was purchased brand new from Amazon in December 2004 and spent some time is laptop bag as a spare laptop. It was used since October 2005 exclusively as a desktop replacement and was very well take care of. Despite this fact I was "surprised" discovering two cracks on each bottom sides of the LCD plastic's back. How can possibly a normal use, I should say very careful use could cause such cracks and laptop death? My conclusion is that Acer uses cheapest plastic and junk hardware.
From my very disappointing experience I would recommend staying away from junk Acer laptops.

And by the way, thank God my Toshiba Satellite M35-S359 laptop still works just fine since January 2004.

A great notebook with some fixable flaws..........2006-05-24

I got this same notebook but model LX.A8605.470 which has a bigger hard drive, and more RAM.

Pros: This notebook offers the same features of my Dell notebook for about $1000 less. Good looking, easy to use, very light. Everything you'd want in a NB. Mine has a 120gb Hard drive, 1 gig of ram, DVD+/-R/RW/dual, 1.8ghz processor.

Cons: No recovery disk... there's a 'hidden image' on the hard drive that is quite difficult to use even for an advanced PC user... I'm more than convinced a beginner or intermediate PC user would have a hard time indeed figuring out how to access this 'image'.

The hard drive comes pre-partitioned. Some like partitions, I do not. It can be fixed with a partition merging program like partition magic (available here on amazon).

The hard drive comes formatted in FAT32 format. FAT32 was used until 1997, and was replaced by NTFS. Using FAT32 for programs it wasn't designed for is a crash waiting to happen. WinXP, and almost every program since 97 is desined to run on a NTFS. NTFS is faster, safer and more secure. There is an easy conversion you can find by searching FAT32 to NTFS on microsoft's web page.

I'm surprised a company would put a PC out in FAT32, maybe they want you to crash and call support, maybe they're lazy and don't want to convert, maybe their engineer's forgot to continue their education past 97... in any case the fix is a 2 minute fix and is easy.

So, its a very good PC, ONCE you fix the pre-packaged hard drive problems! I wouldn't recommend this PC or any PC formatted in FAT32 if you don't plan on converting it to NTFS... unless you want everyone to have access to your PC!... so... after the easy fixes, it is a 4 star computer... before it is a 2 star... but for $1,000 less than a Dell with the same specs, its worth the 10 minutes you'll put in converting the hard drive and removing the partition, if desired.

A+ laptop for a low price.......2006-03-06

The Aspire 1640 series is a thoroughly practical notebook packed with high-end features, including a wide-screen display with Acer CrystalBrite Techno ... logy, integrated wireless LAN and Intel Centrino Mobile Technology. It is a great choice for home users who want a work/entertainment system.
Features:

Processor Brand Intel
Processor Class Pentium M
Processor Speed 1.73 GHz
Mobile Technology Intel Centrino
Installed Memory 512 MB
Maximum Memory 2 GB
Memory Technology DDR II SDRAM
Cache Size 2 MB
Hard Drive Capacity 100 GB
Included Drives DVD±RW (+R double layer)
CD Write Speed 24 X
CD Rewrite Speed 16 X
CD Read Speed 24 X
DVD Read Speed 8 X
DVD Write Speed 8x (DVD±R), 2.4x (DVD+R DL)
Display Type TFT active matrix
Graphics Processor Intel GMA 900
Resolution 1280 x 800 pixels
Battery Life 2 hour(s)
Battery Type Lithium ion
Modem Speed 56 Kbps
Network Support Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Interface Provided VGA, Phone line, Ethernet, Headphone
Input Devices Keyboard, Touchpad, 4-way scroll button
Included Sound Card Sound card
Weight 6.39 lbs
Manufacturer Part No. LX.A8605.470
Dimension 1.5 in x 14.3 in x 11 in (HxWxD)

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