CNET editors' review
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CNET editors' rating:
stars
Very good
Detailed editors' rating
- Reviewed on: 02/11/2005
- Released on: 02/01/2004
At 1 inch thick, 10.5 inches across, and 8.2 inches deep, the 1.7-pound X4 UltraBase doesn't add too much bulk to the ThinkPad X40, although we were surprised that the dock's textured plastics did not match the notebook's rubberized case. Providing an additional three USB 2.0 ports, plus one more that remains accessible on the notebook, the UltraBase also takes over the laptop's existing connections for modem, LAN, and an external monitor. To these it adds PS/2, parallel, and serial ports. While it lacks high-end connections, such as DVI, the UltraBase's modular bay accommodates any of IBM's optional UltraBay Slim devices, including an optical drive, a second battery, or a hard drive. With its $199 price, we wish IBM had included one of these features gratis with the UltraBase. The dock charges the notebook?s battery when they?re connected.
The UltraBase and the ThinkPad X40 fit together well, connecting solidly; just place the notebook over the dock and lightly press to snap them together. A plastic bar folds out of the UltraBase's bottom to raise the laptop's keyboard to a comfortable 5-degree typing angle. When it?s time to split up the pair, press the button on the side, pull on the release lever, and the notebook will pop out; it's fast and easy, and you can leave the ThinkPad X40 on when connecting to or detaching from the UltraBase. There's only one design flaw: the notebook?s extended battery pack obstructs the ports along the back of the UltraBase. The dock features a built-in Kensington cable lock to attach it to a desk and a mechanical key lock to keep the notebook safe; they're nice add-ons, but a screwdriver is all you?d need to separate them.
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