Lenovo ThinkPad SL400

Description: This configuration of the Lenovo ThinkPad SL400 is a 5.5-pound, thin-and-light notebook computer.Compared to other thin-and-light notebooks on the market, it is very inexpensive at around $760.The 14.1 inch widescreen has a native resolution of 1280 x 800, which is fairly standard among notebooks.Powered by the Intel Core 2 Duo CPU.This configuration comes with a 250GB hard disk drive and 2 GB of memory.

Pros: Includes an HDMI port so you can easily output the notebook's audio and video to a compatible TV or monitor.The built-in fingerprint reader will speed up the log in process while adding a strong layer of data protection.An anti-theft security tether can be fastened into the built-in lock slot.

Cons: Has a modest 1.8 GHz CPU speed, which is slower than some similarly priced notebooks.For example, the Acer TravelMate 6493-6899, a 5.5-pound notebook at around $800, has a 2.4 GHz CPU speed.The poor battery performance of this laptop means it has to be recharged more often than other notebooks in its class.Integrated graphics controllers that rely on shared video memory are sometimes an acceptable trade-off for budget-minded users.

Suitability: Suited for those who want a balance between power and portability.Get status reports while on business trips by using this laptop?s built-in Wi-Fi modem to connect to wireless networks in airports and hotels.Bring along your favorite movies and watch them on your laptop with the included DVD player.

Value: In view of its very inexpensive price, this notebook has great features for the money.Generally, given the trade-offs between performance and low price, this item will likely only appeal to serious bargain hunters.

Suggestions: (1) Given this device's Wi-Fi capability, you may want to get a wireless access point for your home, so that you can browse the Web more conveniently from any room.(2) Using this PC's Firewire (1394) port, you can connect to many digital videocameras and other equipment to rapidly upload data to the laptop hard drive.

CNET's Product Briefs are generated by a software tool that combines product specifications with knowledge of our editorial experts. They do not reflect hands-on assessment or labs testing. For more information about how we create Product Briefs, contact us.

• Manufacturer: Lenovo
• Part Number: 27434AU

• General

• Platform Technology Intel Centrino
• Windows Vista Certification Windows Vista Premium Ready
• Built-in Devices Stereo speakers, Cellular antenna, Wireless LAN antenna
• Embedded Security Trusted Platform Module (TPM 1.2) Security Chip , Fingerprint reader
• Width 13.2 in
• Depth 9.7 in
• Height 1.5 in
• Weight 5.5 lbs
• Color Black
• Localization English
• Notebook type Thin-and-light (4-6 lbs.), Budget
• Screen type Widescreen
• Wireless capabilities IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11 n (draft)

• Processor

• Processor Intel Core 2 Duo T5670 / 1.8 GHz
• Multi-Core processor technology Dual-Core
• 64-bit processor Yes
• Data bus speed 800 MHz
• Chipset type Mobile Intel GM45 Express

• Cache Memory

• Type L2 cache
• Cache size 2 MB

• RAM

• Installed Size 2 GB / 4 GB (max)
• Technology DDR2 SDRAM - 667 MHz
• Memory specification compliance PC2-5300
• RAM form factor SO DIMM 200-pin
• RAM configuration features 2 x 1 GB

• Environmental Parameters

• Environmental standards EPEAT Silver, RoHS, EPA Energy Star

• Storage Controller

• Storage controller type Serial ATA
• Storage Controller / Serial ATA Interface Serial ATA-300

• Storage

• Floppy Drive None
• Hard Drive 250 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm
• Storage Removable None
• Hard drive type Portable

• Optical Storage

• Type DVD-Writer - Integrated

• Optical Storage (2nd)

• 2nd optical storage type None

• Card Reader

• Card reader type 7 in 1 card reader
• Supported flash memory cards Memory Stick, MultiMediaCard, SD Memory Card, xD-Picture Card, Memory Stick Pro, SDHC Memory Card, xD-Picture Card Type H

• Display

• Display Type 14.1 in TFT active matrix
• Max Resolution 1280 x 800 ( WXGA )
• Widescreen Display Yes
• Color Support 24-bit (16.7 million colors)
• Features Anti-glare

• Video

• Graphics Processor / Vendor Intel GMA 4500MHD Dynamic Video Memory Technology 5.0

• Audio

• Audio output type Sound card
• Audio codec CX20561
• Audio output compliant standards High Definition Audio
• Audio Input Stereo microphone

• Input Device(s)

• Input device type Keyboard, UltraNav, TrackPoint
• Features Spill-proof

• Telecom

• Modem Fax / modem - CDC
• Max transfer rate 56 Kbps
• Protocols & Specifications ITU V.90
• Service provider Cellular wireless ready
• Modem features V.92 upgradable

• Networking

• Networking Network adapter
• Networking / Wireless LAN Supported Yes
• Wireless NIC Intel WiFi Link 5100
• Data link protocol Ethernet, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11n (draft)
• Networking standards IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n (draft)

• Expansion / Connectivity

• Expansion Bays None
• Expansion Slots Total (Free) 1 ( 1 ) x ExpressCard/54, 2 ( 0 ) x Memory - SO DIMM 200-pin
• Interfaces 1 x Display / video - VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15), 1 x Display / video - HDMI, 4 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A, 1 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire) - 4 pin FireWire, 1 x Modem - Phone line - RJ-11, 1 x Network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - RJ-45, 1 x Microphone - Input - Mini-phone mono 3.5 mm, 1 x Headphones - Output - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm

• Miscellaneous

• Features Power-on password, Hard drive password, Administrator password, ThinkVantage Active Protection System, Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
• Compliant Standards RoHS

• Power

• Power device form factor External
• Voltage Required AC 120/230 V

• Battery

• Technology 6-cell Lithium ion
• Installed Qty 1 / 1 (max)
• Mfr estimated battery life 4.1 hour(s)

• Operating System / Software

• OS Provided Microsoft Windows Vista Business
• Microsoft Office Ready Includes a preinstalled image of select 2007 Microsoft Office suites. Purchase a Medialess License Kit (MLK) to activate the software.
• Software PC Doctor, Lenovo Care, Adobe Reader, Roxio My DVD, ThinkPad Utilities, Windows Live Search, Fingerprint Software, Windows Live Toolbar, Lenovo Password Manager, ThinkVantage System Update, ThinkVantage Access Connections, ThinkVantage Rescue and Recovery, Roxio Creator Small Business Edition, Microsoft Office 2007 (60 days trial), McAfee VirusScan Plus with SiteAdvisor (30 days of virus definitions)

• Manufacturer Warranty

• Service & Support 1 year warranty
• Service & Support Details Limited warranty - Parts and labor - 1 year - Pick-up and return

• Sustainability

• ENERGY STAR Qualified Yes
• EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Silver
• Greenpeace policy rating (Sept 2009) 2.5

Lenovo

Manufacturer profile

• Website: http://www.lenovo.com/us/en/
• Address: 1009 Think Place, Morrisville, NC. 27560
• Phone: 1-866-458-4465