Lenovo ThinkPad X61s (Core 2 Duo 1.6GHz, 1GB RAM, 100GB HDD, Vista Ultimate)

Description: This configuration of the Lenovo ThinkPad X61s is a 3.3-pound, ultra light notebook computer.Compared to other ultra light notebooks on the market, it is relatively inexpensive at around $1,710.Has Wi-Fi (wireless connectivity) built-in.

Pros: Has only a 3.3-pound weight, which is somewhat lighter than some similarly priced notebooks.Also, this notebook has a plug-in module media bay, which is more favorable than some similarly priced notebooks.The DVD? RW(? R DL) / DVD-RAM is housed in a modular plug-in drive bay, which is more upgradeable and gives you more options than an integrated drive.

Cons: The Lenovo ThinkPad X61s comes with no-frills word processing software ? if you often need to create presentations you will likely need to upgrade to a full-fledged office suite.Integrated graphics controllers that rely on shared RAM are sometimes an acceptable trade-off for budget-minded users.

Suitability: Suitable for those who consider weight the most important feature.Preserve favorite home movies for future generations by saving them onto DVD with this computer's DVD burner.If you have a wireless network at home, wirelessly browse the Internet from any room in your house with this Wi-Fi enabled notebook.

Value: In view of its relatively inexpensive price, this notebook has great features for the money.For example, when it comes to screen size, the average price of ultra light products with a similar screen size is quite a bit more -- in fact around $2,233.

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 Internet more conveniently from any room.(2) To get the most out of this computer's Bluetooth capability, you could have a Bluetooth-enabled headset, handheld or other device, and be able to link it wirelessly to your computer within a range of 20-or-so feet inside the same room.

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: 766945U

• General

• Platform Technology Intel Centrino Duo
• Windows Vista Certification Windows Vista Premium Ready
• Built-in Devices Speaker, Wireless LAN antenna, Bluetooth antenna, ThinkLight, Cellular antenna
• Bays and Drives Optical drive in supplied UltraBase docking station
• Embedded Security Trusted Platform Module (TPM 1.2) Security Chip , Fingerprint reader
• Width 10.6 in
• Depth 9.4 in
• Height 1.4 in
• Weight 3.3 lbs
• Color Black
• Localization English
• Bundled with X6 UltraBase
• Notebook type Ultraportable (Under 4 lbs.)

• Processor

• Processor Intel Core 2 Duo L7500 / 1.6 GHz
• Multi-Core processor technology Dual-Core
• 64-bit processor Yes
• Core voltage technology Low-Voltage (LV)
• Data bus speed 800 MHz
• Processor features Intel 64 Technology, Intel Dynamic Acceleration, Enhanced SpeedStep technology, Execute Disable Bit capability, Intel Virtualization Technology
• Chipset type Mobile Intel GM965 Express

• Cache Memory

• Type L2 cache
• Cache size 4 MB

• RAM

• Installed Size 2 GB / 3 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 & energy standards compliance EPA Energy Star, RoHS, EPEAT Silver
• Sound Emission 40 dB

• Storage Controller

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

• Storage

• Floppy Drive None
• Hard Drive 100 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 7200 rpm
• Storage Removable None
• Hard drive type Portable

• Optical Storage

• Type DVD?RW (?R DL) / DVD-RAM - Plug-in module
• CD / DVD read speed 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD)
• CD / DVD write speed 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD?R) / 2x (DVD-R DL) / 2.4x (DVD+R DL)
• CD / DVD rewrite speed 16x (CD) / 4x (DVD?RW) / 3x (DVD-RAM)

• Optical Storage (2nd)

• 2nd optical storage type None

• Card Reader

• Card reader type Card reader
• Supported flash memory cards SD Memory Card

• Display

• Display Type 12.1 in TFT active matrix
• Max Resolution 1024 x 768 ( XGA )
• Widescreen Display No
• Color Support 24-bit (16.7 million colors)
• Features Anti-glare

• Video

• Graphics Processor / Vendor Intel GMA X3100
• Video Memory Dynamic Video Memory Technology 4.0

• Audio

• Audio output type Sound card
• Audio codec AD1984HD
• Audio output compliant standards High Definition Audio
• Audio Input Microphone

• Multimedia Functionality

• TV Tuner Type None

• Input Device(s)

• Input device type TrackPoint, Keyboard

• Telecom

• Modem Fax / modem / cellular modem
• Max transfer rate 56 Kbps
• Protocols & Specifications ITU V.90
• Cellular enhancement protocol CDMA 2000 1X EV-DO
• Service provider Verizon Wireless
• Modem features V.92 upgradable

• Networking

• Networking Network adapter
• Networking / Wireless LAN Supported Yes
• Wireless NIC Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG
• Data link protocol Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11a, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, Bluetooth 2.0, IEEE 802.11g
• Networking standards IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g

• Expansion / Connectivity

• Expansion Bays None
• Expansion Slots Total (Free) 1 ( 1 ) x CardBus - Type I/II, 2 ( 0 ) x Memory - SO DIMM 200-pin
• Interfaces 1 x Modem - Phone line - RJ-11, 3 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A, 1 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire) - 4 pin FireWire, 1 x Microphone - Input - Mini-phone 3.5 mm, 1 x Display / video - VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15), 1 x Headphones - Output - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, 1 x Docking / port replicator, 1 x Network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T - RJ-45

• Miscellaneous

• Features Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately), Hard drive password, Power-on password, ThinkVantage Active Protection System, Administrator password, CardBus Plus, ThinkPad Roll Cage
• Compliant Standards CSA C22.2 No. 950, CE, CCC, CISPR 22 Class B, CER, UL 60950, VCCI Class B ITE, NOM, BSMI, RoHS, ACA, IEC 60950, MPR II, CSA 22.2 No. 950, SASO, FCC Part 15 B
• Manufacturer Selling Program TopSeller

• Power

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

• Battery

• Technology 8-cell Lithium ion
• Installed Qty 1 / 2 (max)
• Battery capacity 5200 mAh
• Mfr estimated battery life 9 hour(s)

• Operating System / Software

• OS Provided Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, Microsoft Windows Vista
• Microsoft Office Ready Includes a preinstalled image of select 2007 Microsoft Office suites. Purchase a Medialess License Kit (MLK) to activate the software.
• Software ThinkVantage Client Security, ThinkVantage Access Connections, Diskeeper Home Edition, Norton Internet Security, ThinkVantage System Migration Assistant, ThinkVantage System Update, Multimedia Center for Think Offerings, Adobe Reader, Windows Live Search, Google Picasa, ThinkPad Utilities, ThinkVantage Productivity Center, ThinkVantage Rescue and Recovery, Windows Live Toolbar, PC Doctor, Lotus Notes Stand-alone Client license

• Environmental Standards

• EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Silver
• EPA Energy Star Compliant Yes

• Manufacturer Warranty

• Service & Support 3 years warranty
• Service & Support Details Limited warranty - Battery - 1 year, Limited warranty - Parts and labor - 3 years - Pick-up and return

• Greenpeace 'Guide to Greener Electronics'

• Antimony, beryllium, phthalates free no
• Antimony, beryllium, phthalates free (in Greenpeace points) 0
• BFR free product no
• BFR free product (in Greenpeace points) 0
• Components availability (years) 5
• Components availability (years) (in Greenpeace points) 5
• Energy during production analysis no
• Energy during production analysis (in Greenpeace points) 0
• Greenpeace 'Guide to Greener Electronics' manufacturer rating (June 2008) 3.9
• Greenpeace 'Guide to Greener Electronics' manufacturer rating (Mar 2008) 7.3
• Idle power/External adapter exceeding Energy Star (%) 26 %
• Idle power/External adapter exceeding Energy Star (%) (in Greenpeace points) 6
• Number of RoHS excemptions used 4
• Number of RoHS excemptions used (in Greenpeace points) 7
• Number of upgradeable parts 2
• Number of upgradeable parts (in Greenpeace points) 2.8
• PVC free product no
• PVC free product (in Greenpeace points) 0
• Power saving criteria fulfilled 1
• Power saving criteria fulfilled (in Greenpeace points) 1
• Power saving information provided yes
• Power saving information provided (in Greenpeace points) 2
• Recyclability rate (%) 83 %
• Recyclability rate (%) (in Greenpeace points) 4
• Shipped with power saving enabled yes
• Shipped with power saving enabled (in Greenpeace points) 2
• Special innovation points no