IBM ThinkPad T41 (23737FU) Laptop (1.6 GHz Pentium M Centrino, 512 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Combo)

Driven by a 1.6 GHz Intel Pentium M processor with Intel's new Centrino technology (Centrino processors offer improved battery life and more power than similarly rated non-Centrino CPUs) and a solid 512 MB alloent of DDR SDRAM memory, the ThinkPad T41 (23737FU) will efficiently run most common mobile tasks. The system's graphics controller, an ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 with 32 MB of dedicated video memory, helps power the unit through midlevel 3-D applications and games but may have some trouble displaying a smooth frame rate when operating today's newest high-end 3-D games and 3-D design apps.

Tipping the scales at a scant 4.9 pounds and measuring just 12.2 by 10.0 by 1.0 inches, the ThinkPad T41 (23737FU) is exceptionally easy to transport and operate. IBM has equipped the system with an average-sized 40 GB hard disk for file and program storage, a CD-RW/DVD drive through which you can listen to and burn audio CDs and watch DVD movies, and a 14.1-inch TFT display screen capable of crystal clear 1400 by 1050 resolutions. DVD writing is not supported in this stock configuration.

The ThinkPad T41 (23737FU) is home to many unique and practical perks, including a nifty keyboard-illuminating ThinkLight for low-light situations, an S-Video out port, two high-speed USB 2.0 ports for fast interaction with external peripherals, and a full-size keyboard featuring IBM's user-friendly ThinkPad UltraNav multi-pointing system. An IEEE 1394 FireWire connection, typically used for downloading data from digital camcorders, is not part of the package.

Communication options include a low-speed 56K fax/modem, a super-fast Intel/PRO 1000 Gigabit Ethernet Ethernet connector for incrementally faster network access than traditional LAN technology, and Intel PRO wireless for those times when you can't plug in. Battery life is estimated at an admirable 4.4 hours under ideal conditions.