About.com Rating

The Bottom Line

IBM's ThinkPad X31 is the standard by which all ultraportable systems are compared.



Pros

• Powerful Mobile CPU
• Dedicated Video Processor
• Excellent Battery Life

Cons

• Optical Drive Requires X3 UltraBase Unit

Description

• Intel Pentium M 1.3 GHz Processor
• 256MB PC2100 DDR Memory
• 20 Gigabyte Hard Drive
• 8x DVD-ROM Optical Drive (X3 UltraBase)
• 12.1" XGA TFT Display and ATI Radeon Mobility Graphics with 16MB Memory

• SoundMax Audio
• v.92 56Kbps Modem, 10/100 Ethernet and Intel 802.11b Wireless
• Two USB 2.0 and One FireWire Ports
• 10.7" x 8.8" x 1.2" @ 3.6 lbs. (without X3 UltraBase)
• Windows XP Professional Operating System

Guide Review - IBM ThinkPad X31

9/21/03 - IBM was one of the first companies to produce an ultraportable system based on the Intel Pentium M processor and its X31 ThinkPad is still going strong. There are so many things that were done right with the design of this system that little can be said against it. It balances performance, using a 1.3 GHz CPU and dedicated ATI Radeon Mobility graphics, with superb battery life. Add the extended life battery and this system can stay running for what seems like forever. If there is one flaw with the ThinkPad X31 it has to be the X3 UltraBase being necessary for an optical drive. If IBM could redesign the X31 to include an internal drive, this would be even better. While made for businesses, this also makes a great consumer PC.