IBM is showing off a new feature in the ThinkPad T41 and R50s: http://www.anandtech.com/mobile/showdoc.html?i=1893
They come with an accelerometer chip which determines both the orientation of the laptop and how fast it is accelerating. This is used to protect data integrity: when the laptop detects it is falling, it will park the hard drive heads to prevent data loss. Coupled with the integrated hard drive shock absorbers introduced in the T40, that looks to be one mean durable laptop.
And Apple's new 15" PowerBook looks decidedly bad, judging by the reviews I've been reading. It's available now.
This review is very good: http://arstechnica.com/archive/news/1065585440.html
Here's a rundown:
- He ran into problems the second he took it out of the box. The latch to close the lid would not work, it would simply pop back open. Apparently this is a common problem with the laptop. Apple refuses to fix this for free, and charges either a $300 US restocking fee to get a new one, or another fee to repair it.
- When the lid is closed and latched, there's a gap between the lid and the base. The PowerBook "rattles" when carried, and it feels like it "squishes" when you pick it up. The lids also seem to be cupped upwards.
- Came with a nasty red pixel that was dead, easily noticable in movie playback.
- The Hard Drive is a slow 4,200rpm drive.
- Apple claims 4.5 hours of battery life, real world is more like 2 to 2.5 (compare to 7 hours on the T40...)
- The keyboard is not removable (replacable, upgradable)
- The keyboard is small and cramped (the exact same keyboard used in the 12" model)
- AirPort reception isn't as good as the iBooks
Now granted he thinks it's decent and usable and capable, but he also says it's his first laptop.
Who would buy a laptop that's slow, badly built, and overpriced?
They come with an accelerometer chip which determines both the orientation of the laptop and how fast it is accelerating. This is used to protect data integrity: when the laptop detects it is falling, it will park the hard drive heads to prevent data loss. Coupled with the integrated hard drive shock absorbers introduced in the T40, that looks to be one mean durable laptop.
And Apple's new 15" PowerBook looks decidedly bad, judging by the reviews I've been reading. It's available now.
This review is very good: http://arstechnica.com/archive/news/1065585440.html
Here's a rundown:
Now granted he thinks it's decent and usable and capable, but he also says it's his first laptop.
Who would buy a laptop that's slow, badly built, and overpriced?
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