Review: Lenovo ThinkPad SL500

Our SL500 had the following specifications:

• Screen: 15.4" 1680x1050 (WSXGA+) matte finish display
• Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 (2.4GHz, 533MHz FSB, 2MB cache)
• Memory: 2GB PC2-5300 RAM (one DIMM)
• Storage: 320GB SATA hard drive (5400RPM)
• Optical Drive: DVD+/-RW
• Wireless: Intel 5100 802.11 a/b/g/n
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS 256MB
• Built-in webcam
• Battery: 10.8V, 7.8AH
• Dimensions: 14" x 11.2" x 1.5" (including feet and 9-cell battery)
• Weight: 6lbs, 11.8oz
• Price as configured: $1,393.

Conclusion

Lenovo has managed to put together a business notebook computer for the budget conscious market. They've cut costs while remaining true to the ThinkPad's image as a solid computer built to take the abuse today's executives dish out. While there are notable difference in construction between the SL500 and the T500, there are also notable differences in price, as the SL500 has a base price of around $500 less than its T-series counterpart. This can add up to a monumentous cost savings when you consider that a company might deploy several hundred laptops for employees.

At the end of the day, the SL500 is a worthy addition to the ThinkPad line, as it allows consumers to sacrifice a certain degree of build quality while saving enough money to almost buy a second computer. Small businesses looking to expand their productivity while keeping costs down would do well to look at the ThinkPad SL500 as a mobile solution.

Pros:

• Lots of ports, including FireWire and HDMI
• Physical wireless connectivity switch for easy compliance with flight regulations
• Fantastic heat dissipation
• Modern business design
• ThinkPad quality without ThinkPad prices!

Cons:

• Wedge design makes accessing some ports difficult
• Glossy lid is a fingerprint magnet
• Wasted space that could have been used for full-sized arrow keys
• Excellent TouchPad but buggy TouchPad drivers