New in Business.

Right on time for the launch of the new Intel Montevina Platform, Lenovo uncovers its brand new product range. While the T, R and X series are full of familiar faces, the SL models reveal an entirely new product, that should strengthen Lenovo's position in the entry level business sector. Equipped with many of the tried and true Thinkpad features, these new notebooks will probably appeal most to price conscious business and private customers.

The standard Thinkpad equipment includes both a gigabit ethernet connection (Realtek RTL8168C/8111C) and an integrated wireless LAN module. In this regard, the Thinkpad SL400 is supplied with the new Wireless WiFi Link 5100 Module from Intel. Based on the Intel Montevina Platform, the wireless data rates can reach up to 300 Mbps (enhanced N Standard), up to 5x faster than the current 802.11g standard. Bluetooth is also optionally available.

A considerable addition to the Thinkpad series will be the equipping of a UMTS broadband modem. This feature will supposedly be included in all models of the Thinkpad ranks, with the exception of the R-series, as standard equipment without any extra charge. In Germany, Vodafone will act as the partner, offering every new Thinkpad 30 days of free internet access. The connection can then be changed to a fixed contract for example. There is also the possibility to purchase single web sessions, enabling use of the UMTS function without being bound to a contract. This offer is however only valid in Germany.

When it comes to security, the Lenovo SL400 also offers a whole range of functions to meet consumer demands. One example of this is the hard drive Active Protection System, which recognises vibration and shock by means of an acceleration sensor, removing the read/write head from the data medium in order to prevent data loss.
For a more direct means data security, there is also an integrated fingerprint reader, which can both restrict access to the notebook and replace the need for various passwords while working with the device by means of a press of the finger.

Some of the more important features of Thinkpad notebooks are the ThinkVantage Tools and the Lenovo Care Software. These provide the user with a vast range of help options. For example the Access Connections Tool allows both quick connection to as well as management of existing networks. Once correctly set up, the Thinkpad automatically discovers the current network environment and sets all the required parameters - very practical.
The Rescue and Recovery function is also extremely useful, helping with the backing up and restoring of data. An online data backup option can also be purchased with the ThinkPlus Secure Business Service package.
Another nice addition is the Power Manager, which allows clear and simple switching between energy profiles through a graphical interface.

Hard to believe as it may be, there are a considerable number of users who prefer the integrated Thinkpad keyboard over other external keyboards. Even though individual preferences for typing comfort may play a large role, the Thinkpad input devices are seldom met with flat disapproval.
The new entry level Thinkpad also has a keyboard in classic Thinkpad style at its disposal. This also brings with it however the occasionally unusual key ordering, such as the Fn key in in the far bottom left corner, and the delete key which has been moved towards the middle of the row away from keyboard's edge.

We found two points about the keyboard to be somewhat strange. One of them being the single line enter key, the other being that the keys seem rather densely packed together. Both of these work against the overall usage comfort and therefore against the usual good rating achieved by Thinkpads in this area. The fact the keyboard bent a little under pressure didn't do much good for the Thinkpad's image either.
In terms of typing comfort however, the SL400 did strike a good balance between reaction point, stroke distance and pressure resistance. The quiet clicking noise while typing was also a plus.

No noticeable differences to the usual Thinkpad quality of the trackpoint or touchpad could be discerned. Both trackpoint and touchpad were precise and enabled quick navigation on the display. The two input methods can be switched between using the Lenovo Care Tools or using the keyboard shortcut Fn-F8.

The additional keys for controlling the volume on the Lenovo Thinkpad SL400 are found on the left hand edge. The typical blue button providing access to the Lenovo Care Tools is also to be found here.

Following the FSC Amilo Si3655, the Lenovo Thinkpad SL400 is our second test sample to be equipped with Intel's newest PM45 chipset and the much hyped Montevina Platform. Completing the package, the SL400 has a new Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 CPU at 2.26 GHz and 3MB L2 Cache. This CPU is the smallest and "weakest performing" chip in the new Intel range. The "P" mark denotates the power saving version of the new processor range, whose TDP lies at under 25W.

For its graphics solution, our SL400 test model came with a Geforce 9300M GS from nVIDIA. Equipped with 256MB GDDR3 of video memory, these graphic cards belong to the entry level ranks of the new nVIDIA chip range, which in comparison to integrated solutions like the current Intel GMA 4500M HD chip offered an obvious performance advantage, although maybe not to a sufficient degree for professional applications.
In terms of technical performance, the Lenovo SL400 positioned itself with its nVIDIA Gefore 9300M GS graphics chip a little above the level of the Gefore 8400M GS and the Quadro NVS 140M.

Hardly surprisingly, the SL400 achieved a very impressive 5278 points in the PCMark 2005 benchmark test. With these results, the new entry level class device from Lenovo outperforms even the once top model, the T61p, with its T7500 CPU and Quadro FX570M graphics chip.
The Thinkpad positions itself similarly well in the Cinebench R10 comparison test. In the rendering test, the P8400 CPU reached the level of the 2.4 GHz T7700 Meron CPU. This makes the performance advantage of the 45 nanometer technology in the new Intel processors clearly visible. In the Cinebench Shading Test, the Thinkpad SL400 with its Geforce 9300M GS graphics reached an equally reasonable result, sitting noticably infront of the Geforce 8400M GS and the Quadro NVS 140M (the user-optimised version of the Geforce 8400).

To conceptualise a new entry level Thinkpad notebook that clearly lay beneath the existing models while still retaining the classic Thinkpad virtues and even so posing no competition to the rest of the range cannot have been an easy task. Overall it can be said that with the SL series, Lenovo has done exactly that, making itself a new line of business without treading on the toes of the remaining models. Only the Lenovo 3000 series should be breaking a sweat in light of the added value at a nevertheless interesting price provided by the SL series.

Lenovo differentiates from the higher quality but also considerably more expensive Thinkpad models above all in the form and appearance of the SL series. First and foremost, the display lid with its high-reflective appearance does not seem hugely professional, nor is it greatly convincing in terms of the its functionality. On the contrary, the laptop does incorporate a number of interesting Thinkpad features such as the familiarly robust case, the spill resistant keyboard and the clamshell design of the display.

Fitted with a HDMI port and an optional Blu-Ray drive, the SL400 makes its intentions as a multimedia notebook clear, even if the input devices in familiar Thinkpad design tell another story.
The Thinkpad SL400 also scores points for its integrated UMTS broadband modem, which provides an internet connection regardless of location. While customers in Germany can be enticed by Vodafone's free package, hopefuls in other countries will have to search for their own service provider.

The display with its reflective surface also presents itself with a very consumer level look. Thankfully, future configurations will also be available with matte panels. In terms of brightness and perspective stability, the SL400's WXGA display fails to be overly convincing.

All the current Lenovo Thinkpad models, including our SL400 test unit, make use of Intel's current Centrino 2 (Montevina) Platform which provides a considerable performance advantage over the Santa Rosa chipset. In both graphical and application benchmarks, the SL400 in its provided configuration was quite convincing.
Noise and temperatures remained in check at all times.

The battery life attained for any serious mobile use of the notebook may come across as a little too short. Nevertheless, hope remains for users that optional larger batteries will be available to increase the running time of their SL series notebooks when needed.

Overall the Thinkpad SL series represents an interesting option for the price conscious business newcomer or even the private customer, since it does after all offer a lot of Thinkpad at a little price. This includes integrated broadband internet, practical Lenovo Care Tools and finally a whole range of options in terms of service, support and data security (available at extra cost).