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IBM ThinkPad A21 Review - A21e, A21m, A21p
Good computer for someone looking for solid, good quality and comfortable desktop replacement system. As the fastest processor you may find in this model is Intel Pentium III Mobile 850MHz, it might not satisfy needs of the most demanding users but should suffice for great majority of them, not only those surfing the web and using word processor.
ThinkPad A21 comes in three different versions - A21e being the cheapest, economic configuration and A21p loaded with high-end, top-shelf equipment. The A21m is the compromise between performance and price. Each A-Series ThinkPad is highly customizable, so you can always expand its capabilities to fit current applications needs. Be careful with "e" version as its upgrade capabilities are the lowest and may disable you from using for example memory-hungry software. As there are many significant differences between different suffix models - and even within the same suffix series - read offers carefully when looking for refurbished system and check detailed differences in the table below on this page.
A21m and A21p are based on Intel 440BX chipset, with AGP bus and up to 512MB PC100 SDRAM memory support. They come with 700MHz to 850MHz Intel Pentium III Mobile processors, featuring SpeedStep technology. SpeedStep slows down processor clock when working with battery, significantly reducing power usage and extending battery lifetime. A21e models are equipped with Intel 440MX-100 chipset, based on BX, but lacking some features like AGP. The most inconvenient limitation is a maximum of 256MB RAM memory. A21e laptops come with Intel Celeron 600MHz to 700MHz CPUs.
You will find A21 ThinkPads with wide range of LCD sizes and maximum resolutions. The absolute top-quality LCD comes with "p" versions. It is 15" TFT matrix (comparable to effective size of 17" CRT monitor) with incredible 1600 x 1200 resolution at 16 millions of colors. The screen is bright and gives very clear picture, which is the case with all A21 screens.
Graphics is based on two versions of ATI Rage Mobility chipset with memory and bus configurations varying from model to model. Only A21e graphics card works on PCI bus. Other models features AGP 2x graphics and 4MB to 16MB SGRAM. The best ATI Rage Mobility 128, coming with A21p models, with 16MB SGRAM and a set of S-Video out and in interfaces allows even for advanced video capturing and processing. Some versions of "e" and "m" models (details in the table below) also come with S-Video out port.
ThinkPad A21 notebooks were manufactured with 10GB to 32GB hard drives. All contain also Ultrabay 2000 modular bay, where typically optical drive resides, although you can replace it with a wide range of other optical and non-optical drives, including second HDD or even second battery that extends your power autonomy twice. All A21 models (except some A21e) come with integrated floppy disk drive.
Networking capabilities are also strong point of A21 laptops. Although some people can complain on lack of wireless LAN integrated solution, please remember that this model was manufactured in 2000 year, when wireless networks weren't in broad use. If you need it, you can always add external PC Card wireless network adapter. RJ-11 and RJ-45 connectors are installed as standard, although in some configurations only modem mini-PCI card, instead of modem/Ethernet combo, may be installed.
A21 has full set of expansion ports and connectors, except FireWire. Each laptop (except A21e - look at the table below) is equipped with two PC Card slots that can accommodate two Type-I/II or one Type-III cards and fully supports CardBus and ZV. In standard you get also one USB 1.1, IrDA, parallel port, serial RS232 port, PS/2 to connect external mouse or/and keyboard, VGA and port replicator/docking station connector. Additionally, in A21p models you will find UltraPort connector located on the top edge of the screen, allowing you to connect a camera, digital microphone or any other USB 1.1 device.
IBM is known from its top quality, solid and reliable products and ThinkPad A21 is not an exception. Casing is made from high quality materials. A21p has even titanium top cover to protect the screen from damages. Most people consider keyboard as good and very comfortable. However, many of them dislike TrackPoint that is mounted as pointing device in all A-Series notebooks.
Such things like ThinkLight, illuminating the keyboard when working in darkness, volume and muting control buttons or ThinkPad button are features of all A-Series laptops. "m" and "p" versions come with integrated microphone. All versions have Sound Blaster Pro compatible sound card and integrated speakers giving clear and fair sound.
Battery is enough for 3 to 4 hours of typical work, depending on model. It is not very much, but you can extend this period installing second battery in Ultrabay 2000. Laptop is a bit heavy but it still weights less than most of its direct competitors having capabilities that you can hardly find in other notebooks in its price range.
I think of refurbished ThinkPad A21 as being good deal for someone looking for top quality laptop for cheap. If you don't need very fast CPU, and vast majority of people don't, you can find A21 model having all you may wish for. Even if you wish for more than you have found in offers, you can always use its high upgrade and expansion capabilities to adapt it for your needs. If only you don't need to carry it a lot, it is definitely offer worth considering.
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