Premium Notebook

Here come ThinkPad’s flagship notebook series again. There are three new models, but unfortunately none can be purchases here at the moment.

Lenovo Indonesia was supposed to launch its ThinkPad T420 at the end of last month, but it is looking like we might have to wait a little longer for the new notebook. Perhaps the software still needs some tweaking. Or Lenovo is still waiting for the certification from our Communications and Information Technology Ministry as the notebooks already have an optional 3G or WiMAX module embedded.

Still, it is good to know another major attack on the professional notebook segment is impending. The T420 will replace the T410, while the T520 will take over from the T510. The supposedly ultra thin and ultra-light T420s is rumored to be the equivalent of the X300 and X301.

Courtesy of Lenovo Indonesia, I have had the luxury of playing around with a sample unit of T420 over a weekend.

The model I was testing is very close to being a final product. There is much to talk about, but let’s start with highlighting the main features that make this notebook so mouth-watering.

First, this new batch of T Series runs on Intel’s second generation of core processors, which is dubbed Sandy Bridge. The new processors run significantly faster than the first generation, has the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) and Central Processing Unit (CPU) in one single die. Because they are in a single die, the package is smaller and engineers can design thinner notebooks. Other benefits include faster video editing and more enjoyable multimedia with a HD display and Blu-ray.


Intel has added other technologies into the CPU and GPU mix, such as Intel Clear Video HD and support for Blu-ray 3-D stereo content.

However, if we want more powerful graphics, the T Series is also equipped with a discrete NVIDIA Optimus, which has a dedicated 1 GB of memory.

Discrete graphics means we can switch between Intel’s integrated GPU and the NVIDIA processor on the fly without having to reboot the system.

In conjunction with the second generation of processors, Intel has also updated its Turbo Boost. This technology, which is also included in the T Series, has the intelligence to deliver power on demand. So if you are watching a DVD, not too much power will be required.

But, when you do some movie editing, it will ramp up power. It is like stepping on the throttle each time you want to overtake another BMW on the toll road. The obvious advantage of this capability is that it allows the notebook to stay cool and it saves battery juice.

Lenovo then complements Intel Turbo Boost with its own Turbo Boost technology to increase performance even further. The company claims Lenovo Turbo Boost results in the fastest boot time and shutdown time for notebooks with a similar configuration.

T420’s 14-inch screen is wide. You can choose the HD 1366x768 or the HD+ 1600x900 version. The T520 can also be ordered with a full HD 1920x1080 screen. You will have to dig deeper into your wallet if you choose the higher resolution screen, of course.

The advanced graphics allow us to work simultaneously on at least three separate displays: The notebook screen, an external screen monitor connected via the Display Port and another one via the docking station or port replicator.

However, if you are expecting a bright and shiny screen to watch movies or play games, you had better look somewhere else. While I found the color to be more vivid, the screen is still basically more suitable for working with documents and reading e-books.

As usual, you can find the camera on top of the screen. However, Lenovo has inserted a High Definition 720p camera there. If we do a lot of videoconferencing, a dual-array digital microphone has been added in as well.

By the way, I had a surprise when playing around with the T420. When I positioned it on its side, the screen turned from landscape to portrait. This notebook also comes with an accelerometer. Lenovo never told me about it.

Unfortunately, the Web window is not adjusted for the difference in width. So, when I access www.thejakartapost.com, for example, part of the page disappears behind the bezel. Here it seems the software is not ready for prime time yet.

Besides, I wonder how I can navigate across the page in this position. The TrackPoint seems to be one solution, but the ThinkPad design team must come up with a more elegant and useable solution.

There are several hard disk alternatives, all wrapped in proven protective technologies. However, if your company wants to buy a T Series for you, you should go all the way and ask for one with a Solid State Drive (SSD). The largest is Intel 160 GB SSD.

Finally, if you are a super-computer-man and want to be able to work for 30 hours in a row, you can add to your list of specs a 9-cell battery to replace the 6-cell standard battery “plus” an optional battery slice. Trust me, with a Lenovo logo on these accessories, the prices will never be really affordable.

Some of the pre-loaded software includes Microsoft Office Starter 2010, a 30-day trial version of Norton Internet Security, Skype Application 4.2 and several video tools from Corel.

E-books May Thrive

The Internet has rendered obsolete a lot of things we held dear in the past.

Email is a convenient replacement for snail mail while land line telephones have been shoved aside by text messaging and BlackBerry devices.

But for some mothers in the city, the rise of e-books has not killed the habit of reading books to their children.

These mothers are carrying on the tradition of familiarizing their children with printed books.

For Erna Yusnita, the mother of 4-year-old Faqih, nothing could replace the traditional way of teaching reading and writing, despite the plethora of teaching aids offered by the Internet and gadgets.

“My son is learning about letters and how to spell, and since I want to develop his interest in books I bought him puzzles and popped-up books to help him learn to read,” she said, adding that she also bought her son storybooks.

Fariq seemed to like the books although he could not read them himself, Erna said.

She said she hoped that with so many books around him, Faqih could develop an interest in books.

Mother of two Ilian Deta also swears by the same method.

She always returns home with picture books so her sons could enjoy them, even if they cannot read them yet.

“They love the pictures in the books and are very fond of me reading out to them,” she said.

A number of educational websites are claiming that to develop reading habits in children, parents should establish a routine of reading them stories.

They claim the method not only increases vocabulary, it makes children want to read by themselves. The habit also trains children to listen to their parents, they add.

Reading books is also essential because not only can it be fun, it also sharpens the child’s eye for spelling.

There are some who voice reservations about promoting early computer literacy, citing negative side effects and the massive amount of information on the internet that could overwhelm children.

Books also have a special place in the heart. It entails a certain romanticism that cannot be replaced by the glaring screen of an iPad or the monochrome Kindle.

Fransisca Yuliasari believes printed books would continue to have loyal readers.

“The advantages of printed books is that they are easily accessed by more people and it is easier on the eyes as well,” she said.

Data from www.internetworldstats.com showed that in 2010, 30 million of Indonesia’s 242 million people in 2010 had access to the Internet, or 12.5 percent of the population.

It may be easier for people in large cities to access information on the Internet, but people living in remote areas may not have such privileges, Francisca said.

“These people in remote areas certainly have access only to printed books,” she said.

But one certainty is that people will have problems collecting e-books, Francisca added.

“Other than the romantic feeling we get from books, printed books can become collector’s items.”

From : The Jakarta Post