Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Lenovo 3000 N200 Budget Notebook PC

The Bottom Line
Lenovo's 3000 N200 notebook has pretty much all the features one would expect to find in a low cost system plus a few others. The problem is that the system doesn't really set itself apart from other laptops on the market.
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Pros

* More Compact Design
* Integrated Fingerprint Scanner and Security

Cons

* Limited Software Bundle

Description

* Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 Dual Core Mobile Processor
* 1GB PC2-5300 DDR2 Memory
* 80GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
* 8x DVD+/-RW Dual Layer DVD Burner
* 14.1" WXGA (1280x800) LCD with Intel GMA X3100 Integrated Graphics
* v.92 56Kbps Modem, 10/100 Ethernet, 802.11a/b/g Wireless
* Four USB 2.0, FireWire, ExpressCard/54, 4-in-1 Media Reader, Fingerprint Scanner
* 13.2" x 9.7" x 1.4" @ 5.8 lbs.
* Windows XP Professional

Guide Review - Lenovo 3000 N200 Budget Notebook PC

10/15/07 – Lenovo's 3000 N200 notebook doesn't look all that different from the previous N100 model. It has received a number of updates to its core but it still strives to be a solid all around budget notebook system. It is now powered by the newer Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 dual core mobile processors that give it a good amount of performance without using too much power. This matched with a full gigabyte of memory lets it run smoothly with its Windows XP Professional operating system.

Storage is pretty much what one can expect from a low cost notebook. The 80GB hard drive is usable but not as large as more expensive notebooks. It should do fine if you don't need too much storage space for digital media files. The dual layer DVD burner allows it to playback or record CD and DVD media. A 4-in-1 media card reader also is there for use with flash media cards.

One nice thing Lenovo did with the 3000 N200 has to do with the screen. The notebook comes in 15.4 and 14.1-inch sizes. Thankfully, they have two different chassis designs suited for each one. In the case of the 14.1-inch screen unit being reviewed, it is smaller than the traditional 15.4-inch notebook. Many companies tend to use the same 15.4-inch case but use the smaller screen with larger bezel.

The problem is that the Lenovo 3000 N200 just doesn't really set itself apart from other budget notebooks. Sure, it has all the base features but there isn't any standout items that really make it a must have or problems that make it one to avoid. It also lives in the shadow of the reliable and popular ThinkPad series of notebooks.

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