Desktop Computer Review: Lenovo ThinkPad SL400 2743 14.1" Laptop Review

I've had the unit 6 months now.The unit has been back for repair twice.The first time the unit went back for a loose A/C port in the back. If not repaired, it could have become a significant safety issue. The unit also had slight squeal in the LCD.They kept the unit for almost two weeks before I had received it from repair.The A/C adapter had been repaired, but the video still squealed.I later found that this was a driver issue with both Windows and Linux and has since been repaired.Linux folks; sorry you'll have to download the new driver from Intel and compile yourself since the major distros haven't yet caught up with the new release.OpenSuse was the only Linux distro that didn't have the problem. Unfortunately, you couldn't adjust the brightness.

The unit went back again just 2 weeks later when the A/C adapter began to become loose.I hesitated since it took so long the first time.The unit remained in the depot for 4 weeks and was on parts hold twice.

I received the unit back again and it seems like most things have been tightened up the way it should have been to begin with. However, the repair technician had forgotten to put the Bluetooth adapter back into the unit.

I hesitate whether or not to write the Bluetooth adapter off as a loss so I don't lose out on my laptop for another 4 weeks.At this rate, Lenovo will have had this notebook in the depot as much as I have had it in my home.

Sadly, this unit is no where near the quality of my T60 series laptop although video is much crisper.If you have a 64 bit operating system, the video will be that much nicer.

A note on Windows Vista Basic.Lenovo sells Vista Basic as the default OS for this system.Do not buy it.I made this unfortunate mistake to find that Microsoft is not offering an upgrade for this OS to Windows 7 Basic.It seems that Microsoft is reserving the cheaper operating systems for non-Western markets so they can gouge Western markets for the premium versions of the operating system.So much for choice, this is why I turned to Linux.I know that there are a lot of folks that might have reservations with this option.My recommendation would then be to make sure you get Windows Vista Premium regardless of which computer you purchase. Otherwise, you will be left without a cost savings on your upgrade to Windows 7.

I thoroughly apologize for anyone that I had misled in my first review.The unit was very promising and based on my experience with my T60, I had expected the same relative quality.

If Amazon would let me change my rating from 4 to 1 I would.At first I was so impressed with the unit that I was going to buy my wife one.Thats not going to happen.

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Product Description:
The SL series is designed specifically to meet the needs of small to medium businesses. It strikes a perfect balance between serious computing needs and powerful, multimedia functions.