New Lenovo’s addition to the 3000 C series of entry and mainstream notebooks - C200 models features Intel Centrino Duo mobile technology on selected models with Intel Centrino 2 Duo processors, Intel 945GM chipset and Intel Pro/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection .

The new Lenovo 3000 C200 notebook models deliver outstanding technology and features:

* Intel Core 2 Duo processor T5500 and Celeron M processor 420 featuring Intel SpeedStep technology for maximum and battery-optimized performance
* 381.0-mm (15-in) display with 1024 x 768 resolution
* Integrated Intel 945GM graphics chipset
* Battery life of up to 2.52 hours
* 24x max CD-ROM, 24x-24x-24x-8x max CD/RW/DVD-ROM or DVD Recordable 8x Max
* One PC card slot (Type I- and II-compatible)
* Standard 512 MB or 1 GB (2 x 512 MB)
* ThinkPad® PC2-5300 DDR2 667 MHz memory, expandable with optional SDRAM SO-DIMM module to a maximum 2.0 GB
* 56 K V.906 modem (V.92-designed) and 10/100 Ethernet
* Standard ports: Four USB 2.0, external display, S-Video, RJ-45, RJ-11, and IEEE 1394 port
* Microsoft Windows XP Professional or Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

Reviews of the Lenovo 3000 C200

CNET: Reviewing the Lenovo 3000 C200, CNET gives it 6.4 out of 10 rating (good) and writes, “With its boxy case and a square, standard-aspect display, the Lenovo 3000 C200 isn’t likely to turn any heads at the local Starbucks. But for those who can live without the wide screen, the C200 offers strong performance (outpacing a similarly configured N100, also from the Lenovo 3000 line) and a decent mix of features for typical business tasks. The biggest appeal of the Lenovo 3000 C200 may be its price, which starts at $649; our review unit costs a still-palatable $999 and includes a CPU from Intel’s latest Core 2 Duo line. For such a low price, Lenovo forgoes high-end security features and a lengthy warranty–buyers who want a meatier business laptop–and can afford to pay a bit more for it–should look to Lenovo’s own ThinkPad T60 or the corporate-friendly Dell Latitude D520. For individual buyers and small businesses who want a dirt-cheap yet still capable laptop, though, the Lenovo 3000 C200 gets the job done.”

Reviewed Lenovo 3000 C200 configuration: Windows XP Professional SP2; 1.66 Intel Core 2 Duo T5500; 1,024MB DDR2 SDRAM 528MHz; 128MB Mobile Intel Express 945GM; 80GB Fujitsu 5,400rpm SATA/150

The good & bad of the Lenovo 3000 C200 according to CNET: Inexpensive; strong performance for the price; lengthy battery life; comfortable keyboard; solid assortment of ports and connections; robust system-management and help utility. Standard-aspect display with low native resolution; shallow mouse keys; one-year warranty is short for a business model; few dedicated media controls; no option for a fingerprint reader.

The bottom line: The Lenovo 3000 C200 forgoes flashy extras and instead delivers solid Core 2 Duo performance at an impressively low price.

Laptop Magazine: Reviewing Lenovo 3000 C200, Laptop Magazine gives it 2.5 out of 5 stars and writes, “The Lenovo 3000 C200 is like a Dodge Omni with a Hemi dropped in: Sure, it’s got dual-core horsepower, but it still looks and feels like an economy car. Performance and battery life were good, but the graphics scores and overall fit and finish of the system are tough to ignore.

The 6.1-pound C200 is chunky and plain, leaving us to wonder if someone actually designed it, or just figured out the dimensions the plastic shell needed to be to contain the innards. The 15-inch, 4:3 screen seems dated in this day of 16:9 widescreens. Worse, it’s a matte-finish panel, which makes images appear fuzzy. Worse still, its native resolution is 1024 x 768 pixels, which in a panel this size leads to poor font reproduction and jagged edges on curves.

On the plus side, the keyboard feels excellent (cross-pollination with the ThinkPad line is a benefit here), and there are dedicated volume and mute buttons. On the other hand, there are no controls for playing back multimedia files, and you can’t play music or movies without booting into the OS.

Performance from the 1.6-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5500 was good; the C200 scored 223 on MobileMark 2005. Battery life was a respectable 4 hours and 32 minutes, though wireless throughput (just over 10 Mbps) was a touch low for a mainstream system. Both of these scores were second behind Dell’s Inspiron E1505, but graphics were among the lowest in the group at 1,328 on 3DMark03.

The C200 has the features users need to run Vista but lacks the multimedia chops to keep up with the competition. Other value-priced notebooks leave it in the dust.

PROS and CONS of the Lenovo 3000 C200

• Fast processor
• Superb keyboard
• Good battery life
• Low-res, bland display
• Dated design
• No multimedia perks

This entry was posted on October 18, 2006 and is filed under Lenovo 3000 C Series, News.