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The T43 that I'm looking at is equipped with a 1.86GHz Intel Pentium M CPU, but the range encompasses chips from 1.60GHz all the way up to 2.13GHz. Another feature of Sonoma is support for DDR2 memory, and IBM has equipped the T43 with 533MHz DDR2 memory - quantity ranges from 256MB (woefully inadequate) all the way up to 2GB. The prototype that I have is equipped with 512MB, which will probably be the most popular configuration - the T43p will most likely ship with a minimum of 1GB of memory when it appears though.

One part of the Sonoma feature set that IBM has chosen not to implement is support fot SATA hard disks. The model that I'm using is equipped with a 40GB EIDE drive - the options include 30 and 40GB 4,200rpm units, 40, 60, 80 and 100GB 5,400rpm drives or a 60GB 7,200rpm unit. Once again, the top of the range 7,200rpm unit will probably be seen in the T43p. I can't say that I'm really that concerned with the lack of SATA support, since there is no real evidence of a performance increase at present, although there is a definite price premium.

Of course, being a Centrino branded notebook, there's also integrated WiFi. Again Sonoma brings something new, with support for 802.11a/b/g via the Intel PRO/Wireless 2915ABG card, although this particular model still uses the older PRO/Wireless 2200BG card which only supports 802.11b/g. It's worth noting that IBM has always offered 802.11a/b/g wireless networking as an option, but since it wasn't an Intel card, if you chose this option, the machine could not carry Centrino branding.

As usual there are all those special little IBM features as well, like the active protection system for the hard disk, to stop the heads crashing into the disk surface if you bump or drop the notebook. There's also the IBM Rapid Resotre and Recovery system, which allows you to backup and restore from saved images within the BIOS. Even tiny touches like the white LED above the screen that illuminates the keyboard when you're in a dark environment help elevate ThinkPads above competing notebooks.

Since this is a pre-production notebook, I wasn't allowed to run any benchmarks on it, so you're going to have to wait until I get hold of a retail version to see how the T43 performs. Production versions of the T43 should be shipping very soon and I'm looking forward to getting my paws on one. I think that the 14.1in model with the higher screen resolution will be the one to have, marrying portability with decent desktop real estate.

Verdict

The ThinkPad T43 looks like it will carry the T-Series colours with pride. The introduction of the new Sonoma standard means that IBM has managed to throw some new features at the T43 without changing it's superb design too much. Of course it will be the T43p that I'll be lusting after, but it will no doubt carry a hefty price tag. Check back soon for a full review of a retail ThinkPad T43 as once they hit the street.

Link: www.ibm.co.uk

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