IBM ThinkPad X31 Review - Benchmarking: 3DMark 2001SE, PCMark 04

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3DMark 2001SE

FutureMark's famous (for different reasons) DirectX 8 benchmark, 3DMark 2001SE, still shows up in graphics reviews. Since the Mobility Radeon in the ThinkPad does not support DirectX 9 functions, benchmarks like 3DMark 03 or Aquamark will perform extremely poorly or not at all.

The Gigabyte GOPC, included for comparison to another DirectX 8 capable video card, holds a lead over the ThinkPad. Neither are any match for the desktop computer -- you don't want to be gaming on this laptop since most new games are not supported.

PCMark 04

FutureMark's other leading synthetic benchmark, PCMark 04, is designed to simulate functions that an actual user would do as opposed to seeing how fast a hard drive can read.

The ThinkPad falls behind, but keep in mind that a full desktop system can have 7200 RPM hard drives, a strong graphics card, and powerful CPUs. Small form factor PCs skimp on a few features but are still somewhat in line with regular desktop PCs. Laptops, however, trade off more performance, and the pattern is beginning to show. An R series or a T series laptop would perform better, but a laptop designed to be mobile like the X31 will suffer a performance hit.

Next: Benchmarking: WinRAR, LAME, POV-Ray >>
 

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· The article commented that "There is also a PS/2 port for regular mice(...), an...    · I have 768 MB of RAM in mine, and I have no issues with RAM.This is running Win XP...    · You're right.Its a mistake - the comment should have read that the DOCK that...    · Thanks for catching that. Yes, it should read that the dock comes with those ports,...    · Error should be fixed. Thanks for the heads up.    · Just got hold of an X31. Do i need a wireless PCMCIA card to enable me to connect to...   >>> Post your comment now!