Lenovo offers consistency with SL models

Dubai: In the hectic, hurly-burly 21st Century, there is a need for constants. A place where evolution, and not revolution is the mantra. In automotive terms, think German. Think Volkswagen.

For example, the shape of the Golf hasn't changed radically in decades. The basic outline from the 1980s is still instantly recognisable today.

You can clearly see the DNA shining through from the first model to the current one. They don't make changes for the sake of change, they don't follow fashion, they just refine the bits that work.

As a result, they've produced one of the most successful car brands in history. In home computing terms, where constant revolution seems to be the only option, it would seem almost impossible for such a steady performer to survive.

But, there is one company that has been steadfastly bucking the 'smaller is better' trend of the last few years.

Millions of units of the Lenovo (formerly IBM) Thinkpad have been sold since it first turned the computing world on its head back in 1992, and the latest SL series will continue that trend.

In today's image-obsessed world - in which trends can turn about face in a matter of weeks - it's kind of a relief to have the constant of the Thinkpad to turn to, and 17 years in the game shows the Thinkpad has something serious to offer.

So why would anyone want one?

Let's face it, no one will buy the machine I tested (the SL300) for its grace and elegance. It's rectangular box housing is about as aerodynamic as a brick with a parachute attached and three times the height of the new ultra-slim machines.

But open the lid and you get that old German car feeling again.

The keyboard oozes quality and is satisfying and solid when you type, the display is crisp and clear and the layout has all the important buttons in the right place.

I liked almost everything about the SL300 (apart from the fact it comes with Vista). It's functional, it's reliable, it has a Core Duo processor, a good-sized hard drive and it doesn't try to impose an overly complicated in-house pseudo operating system on you.

The SL300 has three USB ports, one HDMI slot, an Nvidia 128mb graphics card and it doesn't take three hours to boot up or shut down.

And that's pretty much it. What you see is what you get. A very good machine, in a 'classical' package (although I do confess to personally having a soft spot for it) for a reasonable price.

It is certainly the choice of more businessmen than it is teenagers.

Yes, it will never have the street cred of a Sony Vaio. Yes, it comes with Ford Model T specs - any colour you like, as long as it's black - and yes, it will never be as thin as a MacBook Air.

But you will also never have a heart attack because a minor scratch appeared on the casing, your keyboard will still be working in 2050 and you can be confident that if you drop it, it won't require six weeks in the workshop.

If only everything in life was as reliable as a Lenovo.