IBM Notebook with biometric scanner

Looking to lock up your notebook and its data? IBM is offering you a new choice: its already attractive Thinkpad T42 series now integrates a fingerprint reader. And it will only cost you about $50 more than a similarly-configured T42 without the biometric scanner.

The systems will ship on October 19, starting at $1699. For that, you get a 1.6-GHz &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/comp/2002/04/15/27631.html ' target=_blank>Intel Pentium M 725 CPU, a 14.1-inch screen, 40GB hard drive, 256MB of RAM, a combination DVD-ROM and CD-RW drive, and Windows XP Professional. You also get good connectivity options, including gigabit Ethernet, 802.11a/b/g wireless, and Bluetooth. This configuration of the T42 weighs about 4.5 pounds, according IBM.

A higher-end system, which sells for $2349, upgrades you to a 1.8-GHz Pentium M 745 processor, 512MB of RAM, and a 15-inch screen. Operating system and connectivity options remain the same. These units do weigh a little more: 5.3 pounds, according to IBM.

Rated battery life for both configurations ranges from about 5 hours with the 6-cell included battery to over 7 hours for the 9 cell optional battery ($179), reports PC World.