T43 or T50 in Q4? Latest Pentium M roadmap from AnandTech!

[K. Eng]

The Inq article about Dothan with XD bit support was a bit confusing. AnandTech has an easy to understand chart:

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/sh ... spx?i=2117

It looks like the current Dothan will get one last speed bump to 2.10 GHz in Q4 of this year. In Q4 Intel plans to launch the 'J' type Dothan with XD. These will be 533 MHz FSB parts and will probably launch with the Sonoma platform.

If this works out well, I may consider purchasing a new ThinkPad T43 or T50 in Q1 of '05 I can't wait for PCIe and SATA to hit the notebook market!

[Bala Pitchandi]

I have been waiting for the last two years to update my six year old Thinkpad.

I think this could be it - this platform refresh and the processor speed of 2+ GHz would be good enough for another 6 years....

Now only if IBM puts in lots of goodies:

1. 'Real' Windows Key (as an option)
2. FireWire port in T4xp series.
3. A consumer-oriented finish

I can't wait to see what's in store this Christmas/New Year's eve!

[Basar]

hmmm sounds interesting.

i got the EPP discount but I just don't want to pay $2500 for the top of the line T42p now and see that we have a better one available in a month but that's how electronics work i guess. bah. do you guys think IBM will have the 2.1 with sonamo right after new year's?

[rickslate]

According to wirelessnewsfactor.com:

"The new laptops -- which are updates of the existing ThinkPad T42 range -- will be available from 19 October priced from £1,300 + VAT. The underlying technology remains the same, except the new models feature a Pentium M 765 chip at 2.1 GHz and Intel's new tri-band wireless adapter."

Sounds like the T42s will get a power boost on October 19th along with the fingerprint reader. That's what I'm planning on buying so I hope IBM doesn't introduce anything more in Q4.