Thinkpads Forum

I tentatively plan to get a T42 or T43 as my first ThinkPad, but I'm concerned that the thinner hardware might mean more chance of something going wrong.

Past experience makes me wary. I had a heavy, secondhand Toshiba Satellite that ran flawlessly for more than a year. It was replaced by a thinner, lighter Dell Latitude that had an unsettling amount of flex in the body and gave me many performance problems.

I'd accept more bulk (in an R series) if it meant a sturdier, more reliable computer.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

R series' abs plastic is well tested. if im not mistaken, it is even used for sewage system.

Now, the T series is made for people who are going to carry it around a lot, so I'd expect that a T42/T43 can take some abuse. The R series is at the 'low' end, and, abvc's comment not withstanding, might actually be (slightly) less robust. The clamshell design tends to give TPs an edge over its competitors, so I'd rather suggest that You discount Your experience with the Dell Latitude somewhat.
I'd say, go for the model that fits Your usage pattern; maybe You'll regret not getting the lighter and thinner T model some time in the future.

abvc wrote:[...] it is even used for sewage system.

OK, that's now the top entry in my "List of cross connections I never thought I would learn about". And whatever material the T series are made of, I don't want to know where else that stuff is used, ok? ok. (-:

cheers,
-- fish

Both machines use the same basic internals, but I would call out that the T series would be more reliable due to the additional protection offerred by the upgraded chassis covering materials.

(That and it's just plain sexy versus the R5)

N.

Having worked for extensive periods of time with my T42, and having worked every now and then with my friend's R50e, I cannot say that one feels more sturdy than the other. The R is thicker and heavier, but the T uses different materials (carbon fiber, I think) and magnesium in the LCD lid, which more than makes up for the width. Both models feel solid as hell, from the wrist support area all the way to the titanium LCD hinges. The R50e lacks the hard disk Active Protection System compared to the T, but other R-series models have it as well.

I have on intentions to throw both of them down from the third floor just to see who is going to survive better.

And of course, the T is better looking and lighter.