Thinkpads Forum

My T22 has served me well;but alas,It no longer can serve as an extension of my Desktop as it dont have the resources to run all the software I need/want to run.

I am now looking @ T30s & T41s on ebay.

I have a Question

I would normally lean towards a P4 processor; but,am seeing claims that the Pentium M and/or Centrino is faster.

My intended tasks include:CADCAM , Bluetooth GPS ,Mapping,WiFi,Wardriving,Playing DVDs , MS Word and Excel,
X10 based home security and surveilance

Any thoughts on which processor would serve me best?....Thanks in advance for your time.

I intend to get the best processor I can afford along with integrated
Bluetooth and ABG WiFi ;and upgrade RAM and HDD as needed.

Pentium M is faster than Pentium 4-M. Get the fastest CPU you can. If you can afford it, go for a T43 or R50/52 with warranty left. What is your budget? This one would be a good choice. $600 with warranty until 2009...wow!!
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=52513

You should look first in our Market forum before eBay.
You may perhaps pay a little bit more here, but this stuff you can trust, which is not always the case at eBay.
If CAD/CAM is your main goal, I think a PC with a large CRT-monitor would be much better.

Pentium M is What I will shoot for then...............thanks

I do look at the marketplace in this forum also;but,the prices on ebay is what allows me to upgrade.

Trying hard to stay under $400 am looking @ T43 also now.

Looked @ R50s ;dont like that big 15"screen almost went with X series for small size ;but,would like to have one of those little touchscreen thingys on this one.along with Bluetooth and WiFi that will make it totally wireless

Laptop is for portable use:have 19" lcd on desktop & 21" CRT cant hardly give away.

Thanks again

RealBlackStuff wrote:If CAD/CAM is your main goal, I think a PC with a large CRT-monitor would be much better.

Any particular reason for the latter recommendation? I'd understand if there was graphics work involved, but I don't see how CAD is better off with a CRT.

T22 4me wrote:Trying hard to stay under $400 am looking @ T43 also now.

Most people tend to look only at specs like processor speed, hard drive capacity, RAM size and screen size, but the most important things to consider are actually weight and display resolution. For your purpose, I think 14.1" SXGA+ (i.e. 1400x1050) would be much better than XGA (1024x768), and I doubt that any of these <$400 T43's have SXGA+. Units with SXGA+ usually cost $50 to $100 more.

I tend to look at my CPU usage when I render Programs.

Flash CPR ****EATS**** ghz

What helps here is a faster CPU and a better graphics adapter

I only program part time these days anyway.
I just want the capability to do it on my laptop when need be.
I have programmed from motel rooms and at fireside while camping.

qviri wrote:Any particular reason for the latter recommendation? I'd understand if there was graphics work involved, but I don't see how CAD is better off with a CRT.

If you have ever worked with e.g. AutoCAD, you'd know what 'real estate' is taken up by just the help- and screen-options.
Design anything, you want the largest possible screen. A laptop, even with a wide 15" or larger screen is not going to cut it.

Yes, but wouldn't a large external LCD monitor (say 1920*1200) do just as well? That's what I meant.

RealBlackStuff wrote:If you have ever worked with e.g. AutoCAD, you'd know what 'real estate' is taken up by just the help- and screen-options.

Having more real estate is also important for Excel, which the OP will use this laptop for. That's why I recommended the OP to look for SXGA+ units and avoid XGA ones, although s/he didn't seem to agree. I work with Excel spreadsheets all the time and XGA screens would drive me nuts.

Depending on what you design with CAD, you want the best possible picture. So far LCDs have not matched a good 22-24" CRT.
Of course, if the requirements are to program outdoors, then the biggest possible laptop with a 17" widescreen will do it, but at what price!

GibbsCam doesnt waste real estate the way that autocad does.

If I need Texas sized real estate while out of town I guess I could just load up the BIG screen HDTV............I am a (Him) none the less

and CRTs are a thing of the past all the programmers I know ditched them already.

Honestly fellows I was just asking about the CPU.

Thanks again Harry C for a simple answer ;I am watching the T43 's real close now;stretched the budget a little bit and leaning that way.

T22 4me wrote:Thanks again Harry C for a simple answer ;I am watching the T43 's real close now;stretched the budget a little bit and leaning that way.

You're welcome.

T22 4me wrote:I am watching the T43 's real close now

At least on this forum, the T42 is more popular, mainly due to the high percentage of T43s having noisy fans, and the T43's 2010 error for "incompatible" hard drives. Few people would notice any difference in processor speed between the T42 and the T43.

If I had the money I would go for a T42 or T42p as well.
However, since I use my PC most of the time, I could not justify buying another laptop. My T23 and T30 are really a luxury, gaining dust mostly during the winter (they hibernate ).

Well I went with the T41. 2373-9U5

Pent M 1.6g,40g hdd ,1g ram ,SXGA ,32mb video, Bluetooth & WiFi ABG

Have had it for a week.and aside from sound and bluetooth issues that quickly resolved I am thrilled with my latest Buy.

Have also purchased bluetooth GPS ,a BT mouse ,a 9 cell battery & a high res. webcam and still am not much over 500.

I sold the T22 @ a fair price to a coworker(As well as a P3 Netvista) who is as pleased with his purchase as I am with mine.(His 1st Laptop)My hope is that he will become a TP Lover as I am ; this one makes my 5th.

I realize it isnt the High Performance Machine that some of these new ones are;but,I believe in A Good Solid Foundation and from what I have read ;here,it is upgradeable to meet my needs over its Life cycle.

I cant help but wonder though;How will the USED Lenova T60 be when it comes time to upgrade again.(only time will tell)

Best wishes to all and Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!

Great choice!!