T42 v T43 v T60

[james2008]

I need some help deciding how to replace my broken T42. It worked well for my needs, but it's the second refurbed T42 I've used that broke within a year. I have three options:

1.) I can replace it with a refurbished T42 with a similar CPU and RAM, but worse peripherals. That would allow me to hot swap my drives and continue working without any issues. It would cost me $0.

2.) I can replace it with a refurbished T43 with a slightly better CPU and RAM, and possibly a better wifi card. I would have to migrate my data over and reconfigure the machine. I might also have to pay approximately $50 to make this switch.

3.) I can replace it with a refurbished T60 with considerably better CPU (Core Duo), similar RAM, and a better wifi card. I would have to migrate my data over and reconfigure the mchine. I would have to pay approximately $150 to make this switch, because I would have to buy a new port replicator.

Are the performance and reliability advantages (if any) of the T43 and T60 worth the cost and headache here?

[dr_st]

T43 is less prone to GPU failures than T42. If you get the Intel GPU, it has no GPU failures at all. But it has a few minor annoyances (picky about hard drives, fan can run pretty loud).

T60 does not have any known issues, and offers better performance. It also tops at 3GB rather than 2GB. But of course, it is a different price range.

This is a tough choice. I don't think there is one right decision.

[killer]

If I had to replace my Intel T43 then I'd go for a T60. My tuppence worth.

[james2008]

Oh, good to know about the GPU on the T43s. My first T42 broke because of a GPU failure, and I've treated the second very gingerly because of it.

What about wifi performance on the T43 and T60? I often access wifi from a place where reception isn't excellent, and the T42 is somewhat unreliable there. It sometimes makes a high latency connection, while other wifi cards seem to work fine.

Edit - it's the Intel 2200BG card.

[ssd_thinkpad]

I would take the T60. It just works and there is no known GPU failure. It is not that nice looking like the T40 series but it feels solid

[james2008]

I'm practically sold. It turns out upgrading to a T60 will only cost around $60. It'll be an upgrade from:

T42 (2374 BH4)
Original description: Based on 2374-KRU: P M 735(1.7GHz), 1GB RAM, 40GB HDD, 14.1in 1024x768 LCD, 32MB ATI Radeon 7500, 24x24x24x/8x CD-RW/DVD, Intel 802.11bg wireless(MPCI), Modem(CDC), 1Gb Ethernet(LOM), UltraNav, Secure Chip, Fingerprint Reader, 6c Li-Ion, WinXP Pro

to:

T60 (2007-4EU)

T2400(1.83GHz), 512MB RAM, 60GB 7200rpm HD, 14.1in 1400x1050 LCD, 64MB ATI Radeon X1300, CDRW/DVD, Intel 802.11abg wireless, Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, Fingerprint reader, 6c Li-Ion batt, WinXP Pro

Except the 512MB RAM in the T60 is upgraded to 1GB. The T60 wireless card is also an Intel, but I'm hoping it's at least as reliable as the T42's.

[underclocker]

T42/T43 design is slightly more attractive, but the T60 weighs exactly the same amount and is within a hair of the same dimensions.

Even a lesser CPU'd T60 feels fast due to the platform upgrade (bus, memory, video, SATA drive, etc.)

T60 is the way to go.

[mattbiernat]

T60 is straight out ugly compared to T43. but T60 will take any abuse you put at it. so it is up to you.

[dr_st]

I find the clean boxy symmetry of a T60 14" nicer to look at than the weird curves of a 14" T4x, but I know I am a minority here.

15" T4x and T60 look almost the same (but not the topic here).

Definitely not ugly. For ugly Thinkpads you have to start looking at T61s and up (or really old stuff).

The particular upgrade is a tremendous one, and definitely worth $60. Just get 2-3GB RAM and that machine will fly.