Temptation for the 15''

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luckbird · #1 Post by **luckbird** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 2:52 pm

I am breaking my head deciding between 2379R1U and 2379DXU.
1.6G Vs 1.7G
256M Vs 512M
14XGA Vs 15 SGA+Flexview
40G5400 Vs 60G7200
FPR Vs Bluetooth

Both of them are good deal, price gap is 300$, I would like a 14'' one for its lightness, but 2378FVU has only one year warranty, but everything in 2379DXU is better than 2379R1U except the debatable FPR, worth every penny. btw, I probably need to throw the 256M right away for a 512M, final goal will be 1G.

I have two question
1. Is that important for the 1400*1050 resolution, 2379R1U don't have it. I am not a gamer sort, but a nice screen to ease my eye when look at document will be nice, comments about 1400*1050 Vs 1024*768?

2. Anyone comment on the portability of the 15'', I would foresee I expand it 2-3 times a day. I guess the one extra pound will make someone shout, not sure for me, hope IBM can give me chance to try each one for a week

Thx.

#2 Post by **K. Eng** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 3:42 pm

I'd recommend a 2378-FVU. You can upgrade the warranty to 3 years through IBM.

genomad · #3 Post by **genomad** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 3:50 pm

I just got the 2379DXU Its a really nice machine.
Go for the higher resolution, It helps more for everyday use much more than gamming (to play most games you need to decrease the resolution to increase the frame rate). Haveing more pixels on the screen gives you a lot more space to work with. If it seems hard to look at I think that you can adjust some settings to make the text larger.

As for the portability, the 15" thinkpad is the same wieght at the 15" powerbook that people claim are so portable. It is durrable and easy to carry around. I would forsee that the only problem is that if you need to carry it long distances often, then the extra pound might be an issue. It does get a little bit shorter battery life than the 14" but it still isn't bad at 3.5 hours.

go for the better screen.

ellinj · #4 Post by **ellinj** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 12:29 pm

Go with the 2373-M3U, it has almost everything you are looking for but with a "14 screen.

rickslate · #5 Post by **rickslate** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 2:13 pm

I've been using a 14" 1024x768 screen for 5 years and the screen resolution and size is perfect for most consumer applications... Internet browsing, word processing, games, and all the common tasks. The only programs that function terribly on this resolution are development apps like PhotoShop, Flash, Fireworks, etc. The multi-paned view of these apps require a higher resolution (all the toolbars and options panes reduce the working screen area to like 4"). This is the reason I'm switching to a 15" 1400x1050 screen on my next laptop. So it really depends on what kind of programs you plan on running, how good your eyes are, and whether you want a desktop replacement or good travel companion.

#6 Post by **daeojkim** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 3:02 pm

I don't see whole lot of difference between SXGA+ ad UXGA in terms of real estate. However going from XGA to SXGA or UXGA is like day and night.

wn0x · #7 Post by **wn0x** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 2:23 pm

The 2379DXU is a nice unit, the 15" SXGA+ screen gives you the benefit of added screen space but easier to see than the 14.1" SXGA+ screens, and not tiny like the UXGA models. Build quality on the unit I had was excellent and the 60GB 7200 HD helps to make this a nice configuration.

The issue for me turned out to be the physical size of the unit and weight. A slight challenge to use in a vehicle or cramped space. The extra weight in the back pack was noticeable. I was more likey to find a table then use it as a "laptop".

asiafish · #8 Post by **asiafish** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 3:57 pm

[quote="genomad"]As for the portability, the 15" thinkpad is the same wieght at the 15" powerbook that people claim are so portable. quote]

The 15" PowerBook is not the portable one, it is a big, wide desktop-replacement machine, just less obnoxious than the 17" which is more of a transportable than a portable.

The Apple laptop that people describe as "so portable" is the 12", which is narrower and shallower than the 14" T-series, though a tad thicker.

eigh · #9 Post by **eigh** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 7:55 pm

i hate how divided i am between what thinkpads to get (i better be the happiest man alive when i finally choose which one ill get)!!!!!!!!

edit: ive solved all my problems, and possibly yours!!!!

get the 2378FVU, and upgrade the ram!!!! it costs 1370$ (after and edu or credit card discount) and a stick of 512mb ram is only about 60$ on www.newegg.com (make sure you get the right pin count, and correct speed i think its pc2700 that youll need, and make sure its ddr not ddr2). omg im going to hug myself. i never thought about buying a 256mb and upgrading the ram seperately!!!!

edit2: here are some ram specs of 512mb sticks

ram from ibm for the 2378FVU
http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/store ... rId=201230

ram from zipzoomfly which i believe is identical to ibm's in every way (except for being 20$ cheaper):
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDe ... e=80065-03

ram from newegg that is 512mb and has 200pin count, youll have to read to see which ones listed are pc2700 and which ones arent:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.a ... rty&DEPA=0

the ones from newegg you can get for about 60$ after shipping, a great deal if you ask me!

asiafish · #10 Post by **asiafish** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 8:37 pm

You'll love the FVU, the 14" machines are gorgeous. Ram is cheap.

eigh · #11 Post by **eigh** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 8:46 pm

now the thinkpads have one ram slot under the keyboard (the slot that the stock ram comes in, right?) and one slot on the bottom of the unit, correct?

if i wanted to i could remove the stock ram and put two 512mb ram sticks in the 2378FVU?

(not something i plan on dooing, but it would be good to know)

heres a link to the specs of the fvu
http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/store ... logId=-840

asiafish · #12 Post by **asiafish** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 8:52 pm

Absolutely. I'd go ahead and put your 512MB chip under the keyboard and move the 256 to the bottom slot, so that when you do upgrade down the road it will be easier and faster.

I've got a full GB (two 512s) in my GVU and even with a dozen apps open I don't ever feel it slow down.

JHEM · #13 Post by **JHEM** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:10 pm

asiafish wrote:You'll love the FVU, the 14" machines are gorgeous. Ram is cheap.

The FVU is a magnificent machine and the display is gorgeous.

Regards,

James

eigh · #14 Post by **eigh** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:12 pm

1. how easy is it to change out the ram under the keyboard
2. i remember reading something on these forums about the "thai keyboard layout instead of the regualr layout" why is the thai layout or whatever better/more preferred?

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... light=thai

what does that guy mean?

heres another link about the thai keyboards:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... light=thai

asiafish · #15 Post by **asiafish** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:49 pm

Manufacture, not layout. Some keyboards are made in China (Chicony) and others in Thailand (NMB), the Thai ones feel better.

JHEM · #16 Post by **JHEM** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:53 pm

eigh wrote:1. how easy is it to change out the ram under the keyboard

Watch the movie: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-51448

Regards,

James

eigh · #17 Post by **eigh** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 10:39 pm

wow, thanks for the vids james, its not hard at all to swap out keyboards/change the ram slot under the keyboard.

thanks for posting.

JHEM · #18 Post by **JHEM** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 11:39 pm

eigh wrote:wow, thanks for the vids james, its not hard at all to swap out keyboards/change the ram slot under the keyboard.

There's more: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-50233

Another example of where the "extra" money we spend for our Thinkpads goes.

No other manufacturer provides this level of support to the user. Combined with the HMMs there are no secrets to popping the hood on a Thinkpad. One of the prime reasons I and so many other engineers on the Forums are fatally attracted to the marque.

Regards,

James

eigh · #19 Post by **eigh** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 11:56 pm

yes im begining to see more and more why a thinkpad from ibm is so sweet.

the other day when walking back from my classes, i saw someone with a t42 sitting down and using it. after i asked him some questions about it, and saw how small/thin and light it was, i was sold for sure.

ibm>*.*

rhema83 · #20 Post by **rhema83** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 12:00 am

As an engineer by education (and profession in future), I am totally marvelled by the amount of human engineering gone into the design of the Thinkpad. Think about it, Thinkpads are actually very good value for money!

Personally I use the FVU and it's a joy. The screen is awesome (very good for working with photoshop or doing programming) and there is no problem with games/movies/music. The on-board sound is pretty good if you use quality headphones (I recommend Sennheiser PC-130/150 if you want headphones with mic) or speakers (I'm using Creative Inspire 2800).

512MB of RAM used to cost about $100 from Crucial but I think it's cheaper now. 1GB of RAM is probably all you'll need for the next couple of years. (I never ever pushed my 768MB to the max even when working with many photos loaded in memory or playing games!)

eigh · #21 Post by **eigh** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 12:40 am

rhema, you bought the hd and upgraded it seperately i take it?

do you have any problems with more noise or more heat from the 7200rpm hd?

esquire · #22 Post by **esquire** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 8:18 am

YOu guys forgot the best feature of the 15.. flexview.

The 7200 HD is near silent and heat doesn't seem to be a problem, although the fan is on alot... but I use alot of 3d so that could be the reason. Regardless, its pretty quiet compared to similar lapops.

Portability, I carry mine in a backpack everyday to work and travel with it always. Invest in a quality laptop bag/backpack and you are covered.

Also, I just upgraded to 1gig of ram and its a thing of beauty.

Torque · #23 Post by **Torque** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 8:27 am

I bought the 14" in favor of the 15" T42p.
The smaller case and lighter weight plays a bigger part for me.

luckbird · #24 Post by **luckbird** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 2:34 pm

Wu, no one is on the 2379R1U side, guess 1024*768 bored all of you.

One of my friend’s argument is like this, 300$, you can buy a 17 inch LCD(or even 19 inch one) back in home with that amount of money, the laptop itself should be light. I think this make sense.

Thank you guys for the suggestion, the pop options are:
2373-M3U, more expensive than 2379DXU, seems I am paying 100$ more to get my screen shrinked from 15inch to 14inch, hehe, how ridiculous.
2378-FVU update to 3 years warranty, not expensive at all, anyone know how much does it cost to change 256M to 512M in one slot?
2379DXU, 15inch, let me love you, let me hate you.

I think I will set up for a store to lay my hand on these model to get a feel and make final decision.

Thank you guys, I really like this site.

Temptation for the 15''

Temptation for the 15''

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