Already Purchased & Rec'd the 2373L1U - Exchange it?

[Juicylicious]

I received my 2373L1U nearly two weeks ago. I've never owned a notebook before and I'm not tech savvy. I'm wondering if I should get a different model now. I have until 4/29 to return this one.

My needs:

This notebook will replace my desktop. I'm an attorney and will use this notebook for creating and storing all of my work, consisting mainly of emails, Word docs, Excel docs. I will also use it for personal use. I currently store hundreds of mp3s and pics on my desktop, which is quickly dying. I need lots of storage space. I also need to install Office XP, Adobe Photoshop, and various other programs such as my mp3 player interface. I am in the Army Reserves and may or may not get deployed in the next year. Although the Army uses Panasonic Toughbooks and Dells, I will have to take my notebook wherever I go. It will be my only communication with the world. This notebook needs to last 3+ years.

What I like about the T42 that I just bought:

It is lightweight - 5.7 lbs and compact. The keyboard is easy to type on. I like the option of using the either the pointer or the pad.

What I don't like:

The monitor is difficult to read in bright light.

I'v only loaded Office XP so far and no mp3s or pics as I'm not sure if I'm keeping it, so I'm not sure how if the hard drive is large enough. My main concerns is that the hard drive is only 40 gb and the resolution is XGA. I spoke with an IBM cust svc rep and she suggested that I just buy an 80 gb hard drive and swap it with the 40 gb drive. The cost of the 80 gb from IBM is $299.

I then spoke with an IBM sales rep about the education discount and he suggested that I buy the 2379DXU.

Here are the specs:

2373L1U - $1499

OS Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Bus type PCI
Bays Ultrabay Slim
Cover Magnesium
PC Card 2 Type II or I Type III
Display 15.0, 1024x768
Graphics 32MB, ATI Mobility RADEON 7500, XGA
Video RAM DDR SDRAM
Processor Pentium M Processor 735, 1.70 GHz
Memory 512MB / 2GB
RAM slots Total 2 SODIMM
RAM slots available 1 SODIMM
Memory speed 333 MHz
Hard drive 40 GB, 5400
CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo, 24X/24X/24X/8X
Bluetooth, 802.11b/g
5.70 lbs, 1.2" x 10.6" x 13.0"
Hard disk drive password, Power-on password, Supervisor password, IBM Security Slot, IBM Embedded Security Subsystem 2.0, Integrated fingerprint reader
Three years parts and labor (system battery: one year)
6 Cell Lithium-Ion battery

+ 3 yr protection $169
+ Port replicator $0
+ 9 cell battery $49

Total, inc. tax = $1825

The 2379DXU - $1646.10

Pentium M 735 1.7 GHz - 15" TFT
13 in x 10.6 in x 1.4 in
6 lbs
RAM 512 MB (installed) / 2 GB (max) - DDR SDRAM - PC2700 - 333 MHz
Hard Drive 60 GB - 7200 rpm
Optical Storage CD-RW / DVD-ROM combo - plug-in module
Display 15" TFT active matrix SXGA+ (1400 x 1050)
Graphics Controller ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9600 - 64 MB
Networking Network adapter - Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
Wireless NIC Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG
6 cell battery
3 years warranty

+ 3 yr protection - $169
+ IBM USB 2.0 Memory Key USB flash drive - 128 MB - $41.95
+ Optical mouse and notebook carrying case - $0

Total, inc. tax = $1974.90

I'm not sure if I have to return the port replicator if I return the 2373L1U. I hope that I'll be able to keep the 9 cell battery for $49.

So, is it worth it to send back the 2373L1U and buy the 2379DXU for the $150 difference? The 2379 does not have the fingerprint reader, which I haven't used yet. I'm not really familiar with using a memory key and I don't know if I'd be able to use one on with the 2373. It does seem like a good way of storing data.

Are there any other models that I should consider?

[Juicylicious]

I should add that a fear that I have of the SXGA resolution is that I won't be able to read text. I'm getting to the point that I need reading glasses to read small print in dim light. I don't have any problems reading text on my 1048 x 798 XGA.

Thanks!

[JHEM]

If you're comfortable reading a 14.1" XGA display you should be OK with a 15" SXGA+ display.

Regards,

James

[mysbca]

I would trade the 2373L1U with the 2379DXU. The 2379DXU is a very good value right now.

You get the brighter and better Flexview screen, Radeon 9600 graphics chip, bigger and faster 7200rpm hard drive.

The downside with the brighter screen is that it uses more power, so your battery life will be shorter.

IMO, XGA on a 15" screen is overkill. Everything will be big.
SXGA+ will look clearer even though the the text might be smaller. You can also adjust the size by changing the DPI setting to 120 or more in Windows-> Properties -> Settings.

By the way, 80GB drive at IBM is overprice. You can get one for about $13x at Zipzoomfly.com.

The 128MB USB drive is also overpriced. You can get 512MB drives for $40-$50, sometimes less after rebates. USB drives are very convenient to transfer small amount of data. They work fine with most laptops.

[hotwheels]

I bought the L1u and recently exchanged it for a 3mu for about the same price, only I did get an EPP deal. I liked the 3mu, but I wanted a larger hard drive and something just a little smaller in size, so the 14.1 screen is ok for me, even with the smaller font. You can adjust the screen font size and it is ok. I have aging eyes and it is a concern for me too. I looked at t he DXU too and I think it is great value.

[BillMorrow]

trial lawyer or contract lawyer..??

FWIW, HDD's are very easy to swap and upgrade..

ANY display is difficult to read in bright light..
BUT, the 15 inch 1050x1400 display is flexview..
however, not likely to be any easier to read in sunlight..
in a courtroom or law library it should be fine..

there ARE other lawyers hereabouts..