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bigndude · #1 Post by **bigndude** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 1:58 pm

I am looking forward to finally getting a thinkpad for myself for next year, but I am in quite a trouble spot and hopefully you guys can give me some advice. Heres the lowdown on my situation, next year I am going to be freshman in college and I want to get a T-series, but I am majoring in Biomed Eng. so I need a laptop that can do some minor engineering stuff. I've narrowed it down to the following choices:

The T43 2687D3U with 1.86 ghz, 512mb ram, 60 gig hd, and x300 vid card

The T43 266874U with 2 ghz, 512, 80 gig, x300

and Finally the T42 2373M1U with a 1.8ghz pm 745, 512 ram, 80 gig, and an ATI 9600

I really have no clue which of these three would be the best for me. I see from all the posts that I have been looking at for the past month that t43s have fan problems (too much noise) something which I probably wouldn't like. Also I see the perhaps that t42 doesn't lag so far behind in performance, and maybe even exceeds the T43. My main question is, how would the T42 compare to its T43 counterparts, and would the 1.8- 2 ghz difference be noticeable. At the same time how would light gaming, like once a month at most work on any of these, and which would be better the T42 or T43.

Thanks

edit I forgot to mention this, but which of these laptops would be able to last 4 years of moderately heavy use. Which would age better?

fbrdphreak · #2 Post by **fbrdphreak** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 2:31 pm

Since you're just entering college, I'll clue you in that "engineering work" will mostly be done on lab computers because they use expensive software packages you can't touch. For any work you DO do on a personal machine, it will be limited to like software compiling or something.

In regards to the machine, I will reiterate the T43 fan issue: it is [censored] annoying. The Sonoma platform uses more power and generates more heat, with only 5-10% performance increases IF THAT. I would go with a T42 because it will still be more than enough for your needs, is more cost effective, and has better battery life.

In regards to gaming, the 9600 & X300 are very similar. X300 is pretty much the PCI-E version of the 9600. Both will run most games @ low resolutions.

In regards to longevity, a T43 or T42 will last equally long in terms of technology. Yes Sonoma has a LOT more features, but its not like they make a huge difference. Only potential longevity factor that the T43 has is the ExpressCard slot, which basically allows previous PC Card devices to access the PCI-E bus for higher bandwidth. Not sure if you'll see a complete replacement of PC Card for ExpressCard in 4 years, doubtful

#3 Post by **daeojkim** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 4:22 pm

I agree with above post. I don't own a T43 but it seem like there are fan noise issues with them. I would believe it with features and idel temperatures of T43 would cause this problem (I don't know if this really IS a problem).

T42's definitely have better bang for the buck at this moment compared to T43s. If you want to get a notebook now I would go for T42, the extra price and few features does not seem to be worth paying extra premium for T43.

If you are going to college next year may be waiting for dual core processors may be a possibility.

fbrdphreak · #4 Post by **fbrdphreak** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 4:35 pm

If you are going to college next year may be waiting for dual core processors may be a possibility.

At this point, mobile dual cores really shouldn't be a consideration in purchasing for the near future. Intel's mobile Dual Core P-M (Yonah?) is expected to ship Q1 2006. Power consumption will inevitably be up and the performance results should be similar to those of the Dual Core desktop chips: great for multithreaded apps, but nothin' doin' for single threaded apps. Thus, single core for mobile use is ideal for the forseeable future

bigndude · #5 Post by **bigndude** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 8:09 am

I think I am going to go for the T42. The 43 just seems to overpriced for having the same things. I plan on ordering it now most likely with an EPP price, and I also plan on getting an extra 512mb ram for free from IBM so it shouldn't be too bad. Thanks for the help guys, hopefully it won't let me down in August.

fbrdphreak · #6 Post by **fbrdphreak** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 6:42 pm

I think you should be very happy with it. Good luck, w/the TP & College

rhema83 · #7 Post by **rhema83** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 11:38 pm

If you are going to college, don't rush to buy your TP. Your school may have very good discounts. The best deals are always educational ones, trust me.

I bought the 2378-FVU in August '04 and it's still one of the most value-for-money T42's around. RAM and HDD can be easily and inexpensively upgraded. (I spent $100 on extra 512MB RAM and $150 on 7K60 HDD.) The 1.7GHz Dothan chip is more than enough for college use and the 9600 graphics chip is great for some games.

baraider · #8 Post by **baraider** » Sun Apr 24, 2005 1:14 am

bigndude wrote: I plan on ordering it now most likely with an EPP price, and I also plan on getting an extra 512mb ram for free from IBM so it shouldn't be too bad.

Are you sure? Last time i check, with EPP, there is no promotional free second battery or ram... it's only applied for edu or regular /non EPP purchase.

Can you explain?

Ted_E · #9 Post by **Ted_E** » Sun Apr 24, 2005 9:51 pm

[quote="bigndude"]I am looking forward to finally getting a thinkpad for myself for next year,

I don't know how well off you are financially but if money is even a little bit tight, you should check out buying a refurb from IBM. I just got a T23 for myself and one for my daughter and they are one fine machine. The model we got came with a 256MB RAM to wich I added another 256MB. We also went with the Ultra burnner plus so we can burn and read both CDs and DVDs.

Personally, I'm not into games so I can't comment there except that I can't see why my T23 wouldn't do a great job. I am, however, *very* heavily into serious math/physics/engineering stuff almost all of which Is my own software written in APL2. I also do some digital camera stuff as well. There are very few things other than writing CDs and DVDs that there is perceptable delaybeteen hitting <Enter> and seeing results.

Whatever you decide, best of luck with your college and your TPad.

Ted

#10 Post by **aamsel** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 1:56 am

I keep hearing and reading this "that T42's have a better bang for the buck than a T43" but I can't find any real substantial truth in this.
The only T42 that people reference is the 2378FVU, but, lets say you want 1GB or more memory, and a 60GB 7200, 3 year warranty and TPP.

The FVU just comes with 1 year warranty, so you have to add the $299 Thinkpad Protection, about $150 for the hard drive. Then, if you want 1GB+ you have to either toss the 256 and buy (2) 512's or add a 1GB module.

I can't get EPP, so with Educational/MC/VISA pricing, the 2378FVU starts at $1,376 + $299 TPP + $150 + memory = $1,825 + memory with a b/g card.

I am considering the T43 that I just received, a CTO T43, model# 2687E9U. 1.86, 512MB, 60GB 7200rpm Hitachi, DVD/CD-RW, Fingerprint reader, IBM a/b/g with 3 year TPP for $1,955.

So, I paid an additional $130 for a/b/g and another 256MB, right ???

So, where is the "bang for the buck" on the T42 ???

Are there models that I am not aware of, and, if so, what are they?
Please let me know what you (or anyone) consider the best values in a T42 right now, other than the FVU.

Andrew
Austin, TX

daeojkim wrote:...T42's definitely have better bang for the buck at this moment compared to T43s...

#11 Post by **BillMorrow** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 2:39 am

the express models are the price leader..
i.e competing with the dell, h/p and other makers el cheapo offerings..
well, ok, no not so el cheapo, but less than most thinkpads..
squeezing that last nickel WILL get you a highly discounted new thinkpad..
and thats enough for some..

express models are all heavily discounted and not available to resellers, generally.. and not at a discount where a profit can be made..

the bang for the buck can only be approximated when buying through EPP or SPP or some other discounted way and they STILL must add local sales tax if any at the delivery address.. many buyers are not students or employees so they cheat the system..

still, for a basic thinkpad (FVU or the like) for a starving student (which student purchasing is made for) it will do a fine job..
not stellar as what could be had with a faster cpu, HDD and more memory, but still quite useable..

back to the bang for the buck part, generally, the T43's are less than the comperable T42 models..
so you DO get more in a T43 than a T42..

remember, all this is a generalization..
your personal mileage depends on the way you drive and what you drive, so it WILL vary..

no idea why..

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