advice on T43p openbay model ADD options + purchase...

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pointfielder · #1 Post by **pointfielder** » Fri May 13, 2005 9:14 pm

Hi All,

I am considering buying one of the T43p open bay models
2687E4U or 2687EJU (2GHz, 15" UXGA, 128MB FireGL V3200)
with the following options:

OS: XP Pro
Mem: 256MB (upgrade from crucial.com, IBM's prices are very steep)
HardDisk: 60GB 7200rpm
Optical: Multi-Burner
Wireless: IBM abg Mini PCI Adapter II
Battery: 9 cell

Anything I should add/modify?
Also, are there any disadvantages to ordering the openbay models
compared to the preconfigured ones listed in the TABOOK?

All suggestions welcome.

Thanks very much!

emorphien · #2 Post by **emorphien** » Fri May 13, 2005 11:12 pm

I haven't seen any disadvantages to this. I plan to do the same, except I'm going with the E4U model. I can't pass up going with this model for $2200.

Similar specs too, check prices on mwave for Kingston ram though, they have 1GB sticks for $120 that should work fine in the T43p.

The only thing I am curious about is the warranty at this point. Don't know if upgrading the 3yr to a 4yr depot is worth it. Don't even know if I'm eligible for it, it gives me some message.

CoolDragon · #3 Post by **CoolDragon** » Fri May 13, 2005 11:50 pm

Where do you guys get this price?

JHaislet · #4 Post by **JHaislet** » Sat May 14, 2005 1:31 am

I really like the spec's of the 2687E4U & 2687EJU, however, I'd really like to get the 14.1" SXGA+ screen; instead of the 15" UXGA. Has anyone seen ANY T43p open bay models with the 14" screens?

emorphien · #5 Post by **emorphien** » Sat May 14, 2005 1:50 am

JHaislet wrote:I really like the spec's of the 2687E4U & 2687EJU, however, I'd really like to get the 14.1" SXGA+ screen; instead of the 15" UXGA. Has anyone seen ANY T43p open bay models with the 14" screens?

I haven't seen one, I looked. I think I can live with another 15" laptop, the T43 is a lot smaller than my dell! and lighter.

JHaislet · #6 Post by **JHaislet** » Sat May 14, 2005 2:02 am

Which Dell are you comparing it to?

I've got an Inspiron 8000 that's about 4yrs old, and it's foot print is the exact same as the T43p 15". The only differences are in thickness (~2.1") and weight (7.9 pounds).

I do however, really like the 15" 1600x1200 screen, but really want a more mobile computer as I'll be using this in class every day for grad school. I think 1400x1050 will be more than sufficent, as my main desktop only has a 17" LCD @ 1280x1024.

Weight also starts to become an issue IMHO once you get over 5 pounds. The 14" models stay right at or a tad under 5 pounds, whereas the 15" T43p is what, 5.9 pounds?

Between the two:
14" (12.2" x 10.0" x 1.0-1.2")
15" (13.0" x 10.6" x 1.2-1.4")

emorphien · #7 Post by **emorphien** » Sat May 14, 2005 2:43 am

JHaislet wrote:Which Dell are you comparing it to?

I've got an Inspiron 8000 that's about 4yrs old, and it's foot print is the exact same as the T43p 15". The only differences are in thickness (~2.1") and weight (7.9 pounds).

I do however, really like the 15" 1600x1200 screen, but really want a more mobile computer as I'll be using this in class every day for grad school. I think 1400x1050 will be more than sufficent, as my main desktop only has a 17" LCD @ 1280x1024.

Weight also starts to become an issue IMHO once you get over 5 pounds. The 14" models stay right at or a tad under 5 pounds, whereas the 15" T43p is what, 5.9 pounds?

Between the two:
14" (12.2" x 10.0" x 1.0-1.2")
15" (13.0" x 10.6" x 1.2-1.4")

I'm in the same boat as you. My Dell is an Inspiron 8100, 15" UXGA. I originally wanted a 14.1" T, but the 15" T is enough thinner and almost several pounds lighter that I can accept that vs the Dell.

The footprint isn't the biggest issue with my Dell, but the thickness and weight are. The weight wears on you and it's thick enough to be tight to pack at times with books.

It seems we've got a similar upgrade path though. I bought the 8100 when it was fresh about 4 years ago, I'm done with my undergrad and need a new laptop for grad school.

The dell is 1.7" thick and weighs just shy of 8 pounds. The IBM on the other hand is at most 1.4 inches thick and weighs about 6 pounds. I'd like a 14.1", but I won't cry about a 15.

JHaislet · #8 Post by **JHaislet** » Sat May 14, 2005 3:18 am

Yep, agreed. I was running some different combinations for the 2687-EJU and they really stick it to ya on the ram & hdd upgrades.

Get this: They really make up for the low prices on upgrades!

256MB PC4200 DDR2 SODIMM is $98
40GB 5400rpm HDD $155
60GB 7200rpm HDD $240 ($180 online)

Another thing, this model says bluetooth, but I think they just installed/ran the antenne (along with the wi-fi antenne) for bluetooth.

I think you still have to add a bluetooth board to the computer (just like with the mini-pci for wifi).

No biggie for me though, as I don't even own or would even use the bluetooth, but I though they were kinda vague as to it's description.

I'm coming up right at about $1900 w/60GB 7200rpm hdd & 256MB ram.

For ~$140 I can get a 1GB SODIMM from Crucial or $85 each for the 512MB SODIMMS (if I want dual channel).

So basically, for a little over $2k, I've configured the exact same T43p (minus the premium you pay for the PM 2.13ghz).

I guess there's only one thing left to do before I order & that's track down a T43/T43p to physically handle/fondle

emorphien · #9 Post by **emorphien** » Sat May 14, 2005 11:52 am

I am curious about the bluetooth as well. As far as I can tell it says it has the antenna and then specifies bluetooth under networking along with the modem and ethernet controller and whatnot so it sounds like it has it. If not, the module is upgradeable (aka user installable) if you do want it I believe. It's not something I would use now but since I'd have this thing for 4 years or more it's probably best if I get it because I may end up needing it.

Heres what the page on that open bay model says:

Networking
Networking: Network adapter
Data Link Protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth

To me that sounds like it includes bluetooth ability right in there with ethernet.

chbone · #10 Post by **chbone** » Sat May 14, 2005 11:54 am

I think we should have the bluetooth.

emorphien · #11 Post by **emorphien** » Sat May 14, 2005 11:56 am

chbone wrote:I think we should have the bluetooth.

But you don't know for sure.

chbone · #12 Post by **chbone** » Sat May 14, 2005 11:59 am

I am sure

emorphien · #13 Post by **emorphien** » Sat May 14, 2005 12:00 pm

chbone wrote:I am sure

Ahh, then next time say so!

ads · #14 Post by **ads** » Sat May 14, 2005 5:39 pm

Does anyone know if the EPP discount applies to open bay models, and if so, what the EPP discount % is?

emorphien · #15 Post by **emorphien** » Sun May 15, 2005 1:28 am

EPP does apply to Open Bay. I got it on there and a few things dropped in price.

[censored] though, they say the ship date is July 14th for me.

Thinker · #16 Post by **Thinker** » Sun May 15, 2005 1:34 am

Pardon my ignorance, but...what is an open bay model?

Thanks.

emorphien · #17 Post by **emorphien** » Sun May 15, 2005 1:41 am

Thinker wrote:Pardon my ignorance, but...what is an open bay model?

Thanks.

Barebones chassis basically. You configure it with RAM, HDD, Optical, Wifi, etc.

baraider · #18 Post by **baraider** » Sun May 15, 2005 1:42 am

Thinker wrote:Pardon my ignorance, but...what is an open bay model?

Thanks.

more like Customized to Order model...

these open bay model type is not on tabook, you pick the cpu, hd, ram depends on your need...

JHaislet · #19 Post by **JHaislet** » Sun May 15, 2005 1:46 am

With my educational discount, an $1100 base system (before adding ram, hdd, battery ect) was around $1000, so it's maybe 10% or less. I would assume the normal 35% EPP does NOT apply to open bay models, as there is very little markup with the base system. However, I'm sure EPP purchases get rather nice discounts on the $1000+ in parts & upgrades most open bay models need.

@ Thinker: open bay models are select Thinkpads sold with just the motherboard, cpu, video, lcd & case. You add ram, hdd, wireless/ethernet, battery, optical drives, ect to the base "open bay" model. With some config's, you can save some $$$ if you peice it together wisely.

Thinker · #20 Post by **Thinker** » Sun May 15, 2005 2:36 am

emorphien, baraider, JHaislet:

Thanks.

emorphien · #21 Post by **emorphien** » Sun May 15, 2005 2:39 am

No problem.
I configured it with XP Pro, the multiburner, 60gig 7200rpm, 256 RAM, IBM wifi, 6 and 9 cell batteries and ThinkPad Protection for $2200 (hopefully I am not forgetting anything).

Not a bad price at all, but looks to be a long wait. Guess I won't have any trouble setting aside some money for the RAM upgrades.

JHaislet · #22 Post by **JHaislet** » Sun May 15, 2005 2:40 am

Haha, looks like we were all replying at once!

NaT · #23 Post by **NaT** » Sun May 15, 2005 9:44 am

emorphien wrote:No problem.
I configured it with XP Pro, the multiburner, 60gig 7200rpm, 256 RAM, IBM wifi, 6 and 9 cell batteries and ThinkPad Protection for $2200 (hopefully I am not forgetting anything).

Not a bad price at all, but looks to be a long wait. Guess I won't have any trouble setting aside some money for the RAM upgrades.

Wow, similar config to mine but I didn't order Thinkpad protection. Regarding long wait, I did order since April 4, so far the status say "Packing" but nothing come out yet. Hope that it will come in a week or two. The status on the IBM configured page says "15 days availability" now but nothing can be trusted. It was like that for a few weeks already.

NaT

NaT · #24 Post by **NaT** » Sun May 15, 2005 9:47 am

Just curious, anyone knows if we can order "just the barebone" of EJU or E4U system so that we don't have to pay for the extra pricey parts like HDD/RAM? Anyone have tried that? If yes, then we can add RAM/HDD as we want.

In the online website we can click "Add to cart" without adding options but I doubt IBM will deliver an incompleted system.

NaT

RS_003 · #25 Post by **RS_003** » Sun May 15, 2005 12:01 pm

Mhzzz barebone ... seems intresting...

But can you order it in europe to? I live in Holland and IBM Netherland links to the usa shop, but the usa shops says i cant order there since i am not an american ... fu*king crap :/

JHaislet · #26 Post by **JHaislet** » Sun May 15, 2005 12:58 pm

NaT wrote:Just curious, anyone knows if we can order "just the barebone" of EJU or E4U system so that we don't have to pay for the extra pricey parts like HDD/RAM? Anyone have tried that? If yes, then we can add RAM/HDD as we want.

In the online website we can click "Add to cart" without adding options but I doubt IBM will deliver an incompleted system.

NaT

I think buying the IBM internals FROM IBM is all part of the deal/package. There's no financial motivation for IBM to offer such a barebone at their current prices if they're unable to make some $$$ back by requiring the internal components be purchased from them.

pointfielder · #27 Post by **pointfielder** » Sun May 15, 2005 1:20 pm

Even though it has "Add to Cart" option for the Open Bay Model, it says
on the same screen "required" components, such as OS, Mem, HDD,
optical drive. Clicking on the Add to Cart button just takes you to the
customize option screen with above mentioned components marked
by * and required to be selected. Actually it selects those options for
you to default (lowest cost) value ones, which of course you can
change to whatever you want.

davidlg16 · #28 Post by **davidlg16** » Mon May 16, 2005 2:42 am

pointfielder wrote:Even though it has "Add to Cart" option for the Open Bay Model, it says
on the same screen "required" components, such as OS, Mem, HDD,
optical drive. Clicking on the Add to Cart button just takes you to the
customize option screen with above mentioned components marked
by * and required to be selected. Actually it selects those options for
you to default (lowest cost) value ones, which of course you can
change to whatever you want.

not true when I ordered mine, and i kno other ppl have done the same...when I clicked "add to cart", only the bare system added to cart. I, however, opted for the 3 yr warranty that comes w/ parts ordered w/ a system, so i clicked "add options"(or "config options or something like that). my friend ordered the same system w/ exact same spec, but he clicked "add to cart" for the barebone system, and then bought the anthero Wifi, 9 cell, and Combo drive separately but also from IBM, he ended up paying ~$350 less than me b/c he bought HDD and Ram somewhere else. but the only downside is that all the separate parts he got from IBM only have 1 yr warranty

this is true as of 4/23, cuz thats when my friend ordered his and he receiced it last wk i think

emorphien · #29 Post by **emorphien** » Mon May 16, 2005 9:25 am

My order is saying "System Hold"

Ack!

edit: nevermind fixed a billing problem that should clear up

And the NY state guy says 10 to 15 business days. My fingers are crossed!

NaT · #30 Post by **NaT** » Mon May 16, 2005 11:07 pm

davidlg16 wrote: I, however, opted for the 3 yr warranty that comes w/ parts ordered w/ a system, so i clicked "add options"(or "config options or something like that) ........ but the only downside is that all the separate parts he got from IBM only have 1 yr warranty

Some accessories and options are 1-year warranty whether you buy it with with the system.

Has anyone notice that the price of the exactly the same parts for CTO T43 and T43p is totally different? T43p's is much more expensive than T43. In your case, T43+options and T43 barebone are $350 different but in T43p, it would be around $600-700. That's why I asked if we can just buy the barebone system.

NaT

advice on T43p openbay model ADD options + purchase...

advice on T43p openbay model ADD options + purchase...

Price different on CTO parts for T43 and T43p

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