2687D3U Purchase

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phpguru · #1 Post by **phpguru** » Sat May 28, 2005 2:56 pm

Anyone have any comments on this purchase? (better deals on similar models?) Comments suggestions?

2687D3U comes out to $1670 after tax.

I'm looking for:
SXGA+ 14''
> 40G Drive
CDRW or DVDR
512M ram at least
6 cell is fine but 9 cell would be nice
fingerprint reader (cool factor)
X300 or 9600
> 4 hours of battery

Can I call in and ask about the T42's (2373M3U or M1U) for EPP?

Also, could I add bluetooth to the 2687D3U later?

phpguru

wolfman · #2 Post by **wolfman** » Sat May 28, 2005 3:38 pm

Yes, if you call the 800 number in the upper right hand side of the EPP page you can ask them for a quote for any of the models in the tabook and an estimate on delivery time. Be warned though the last two times I called in they limited me to 2-3 models because they said it was a "sales line". I asked why not list all the models on the web and they said it was because they don't want customers to order products with 4 week waits when "comparable" products are available on the website in shorter time frames (like 4 weeks - oh sorry that was just me trying to be funny)

roast · #3 Post by **roast** » Sat May 28, 2005 6:17 pm

phpguru wrote: 2687D3U comes out to $1670 after tax.

Where did you get this price? ibm.com is currently giving me 1949 before tax, and online retailers I know of are ~1850.

I'd also like to know if bluetooth can be added on later.

Oh yea, just in case the number is in different currencies, the prices I reported are in USD.

phpguru · #4 Post by **phpguru** » Sat May 28, 2005 6:20 pm

I also see $1949 on the web but it its $1670 after tax for EPP customers. Sorry for not making that clear in my first post.

phpguru

roast · #5 Post by **roast** » Sat May 28, 2005 8:27 pm

Ahh.. okay.

It's not a problem; I'm just a student who's trying to work out the kinks of IBM's educational site (and on the verge of abandoning purchasing using it).

I also happen to be looking for specifications close to yours, except processor speed and price is also a concern for me. I have to say that I came to same model number as yours, after hours of searching for anything 14.1" with SXGA+. The only alternative that you may choose to consider is a CTO order for the equivalent specifications, as I found that CTO'ing the model, and upgrading the RAM yourself (so only going for 256MB RAM from IBM), is ~100$ cheaper, but of course, this doesn't take into account the EPP discount that you receive.

phpguru · #6 Post by **phpguru** » Sun May 29, 2005 12:02 pm

bump. any quick advice? Anyone know the prices for 2373M3U or 2373M1U off the top of their head (with EPP)? I can't call them until tuesday.

phpguru

CaptainMorgan · #7 Post by **CaptainMorgan** » Sun May 29, 2005 12:52 pm

phpguru wrote:I also see $1949 on the web but it its $1670 after tax for EPP customers. Sorry for not making that clear in my first post.

phpguru

I thought I knew what it meant.. I got the educational discount - Is EPP an employee discount?

phpguru · #8 Post by **phpguru** » Sun May 29, 2005 12:59 pm

Yes, I believe it stands for Employee Purchase Program.

CaptainMorgan · #9 Post by **CaptainMorgan** » Sun May 29, 2005 1:01 pm

Ah, thanks.

rxl77 · #10 Post by **rxl77** » Sun May 29, 2005 10:59 pm

I got the 2687D3U. It's not bad, and it was in stock so I got it quickly (5 days after I ordered). However, if I hadn't needed it urgently, maybe I should have opted for a T42 with SXGA.

2687D3U - just for reference for others has the following specs:

sonoma 1.86 ghz 14.1 SXGA
512mb RAM
60GB Harddrive
DVD Burner
Fingerprint scanner
3 year warranty

comes out to 1670 after tax

if you can afford to wait, get the T42 - I think it probably has better battery life due to the slower processor. But I heard the T43 has a newer LCD technology (hydis or something like that) which is brighter than the T42.

Anyway, I'd have gotten a T42 since I only really need a 14.1 SXGA, but don't need 60gb or dvd burner that much. 40GB and cdrw would have been fine.

JHaislet · #11 Post by **JHaislet** » Sun May 29, 2005 11:33 pm

Yep, I looked up the part numbers for the T43/T43p 14.1" LCD's and they're only using two suppliers: Hydis & Samsung. I wonder if one company provides the XGA & another provides the SXGA?

Lenovo/IBM had maybe 4-6 LCD suppliers for the 15" screens.

roast · #12 Post by **roast** » Sun May 29, 2005 11:35 pm

rxl77 wrote: 2687D3U - just for reference for others has the following specs:

It may be too early to ask, but how long does the battery last you for?

phpguru · #13 Post by **phpguru** » Sun May 29, 2005 11:39 pm

I'm juggling between this and a T42 2373M3U. The M3U would probably be quieter but it won't have the 9 cell battery although it should suffice my needs. The only problem is that I have to wait until tuesday to get a quote on one (through EPP).

phpguru

kaplanfx · #14 Post by **kaplanfx** » Mon May 30, 2005 7:27 pm

For the record, I just got a 2373M3U last week, it came with 92P6737 LCD PANEL14.1 SXGA+ HYDIS which I believe is the screen they were referencing above. I was away for the weekend and haven't got a chance to play with the machine yet, but I'll write a review in a couple of days. Also I believe the EPP price is just under $1500

-kaplanfx

phpguru · #15 Post by **phpguru** » Tue May 31, 2005 10:35 am

Alright, I can confirm this now. The D3U is aroudn $66 more. Any opinions either way? I'm deciding between:

9 cell (D3U) vs 6 cell (M3U)
T43 (D3U) (more noisy?) vs T42 (M3U)
M3U has bluetooth, D3U does not
D3U has 5400RPM, M3U has 7200RPM.
DVD-R (D3U) vs CDRW/DVD (M3U)

Many say the T43 is much louder but I don't know what 'louder' is so I'm kinda worried about the noise.

Help! Thanks in Advance.

phpguru

rxl77 · #16 Post by **rxl77** » Tue May 31, 2005 10:48 am

I have the D3U - it's really not that loud, although the fan is always on at a slight hum - 90% of the tiem I don't notice it there, unless I specifically concentrate on the sound. The 9 cell lasted me an entire weekend of travel, probably close to 6 hours with varying degrees of brightness of the LCD, with extensive surfing and Excel work. Also ramped down the processor speed using the IBM's built-in power scheme utility so that helped improve battery life. I bet I could get like 7 hours if I put the LCD at the minimum brightness (but it's really dark).

I don't know about the T42 vs T43 build quality - it seems like my T43 has some chassis flex on the palmrests. Never touched a T42 so nothing to compare it to =( But I'm wondering if the flex is normal for all T laptops. Anyway, the screen is very nice (but so sucky compared to the glossy screens), SXGA is good. If I were you, I'd get the T42 since it has higher RPM speed, bluetooth, and probably cheaper. Plus I don't think you'll need the add'l processing power which eats battery life, or the add'l heat of the T43. Fingerprint scanner is useless in my opinion, a nice novelty but it only is accurate like 50% of the time.

Yeah, if I could, I'd have gotten the T42.... if I could do it again, but when I checked the EPP site they didn't have any 14.1 SXGA T42's.... I didn't know I could call IBM and ask for it.

But trust me, the fan noise/add'l heat - it's not that big of a deal. Altho I bet on the T42 it's better than the T43 like everyone is saying. However the T43 will get you better resale value in the future... Both are nice laptops though.

phpguru · #17 Post by **phpguru** » Tue May 31, 2005 2:31 pm

bump for quick comments! I would like to order it today!

phpguru

mysbca · #18 Post by **mysbca** » Tue May 31, 2005 3:17 pm

To add more for you to think about:

If you want bluetooth and don't need the multiburner, you can consider the 266873u or 266876u for the same price as the 2373m3u. Includes 2.0GHz P-M, 80GB 5400rpm HD, bluetooth. 73u comes with Intel abg wireless, 76u comes with IBM abg II. No fingerprint scanner.

Add $45 for fingerprint scanner by moving up to 266871u (Intel abg) or 266874u (IBM abg).

You can save a $100 by moving down to the 26684eu, it comes with 1.86GHz PM, bluetooth, Intel abg and fingerprint scanner, but only 40GB HD.

All comes with 6 cell battery.

Edit: Oops, they might have reduced the EPP discount on the standard T43s. Many of the T43 models are now listed online, but only at 25% discount instead of 35% before.

JHaislet · #19 Post by **JHaislet** » Tue May 31, 2005 5:07 pm

I've noticed the same thing! All the T43 & T43p's are only 25% off now on EPP

phpguru · #20 Post by **phpguru** » Tue May 31, 2005 5:28 pm

Looks like M3U is for me then!

kaplanfx · #21 Post by **kaplanfx** » Tue May 31, 2005 6:41 pm

Congrats, I've had my M3U for a few days now and although I haven't had too much time to play around with it, I've found it to be a great machine.

-kaplanfx

phpguru · #22 Post by **phpguru** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 1:12 pm

I just ordered it! I will be a TP owner!

Thanks everyone for your help in deciding, its much appreciated!

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