T43P 15in Arrived...some questins

[mdlewis]

Well..I got my 2668H2U 15in T43P yesterday. It seems to be a worthy sucessor to my very old 600X and my earlier 4 Thinkpads. The screen fonts are a bit smaller than I would like when running at 1600x1200 but some adjusting in Windows solves this. I don't notice the fan and hard drive noise that some other folks have mentioned.

I do have a couple of questions:

1. Is it safe to put the machine in my bag with the battery down? The larger battery certainly does stick out more than the spec on the websites....about an extra half inch.

2. Does the larger battery last that much longer than the smaller one and can I used the smaller one in this machine?

3. What is the best way to adjust the processor speed settings when on battery? I don't see the IntelSpeedStep tab on the Power manager as the documentation indicates.

Thanks,

Mark

[stalin]

Hey Mark,

I have received my machine couple of days ago too. I have a question to you though. Do you have a problem with the fan? Does it work constantely? What is the cpu temp do you have?
It seems I'm quite "lucky" with mine - fan is always on and the temp stays around 49C. It seems I can't do anything about it

Thanks in advance for your info.

[IAmTheEvilest]

1. I don't really know what you mean by having the "battery down." But it is safe to have the extended battery on when you put it in the case. I know of lot of people who travel with their Thinkpad in this configuration.

2. The extended battery lasts about 50% longer than the normal battery. That is because the normal battery is a 6 cell unit and the extended battery is a 9 cell battery. That is why the extended battery is... extended, it has to fit more cells And yes, you can use the normal non-extended in your Thinkpad. However, you should realize that the T43/p batteries are greater in capacity than the T40 series batteries. Both batteries will work in your T43p though.

3. Personally, I have found IBM's Power Manager to be the best way to adjust the processor settings. You can choose from the profiles that IBM has available, or create your own.

[Greg Gebhardt]

I carry mine with the larger battery installed in the case all the time. I put it in the case with the battery going down first.

I would not have one of these T43s without the larger battery. Guess if you work around AC all the time you would want the smaller battery but I use mine in the field and would not do without the extra power.

[mdlewis]

Thanks for all the replies. I will check out the CPU Temp and report back. I think my fan goes on and off without me noticing any more than the fan my old 600X.

Mark

[BillMorrow]

consider an ultrabay battery if you don't like the extended battery but want more "travel" power..

for me, i put my thinkpad in its case battery down..
i use the soft plastic foam from a fedex padded pouch tosave it from scuffs while in a carry case..
i use the normal battery all the time.. and leave the extended battery at home..

all on those rare occasions when i take it someplace..