Returned my T43 for a T42P I hope this was a good decision.

[snowdog]

Hi Everyone,

I have been following this forum religiously for the past month....

I am new to Thinkpads...So this is my first post.

I was very excited to have received my T43 2668-73U (PM 2 GHz, 512, 80GB5400, ATI/64MB) a few weeks ago.

Unfortunately I am returning it for a T42P 2373-GVU

Here are the reasons: (T43)

1) The FAN NOISE (what else). I would not have minded the noise if it was a continous sound but it has this revving noise every 10 seconds or so which is annoying. And I work in bed at night and the noise keeps my wife up so I got kicked out of the room

2) The 80GB drive keeps clicking. It has gotten worse and I am worried about losing data.

3) There is a "popping" sound on the speaker each time I click on a link. If I mute the speaker it goes away.

4) The USB port does not work. Soooooo no extra devices for me

I called tech support and they wanted to replace the hard drive, the keyboard, and wanted me to send it for repair and not have a computer.

So I said screw this! Before I know it everything will be replaced. So I put in another order for the T42P (2373-GVU). And will RMA the T43 after I receive my T42P.

I hope I made the correct decision and not rushed into judgement.

Here are my questions and I would appreciate any feedback please:

a) Will I see a performance hit going from T43 to T42P? It looks like it evens out. I would lose .20 GHz in speed (2.0 - 1.. However, I do gain a faster drive 60GB/7200 vs 80GB/5400 and better graphics with FIREGL/128MB.

b) Is there a huge difference between the IBM and INTEL wireless? I have an AP @ HOME.

c) Is the "chipsets" difference all that important? (SONOMA)

d) The 2373-GVU came out last year (MAY-2004) according to TA book. Will it lose value quicly because T43's will be in the masses soon?

Thank you for your time.

Snow Dog

on order: T42P 2373-GVU
before: T43 2668-73U

[Darth Avenus]

a) I haven't compared the two, although I think at least one member on this forum has. I, too, factored in hard drive speed. I can barely hear my 7200 RPM hard drive spin.
b) Avoiding the older Intel 2200BG wireless card was a big factor in my decision to go with the GVU, which as you know has the "a", which could be more flexible and/or secure down the road depending on where I'm connecting.
c) From what I've read, the Sonoma chipset yields at best about 10% better performance, yet sucks up more battery life.
d) IMO, the fact that it's a "p" (performance) model should mean it should hold its value up. It is supposed to be a mobile workstation. According to the inner box my GVU was shipped in, my unit was manufactured 6/11/05, about 10 days before it got shipped. BTW, I received my new T42p this morning, just over three days after placing my EPP order to Lenovo.

[danny_isr]

1) The FAN NOISE (what else). I would not have minded the noise if it was a continous sound but it has this revving noise every 10 seconds or so which is annoying. And I work in bed at night and the noise keeps my wife up so I got kicked out of the room Crying or Very sad


mine when it's on is CONTINOUS . something is wrong on yours

2) The 80GB drive keeps clicking. It has gotten worse and I am worried about losing data.


No clicks here , can happen in any model

3) There is a "popping" sound on the speaker each time I click on a link. If I mute the speaker it goes away.


sounds like setup issue to me

4) The USB port does not work. Soooooo no extra devices for me Crying or Very sad

same as #1 , defect

none of what u mention is a T43 problems.
it can happen on any thinkpad.

Fan on all the time - Yes that a T43 issue (or not , it all depends how u look at it , some poeple dont mind that some do)

[asiafish]

You'll love the GVU (I know I do). It is fast, and just as important, QUIET.

[snowdog]

1) The FAN NOISE (what else). I would not have minded the noise if it was a continous sound but it has this revving noise every 10 seconds or so which is annoying. And I work in bed at night and the noise keeps my wife up so I got kicked out of the room Crying or Very sad


mine when it's on is CONTINOUS . something is wrong on yours

2) The 80GB drive keeps clicking. It has gotten worse and I am worried about losing data.


No clicks here , can happen in any model

3) There is a "popping" sound on the speaker each time I click on a link. If I mute the speaker it goes away.


sounds like setup issue to me

4) The USB port does not work. Soooooo no extra devices for me Crying or Very sad

same as #1 , defect

none of what u mention is a T43 problems.
it can happen on any thinkpad.

Fan on all the time - Yes that a T43 issue (or not , it all depends how u look at it , some poeple dont mind that some do)

I agree with you that these symptoms can happen to any Thinkpads or any laptop for that matter. I did not want to keep replacing parts when another thing goes wrong. Since I had the opportunity to return it within my 30 day window I wanted to try out the T42P and compare it. I will have both machines for a short while (maybe 1 day). If the T42P satisfies my requirements then I will keep it. If not then I will return the T42P and exchange the T43 for a new one. Or vice versa.

My take is this. If I'm paying for a premium for a machine then I want to make sure that "I" am satisfied with it. Maybe I will end up like mykelle (spelling?) and end-up getting all the models heheheheh..

I should receive the T42P-GVU next week.. I hope.

[snowdog]

You'll love the GVU (I know I do). It is fast, and just as important, QUIET.

I am looking forward to getting it. I will be able to compare the two.

Is this your first Thinkpad (the GVU)?

[asiafish]

No, I had a T22, T20 and X21 before.

[snowdog]

Just received the e-mail that the T42P 2373GVU TP has shipped from HK. Can't wait to check it out and compare to my T43 2373-73U.

[snowdog]

You'll love the GVU (I know I do). It is fast, and just as important, QUIET.

Asiafish-

How is the resolution on the GVU @ 1048X768?

Thnx.