What's up with "express" Thinkpads?

[Hangfire]

I've been looking at the T42 2373 3UU and haved notice a few other Thinkpads with "express" in the title. Is there any difference pro or con with these? Better, cheaper, faster???

Thanks!

[Daniel]

Cheaper, possibly better or worse depending on the config. On the express P (performance) models, they're not as good as the usual P models. On those they come with the 5400RPM drive and 6-cell as cost cutting measure instead of the 7200RPM and 9-cell. They also have other non-P components that Daniel (Conmee) mentioned.

The reason why they cost so much less is because they're discounted by IBM to promote sales to small businesses.

[Hangfire]

Man, this can get confusing real fast. I've been reading some of Conmee's post, while learning a lot from that I'm also suffering from info overload. I'd like a T42 without breaking the bank. I wish IBM would think of making a graph with different models and options. (Yes I need pictures at this point.)

[Leon]

http://tinyurl.com/2hmzc

[Hangfire]

Thanks Leon!

[jdhurst]

I use a T41 (non-P) that is a super machine. My understanding is that one key difference of "express" machines is that they offer one year warranties. My T41 is a commercial machine with a three-year warranty and there is nothing wrong with it in any way, shape, or form.

I saved a few bucks by buying a T41 with a 30Gb drive because I had a 60Gb 7200-rpm drive available. If that is all you need, Bill sells them here (but watch where you live for warranty reasons). It may be cheaper to get a machine and do the hard drive upgrade yourself. Just do the math to be certain.

But there is nothing wrong with going non-P if you have the right machine. ... JDHurst

[Leon]

Forgot to credit... MANY THANKS to Bobert from Atlanta (what part?) for that matrix!!!!

[Hangfire]

I use a T41 (non-P) that is a super machine. My understanding is that one key difference of "express" machines is that they offer one year warranties. My T41 is a commercial machine with a three-year warranty and there is nothing wrong with it in any way, shape, or form.

I saved a few bucks by buying a T41 with a 30Gb drive because I had a 60Gb 7200-rpm drive available. If that is all you need, Bill sells them here (but watch where you live for warranty reasons). It may be cheaper to get a machine and do the hard drive upgrade yourself. Just do the math to be certain.

But there is nothing wrong with going non-P if you have the right machine. ... JDHurst

Thanks for the input jdh! I have really become a T Thinkpad fan with everything I've learned about them. This forum and it's members have been a great help!

Now I need to take your advice, sit down and do some number crunching.

[edelrc]

To say that the Express are somehow of a lesser quality is incorrect.
Like posted here, this notebooks are indeed configured for 'small business' (i will say more to individuals) but all the parts are the same as any other.
They do put on then a slower HDD, put that is it. That does not mean it is o a lesser quality, you gain 20GB in exchange.
In marketing theory it is well understood importance of making these little differences to justify in our mind the price difference. Now, do you think that $860* (difference of prices between 2373HTU and 2379DYU justifies the different HDD and 512MB RAM it is your call. But the quality it is the same (so it is the 3yrs warranty coverage)

*IBM Web prices difference. (~$450 difference through thinkpads.com)

[edelrc]

ok, ok... and the 9cell battery!. But how many 9cell people are buying the 6cell for looks!!!

Also the name DYU vs. HTU and KXU etc it most probably assigned in the marketing department too, together with the pricing. All to indicate 'lower' (both in alphabet as in fonetically speaking).

[Mofongo]

Express models are simply models that IBM produces in large quantities so they can discount them. In other words, they reward you for not being quite as picky about your configuration by letting you save a couple of $100. You can also get either a 1-year warranty (2378 models) or a 3-year warranty (2379 models). There is usually a $100 price difference between warranty options.

There is no difference in build quality. They are just select models built in larger quantities and offered at a lower price.

Mofongo