T42 or T42p Change my order- I need help fast please

[STS06]

I just ordered a T42p today and it came out to $2626 after EPP. I'm having second guesses primarily b/c now I think its too much.

The specs on it are the following:
2.0Ghz
2 GB Ram
60 GB 7200prm hard drive
Bluetooth
Intel WLAN card
15" UXGA
Combo Optical (CD-RW/DVD-Rom)
ATI Radeon FireGL T2 128 mb card
Addtional 6-cell battery
NO fingerprint reader
Price: $2626 after taxes and after EPP

I'm now thinking about scaling back to a T42 with the following specs

2373N3U
1.8 Ghz
512 MB Ram
60 GB 7200 rpm
Intel WLAN card
15" SXGA
Combo Optical (CD-RW/DVD-ROM)
ATI Radeon 9600 Graphics Card (64 mb)
Fingerprint Reader
I will upgrade the memory with a 1GB stick via IBM/Lenovo
Price: $1972.48

I place the order today at 6:30 PST...so any clue how long I have before changing/canceling the order?

How much more powerful is the T42p than the T42? If its a huge difference, I will stick with my current order. See I usually max stuff out (did that with all my desktops and paid quite a bit too) but this time, its not my primary computer...its a support computer (I have a good desktop) and I am very very wary of all the functions and whether or not I will use em. I want to play some games, be able to do "normal" functions, and do little CAD or Finite Element work (Engineering student). I rather save that money and apply it to a camera I want to buy (Canon 20d) which will cost me as much as this laptop.

So seeing my situation, is the T42p worth it? I know its a great machine but I have to let go of having the ultimate best (or very close to it) and instead getting something that suits my need(s). I will be gone till Sat so I can't see your message(s) till then and hopefully its not too late by then to change the order if I do change it. My decision is basically dependent on your response. NO pressure though!

Thanks a bunch people. All in all great forums and thanks for all the help. Either way, I'm getting a great comp, right?

[cj3209]

It seems to me that once you add-in the cost of the 1GB stick of RAM for the T42, the price difference is not really that much - say about $400?

Only you know what you really need. For about $400, you're getting the following:
- faster chip
- 9-cell battery and 6-cell battery (I don't think you'll be getting a lot of battery life with this battery on the T42p)
- bluetooth
- better graphics card
- UGXA flexview LCD

Since I'm a photo-enthusiast, I would save the money and get the T42 and a nice Canon IS lens.

[STS06]

Oh a photo enthusaist...cool!

Actually the price that I included in my last post is the price after that 1 GB addition...so the price difference is actually a little over $650. Im thinking the money I save can also go towards more acccessories. So basically I need to figure out of the T42p is too much for my use or not..and its getting frustrating! Anyways thanks for the help!

More inputs fast!!! haha...thanks all!

[rockyp]

A bit of buyer's remorse, perhaps? Don't worry, it happens to the best of us. I bought a top-of-the-line T43p recently and then came to the realization that I wasn't buying this for myself, but for my college-going daughter. I tried to cancel but it had already entered the shipping process. I just returned it and ordered a T42 (27733uu) instead. All I lost was the $50 shipping cost, but the T42 is $850 cheaper and I'd rather spend that on Thinkpad Protection, an extra battery (eBay), memory upgrade (Crucial), sleeve, etc.

If your order still shows as backordered, simply call your rep and get him to change/cancel your order.

[cj3209]

Since this isn't your main computer, I say save the money for camera accessories: better lenses, flash, CF cards, etc.

I use a Nikon D2h but it's the accessories that make it expensive: mainly on good glass; your pics will only be as good as your glass.

[ddutta]

Get a 2373M3U for $1450 from EPP. Add memory from Newegg. That way you will save a lot.