Which is more solid: T23,T40,T41 or T42?

[T23_Owner]

I used to own a Thinkpad 770z and that was a solid sturdy computer. I sold it and got a A20p and it got a little less sturdy but still pretty good. I just got a T23 from ebay, 1.2ghz SXGA screen, pretty nice, only paid $670 for it so not bad. The T23 is definately kind of flimsy, not as solid as the A20p. I was going to buy a T42 but I want something that is rugged enough to sit in my packpack as I throw it around. A20p was great for that.

So has anyone used both the T23 and the T42? Which one feels like it will take a beating better? Seems like the thinnner and newer of a thinkpad I get the cheaper if feels.

[csarrasin]

I've owned a 770X, and an A20P. My current machine is a T30 and I've got a T42p (2373 KTU) on order. I've also used lots of other machines (including 600's and actually a T23) from work.

I'd say my T30 is about a sturdy as my other machines were (I like the fact that it's lighter and less bulky than the old ones were). And the T23 I have from work is not much different. I sure hope that my T42p will be as nice when I finally get it although I have to say that all these posts have tempered my expectations a bit...

[K. Eng]

How is the T23 flimsy? I've worked with several of them and all of them were very solid machines.

Every T23 I have used feels more sturdy than my T40, though I think both are good machines. I have not used a 15" T42. Keep in mind that the 15" models use a different chasis than the 14" models, and that those here who have used the 15" type seem to think that it is much sturdier than the 14" models.

[Conmee]

I have to agree with K. Eng on this... I have (had) a T21 and T23 and they feel a degree or two sturdier than the T40p/T41/T42p models I've owned. And the 15" T42 I had for a week or so seemed more sturdy as well. The palmrests on the T2x were rock solid and those machines didn't make the little noises folks around here are always trying to eliminate with their T4x models (squeaky left palmrest, etc).

Daniel.

[lilserenity]

I find my T23 is solid as a rock, it has been dropped a couple of times but always came back smiling with no damage. I flimsiest Thinkpad I have used has to be the 560 series, creaky, and has to be handled carefully. That said my present T23 has developed two faults:

- LCD screen is not perfect, bright patch in lower left corner of the display and dead pixels (due to be replaced when i can send it into IBM)
- DIMM slot towards rear of the machine tempremental, ram not alway registered, due to be fixed by IBM as well.

But given that I use it so much (it is my main computer), it's on almost 24/7 and I take it to work at the childcare place I work at for the kids to use, it does incredibly well.

I cannot comment on the T4x series as I have never seen one, or used one, but almost bought one.

However that said with all the musings on creaky palmrests, wobbly keyboards, I can say my T23 is much sturdier than that, and doesn't creak at all, even when lifting it up one handed on one corner with the lcd open. (probably tempting fate, and perhaps hence the intermitent DIMM slot 2.

But IBM will fix all of that. I actually find it very hard to fault the T23, as it fixes and improves all the issues that the T20/21/22 has (well more memory expansion, faster bus, faster CPU, 2 USB slots is important to me and improved gfx chip)

Overall, my thumbs up will always go to the T23, especially compared to the T30 which I really dislike. (power hungry, not that much faster in usage for me, bulkier and not as aesthetically pleasing). Though I do like the metal hinges more. That said - my T23's LCD hinges are in A1 condition and the display stays up fantastic. I only found this to be an issue with the 570 series so far, whose hinges tend to flake out easily leading to the LCD flopping down - most annoying.

Vicky
(eagerly awaiting a positive outcome on 2647-9NU I have bidded on, at eBay.... fingers crossed, it'll be perfect... if i win...)

[texref]

I flimsiest Thinkpad I have used has to be the 560 series, creaky, and has to be handled carefully.

With that being said, the only IBM laptop was a 560E (I think) and even though I handled it very carefully. All of a sudden in one of my classes (it was out of waranty by this time ) it dies. I take a look inside and apparently one of the capasadors (sp?) had been "removed" (for lack of a better term) under the left palm rest. As a result the computer would "turn off" (no power delivery) unless I held down the palm rest. I even went as far as to take it into a buddy of mine to have him see if he could remedy this. Both he and I tried to see if we could soldier this in place to no avail. Ever since I've had only Toshibas but I'm willing to give IBM another chance (FYI: I didn't pay for the IBM laptop). Has anyone heard anything like this for the current (T41/T42) IBM's?

[lilserenity]

No, the 560 series was a special case if you like. (though not that special in usage). Its successor the 570 series used carbon reinforced fibre plastic, much stronger and less flexing.

The 560 series' problem was picking it up one handed or even two handed in some cases flexes the motherboard and the DC/AC board which is a seperate module. When flexed enough, it is usually the DC/AC board that gives up the ghost, and hence - dead.

There are the odd cases of a T2x series dying due to motherboard flex, but it is very rare to my knowledge due to the titanium composite case.

I suggest - in all honesty if you are thinking about upgrading, try and check out a ThinkPad for real (I presume you are look towards the T4x series) if you can, and see how you feel about its construction - that way you can make an informed decision.

That said, I had to sort out a Toshiba laptop yesterday, a cheap one mind and almost broke the CD drive tray putting a CD in, it flexed horribly , thankfully I did not break it. I suppose I am used to my T23 being able to take a lot of abuse. (not intentional mind but it has taken a full on kick to the lcd screen as I ran out of bed for, well, reasons and kicked the lcd right down, thank god for 190 degree angle it can go to), it was dropped from a desk of 6 ft once (on to carpet) and 3ft from a table at the school I work at onto a hard wooden floor.

And it's still going without so much as a scratch or any external damage, it is my main computer and anything you see posted by me, done by me (such as my website or my artwork) etc., is all done on my T23, like I am now.

ThinkPads on the whole are built to take the bumps and scrapes in life, where many laptops fail on the basis they feel like a toy, the ThinkPad is designed for using come what may.

Bar the 560 series. (fickle beast!)

Vicky

[texref]

No, the 560 series was a special case if you like.

Thanks for your input Vicky, I'll probably call up IBM and see if I can "test drive" an IBM T41/T42 at a local reseller, and see if I like it (build quality). If I like it, I'll end up ordering it from Mr Bill since it looks like from the other 2373-xxx models that he can provide the best price (and I've looked around).

That said, I had to sort out a Toshiba laptop yesterday, a cheap one mind and almost broke the CD drive tray putting a CD in, it flexed horribly , thankfully I did not break it.

I've heard that some of the "newer" Toshiba Satellites do have some flex to them. Thankfully mine (current... Satellite 2805-S302...and the older model) does not. I've heard that the problem you're referring to primarily happens on the "front loaders" and not so much with the "side loaders" (mine). My laptop has had water on it (accidently and I should have know better to allow a klutz of a friend have water near it), scraped, dropped (numerous times by accident), and it's STILL kicking too bad it's too slow for what I need to do these days