Need some Pro opinions over two T43

[Procter]

Guys, I need some suggestion in chosing two T43.

266876U， 2G/512MB/14.1 SXGA+/80G 5400rpm/cd-rw combo/thinkpad wifi II/64Mb radeon x300/blue tooth/ 3 year warranty. $1399

2686DGU, 1.86G/512 MB/14.1 SXGA+/ 60G 7200rpm/Dvd recordable/Intel WIFI/64 Radeon x300/finger printer/ 1 year warranty. $1329, if 3 years warranty added up the price will bump up to $1486

But some of my friends told me that it would not be necessary to buy 3 year warranty from IBM, since the thing is built like a tank. So 1 year warranty+ 1 year extended warran by VISA would be enough, What you guys think about it?

I like the DGU model's configuration a lot, especially for the 7200 rpm hard disc and dvd recordable. Are the differences between 7200 rpm and 5400 huge or not? Actually I feel 1.86G cpu is enough for me and 60G hard disc is OK. Do you guys think it suitable to get that DGU with only 1 year warranty?

Any input is appreciated! I need to place an order within today

THanks!

[anthony]

Not a pro, but personally, I think a lot of the performance differences we gourmands dicker over go easily unnoticeable once you have the unit and are working on it. Sorta like my high performance 4 wheel drive system that is unlikely to see anything more demanding than a speed bump at the mall.

That said, if those were the only two computers in the world and I had a gun to my head being forced to make a choice, I'd go with the model with the DVD writer (are you sure about that model number?). Making backups and recovery disks is so much more convenient when you can burn to a DVD rather than a bunch of CDs. And you can still use it to burn CDs as well. Yeah, I'd skip the warranty and use the buck-fifty for a spare hi-cap battery and an ultraslim bay battery for travelling. You get a 1-yr warranty and who the heck keeps the same technology for three years?

Side comments: Intel WiFi makes it true Centrino technology. Bluetooth is cheap and easy to add if you ever need it. I'm not overly impressed with the value of the fingerprint reader and have disabled mine. The faster drive trades marginally better performance for marginally more heat.

Ain't it grand to have so many choices?

[JaneL]

But some of my friends told me that it would not be necessary to buy 3 year warranty from IBM, since the thing is built like a tank. So 1 year warranty+ 1 year extended warran by VISA would be enough, What you guys think about it?

Even tanks break down. Buy the warranty.

[Procter]

What do you think about the VISA extended warranty? Plus that it would be 2 years in total.

[Procter]

Not a pro, but personally, I think a lot of the performance differences we gourmands dicker over go easily unnoticeable once you have the unit and are working on it. Sorta like my high performance 4 wheel drive system that is unlikely to see anything more demanding than a speed bump at the mall.

That said, if those were the only two computers in the world and I had a gun to my head being forced to make a choice, I'd go with the model with the DVD writer (are you sure about that model number?). Making backups and recovery disks is so much more convenient when you can burn to a DVD rather than a bunch of CDs. And you can still use it to burn CDs as well. Yeah, I'd skip the warranty and use the buck-fifty for a spare hi-cap battery and an ultraslim bay battery for travelling. You get a 1-yr warranty and who the heck keeps the same technology for three years?

Side comments: Intel WiFi makes it true Centrino technology. Bluetooth is cheap and easy to add if you ever need it. I'm not overly impressed with the value of the fingerprint reader and have disabled mine. The faster drive trades marginally better performance for marginally more heat.

Ain't it grand to have so many choices?

Yes, I'm sure about this two model numbers since they gave me a lot of headache

[Procter]

Not a pro, but personally, I think a lot of the performance differences we gourmands dicker over go easily unnoticeable once you have the unit and are working on it. Sorta like my high performance 4 wheel drive system that is unlikely to see anything more demanding than a speed bump at the mall.

That said, if those were the only two computers in the world and I had a gun to my head being forced to make a choice, I'd go with the model with the DVD writer (are you sure about that model number?). Making backups and recovery disks is so much more convenient when you can burn to a DVD rather than a bunch of CDs. And you can still use it to burn CDs as well. Yeah, I'd skip the warranty and use the buck-fifty for a spare hi-cap battery and an ultraslim bay battery for travelling. You get a 1-yr warranty and who the heck keeps the same technology for three years?

Side comments: Intel WiFi makes it true Centrino technology. Bluetooth is cheap and easy to add if you ever need it. I'm not overly impressed with the value of the fingerprint reader and have disabled mine. The faster drive trades marginally better performance for marginally more heat.

Ain't it grand to have so many choices?

And I only choose from these two simply because only these two reach my requirements and below 1500 due to my tight budget

[anthony]

If a tight budget is a oncern, I'd certainly rather the DVD burner and better wireless over the extended warranty. Only my opinion and not disagreeing with nonny. Just a different perspective. But s/he is right. Even tanks break down. Warrantys are strange things; you buy them, but pray you never have to use them. Go figure....

Bottom line is that it is a call only you can make. And one only you have to live with. Good luck.

[Procter]

If a tight budget is a oncern, I'd certainly rather the DVD burner and better wireless over the extended warranty. Only my opinion and not disagreeing with nonny. Just a different perspective. But s/he is right. Even tanks break down. Warrantys are strange things; you buy them, but pray you never have to use them. Go figure....

Bottom line is that it is a call only you can make. And one only you have to live with. Good luck.

You are right, it's me who finally have to use the little thing. That's why it's so hard to choose, I always want to use less money to gain more performance : )

BTW, I think most people said that Thinkpad wireless II is better than Intel 2915, and the wifi in that DGU model is just Intel 2200BG. confused.

[JaneL]

If a tight budget is a oncern, I'd certainly rather the DVD burner and better wireless over the extended warranty.

One thing, while he can certainly buy the regular warranty extension any time before the original warranty expires, if he's interested in the accident protection he only has a limited amount of time to purchase it (30 days?).

[Procter]

If a tight budget is a oncern, I'd certainly rather the DVD burner and better wireless over the extended warranty.

One thing, while he can certainly buy the regular warranty extension any time before the original warranty expires, if he's interested in the accident protection he only has a limited amount of time to purchase it (30 days?).

You mean I can buy the warranty from lenovo before the 1 year warranty expires? So you point is I would go for the 1 year warranty? Sorry I just didn't quite catcn you.

[anthony]

snip...if he's interested in the accident protection he only has a limited amount of time to purchase it (30 days?).

Being in Florida I forget about the accident protection. For some reason the manufacturers never offer that in Florida and a few other states. Must be some state law, 'cause Dell didn't offer it to FL either. To me, the accident protection is more important than the warranty. I'm much more likely to drop the thing than have any warranty covered item go wrong.

Yes, Proctor. At anytime, before your current warranty expires, you should be able to buy an extension. Most extended warranty programs work that way. Basically, it's insurance. They're always willing to sell it to you....

[anthony]

snip.... I always want to use less money to gain more performance : )

Money is like time. It can neither be saved nor wasted, only spent. However, unlike time, they'll make more.....

[pipspeak]

Guys, I need some suggestion in chosing two T43.

266876U， 2G/512MB/14.1 SXGA+/80G 5400rpm/cd-rw combo/thinkpad wifi II/64Mb radeon x300/blue tooth/ 3 year warranty. $1399

2686DGU, 1.86G/512 MB/14.1 SXGA+/ 60G 7200rpm/Dvd recordable/Intel WIFI/64 Radeon x300/finger printer/ 1 year warranty. $1329, if 3 years warranty added up the price will bump up to $1486

Did you order yet? I was faced with the exact same choice... initially ordered the DGU with 3-year warranty upgrade ($118) then changed to the 76U, which already has a 3-year warranty and worked out $50 cheaper overall.

I would love the 7K60 drive, the DVD burner would be nice, but not essential, and the FPR is a waste of time IMO. However, I figured the extra 20GB would come in handy in a few years and I probably will not notice the speed difference. In addition I've heard the IBM a/b/g gives far better reception than the Intel cards, and I would love to have bluetooth (though not essential) to sync with my PDA and phone. The faster processor is icing on the cake.

Let us know what you decide. You might make me change my order again.

[Navck]

76U looks REAL nice, you can always buy a DVD Recorder for your TP (Ultrabay Slim)

[Procter]

Guys, I need some suggestion in chosing two T43.

266876U， 2G/512MB/14.1 SXGA+/80G 5400rpm/cd-rw combo/thinkpad wifi II/64Mb radeon x300/blue tooth/ 3 year warranty. $1399

2686DGU, 1.86G/512 MB/14.1 SXGA+/ 60G 7200rpm/Dvd recordable/Intel WIFI/64 Radeon x300/finger printer/ 1 year warranty. $1329, if 3 years warranty added up the price will bump up to $1486

Did you order yet? I was faced with the exact same choice... initially ordered the DGU with 3-year warranty upgrade ($118) then changed to the 76U, which already has a 3-year warranty and worked out $50 cheaper overall.

I would love the 7K60 drive, the DVD burner would be nice, but not essential, and the FPR is a waste of time IMO. However, I figured the extra 20GB would come in handy in a few years and I probably will not notice the speed difference. In addition I've heard the IBM a/b/g gives far better reception than the Intel cards, and I would love to have bluetooth (though not essential) to sync with my PDA and phone. The faster processor is icing on the cake.

Let us know what you decide. You might make me change my order again.

Actually I went with 76U, just was thinking about if I should change my order for DGU without tacking on 3 years warranty.

[pipspeak]

One other option I'm considering is ordering the multiburner separately ($195) then swapping them out and selling the CDRW on ebay for about $100. That'll get me a multiburner for only $100 more, though the downside is the burner will only have a 1 year warranty.

So now I'm actually thinking of holding my breath and switching to the 75U, which is essentially the 76U with a multiburner and FPR, but is $200 more.

[Procter]

One other option I'm considering is ordering the multiburner separately ($195) then swapping them out and selling the CDRW on ebay for about $100. That'll get me a multiburner for only $100 more, though the downside is the burner will only have a 1 year warranty.

So now I'm actually thinking of holding my breath and switching to the 75U, which is essentially the 76U with a multiburner and FPR, but is $200 more.

I know 75U is fully loaded, but that's $200 more. When I saw that powerful machine below $1400, I would not pay any more for a lappy. Actually, if the 1.86G + 60G 5400+14.1 SXGA with RX300 model can be cheaper I would have definitely gone with that. However, that kind configuration also costs me like 1371.

[pipspeak]

I finally went with the 75U... third order change this weekend! It's $200 more but still a 35% discount and not having a DVD burner was literally burning in the back of my mind (pun intended), especially as I was backing up files this weekend to about 20 CDs.

Once I'd got used to the thought of having bluetooth, a bigger harddrive, and the IBM wireless card I just could not give 'em up.

[darrenf]

Just to clarify (and I think I've worked with enough ThinkPads to qualify me as experienced in this matter) the Intel wireless card has historically had much better range than the IBM cards. The IBM has historically had MUCH better drivers than the Intel, particularly for those people running WPA. In the last 4 months or so, though, the Intel drivers have worked fine so Intel must have ironed out the driver problems.

Caveat: this is based on IBM wireless cards evaluated about 6 months ago. The reach was so poor as compared to the Intel that I stopped buying laptops with the IBM card. Recently the IBM card has been listed as "ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wi-Fi Wireless II" so Lenovo may have improved reception in this new card.

Also note that there was a big SNAFU at Lenovo getting Intel ABG wireless cards that delayed many models like the 2687DVU and 2687DUU for over a month (One DVU that I ordered on 6/27 is expected to ship 9/1!!). The shortage lead Lenovo to pull all the models with ABG cards from the website. They have recently re-introduced many of those same models under different model numbers with IBM wireless cards. That's why there are so few models listed with Intel cards right now. As far as I am aware, no shortage of the Intel BG wireless cards exists but that is only used in the models that have been out for a while.

On the subject of the warranty: I've had the keyboard on my personal ThinkPad changed three times already in the first year. The fist change was to go from that awful ALPS keyboard to an NMB, then twice because of key caps that I popped off by accident. I've had additional work done that was probably atypical, but even if you just need a keyboard or two a year the 3-year warranty is worthwhile.

-darren