Got a great T42 but thinking about T43 instead- input please

[STS06]

I posted this as a reply on another thread but as time advances, I've realized that I need to make a decision on my computer. I am perfectly satisfied with my T42 (havent check ALL the components but what i have seen and tested thus far has been great). But like most of us, we're technology oriented and always want to have the latest and greatest (at least I do ). So here is the post, and I appreciate any help you can provide.

"I can understand people wanting to get the latest techonology but I don't see doing that at the cost of probably being dissatisfied or having to return the product and the trouble associated with it (talking about the T43).

Besides the fact that the T43 has newer technology, there isnt a solid reason to get the T43 over the T42 that I have come across (if you have one, please state it).

I just got a T42 about a week and a half ago, so I have some time to evaluate it and return it if I please. So far, the computer has been great..very quiet and runs great.

I was contemplating returning it for a T43 a few days ago, but every time I think about it, I can't find a conclusive reason to get a T43, especially since there's an apparently good chance I won't like it. I haven't heard any rants about the T42, at least none that are comparable to the T43. I probably won't resale my laptop so that almost altogether voids the resale argument of the computer. Performance wise, an equally configured T42 will perform just as well as the T43 (so i have been told) and that the graphics card on the T42 is better. Now I'm not here to change anyone's mind....actually here more for myself ( i need to decide to keep the T42 or get a T43). So, having said all, do most of you agree? In your honest opinion, is it really worth it to send the T42 back for a T43 only to say I have the "latest technology" despite the fact that the T42 performs just as well (b/c i see no other reason for the T43)? Also I hear that the battery life on the T43 is lower....now when I say all this, I'm talking about out of the box performance....I don't believe in the fact that you have to tweek the computer yourself to get the results you initially anticipated when forking over the 2 grand or more.

Thanks for any advice you can offer. Without a conclusive reason to get a T43, I will stick with the T42....but if there is a good reason, I have no problem getting the T43."

[K. Eng]

As far as I can tell, the T43 does not provide any substantial advantages, in functionality or technology, over the T42.

If you have a T42, I advise you to keep it.

I checked the datasheets on the 855PM and the 915PM chipsets, and the 855PM has much lower power consumption. Hence, you are better off sticking with the 855PM based T42.

Besides, the T43 will no longer be top of the line when Intel releases the dual core Yonah CPUs on January 5, 2006.

[STS06]

Thanks for the prompt reply...and thorough reply. Any more ideas are also welcome, as always.

[ddutta]

Also I am not sure how good the pure Lenovo designs will be compared to the all IBM designs eg the T42/43. Also the Yonah will be a premium product. Thus, if someone wants to buy a midrange laptop, it doesnt matter whether its a T42 or 43 .... in any case most people run their laptops at 600-800Mhz most of the time!!!

[STS06]

Yeah I understand what you're saying...

Thus far, it looks like there really isn't anything the T43 has that is beyond the T42...so for today, I'll stick with the T42.

[Charles Krug]

Owner of my company wants a lighter PC than his 7+ lb Tecra, but now he's not so keen on an ultraportable. The T42 is really at or past the weight limit he specified. So, at up to a pound lighter (depending what you read), the T43 seems like a viable choice. Yeah, I'm a little apprehensive about the 43 after reading some user comments. But point is, the lighter weight of the 43 could be an important factor.
Jim

[stevepre2005]

Charles,

Where do you find out that T43 is lighter than T42?

They are the same, starting at 4.5 lb with travel saver (no cd rom).
With CD-ROM, it's 4.9 lb.
With CD-ROM + 9-cell battery, it's 5.5 lb.

The reason you saw that T42 is heavier than T43 might be because you were reading at machines with different configuration.

[ddutta]

If I had to buy another laptop I would choose T42 if the prices were around the same as that of T43. Unfortunately, the T43 has more bang for the buck.... For the same price you will get a better spec-ed machine. For people not a budget the T42p is probably the best choice.

In some time, we will all move towards low power low speed laptops that are in tune with the rising energy costs. We will admit that we dont need the extra power (most people). For me, my T42 with 1.5GB of RAM is like a hummer 90% of the time as I use it to log into my dual opteron workstation at work!!! Thus I can understand why ibooks sell so well even G4 is an old chip.

[STS06]

Hey I gots 1.5 GB of ram too!

I disagree with the T43 thing b/c I had to pay more for T43 that was just slightly better....and almost the same for a T43 that was configured to be slightly slower than my current T42.

I'll stick with the T42 though and I appreciate the comments.

[Charles Krug]

stevepre2005,
At one time (I swear) somewhere on the Lenovo pages stated the T43 weight "starts at 3.8lbs" -- now I can't find it. Oh well -- doesn't look like integrated BT is available in the T43, & the expansion/media slots are needed for another purpose. Will focus on the 42 . . .
Thanks for the info,
Jim

[stevepre2005]

Charles,

I trust you. Somebody else find that, too.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... hlight=8lb

ThinkPad T43 New
2686N9U
2 MHz Intel® Pentium® M, Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition, 256 MB, 40 GB, 3.8 lbs, 14.1" SXGA+ (1400x1050), IBM Embedded Security Subsystem, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, Gigabit Ethernet, 64MB ATI Mobility RADEON x300, DVD-ROM, Ultrabay Slim
Availability**: Within 2 weeks
$1,518.00 web price*

and many more....all listed as 3.8lb

I think these are typos from IBM, so you can ignore the 3.8lb.


The fan problem for T43 has been found, so I think it's pretty safe to order new model of T43.

I had a T43 with fan noise problem, so I returned it and got a T42 instead.
Here are the differences:
1. T43 has better (brighter) Hundi LCD. My T42 is a Samsung, and I've compared side-to-side...the T43's one is better.
2. T43 has 2010 error message problem so you can't put any kinds of HD you want.
3. Both T43 and T42 has 1802 error message, but it's hackable in T42 while it is NOT for T43. So you can't put a wireless lan card of your choice in a T43
4. My T43 (before) has better keyboard than my T42. But I think this is just a matter of luck.
5. T42 has two pcmcia/cardbus slots while T43 has one cardbus and one ExpressCard. Currently there are no ExpressCard available, but maybe there will be some bandwidth critical application shows up ... maybe some thing like Wireless USB, and you will be needing an ExpressCard slot.
6. T43's 533MHz DDR2 is cheaper (slightly) on the market then T42's 333MHz DDR. And if you put two identical ones, you can have dual channel which boosts the performance.
7. Bluetooth is available on both T42 and T43. It just depends on which model you are looking at.

Other than the above, I can't think of any other difference.

[davenet]

I just read this...

The fan problem for T43 has been found, so I think it's pretty safe to order new model of T43.

These seems like a statement of fact. Can you provide more details about how you know this?

David

[kendalf]

Here's why I chose the T42 over the 43:

I'm a Douglas Adam's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy fan, and so the number 42 holds special significance to me.

My T42 2373H6U arrives tomorrow!

[denthorq]

If I had to buy another laptop I would choose T42 if the prices were around the same as that of T43. Unfortunately, the T43 has more bang for the buck.... For the same price you will get a better spec-ed machine. For people not a budget the T42p is probably the best choice.

In some time, we will all move towards low power low speed laptops that are in tune with the rising energy costs. We will admit that we dont need the extra power (most people). For me, my T42 with 1.5GB of RAM is like a hummer 90% of the time as I use it to log into my dual opteron workstation at work!!! Thus I can understand why ibooks sell so well even G4 is an old chip.

More bang for the buck... and More noise for the FAN

[hoya]

I had a T43 with fan noise problem, so I returned it and got a T42 instead.
Here are the differences:
1. T43 has better (brighter) Hundi LCD. My T42 is a Samsung, and I've compared side-to-side...the T43's one is better.
4. My T43 (before) has better keyboard than my T42. But I think this is just a matter of luck.
5. T42 has two pcmcia/cardbus slots while T43 has one cardbus and one ExpressCard. Currently there are no ExpressCard available, but maybe there will be some bandwidth critical application shows up ... maybe some thing like Wireless USB, and you will be needing an ExpressCard slot.
6. T43's 533MHz DDR2 is cheaper (slightly) on the market then T42's 333MHz DDR. And if you put two identical ones, you can have dual channel which boosts the performance.

# 1 is incorrect: some T43's ship with Hydis panels (not "Hundi") while some ship with Samsung panels. like the keyboard situation, it just depends on luck (I am typing this on a T43 with a Samsung panel and across the room I have a T42 2373H6U with a Hydis panel).

# 4 is also luck of the draw. if you get a T42 with a Chicony or ALPS keyboard, just replace it with an NMB keyboard.

# 6 is only partly true. see this article for a good comparison of dual channel v. single channel performance:
http://www.laptoplogic.com/resources/articles/43/1/1/

[kgorilla]

Besides, the T43 will no longer be top of the line when Intel releases the dual core Yonah CPUs on January 5, 2006.

I can't disagree, but this remains to be seen. Sonoma didn't really saturate the market until summer and it was out in January.

[darrenf]

IMHO, the most significant change in the new chipset is hardware-level execution protection (Windows calls it Data Execution Prevention or DEP). If that really lives up to the promise of preventing buffer overruns (or more accurately intrusion into program space memory from data space), this could be a huge help in preventing worms, viruses, et al.

Personally, I'm one of those people who can justify spending whatever I need to get the perfect laptop. I just upgraded from a T42 to a T42p. I moved over my 2G RAM, 100GB/7200RPM HD, DVD Multi-burner and NMB keyboard. Now that my vidram is up to 128M I'm in heaven!

-darren

[gforce]

My T42 2373H6U arrives tomorrow!

That seems to be the most popular T series model right now.

[Zeitgeist]

My T42 2373H6U arrives tomorrow!

That seems to be the most popular T series model right now.

I only wish Lenovo/IBM would deliver this model to Europe for the US price!