Is the 2.0 ghz worth it

[Stunt101]

Sorry to bug you guys again but,

I've read a few threads about 2.0 ghz t42p's. However, I have yet to see it on the ibm website or my college's ibm website. I am about to plunk down $2400 on the following:

Product Description IBM ThinkPad T42p 2373 - Pentium M 1.8 GHz - 15" TFT
Weight2 5.9 lbs
Processor1 Intel Pentium M 1.8 GHz with Front Side Bus (FSB) 400MHz
Graphics Controller M10GL-128
RAM 1 GB (installed)
Hard Drive 1 x 60 GB
Optical Device Rambo II
Display 15" UXGA/IPS
Networking Gigabit Ethernet- Integrated,Wireless LAN
802.11 a/b/g Lee-g, Bluetooth
Input Device Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Battery Li-Ion 9 cell battery
Average Run Time 5.5 hours
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Manufacturer Warranty Three years


Should I wait for the 2.0 ghz, or is 1.8 sufficient? I know a better laptop will probably come out a week after I buy mine, but I want to get a machine that will be competent well into the future, and if the 2.0 is far superior to the 1.8, I'll wait for it to debut.

[Nabeel]

I think you have to call them to order, they're available now. But IMO, 1.8 is fine for general usage..it won't make any noticeable difference, except maybe a smidgen in benchmarks which have no effect on real usage.

[BillMorrow]

i have a 2373KTU available..

at a substantial discount..

it has a stuck pixel..
my choice is either return it to ibm for credit or sell it cheap..

so here is your chance for a full featured top end T42p..

http://www5.pc.ibm.com/us/products.nsf/ ... p/_2373KTU

email me if anyone is interested..

[Daniel]

Only you can answer that question. If you know you'd be satisfied with the 1.8 then by all means go for it. It also depends on whether you use CPU intensive tasks, or for some, wanting the best there is available. I personally don't think it's worth it if you're sacrificing other system specs for it. I got it because it only costed me $200 more for the extra 200 MHZ and 512 MB of RAM.

For some reason I think it runs hotter than the other Dothans, perhaps it's just my mind playing tricks on me.

[WilsonF]

IMO, unless you're going to be using this for extremely CPU and i/o intensive work -- rendering video -- the extra 200 mhz won't make a noticeable difference. And if you need a system for something like rendering mpeg video into DIVX, you can build a cheap desktop with a P4 >3ghz and while you roam with your laptop.

If you're going to be compiling large code files, it might make a difference, but it would be only a small one.

I haven't tried my 1.8 ghz with games.

[Greg Gebhardt]

Just got the 2373KXU. It ios faster than my previous R50 but I am not usre how much is the 2ghz CPU and how much is the better graphics system. I will say that while downloading software, file unpacking went at a screaming pace. Much faster.

I use my laptops for both AutoCad and PhotoShopCS and am looking forward to any speed increase I can get. Some of my AutoCad files are 70-100mb with the PhotoShop files being smaller.

I just got this new machine and will have more time to use the next 3 days.

[Stunt101]

I don't play too many games but I'd like to be able to play Halo, watch dvds, and use word while having several internet explorer windows open and listening to music on the laptop's mp3 player.

Do you think my specs listed in the first post will be able to handle that, or will the 2.0 ghz be much better?

I called up IBM and spoke to the rep that deals with my college, and he said that the 1.8 just came out for my school and that he doesn't know when the 2.0 will debut. Theres a 15 day waiting period before shipping, and I'm going on a trip august 1st, so I want to order my laptop soon.

[Leon]

should be able to do all that and more... go for it!