help me decide between a 14" and a 15" T42p

Message

spotter · #1 Post by **spotter** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 3:16 pm

So I've been reading the comments, and it seems that people really like the 15" screen.

Questions I have.

1) Are the 15" UXGA and the 14" SXGA comparable in "smallness" of text. i.e. I've used 1400x1050 14" screens without any problem. Or is it much smaller than the 14" SXGA 1400x1050 screen.

2) I currently have a 14" 1024x768 T21 and I really like form factor, it's basically a fully featured laptop that I can carry in my backpack to school and back. The 15" laptop weighs about a pound more, do people think this makes a big deal? But it gives me so much more room to have code, as that's what I primarily due on my laptop, code (emacs/vi), read e-mail, surf web and do IM.

3) What do people think about these 2 configurations (what I'm debating between as university deal)

Config 1
----------
Product Description: IBM ThinkPad T42p 2373 - Pentium M 1.8 GHz - 14.1" TFT
Weight: 5.35 lbs
Processor: Intel Pentium M 1.8 GHz with Front Side Bus (FSB) 400MHz
Graphics Controller: M10GL-128
RAM: 512 MB (installed)
Hard Drive: 1 x 60 GB
Optical Device: Combo
Display: 14.1" SXGA+
Networking: Gigabit Ethernet- Integrated,Wireless LAN 802.11 B/G - Intel, Bluetooth
Input Device: Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Battery: Li-Ion 9 cell battery
Average Run Time: 6.1 hours
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Manufacturer Warranty: Three years
Price: $1,905.00

Config 2
----------
Product Description: IBM ThinkPad T42p 2373 - Pentium M 1.8 GHz - 15" TFT
Weight: 5.9 lbs
Processor: 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
Price: $2,389.00

as you can tell these are special prices for the university (But purchasing direct from IBM)

any help would be appreciated.

awolfe63 · #2 Post by **awolfe63** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 3:25 pm

15" UXGA is about 5-6% smaller.

The biggest advantage of the 14" is that it can open (just barely) on an airplane. That's why I got it. If you are writing code - screen real estate is like gold - I would get the larger machine.

Conmee · #3 Post by **Conmee** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 3:26 pm

If you code, get the 15" UXGA, hands down. Almost without fail, programmers, etc, like the screen real-estate, and the Flexview is superior in terms of color saturation and contrast. The extra pound is only a problem if you're a weakling... lol j/k. The form factor, if you're used to a 14" system, will seem unwieldly at first, but you'll get used to it. So....

If you do alot of travel, get 14"
If you do alot of coding, get 15"
If you do alot of coding while traveling, still strongly consider the 15"

Daniel.

Hangfire · #4 Post by **Hangfire** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 3:59 pm

I've noticed that there are three different types of screens. What is the difference?

1) XGA
2) SXGA+
3) UXGA

What does the plus mean?

Thanks

mtbiac · #5 Post by **mtbiac** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 4:02 pm

XGA= 1024x768
SXGA+= 1400x1050
UXGA (only 15") = 1600x1200

spotter · #6 Post by **spotter** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 4:03 pm

for IBM and Dell
XGA=1024x768
SXGA=1400x1050

for IBM
UXGA=1600x1200

so on thinkpads can have a
12" or 14" XGA screen
14" or 15" SXGA screen
15" UXGA screen.

mtbiac · #7 Post by **mtbiac** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 4:06 pm

spotter - what is the Rambo II optical drive?? never heard of it although I remember seeing that somewhere on the IBM webpage

thanks

spotter · #8 Post by **spotter** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 4:21 pm

unsure

but Rambo: First Blood was a better movie

mtbiac · #9 Post by **mtbiac** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 4:24 pm

hahaha, I agree

so does anyone know what the RAmbo drive is? just a weird name for DVD-RW drive perhaps? and does IBM only offer 1 DVD-RW drive or are there different versions of it? (ie: DVD-R only, slower/faster drives, etc?)

Kenn · #10 Post by **Kenn** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 5:33 pm

I just got the 15" t42p with UXGA. Text IS a bit hard to read, but XP is close to resolution-indepedent with text-size and DPI controls. I'd always recommend going for the higher resolution and adjusting through software to compensate - it gives you the most freedom.

That said, between the 14" and 15" at identical SXGA+ resolution, I'd go with the 14 for better weight, size, and battery considerations.

Stunt101 · #11 Post by **Stunt101** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 6:00 pm

spotter,

I get the same deals. What university are you ordering through?

I ended up getting the $2389 15" model.

Don't believe the estimated shipping dates. It said 15 days for the 15" model, but as soon as I ordered it, the page said ready to ship 7/28 (I ordered it on the 4th)

Hangfire · #12 Post by **Hangfire** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 8:06 pm

I wonder if they mean 15 "business" days?

Stunt101 · #13 Post by **Stunt101** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 9:37 pm

Maybe.

Normally I wouldn't care about an extra week or two, but I really wanted the 2.0 ghz, but it's not available yet through the school. If the 2.0 ghz comes out before I get the laptop I ordered, I will not be a happy customer (I called up the rep and he didn't think the 2.0 was coming out any time soon).

mtbiac · #14 Post by **mtbiac** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 9:40 pm

if the 2.0 comes out before yours ships, cancel the order and get a 2.0 or such

help me decide between a 14" and a 15" T42p

help me decide between a 14" and a 15" T42p

Re: help me decide between a 14" and a 15" T42p

Who is online