More T4x model-difference checking (T42 vs T43)

[hydrostarr]

In my continued quest to see how vulnerable I am to Linux-OS-load problems for various Thinkpad models (see http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=18180 for more details) before I buy a new one, I'm hunting down all the hardware differences between the T42 and T43 models to try and understand my potential expsore to Linux-related (and other) problems.

This is nice:

http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/thinkpad/tseri ... eries.html

The differene in BIOS and PCI-X concerns me. Should I be concerned?

But the above doesn't tell the entire story. The problems with the hard drive stuff due to the new T43 SATA things concern me even more:

http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Problem_w ... hard_disks
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Problems_ ... _and_Linux

Yes, there are patches for the SATA bridge, and yes, Ubuntu already has said patches built in (or say says thinkwiki.org)...but do I really want to continue to test these compatibility waters?

Bottom line: are the extra features in the T43 (a lost-and-found BIOS thing, a SATA interface/bridge, PCI-X) worth being less compatible with Linux/BSD?

I'm not sure how the lost-and-found BIOS gizmo (as I'm calling it) works, or if it's effective. Further, I'm not sure which things are going to take advantage of PCI-X, or if my system is faster because it's using a PCI-X-based bus...will it be significantly faster in any application?

I'm trying to get all my ducks in a row before my purchase in hopes I can save a lot of time messing around getting my system to work. As of right now, the T42 looks more attractive in this regard.

Thanks for any help,
-Matt

[bzzz]

i'm running fc4 and things work find. the only hardware i haven't tried yet are bluetooth and modem.

[hydrostarr]

i'm running fc4 and things work find.

...on which hardware? T24, T43, or another flavor?

-Matt

[christopher_wolf]

Well, I do know one person that has loaded Ubuntu on their T43 and loves it; claiming no problems whatsoever. Said person, however, loves to tinker with computer systems. At this point, it is starting to split hairs as to either a T43 or T42. Since you will be working with source code and compiling it, I should think that the Memory and CPU would make the most difference. I have done FORTRAN, C++/C, Java, and MATLAB scripting and it runs very well on my T43.

[hydrostarr]

Well, I do know one person that has loaded Ubuntu on their T43 and loves it; claiming no problems whatsoever. Said person, however, loves to tinker with computer systems. At this point, it is starting to split hairs as to either a T43 or T42. Since you will be working with source code and compiling it, I should think that the Memory and CPU would make the most difference. I have done FORTRAN, C++/C, Java, and MATLAB scripting and it runs very well on my T43.

Ok, good to know.

Further, I'm realizing that the T43 speaks PC2-4200 memory, while the T42 uses PC-2700...and we have a bunch of PC2-4200 1GB DIMMs around the office, thus favoring getting a T43 to take advantage of this inventory (and be able to share the same inventory with the rest of the laptops around the office).

A side note: anybody know PC-2700 DIMMs work ok in a PC2-4200 computer?

-Matt

[bzzz]

i'm running fc4 and things work find.

...on which hardware? T24, T43, or another flavor?

-Matt

whoops, sorry

T43, 2668-4DU

[dr_st]

A side note: anybody know PC-2700 DIMMs work ok in a PC2-4200 computer?

They don't work at all. They are not electrically compatible and, I think, don't even fit physically in the slots.