Purchased this T40...can you answer some quick Q's

Message

jongordo8 · #1 Post by **jongordo8** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 1:45 pm

I am thinking of getting a T40 used. I only am going to use it for email, webbrowsing, word processing, etc. No games or anything. Most powerful program I will probably use with it is powerpoint.

I am trying to get a feel for what your guys impressions of the T40 are overall and was hoping someone could answer these two questions for me.

What advantages does the T40 have over the T23 I have now?

What disadvantages does the T40 have compared to a new T42, T43 and would I be sacrificing for settling with a T40 instead of going with a T42 or T43.

Thanks in advance.
Jon

christopher_wolf · #2 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 6:34 pm

Well, the main advantage of the T40 over the T23 is a boost in performance; although a big advantage lies in the fact that it shares the same Chassis as the rest of the T4X Series. So you can use interchange almost all of the parts from another T4X Series.

There are, of course, other reasons...

davidspalding · #3 Post by **davidspalding** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 8:17 pm

So you want help with, "which to buy: T40, T42, T43?" Well, there are differing opinions on that. Some feel the T42 is a more stable, "perfected" model. But there are some performance improvements in some of the T43s (you can review the vaunted TABOOK.PDF off Lenovo's site to research machine type/model numbers) that I would caution you not to ignore (memory speed/type, video options, processors).

Me, I always tell clients to start with the budget, THEN shop around. If you only have, say, $1300 to spend, then that can limit which you want to buy. Also, what models are AVAILABLE to you, in your price range, effects your choice. Before snapping to a decision, consider things that you may need/want: docking station, more RAM, software you need to buy, extra adapter or battery, etc. Taking these into consideration, and THEN finding out what T40/2/3 is for sale in your price range, can make the choice a LOT simpler.

brainpicker · #4 Post by **brainpicker** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 11:54 pm

I feel the T40 is the absolute bargain of the T-series. There is little difference for most people's uses between many T40's and most T42's and the price difference is large. Here are some of the important differences as I see them (I'm sure this list is not complete):

1 ) Not all T40's had Gigabit Ethernet
2 ) Most early-made T40's came with 4200rpm HDD's
3 ) T40's utilize RAM at 266MHz (PC2100 speeds)
4 ) No 15" T40's were ever made
5 ) SXGA+ T40's used a 32MB ATI 9000 or 64MB FireGL 9000 ("p" models)
6 ) T40's Wireless was 802.11B or A/B back then (no 802.11G)
7 ) T40's Combo Drive was a bit slower
8 ) T40's do not have the ability to create restore media

Non of these were/are important or a deal-breaker for me. I own 2 T40's and love them!

Yak

christopher_wolf · #5 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 12:53 am

I can say that one of my Friends in research owns a T40 and is very happy about it as well.

#6 Post by **underclocker** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 7:45 am

T40 is a fabulous machine.

T40 pro's vs. T23:

USB 2.0 ports
Pentium M processor (faster)
Longer battery life, mostly due to Pentium M processor
All have internal WiFi antenna's - easy upgrade to B/G or A/B/G
Elegant and modern slim design - still in use by Lenovo
High capacity battery option

T23 pro's vs. T40:

Very solid/durable design
Can use "standard" ThinkPad drives; T40 requires more expensive SLIM devices

At this point, T40's routinely sell in the $700 range and up. Even IBM sells them as recertified (with warranty) in this range http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/store ... Id=2576396 Many units on eBay often come with some warranty left.

Hard to beat at this price. That being said, if you don't need USB 2.0, longer battery life, internal WiFi, or a faster processor, there's not much reason to upgrade from a T23. T42's & T43's are nearly identical to T40's, just faster (with a 15" LCD option, too).

I love my recertified IBM T40.

jongordo8 · #7 Post by **jongordo8** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 12:51 am

Thanks for all your recommendations and advice. I purchased this T40 from Ebay. The idea of having a warranty on it was nice, plus the price is pretty good.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 6831861435

1) Anyhow I just noticed that it does not have internal wireless. Are the antenna's already in place, I just need to purchase a minipci wireless card correct? If this is the case, which one should I get?

2) As you know I have a T23 that has a 60gig HD, and I was wondering if there is anyway possible for me to pop it into the T40 and have it work without having to format?

3)What is the fatest Pentium M I could put into the T40?

Thanks in advance.

#8 Post by **underclocker** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 5:15 pm

Congratulations! A T40 for $530 is a steal. With a warranty is even better!

1) The antenna and wires are there. The easiest upgrade (meaning you do not have to apply a BIOS hack to make work) is to use an IBM branded PCI WiFi card. Several will work Intel B, Intel B/G, Intel A/B/G, IBM (Atheros) B/G, IBM (Atheros) A/B/G, IBM (Atheros) A/B, and maybe more. The most expensive one directly from IBM without a discount is $59 - http://www-131.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/store ... 8425098764 On eBay, you'll find less expensive options. Remember, the part had to be for or from an IBM laptop or you will probably get an error.

2) It's not easy to transfer a disk between two very different systems, but it is possible. I won't give you all the details, but here are the basic steps;

a) make a back up of your data!!!
b) make sure the IDE drivers for both the T23 and T40 are the same, if not, manually install the T40 IDE drivers
c) install, turn on, let all drivers redetect, reboot as many times as required
d) run IBM software update utility

Note: You won't get the T40 system restore partition this way. The alternative method would be to Ghost each partion to the larger drive as needed. Example, Ghost data partion of larger drive to file on another drive (USB or in secondary drive bay) Ghost T40's system restore partion to larger drive, then Ghost another partion on the larger drive from the file created initially - ensuring correct IDE drivers were loaded prior to Ghosting off initial drive. Not easy, but this will work.

3) I believe the fastest Dothan (and Banias) chips will work. Those are for the 400MHz bus. There was a 2.1GHz Dothan. Here's Intel's table -
http://processorfinder.intel.com/script ... kgType=ALL

This board has a lot of info on all these items.

But be careful, if you upgrade too much, you'll spend as much as a T43!

Good luck.

underclocker

jongordo8 · #9 Post by **jongordo8** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 6:24 pm

alright following the recommendations from this site I purchased this card:

https://www-131.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... lCurrId=73

Also I will try that with the hard drive to see if I can get it to work.

Thanks.

simms · #10 Post by **simms** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 12:25 am

You got an amazing deal on that lappy! Congrats!

I paid $125 more for double the HDD, double the memory and a P-M 1.5ghz (with wireless too).

But for a simple grab from eBay (and 10% off!) your deal was probably just as good if not better than mine!

jongordo8 · #11 Post by **jongordo8** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 12:32 am

yeah I thought it was a good deal as well, now I just can't wait to get it and start using it.

Last question I have is this: What type of battery life can I expect from a T40 with both a primary battery and the ultraslim

simms · #12 Post by **simms** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 12:37 am

depends on if you have the 6 or 9 cell. 9+ultra = about 7-8 hrs, 6+ultra is about 5-6 hrs IIRC.

Are most deals on eBay for T40s around that price? How did you get so lucky!

christopher_wolf · #13 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 1:13 am

$530 for a T40

Amazing

Are there any more like that? They would make *great* Christmas Gifts; imagine that, a new T40 Thinkpad as a Christmas Gift.

jongordo8 · #14 Post by **jongordo8** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 10:08 am

Well I just saw one with an SXGA+ screen go for 510.00 about 3 hrs after this one, no warranty however.

Those are the 2 lowest prices I have seen. One trick I have learned with ebay is to just be patient. I watched everyT40 I was interested in, and than just stayed patient.

If you wait and be patient, you could find a T40 for that price.

Here is a link to the one I saw go for 510.00:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... %3AIT&rd=1

jongordo8 · #15 Post by **jongordo8** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 10:13 am

So where should I purchase batteries for the T40.

Ebay has 4400mah batteries and 6600mah. Is the 4400mah the 6 cell and 6600mah the 9 cell?

I also noticed the ultrabay slim battery is only 2200mah, so is it worth it?

dinotopia · #16 Post by **dinotopia** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 10:45 am

Hey hey! What a coincidence! This happens to be the T40 I just sold on eBay! I hope its new owner enjoys it.

Yes, it is a honking good deal. I am sad to see it go (it was so slim and sexy), but I am only selling it because I just got a T43 off Lenovo's pre-boxing day sale. So I guess both the buyer of this T40 and myself will both be happier when all is said and done...