Just got my first ThinkPad...

[AlanHorne]

I just got my new T42p (my first ThinkPad) and all I can say is -

Wow.


I can't really compare performance since my old laptop is three years older (of course the T42p is faster) but the build quality - oh, the build quality.

I am very thankful toward this forum.

The wonderfully positive comments I saw for IBM/Lenovo's excellent engineering standards and overall build quality were able to prevent Dell's siren song of low prices from getting to me.

A comparable laptop from Dell would have cost me (with Dell's high military discount) roughly $800 less - but now that I have the new machine in hand, I can honestly say that the extra cost was WELL worth it.

The T42p feels, to me, that it was designed the way a laptop SHOULD be designed. My old Dell, on the other hand, feels like a cheap plastic toy by comparison. I never realized a laptop could feel this sturdy, yet still be so lightweight.

I guess now I'm a ThinkPad addict.

[plucky duck]

Those who own one never complain about paying extra over so and so for the same performance level. A thinkpad is not only about the specs.

Welcome to the bandwagon

[christopher_wolf]

Congratulations on your first Thinkpad; I know you will enjoy it as I did my first Thinkpad, a 701c. I remember being amazed at the keyboard action on it.

[sb0h]

I agree. The T42 is a very well built machine. My business partner just bought a Toshiba Tecra (he didn't like the Thinkpad - crazy I know) and it just doesn't compare. His Tecra may be a year newer and have all the fancy SD card slots etc, but my T42 is quieter, built far better and I never have any trouble with it. Thinkpads just work....period.

[dr_st]

The T42p may well be considered the best Thinkpad in existense. With T43 and the Z-series some issues arose with heat, noise, etc.

[christopher_wolf]

You could also say that the T43p might be considered the best Thinkpad in existence; problems exist with the T42 as well, including the suspected system board failure.

Although I think you might get mauled by people who own the 600 Series; aren't they the "best" (and didn't the original batteries have that quirky little charge issue) ?

[AlanHorne]

I guess they're all the best.

Seriously, though - my T42 feels so much better in every respect than my old machine. Some people's advice on HDD speed were dead-on - the 7200RPM speeds up compile times greatly.

Only gripe I have so far (which I'm sure I could remedy with enough software-hunting) is that the touchpad edge scroll and middle-button scrolling don't seem to actually be sending Windows scroll messages like a mouse would.

One question I have (and this may be answered elsewhere, to be honest I haven't searched yet) is about which files that come preinstalled are necessary to keep and which are expendable.

[leif]

Great!!!

My first thinkpad is T43 BH2, I bought it 1 week ago.
It's great! I don't think the noise from the fan is a problem(maybe the place I stay is not that quiet).

Beforce this machine I used HP B3810AP.
The noise of its fan is even bigger than T43, and the HDD.

[syhead]

I'm glad for you!

I'm on my third Thinkpad and very happy!

[christopher_wolf]

The one true "best" Thinkpad is the one that is right for the user.

I think there is a feature somewhere that lets the trackpoint scroll emulate a windows roller wheel scroll; I last saw a thread about it on here.

My former laptop, if you could call it that, was an HP ze5170...Very loud and hot machine.

[fullauto]

Look, I don't mean to rain on anybody's parade, but I just rceived my replacement T43p (2668B1U) yesterday and it is CRAP. The first one was sent back with beaucoup problems....

The [censored] fan is louder than my first one, and the down arrow key got sticky/noisy after 2 hours.

The keyboard has REMARKABLY worse action, and I still can't get the wireless card to find my WAP.

[censored]...

[thinkpadfreak]

Congrats on your new T42p, AlanHorne! IMHO, 600 and T2x series were definately the best built Thinkpads. Dont get me wrong now...I love my T40 still . I just dont think build quality of T4x series stands up to 600 and T2x. Anyways, enjoy your new Thinkpad.

[NoteGuy]

Welcome to the ThinkPad club - what a great machine.

T4X vs. The 600 Series? IMO - the 600 was a MUCH better machine - at least in fit-n-finish. But that was then - this is now.

I just purchased a T43P - 2668-G7U. I waited for the new T60 - but I was not impressed with it - so I bought what I think is the best available ThinkPad. I really hope this machine holds up well - because, like many long-time TP users - I feel the future of the mighty ThinkPad is in question. I hope this machine will run Vista without any problems.

Right now - I think the Z60 and T60 look really cheap. For the 1st true "lenovo' ThinkPads - I was very disaapointed.

I am waiting to see the new HP business machines, maybe HP will step up and become the 'elite' business notebook maker?
But the current NC series is OK - but just OK - nothing to get exicted about.

That's my point - I am a nut - I get EXCITED about laptops. Since the early '90's when I worked at CompUSA - I have loved ThinkPads. I remember seeing the old 701C on display - back then, I sure didn't have the money to buy one - but I did sell a bunch of them.

I have had a 380, 600, 770, T21, T41, T42, T43(Current Machine) - and I really believe the 600 was Tops - Followed closely by the 770.

I remember seeing the first T series - and being dissapointed. But NOW, in today's environment - the T series seems excellent. Particularly when you compare it to a Dell or most all other laptops.

So, maybe, in the future I will look at the T60 and by comparison to what else is available at the time - it will shine. But for now - The T43P = Last of the Great ThinkPads (IMO).

Enjoy your new ThinkPad - BE FOREWARNED - you will have a hard time using any other laptop after having a ThinkPad.

[thinkpadfreak]

I totally agree with you, NoteGuy. I've been taking good care of all my Thinkpads over the last few years and hopefully I'll be able to get a few more years out of them...including my beloved 600E and 600X.

[christopher_wolf]

Look, I don't mean to rain on anybody's parade, but I just rceived my replacement T43p (2668B1U) yesterday and it is CRAP. The first one was sent back with beaucoup problems....

The [censored] fan is louder than my first one, and the down arrow key got sticky/noisy after 2 hours.

The keyboard has REMARKABLY worse action, and I still can't get the wireless card to find my WAP.

[censored]...

That is a rare case that I actually don't think is, in any way, representative or the T Series Thinkpads regardless of what model it is. I can't see how that would indicate there is a particular problem with a model line, it could have happened to a T42, T41, or T40. Also consider that it was a replacement machine and could have been used and returned previously for different or the same reasons, so you can't compare it to a system that has been freshly purchased.

In this case, I would look forward to the support you are going to get as I do think that IBM support is going to accept all the things that you noted and should fix it via either reapir or replacment options. Have you called them up and told them about the issues with the replacement?

[fullauto]

Christopher: Thanks for the reply. Actually I have been trying to reach the Customer Rep that handled the return, but she has been unavailable.

Just for the record, I have absolutely no hidden agenda here.

You have no idea how much I looked forward to finally buying a Thinkpad.

[fullauto]

Christopher, what are your settings for the FanControl App, BTW?

Mine are:

52 degC -> 0
55 degC -> 1
57 degC -> 3
60 degC -> 7
70 degC -> BIOS

I have been steadily moving the profile up to avoid fan cycling.

[christopher_wolf]

When I use the Fan Control Utility, I usually go with the defaults. I haven't had any issues recently when it came to the fan cycling or pulsing so I can't say how does would fix that.