Construction changes, T40 vs. T41 vs. T42

[mattfromomaha]

I'm considering selling my little sister my T30 and movin' on up. I'm not sure which machine type to consider, though. Aside from the difference in configuration with things like the Dothan processor and flexview and 15" screen, can anyone tell me the changes in the CONSTRUCTION of each of these models?

I'm wondering if going with a T42 would eliminate the problems of the cooling fan noises, creaky left palm rest, squishy keyboard, floppy battery, etc. I've read a bunch of posts here about the new things mentioned above but, those aside, is there a compelling reason (in terms of construction/component reliability) to shell out the extra $$ for the T42?

I'm definately looking for a 14.1" XGA monitor because the higher resolution seems like too much trouble to adjust to a good reading size, but other than that I'm not too picky about needing the new Dothan or anything special - I'm completely in love with my T30 but am liking the smaller form factor of the T4x for toting around campus...give those idiot Dell fans a glimpse of a QUALITY notebook!!!

Thanks!
Matt

[sktn77a]

Of the 5 thinkpads I've used in the last 4 years, my perception of quality of construction and materials is as follows (best to worst):

600E > T22 > T30 > T40 = T41

I think I see a trend but how this perception translates into reliability and physical robustnes I can't say. So far all were pretty reliable.

[Hangfire]

Keith, can you tell some of us TP noobs a little about the changes you've seen over the years, likes and/or dislikes?

Thanks!

HF

[K. Eng]

I've used the following: 600E, T23, T30, and T40.

The 600E was the most solid feeling machine and has the best keyboard.

The T23 and the T30 felt very sturdy, but the keyboard on the T23 feels a bit mushy and is not as good as the keyboard on the 600E, T30, or T40.

The T40 has the second best keyboard. However, I don't feel that the construction is as sturdy as the other machines. This seems to be a consequence of its very slim size.

I don't think you need to be too worried about going higher than XGA resolution if you are thinking about moving to a 15" display. I have heard that the 15" T42 is much sturdier than the 14" T4x, and it still weighs a bit less than your T30.

If I had to buy a machine today, I'd probably go for a 15" T42.

[Conmee]

Of the 5 thinkpads I've used in the last 4 years, my perception of quality of construction and materials is as follows (best to worst):

600E > T22 > T30 > T40 = T41

I think I see a trend but how this perception translates into reliability and physical robustnes I can't say. So far all were pretty reliable.

Following the same trend, the machines also got faster, lighter, and smaller (though in classic IBM fashion, the T30 was heftier than it should have been). I think the smaller form-factor, build materials, tolerances, and other constraints have made it more difficult for IBM to make what 'feels' like a rock solid machine, while reducing the form factor, leaving less and less room for support and reinforcing components and material. I really liked my T21, in terms of solid palmrest, keyboard, battery, etc... the T40/T41/T42 all feel less sturdy. However, the 15" T42 I had and returned did have a solid palmrest and keyboard... but the 14" models just have little creaks, clacks, jiggles, and flex at various places. Business cards, foam tape strips, Thai Keyboards, Sony batteries, etc cure those annoyances... but I can understand why it's frustrating to people who just shelled out $3000 to have to shore up build/quality deficiencies in a brand new machine with scraps of paper and tape.

Daniel.

[K. Eng]

I shelled out $1900 for mine (well, that includes $100 for the ABG wireless card and $30 for a stick of RAM) but I am still a bit annoyed that I had to use foam and tape to shore up build deficiencies.

I have 5 tiny pieces of foam under the keyboard, a strip of foam on the battery, and tape on the PC Card slot door (spring would not stay in place, so finally I used tape to get it to stay.

However, I have yet to find a single machine in this weight class (4.9-5.4 lbs) by any other manufacturer that has a keyboard as good as the ones on the T4x. And the hinges on the T4x are great - solid metal instead of plastic junk used on Dells. The D600 I returned had a left hinge that creaked and a rear vent that flexed and made a pop noise ever time I opened the lid.

I can understand why it's frustrating to people who just shelled out $3000 to have to shore up build/quality deficiencies in a brand new machine with scraps of paper and tape.

[mattfromomaha]

It almost makes me want to stick with my T30! I've owned 2 Compaq notebooks, an HP and a Gateway prior to my T30 and this thing is built so well I just can't imagine going to something that doesn't feel as sturdy. I almost think you could use a bunch of T30s instead of bricks as the foundation to your house - they are that solid!

I guess with the trend toward slimmer/smaller/lighter it becomes difficult to make a computer that feels as solid as the larger and heftier ones.

As a final question, since I am sticking with a 14.1" screen regardless of the model I choose (I don't want the 15"), will the build problems everyone has been seeing be the same whether I do the T40, T41 or T42? In other words, these nuances haven't been corrected on the T42 to much extent, have they?

Thanks for all of your help!
Matt

[jdhurst]

In the recent past (3 years), I have had an X22, A22e, T23, T30 and now a T41.

The X22 was indeed light and small, but the lack of an integrated CD was a downside for me.

The A22e and the T23 had the same weight and form factor which I judge to be the best of any notebook computer I have used. To skip ahead, the T41 I have now is the best computer but it is wider and deeper than an T23 but the same weight (near enough).

The downside of the A22e is that it lacked ports. No infrared, no S-Out, only one USB. Mine was a Windows 2000 machine, and, while I very much like and respect Windows 2000, Windows XP Pro is a better place to be, so on to the T23. It was also underpowered for VMware V4. I sold it to move up and it remains in service.

The T23 was a fine machine. Best size - weight ratio and very capable. Good disk (at the time), infrared, IBM wireless, integrated DVD/CD-Rom, good speed and so on. I sold it only because I was recommending a fleet of T30's to a client, and I wanted the same T30 to better support what I was recommending.

The T30 is a very capable machine, although it is a bit chunky and heavy. It came with a 40Gb 5400-rpm drive which was fast when I bought it, but I upgraded this box to a 60Gb 7200-rpm drive and became a convert to the super fast drives. The T30 had everything the T23 had, and did everything I wanted. If you have one, consider the very fast drive. You will not regret it. The client needed another T30, so I sold mine to the client and got a T41.

My T41 (2373-1HU) is the best of the lot. Fastest with the P-M processor, nice and light. Too big, but I can live with that. Very thin, which I like. Bright screen (best I have had). Super fast drive (I did have to upgrade the 1HU). I like the construction, the metal hinges and the quality. The Ultra-Nav buttons creak a bit, but the keyboard is excellent (no mushy), the palm rest does not creak, the battery is not loose, the short fan is silent, the 60Gb drive runs cool, the whole computer runs cool, etc. etc.

I would not (so far as I can see) trade my T41 for a larger screen. I don't want a bigger PC and my screen is excellent. I like 1024x768 resolution even on my 17-inch desktop with flat panel display (NEC).

All of the machines above (save the A22e) are Windows XP Pro, and (assuming the classic interface and properly secured) I am a solid convert to Windows XP.

The T41 has an Intel wireless card. Junk. Unabashed garbage. An IBM card is on order and I am changing it.

... JDHurst

[mpcook]

I have owned 500, 600E, 600X, T20, T21, X31. The 600's did appear to be a bit more sturdy and well built. The T21 was a great machine (my son uses it now, it's become a bit ragged). I have to rate my X31 up there with the 600's so I don't know that small size has to translate to less sturdy. The X31 seems very sturdy to me, and I love the keyboard. I have not handled any T's above the 21 to compare. I liked the 500 a lot too!

-Mike

[stgreek]

I've owned quite a few thinkpads: 755, 760XL, 560/E/X/Z, 600/E/X, T20, T23, T40, R40, A30, X22, X23, X31 and a transnote.

If I were to choose on of those, I would definitely take my 600X any time of the day. Upgraded to P3-850, it can still be used fine for everyday tasks, and has the best build quality of any laptop that ever existed. T23 was probably the best T series laptop in terms of quality, except from the annoying cracking left palm rest issue. I don't like my T40, in terms of quality it is down there with the HPs and the Toshibas. IMO the best laptop currently shipping from IBM is the X31, as it is the only one that doesn't look ready to break when you apply some pressure on it. IBM's quality has gone downwards though, and if they make the aesthetic crime of adding colors to thinkpads I will be very dissapointed.

[JaimitoBond]

I guess it is all relative. My friends who have Toshiba and HPs all marvel at how well built my T41p is, and what a great keyboard it has. The only other TP I had was an i-series, and that was like a Toshiba or HP. I think it was designed by Acer, some people reported.