first IBM laptop, need help deciding!

Message

Guv'nor-K · #1 Post by **Guv'nor-K** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 6:05 pm

Hello everyone,

Ive browsed these forums everytime the possibility of buying an IBM has come up. Ofcourse, lol, most of those times I'd just never have the cash to go and fulfill this little dream of mine.

The fact that I've registered today, means this time its for real. I feel like a 16 year old girl who just saw justin timberlake or whatever it is the kids like these days. (im 22, so obviously i consider myself an old dog

)

ok enough nonsense. Im going for a T43, the max im willing to spend is $1500 and well Ive found a few models on newegg.com, but i had a few questions:

1. 2668-44U

Communication: Modem, Gigabit LAN and WLAN
CPU Type: 1 x Pentium M 750(1.86 GHz)
Graphics Card: ATI MOBILITY RADEON X300
Hard Disk: 40GB 5400 rpm
Memory Size: 512MB DDR2
Operating System: Windows XP Professional
Optical Drive: DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive
Screen: 14.1" TFT XGA (1024 x 768)
Video Memory: 64MB

2. 1875-M2U

Card slot: One PCMCIA type II slot, One Express card slot
Communication: Modem, LAN and WLAN
CPU Type: 1 x Pentium M 750(1.86GHz)
Graphics Card: Integrated Intel GMA900
Hard Disk: 60GB
Memory Size: 512MB DDR2
Operating System: Windows XP Professional
Optical Drive: DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive
Screen: 14.1" LCD
Video Memory: shared memory

Q1. Can both these laptops support the 7200rpm drives? If so are those drives easy to acquire?

Q2. Does any T43 have Bluetooth?

Q3. lol, and um which one is better? oh i have downloaded the January 2006 TABOOK.PDF, but it really doesnt tell me why I should go for one over the other....

Thanks guys.

EDIT: would it be possible to get a 2686M5U in my price range? Im interested in the 14.1 SXGA+ display, DVD writer and the 2.0Ghz..

christopher_wolf · #2 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 6:26 pm

Q1.) A: Yes, the T43 does support 7200RPM HDDs; although some may throw the 2010 Error

Q2.) A:Yes, t=many T43s have Bluetooth; look through the tabook.pdf

Q3.) A: I would go for the 2668-44U, but it all depends on what you are going to do with it and how you are going to use it. The ones with the GMA900 do not support DVI output as far as I know.

Welcome to the Thinkpad Forums

Guv'nor-K · #3 Post by **Guv'nor-K** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 6:35 pm

thanks!

ok so the support is there for the 7200 rpms...whats the 2010 error? is there a way a to solve that problem? or is it a gamble..

I'll be using the laptop for college..dont really need it for gaming, however i plan on keeping the processor fairly busy. (moderate - high usage). maybe even my CAD software...

id want the x300 simply for dvi support..and from what ive seen..most of the T43s that have bluetooth seem to be pretty highend and well beyond my budget...and if not that.. then they are lacking the fingerprint reader.

where would you place the 2686M5U in this roundup?

note: im looking to keep size under control hence im only going for 14.1"

thanks

hoya · #4 Post by **hoya** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 6:45 pm

Guv'nor-K wrote:thanks!

ok so the support is there for the 7200 rpms...whats the 2010 error? is there a way a to solve that problem? or is it a gamble..

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

2686M5U is a nice machine - I had one about 6 months ago. it seemed a bit quieter (possibly because it was an "August 2005" model), but honestly any 14.1" SXGA+ X300 T43 will do. look on eBay for good deals, but be VERY careful to read the entire description (some are refurb), and only buy from sellers with exceptional feedback.

Guv'nor-K · #5 Post by **Guv'nor-K** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 6:56 pm

thanks for the input, just came across this on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-ThinkPad-T43-1- ... dZViewItem

it seems to fulfill most if not all my needs, and the price works for me too. Id be grateful if someone could look over it to verify that its a sound deal..

thanks guys!

christopher_wolf · #6 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 6:59 pm

The 2010 error is no big deal if you either get it with the desired HDD to begin with from IBM/Lenovo or you choose the right HDD as per the 2010 thread.

Go with the X300 if you want to do CAD work as well as multi-task alot; I have been doing more than that with 1GB System memory and have encountered no problems.

The tabook.pdf has some very interesting models; see ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pcinstitu ... tabook.pdf

I am pretty sure there is mid-range T43 with Bluetooth in there somewhere.

HTH

hoya · #7 Post by **hoya** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 7:03 pm

Guv'nor-K wrote:thanks for the input, just came across this on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-ThinkPad-T43-1- ... dZViewItem

it seems to fulfill most if not all my needs, and the price works for me too. Id be grateful if someone could look over it to verify that its a sound deal..

thanks guys!

just notice that this carries a 6 month warranty from IBM Financing, and a 36 month "MACK" warranty which is less than desirable.

otherwise, that looks like a nice config. also, don't write off the T42 with a Radeon 9600 - it's nearly equivalent to the T43 though the fan is a bit quieter.

Guv'nor-K · #8 Post by **Guv'nor-K** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 7:07 pm

hmm it also says: "These remanufactured products are sold by IBM with a L-Claim classification, which means that they are in brand new condition. These are brand new items which were either:

(A) shipped to an IBM reseller or end user and then returned, in most cases unused, or

(B) a custom ordered configuration which was cancelled or,

(C) brand new odd lot or overstocked inventory.

They are carefully tested and recertified by IBM and come in a IBM factory sealed box. Computers include the original factory software load including OS and have a Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity (COA). "

Dont know if that can be trusted...

Where do you guys mostly buy your thinkpads? ebay?

nirvana0001 · #9 Post by **nirvana0001** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 7:10 pm

i would suggest go get a t42 with ati 9600 then overclock it to 1.8Ghz
should be a bit cheaper.
p.s. I purchased the bluetooth part from IBM in order to install it by myself; however, they didn't charge for it from my credit card, luck

nirvana0001 · #10 Post by **nirvana0001** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 7:18 pm

Guv'nor-K wrote:
(A) shipped to an IBM reseller or end user and then returned, in most cases unused, or

(B) a custom ordered configuration which was cancelled or,

(C) brand new odd lot or overstocked inventory.

I think choice A is the major reason. 30 days return policy.

mysbca · #11 Post by **mysbca** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 7:23 pm

Also note that 2668 models come with 3 year warranty, 2686 and 1875 models come with only 1 year warranty.

If you can live without bluetooth and the dvd writer, here is a good deal on a 26686FU direct from Lenovo for $1499 (good until 2/28/06):
T43 - 26686FU
2.0GHz P-M, 14" SXGA+, ATI X300, 60GB HD, 512MB RAM, CDRW/DVD-ROM, 3 year warranty

Guv'nor-K · #12 Post by **Guv'nor-K** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 7:31 pm

thanks nirvana, im dropping that one out..

and thats a great deal myscba...i could always add a dvd writer later i guess..

thanks

princeatul · #13 Post by **princeatul** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 11:28 pm

@ Guv'nor-K
Seems if you are ready to shell out $1749 right now and claim
mail-in rebate (Notebook Rebates $150) and stretch your budget by $100, T43 2686-M5U
then can very well go for it: $1749 - $150 = $1599 (+ sales tax)!

hoya · #14 Post by **hoya** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 11:46 pm

Page Computers has it for $1579 - $150 = $1429, though I'm not sure if they are an authorized reseller (that's one stipulation of the rebate).

also, remember that Lenovo charges sales tax.

Guv'nor-K · #15 Post by **Guv'nor-K** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 2:31 am

decisions decisions, i think im a bit hesitant now about spending the extra $200 ...

heres what ive narrowed it down to guys, tell me what you think.

1. 266844U

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6834146118

OR

2. 266871U

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6834146119

$200 difference. is it really really worth the extra $$$? and could someone please help me pick between this XGA and SXGA+ nonsense lol.

thanks guys

christopher_wolf · #16 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 2:40 am

The XGA gives you a maximum resolution of 1024x768 on a 14.1" screen while the SXGA+ gives you a maximum resolution of 1400x1050 on a 14.1" screen.

IMO, the money is worth the SXGA screen if that is the only difference.

That is getting pretty close to the model I have.

Guv'nor-K · #17 Post by **Guv'nor-K** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 2:45 am

well actually for $200 more im getting the SXGA+, 40 Gb MORE space and bluetooth...oh and the extra processor speed..

Guv'nor-K · #18 Post by **Guv'nor-K** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 3:00 am

lol that extra $200 is really going to bite me...i really cant exceed $1500. thats for sure...cant do it lol.

Guv'nor-K · #19 Post by **Guv'nor-K** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 3:26 am

done. i bought the 2668-44U for $1499.

*GULP*

wow..

Hanson · #20 Post by **Hanson** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 12:25 pm

Oh well, the only plus side is that you get 512mb than the 256mb on the other one (at least according to the Lenovo website). Only question is whether this unit will be cheaper in the long run...

hoya · #21 Post by **hoya** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 1:34 pm

I would have spent the extra $200 - resale will be better when you're ready to upgrade to a T60 or T61. ThinkPad's hold their value very well - just look at eBay and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Guv'nor-K · #22 Post by **Guv'nor-K** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 2:32 pm

yeah i definitely see your points guys...and i wouldve gone for the latter one. but firstly i intend to keep this lappy for a while (my first one anyway), im in college so i doubt i'll be thinking of upgrading anytime soon. and yes i agree that this laptop will turn out to be costly if i need to upgrade my harddrive etc. but then id bank on having a little cash later on to spend on it. because right now, im maxed lol.

without comparing it to the 71U..what do you think of the system? i mean...ive never owned a laptop, used a dell 600m for a while but this is my first and i think its one hell of a first no?

christopher_wolf · #23 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 2:42 pm

Yup; great decision for a first laptop. Most likely lightyears ahead of that Dell.

redchair · #24 Post by **redchair** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 3:23 pm

Have you been reading all the complaints in this forum about T4X series, especially the T43? You may think people are just picky, but the sheer number of people and effort that has gone into researching these problems: they are real.

Heat problems, bad battery life, 3rd party hard drive problems. DO NOT buy a T43 whatever you do.

You MAY have luck with a T60, but I think it would be better to wait until you hear about all the complaints that that model might produce first two months down the line. If I were you, or me about 4 weeks ago, I would buy a different Pentium M Centrino computer for about $US 700-800, and be happy. This is one $2000+ T43 I have right now, and I had a huge educational discount. Even though I'm running at 319 MHz (lowest cpu speed, IBM software control and BIOS), lowest power use setting on the wireless card, lowest power use setting on the ATI card and the fan is still a constant vaccum cleaner.

There is a fan control utility, and shimodax has put a lot of effort into researching the source of the heat and how to control the embedded controller: but this is a problem that should be fixed by Lenovo out of the box, and not have any chance of frying your computer or voiding your warranty, or having to install a program that uses a library to directly circumvent your security (WINIO) http://www.internals.com/utilities_main.htm

nirvana0001 · #25 Post by **nirvana0001** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 3:33 pm

i can buy 2668 44U with $1289
http://www.pcsuperstore.com/products/F1 ... l/froogle/
still too expensive? check this out:
http://www.pcsuperstore.com/products/G6 ... 75M2U.html

Guv'nor-K · #26 Post by **Guv'nor-K** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 4:12 pm

well guys my order has already shipped hence i cant undo it, sigh, so now im feeling a bit low lol..

Guv'nor-K · #27 Post by **Guv'nor-K** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 4:55 pm

the laptop should be arriving tomorrow, so i was just wondering how i should go about setting it up. for example, should i get the driver and bios updates? is there a particular version that would be better or should i just get the latest ones off the site?

also does the fingerprint reader require authentication prior to loading up windows? if not, is there a way to enable this? and ive heard that some machines that dont have bluetooth still have the neccessary hardware in them and the bluetooth can be enabled with a little work. is this true?

thanks for the help so far guys, i know i havent bought the best machine, but im banking on it being a whole lot better than that 1.8ghz centrino dell 600m.

nirvana0001 · #28 Post by **nirvana0001** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 1:52 am

1. enable fingerprint reader in Bios
2. i don't think 2668 44u has bluetooth. you gotta buy a bluetooth part in order to replace it if you want.
3. i re-installed a fresh windows XP pro, and only necessary driver were installed.
I am curious that why don't you go for T42 with ATI 9600? their performance are similiar(maybe even better), SXGA and less power consume. I am talking about the same price.

Guv'nor-K · #29 Post by **Guv'nor-K** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 11:30 pm

received my T43 today!! absolutely loving the machine!!

btw nirvana, where could i get this part to activate bluetooth and how tedious is the installation?

thanks

first IBM laptop, need help deciding!

first IBM laptop, need help deciding!

Who is online