New T4x: Is this the best deal?

[ectropist]

Hello forum-goers: I'm looking to buy a laptop for college, and I'm pretty sure that I want to get an IBM. My college offers substantial discounts for thinkpads, and I think this is the best model to get (since the cheaper ones have a laughably outdated video card... a T42 with a Radeon 7500? sheesh!)

Anyway, here are the specs:

IBM Thinkpad T42p 2373H14
Intel Pentium M 745 (1.8ghz dothan)
512MB RAM, 60GB HDD
FireGl T2-128
14" SXGA+ Screen, 9 cell battery
$1905

Is this my best deal? Also, the college offers as an add-on a "three year thinkpad protection program" for another $118. I'm worried about this because of some verbiage on IBM's website about how some warrenties are only applicible for business customers. But since htis is on my college's site, does tihs apply to me? The verbiage of the protection is below.... Thanks everyone!

IBM ThinkPad Protection is an extensive repair or replacement service to cover unintentional damage that is caused by accidents. These accidents are generally not covered under the standard product warranty service upgrade or other IBM extended service plan offerings. ThinkPad Protection services are delivered by IBM depot repair service via the IBM HelpCenter, providing IBM end-to-end coverage. This offering provides protection for your IBM ThinkPad, covering accidental damage, power surge, drops or falls, liquid spills, electrical surges and LCD damage caused by a drop or a fall. It features coverage at home, in the office and in transit and complete repair of your ThinkPad.

This offering combines standard 3-year warranty and protection purchase only.

[GreenLight]

What kind of optical drive does this include? If it has the DVD-RW drive, then it is a tremendous deal. If not, then it is "just" a good deal.

[ectropist]

"just" the combo drive, although I can't fathom a situation in which I'd miss the drive.

[Binglehopper]

IBM Thinkpad T42p 2373H14
Intel Pentium M 745 (1.8ghz dothan)
512MB RAM, 60GB HDD
FireGl T2-128
14" SXGA+ Screen, 9 cell battery
$1905

wow, that's a really good deal, any chance you could order me one?

[danny1519]

Order one to me too

[pphilipko]

even me!

[nowstime]

Amazing Deal...Which school do you go to?

Can you hook me up...

[ohman]

Hello Mr. I'm going to Harvard,
(see sig). I ordered one through a friend going there, and quite frankly I couldn't be happier. Don't worry about the DVD-R drive... thats what a desktop is for.

[aquina]

If you could choose between the H14 and this one:

2373CWU

Product Description IBM ThinkPad T42 2373 - Pentium M 745 1.8 MHz - 15" TFT
Dimensions (WxDxH) 3 13 in x 10.6 in x 1.4 in
Weight 2 6 lbs
Localization English / United States
System Type Notebook
Built-in Devices Stereo speakers, wireless LAN antenna, ThinkLight
Processor 1 Intel Pentium M 745 1.8 MHz
Cache Memory 2 MB - L2 cache
RAM 512 MB (installed) / 2 GB (max) - DDR SDRAM - PC2700 - 333 MHz
Hard Drive 1 x 80 GB - 5400 rpm
Optical Storage CD-RW / DVD-ROM combo - plug-in module
Display 15" TFT active matrix
Graphics Controller ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9600 - 64 MB
Audio Output Sound card
Telecom 4 Network / modem combo - CDC - 56 Kbps
Networking Network adapter - Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11g
Wireless NIC Atheros AR5001X+ WLAN
Input Device Keyboard, UltraNav
Power AC 110/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )
Battery Lithium ion
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Manufacturer Warranty 3 years warranty


The H14 is a p model but the CWU has the larger screen and a bigger hard drive.

Which one would you prefer?

Prices are about equal.