IBM T42 for college

[DudeItsADell]

I want a buy a laptop for college, but I dont't if I should get an IBM or something like Dell, Compaq, Toshiba, etc. I've been looking at the IBM T42 and the specs are great. But I am not so happy about how the notebook looks. Its dull and jet black. I guess the design doesn't really matter. I just wanted to know how long the battery lasts for and how light it actually is. Is the T42 a solid machine, meaning that there are no creaks around the keyboard and when you close the cover it doesn't give. And also, is an IBM an ideal choice for just browsing the internet, word processing, watching DVDs, and playing games once in a while. Are IBMs better for business use? Please help me make the right decision.

[vijeshmehta]

My comparisons between all the different laptops lead me to choose a T42. Between a few of my friends we have enough laptops to be able to really evaluate and figure out what is good.

Through all the usage I think the IBM's have been the best in overall build quality. The casing and workmanship is excellent.

The Dell is not bad by anymeans - but there is this Plastic Feel to it which is evident when you have an IBM next to it. The Dell Precision model is probably the best built out of them all - and I don't think it can match the feel of an IBM. The Inspiron models are not even close.

I'm not biased toward IBM's - incase you are wondering. But comparing it side by side with a Toshiba, Dell and Fujitsu.... Its very evident how much better the build quality of the IBM is.

Other reasons besides the engineering are : good performance, good battery life, lots of support and forums, Linux compatibility.

For Gaming I have no idea - I don't game much and when I do - I have a good desktop for it.

For browsing / internet..etc Any laptop is fine. From my understanding the Dell's have better speaker quality - IBM's are generally average speakers and multimedia performance.

good luck.

[juancferrer]

The T42s, or maybe the whole T4x series does creak around the left palmrest, on top of where the pcmcia cards go. Besides that problem, which was fixed with a just a business card, the IBMs are really solid laptops. I can even hold my t42 by the LCD, and it hold almost as it was sitting on a table, try doing that with any other laptop, and you'll probably have the LCD in your hands, while the rest is on the floor.

[DudeItsADell]

Thanks alot guys. Really appreciate the feedback. I still wanted to know, how are the speakers on the T42. And what specs do you think I should get with mine. Thanks.

[Binglehopper]

don't have any experience w/ the speakers, but about your comment on the looks of the ibm. personally, i like the sophisticated, "suave" look of an ibm, vs. some of the just flat out ugly designs from other computer makers. also, laptop theft is VERY common at school, and i actually think the "less flashy" look of the thinkpads makes them less of a target.

and also being that you'll be using it in college, as i do, you'll probably want something that's built well to hold up against all the...potential pitfalls (drunken roommates, accidental dropping, etc) of college. IBM laptops are easily the best made out there.

good luck w/ it.

[Biggie2]

Plus the T42 is so thin everytime u see basically any other laptop in its class you will be in disgust because of how thick the competition is. Just looks unrefined in comparison. Kinda like switching from SXGA back to XGA....

The speakers on my 14.1 are really decent for what its worth... but i wouldnt be caught dead EVER listening to music with them.. I just bought a nice pair of sennheiser px-200 portable/foldable headphones and case for around 50 bucks...

[Kenn]

I think the speakers are definitely one of the afterthought issues with the t-series. Not that I think the quality is all that bad, but consider that they're positioned at the front edge of the laptop, pointing straight down. That doesn't make for the best aureal response, but it's OK as long as the front of the laptop isn't leaning off of the desk.

[DudeItsADell]

Thanks guys. I guess my next notebook purchase is going to be an IBM T42. I also wanted to know, what are dead pixels and how often does a T42 come with a dead pixel. Also, is the T42 a solid laptop, meaning that the cover doesn't give and that it won't break?

[mattfromomaha]

Dead pixels happen with all LCDS. It's part of the manufacturning process. Since there's thousands of them in one LCD, even having 99.9% success rate with them still means you could get a couple in your LCD. Of the four laptops I've owned, one had a couple dead pixels. We have ~12 LCD monitors around the office and a couple of them have dead pixels as well. The main thing is that if you buy from IBM and don't like dead pixels, return your laptop for another one. I don't know Dell's exact warranty, but I doubt it's as good as IBMs.

I don't have a T42 yet, but I've held a few and they are very solid. I have a T30 now and I swear you could use them instead of bricks for the foundation of a house. The [censored] thing is truly built like a brick. My friend was looking at laptops last fall and I kept telling him to go IBM, and he ended up getting a Dell Inspiron. It's about twice as thick, cheaply built plastic, and the ugly blue styling is just distracting. It didn't take him long at all to wish he had followed my advice. The keyboard of the T42 has a little flex, as does the LCD screen, by design.

I laughed at your comment about the boring black styling of ThinkPads. I used to agree, but I've come to believe that it just makes the laptop look that much classier. One website review was talking about it and it likened the Thinkpad's styling to a guy showing up in a tux to a semiformal dinner...rather than being flashy, it looks good because it's just subtle and simple. It is funny when I take it to class and open it up. You always get a few looks as people but out their silver iBooks and colored dells and ugly plastic HPs and you've got the solid black IBM...

As far as specs, I think you'll have to look for a model that suits your needs best. I'm shopping for a T42 and want to stick wth the 14.1" screen because I think the smaller size is more important than a little more screen area, but that's a personal opinion. My top preference for a model right now is the 2373JTU, which IBM quoted at $2,100. IBM's website doesn't list all the models available, so I'd go to CDW.com and search for T42s, and then call IBM for a quote.

Bottom line, I'm also a college student and I wouldn't own anything else. Creighton University's IT department is in bed with Gateway, and most of the faculty loves Dell, but they all shold bow down to me and the T30....

Good luck....you'll be glad you went with Big Blue!