this t42 is a good IBM with a good price..what's the catch??

[Vasant56]

It's the T42 2378FVU

It's listed as only $1850.. what's the catch?

Thanks

[primedude]

This is the model I have (which I actually got for a couple hundred bucks less through the SPP.) The catch is probably that it only has a one-year warranty.

Anyway, there's nothing to be especially wary of -- you can upgrade the warranty for a reasonable cost, and since it's a Think Express model, you can get an excellent price on extra batteries.

[Vasant56]

oh, ok.

BTW, What's SPP?

Also, how do you like the screen? And, can the extra batteries be put in without losing the CDROM?

[Daniel]

The reason why it's inexpensive is because it's not specced out that well. Also, it's inexpensive because it's a Think Express model which is heavily discounted by IBM.

[darrenf]

As mentioned, the one-year warranty. It's otherwise a great machine (and the one that I use currently). It even comes pre-wired for bluetooth, should you purhase the modem/bluetooth combo card later. Great gaming machine (RM9600, 64M, no flexview) and the 14" screen draws ~%60 the power of the 15" flexview.

The only caution I would add is that, as compared to the 14" XGA screen, this screen is much harder to read at the lower brightness levels. I have to keep my SXGA+ screen at or near full brightness (AC level) to be pleased with the picture and not strain my eyes. With the XGA screen I often used it at the lowest light level and I don't remember that being uncomfortable like I am when viewing the lower brightness levels on this screen.

That said, I don't think that one can get a T42 with the 9600/64M and XGA, so I would still opt for the 2378FVU if I had it to do all over again.

As mentioned by primedude, buy it with the SPP discount and save yourself a few more dollars (I would pitch Bill here but I asked and he can't beat the price).

-darren

[Vasant56]

how is it not specced well? It seems fine (that's why I think I'm missing something).

Also, what's SPP? I'll try getting one from bill if he can send to canada with low costs.

Finally, is the SXGA+ on 14.1" a hinderance? My eyes aren't the best. I have 20/20 with glasses, but I'd rather not strain them at all.

[tselling]

You can save almost $100 on that model by using a credit card.... pretty much any credit card will do Mastercard, Discover, Visa.

http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/store ... logId=-840

[fireracer7]

If I'm not mistaken, SPP is the Shareholders Purchasing Program, a discount program for IBM shareholders. The website can be found at http://www.ibm.com/shop/us/spp.

[smartblue]

Is SPP price better then EPP price??
anyway , I would get the 3 year extended warrenty for another $100 if I have to get this express model.

[Vasant56]

The thing is: I'm canadian, so I can't buy anything from ibm.com (and IBM canada rips people off). That's why I'm going with Bill if he will let me.



edit: What's the wireless on this thing like?

[darrenf]

Wireless is GREAT! I've heard nothing but rips here on the Intel 2200BG card that ships with the 2378FVU, but I had the IBM a/b/g in my 2373 and the Intel card blows it away. I get double (or more) the distance to AP.

Of course, something could have been wrong with my IBM card (or antennae) but I tried two cards and connected the anetennae several times, so it was nothing so simple as a loose connection.

There is a bug with the drivers for the 2200BG that has caused a BSOD on my machine twice. It happened in the exact same place each time (hard to describe) and is so rare as to be almost not worth mentioning. Others have gotten the exact same BSOD with the same drivers in other circumstances (seti@home was a big contributing factor for some) and Intel has not updated the drivers.

I have *not*, in normal use, seen the problem in two months, so perhaps another patch took care of the problem.

-darren

[darrenf]

For anyone else having the same problem I have seen in the 2200BG, note that Intel has apparently fixed the DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL in w22n51.sys error that has occasioned the 2200BG card in a beta driver release (v8.1).

Reports are that the new driver fixes the problem for everyone who was experiencing it. Intel is being stingy with it, but there is a link at the bottom of this post that will get you the driver.

-darren

[sktn77a]

Here's the visa discount page:
http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/store ... logId=-840

What's to stop you ordering through the US IBM site and just having it shipped directly from Hong Kong (where they all come from) to your home?

Failing that, you'll probably get a good deal through Bill and if you have any problems, he'll be MUCH easier to deal with than IBM