University Laptop (T42/X40)

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squawkBOX · #1 Post by **squawkBOX** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 5:57 am

Hi everyone, thanks for taking the time to read this message.

I am about to start university here in Scotland and I require a notebook for the course that I am doing. The university offer an IBM deal, from looking at the deal, I think that I have narrowed it down to the Thinkpad X40 and T42.

Basically I would be required to take it everyday and would travel on the train, to university everyday then back again.

The problem that I have is although I'm pushing towards the T42, mainly due to it being more powerful (@ 1.7Ghz and having 512Mb of RAM in it). I also like the X40 as it is small and lightweight. However the X40 package only has 256MB RAM (and 1.2GHz low voltage) and I would end up upgrading the RAM straight away.

What does everyone else think? Would be T42 or X40 be more suited to my needs?

Many Thanks

stgreek · #2 Post by **stgreek** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 7:32 am

squawkBOX wrote:Hi everyone, thanks for taking the time to read this message.

I am about to start university here in Scotland and I require a notebook for the course that I am doing. The university offer an IBM deal, from looking at the deal, I think that I have narrowed it down to the Thinkpad X40 and T42.

Basically I would be required to take it everyday and would travel on the train, to university everyday then back again.

The problem that I have is although I'm pushing towards the T42, mainly due to it being more powerful (@ 1.7Ghz and having 512Mb of RAM in it). I also like the X40 as it is small and lightweight. However the X40 package only has 256MB RAM (and 1.2GHz low voltage) and I would end up upgrading the RAM straight away.

What does everyone else think? Would be T42 or X40 be more suited to my needs?

Many Thanks

In my humble opinion, the X40 is not a notebook worth looking into. It may be small and light, but things like the non-standard hard drive hurt a lot more than a pound of weight. I would take the 14" T42 without question (15" is a bit heavier for continuous travelling), unless you don't need an optical drive in which case an X31 is an excellent (and much cheaper) option. X31 takes same upgrades as T42 (HD,mem etc) so so you can use them again if you upgrade later. Also, the X31 can take the 60GB 7200RPM drive which compared to the 40GB 4200RPM drive that the X40 comes with is twice as fast (literally). But if this will be your only PC (no desktop), go with the 14" T42, you won't regret it.

Stavros

sktn77a · #3 Post by **sktn77a** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 7:33 am

The X40 should meet you needs for University, provided you aren't doing any 3D graphics or games - it has the Intel Extreme(ly slow) Graphics! Lugging a computer around day-after-day is no fun, so go for portability if it meets your requirements.

stgreek · #4 Post by **stgreek** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 9:37 am

sktn77a wrote:The X40 should meet you needs for University, provided you aren't doing any 3D graphics or games - it has the Intel Extreme(ly slow) Graphics! Lugging a computer around day-after-day is no fun, so go for portability if it meets your requirements.

Another advantage for the X31, it uses the Ati mobility graphics chipset with 16Mb RAM. Will it might not run doom3, it does just fine for older games and does not tie up your memory like the intel extreme(ly bad) chipset.

squawkBOX · #5 Post by **squawkBOX** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 9:52 am

Thanks very much for your replies.

Just a note to say that they don't offer the X31 through their student package (the university - I think that they just want to limit the amount of different machines in the place).

I think that I am going to go for the T42, although a little more expensive, I think that I will enjoy it more. Mainly due to that little bit of speed increase. The model is the 15" one. From the 512MB that is in there, is that fixed memory? How many RAM slots are in the T42 (15")?

ZPrime · #6 Post by **ZPrime** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 10:09 am

which screen do you get with it, if it's a 15?

the T42s have two slots, but only one is "user accessible". I.e. one of them is under a cover on the bottom. The other one is under the keyboard and a bit more of a pain to access. They will take up to 2GB (1G per slot) though.

See if you can find out if it is 512M in one slot or 2. if it's in both... you'll have to throw out a stick if you decide to upgrade anyway, which is annoying. a single 512M is much more ideal.

clmbngbkng · #7 Post by **clmbngbkng** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 10:43 am

They might not offer it in the store but try asking your university if they could look into ordering a X31 for you and what the price would be.

I did the same thing here in the States and I saved on the price so it couldn't hurt to ask.

University Laptop (T42/X40)

University Laptop (T42/X40)

Re: University Laptop (T42/X40)

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