What do I need to know before I get myself a T42?

[talenos]

I just joined the board and after just looking at one thread I noticed I should get a Thai keyboard instead of a Chinese one or something. Is there anything else I should know so I can just call them and ask for it right away? Anthing any of you would do differently when you ordered yours?

I'm thinking of spending 2k, with the student discount. Should I get the RAM from IBM or buy it seperate? What hard drive should I get? Does someone have pics of the different batteries, I think I remember one being bigger than the other or something. How does the 14.1" vs 15" affect the weight? I was lugging aroudn a 7.5 lber and I just couldn't do it all day around campus, so I want to go light. Is there a case that people reccomend getting?

Also is it worth getting a dock? It'll be my secondary machine for now, so it's not essential, but is it a nice thing to have? What wireless option is the best? Also there are a ton of different drives that cost various amounts, which should I get?

Thanks for helping me with these questions, I just want to make sure I get the best tp I can. I seriously can't wait.

[Plinkerton]

I'm a student and just got my T42 a couple days ago. AWESOME machine. I got the 40 gig hd. Definitely get the 5400rpm. The stock wifi has been GREAT. no problems, easy setup, I haven't had a problem or a disconnect yet. I even updated to XP SP2 with it, which was potentially risky. All worked without a hitch.

I have the Chinese keyboard. It feels great, but I will be calling IBM for the Thai. They will send it to you without a hitch, charge you nothing, and not even ask for the other one back. I think it's almost worth it to take a chance with it, and just have them send it to you later. Then, you will always have a backup.

I don't have a dock, and really don't see a need for one, at least in my case. You can always buy one later.

I have the 14.1 SXGA. The screen looks great. The resolution is great, and because all the icons shrink down a bit, it makes the screen seem really big. I'm very glad I got the 14 instead of the 15. It's big enough as it is.

The case I just ordered is from booqbags. It's the PowerSleeve. I got the Powersleeve14. Definitely check it out. It came VERY highly recommended. It's slim, and can fit into another backpack, but can hold the powercord, and some small essentials. I wanted something slim.

I have the standard battery. I got my additional RAM from Crucial.com, which is a great company. The RAM went in without a hitch. I got the T42 with 256, and added 512.

I also got the standard drive, as I didn't feel I needed the DVD-R. It's just a DVD rom, and a CD RW.

The other ones look okay, but this was perfect for what I needed. I think the Multi drive is MUCH too expensive.

If I had to do it all over again, I would get the same thing.

If money was not an issue, I would get a bigger HD, and that's probably it at the moment.

This notebook is amazing, and I love it!

Enjoy.

[mattfromomaha]

Excellent advice!

One note on the dock: I think it depends on how many things you would hook up to it at your desk. I have the port replicator II, but the only thing I use is printer, network, power, so it wasn't really worth the purchase price since those three things are so easy to hook up. However, if you used an external monitor, keyboard, mouse, power, printer, network, and a couple of USB devices, then it's a different story.

[talenos]

Excellent advice!

One note on the dock: I think it depends on how many things you would hook up to it at your desk. I have the port replicator II, but the only thing I use is printer, network, power, so it wasn't really worth the purchase price since those three things are so easy to hook up. However, if you used an external monitor, keyboard, mouse, power, printer, network, and a couple of USB devices, then it's a different story.

Ok, I have a separate desktop, so I probably wouldn't be using it that much.

[Logi7]

heh i just hook everything up to my usb hub so i only have to plug in 1 usb and the power and im good to go

[Plinkerton]

That's a good idea...

Maybe I need to get more USB toys!