T43 questions

[Outlaw]

I'm going to purchasing a new in the box T43 to replace my T23 by the end of August. My only question is, if both have the same processor, memory, and HD size: Is the 15" or 14" LCD screen model a better buy? Does one have more problems than the other?

Thanks, Mark

[richk]

It comes down to personal preference. If you are looking at the same resolution on both (XGA or SXGA+) screens, the text on the 15" is bigger. Some people like that and some don't. The 14" is lighter and smaller. I use a 15" UXGA screen T42p (1600X1200), and really like it. Other people think the text is too small to use. If you are comparing a 14" XGA to a high-resolution bigger screen (UXGA or SXGA+), the high-resolution screen is substantially more money, but may be worth it, depending on what you use the laptop for, and what you want. Make sure the T43 is what you really want. A T60 has many advantages, so if the prices are close, it may be better. The T60 can support more memory, and uses SATA drives

[SteveS]

Richk gives a pretty balanced opinion.
I have owned both 14’ and 15’ models of T43(/p), and I prefer the 14”. The 15” seemed to hang up in both models of the Targus travel cases I have, usually requiring both hands to extract it, whereas the 14” slips in and out easily, even if the zipper is not completely open. I travel a lot by plane, and in economy class, there is room on the tray next to the 14” PC to place a drink, but there is not with the 15”. The 15” is both heavier and thicker than the 14”.
Perhaps these opinions are common, because I notice that the 14” models command higher prices on the used market, at least on e-bay.
But if you don’t use your notebook extensively on the road, then the 15” will have slightly larger fonts, making it easier to read.

[Outlaw]

First off, thanks Rich & Steve for your answers.

What advantage does the T6X have over the T4X that is so much better?

A little about how I use my current T23 might help. My T23 is a PIII 1GHz, 512MG, 20GB, DVD/CDRW. I drive a truck for a living, running all 48 states. I use the computer for navigation, keeping records, watching movies, email and web surfing, and some basic games (Civ III). Currently I use WinXP pro Sp2, MS Office 2003, Adobe Acrobat 7, Adobe Photoshop CS, Quicken 05, Delorme Street Atlas 07 (will be upgrading to 08 soon), Mozilla Firfox & Thunderbird, PCMiler 18 (truck routing software). For navigation with a Street Atlas I use a Garmin E-trex hooked to the serial port, works very well. For communications on the road I use a Sierra 860 aircard.

I first started out looking for purchase a new T61 2GHz, 1GB, 60GB 7200, DVD/CDRW, 15.4 WSXGA w/NVIDIA 128MG graphics card, WinXP pro, $1324 from lenvo. I keep asking myself do I really need a brand new top of the line machine? I’m not ready to jump to MS Vista, I’m very comfortable with XP. I don’t game on a laptop. Do I need all the extra power? I don’t think so, but I do want a new in the box with warranty laptop. So I started looking at the T43 line and seems you can still get a good machine new in the box. The T43, 2.0GHz, 1GB, 80GB, DVD/CDRW, 14 SXGA, Wifi for $899, the 15” model is basically the same price.

Mark

[Temetka]

NOTE: The T4x models do not have a serial port. You might be looking at getting a USB to serial adapter that will work with your GPS unit. I would check with the manufacturer and see what they suggest.

[pianowizard]

What advantage does the T6X have over the T4X that is so much better?

I owned a T60 (14.1" SXGA+ 1.66GHz Core Duo, 2GB PC2-5300, 5400rpm HDD) and a T43 (14.1" SXGA+ 1.86GHz Pentium M, 2GB PC2-4200, 5400rpm). The T60 was much sturdier and quieter than the T43, but the T60's palmrest also got warmer. Both were around 5.2 lbs with 6-cell battery. In terms of speed, I didn't feel any difference between them.