Time To Upgrade T43p Or T60

[Truckertim]

Hi, It is now time for me to upgrade my laptop but am in a quandry.

Both laptops I am looking at are second user and have approx 2 years warranty left. Both are up for £675.00

T43p 2668 H2G:P M 770, 1GB RAM, 60GB 7200rpm HDD, 15 UXGA(1600x1200) TFT LCD, 128MB ATI FireGL V3200, CD-RW/DVD-R Multi-Burner, Intel 802.11b/g wireless(MPCI), Bluetooth/Modem(CDC), 1Gb Ethernet(LOM), UltraNav, Secure Chip, Fingerprint Reader, 9c Li-Ion, Vista Business

T60 2007-FVG:T5600(1.83GHz), 1GB RAM, 120GB 5400rpm HD, 15in 1400x1050 LCD, 128MB ATI Radeon X1400, CDRW/DVDRW, 802.11n wireless, Bluetooth/Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, Secure chip, Ultranav, Fingerprint reader, 6c Li-Ion batt, WinXP Pro



Which one do other members recommend??

[richk]

I really prefer the UXGA screen, but others don't like it. The newer, faster CPU is good on the T60, if you do things that can use the processor. If you use the machine for email and word processing, you will not notice the difference. I think the difference in disk size is not a big deal. It is easy to change if it is an issue. It's the same for the multi-burned. It boils down to what to you prefer for the screen and what do you do with the machine?

[andrewb]

I would recommend the T43p. The only downside to the machine is that the fan noise is likely to be higher than the T60.

I bought a T43p new, with a slightly higher spec than the one being considered, about 30 months ago, but for a whopping £2,900. For only £675, the one you are considering looks like good value, even if you then spend extra on a bigger drive and an extra 1GB of memory (this is probably to be recommended if you are running Vista).

[pianowizard]

If the laptop will stay on your desk most of the time, then the T43p would be the better choice because its Flexview UXGA screen is much nicer than the T60's. However, if it's going to be a mobile unit, the T60 would be better because it's lighter and sturdier.

[Harryc]

T60 unless you need the extra screen real estate that you'd get with the 15 UXGA(1600x1200).

[underclocker]

Welcome to forum.

Both seem like great machines, it's a tough call. But, I'd grab the T60 - unless you really need the higher resolution.

You'll be happy and fine with either.

[carbon_unit]

The only plus for the T43 is the screen, everything else points to the T60. IMHO

[Yandar]

In the future, you can upgrade the T60s CPU to a Core 2 Duo if it takes your fancy. Its quite easy. Got to love Thinkpads for the ease of upgrading andd repair.

[Temetka]

I would go for the T60. It has a better CPU which can be upgraded to Core2Duo (as previously mentioned). The GPU in the T60 (ATI X1400) should be faster (or equal to) than the ATI FireGL in my T41p or than the FireGL V320 in the T43p.

I do know the T43 uses a SATA / PATA bridge which has been a source of some problems for some of the users here. I would assume the T60 has a true SATA chipset. This would open the road to picking up one of those wonderful SSD drives that everyone seems to love so much.

Both machines are great and would work just fine for you. However I believe the T60 has a longer life ahead of it. If it were my money, I would buy the T60.

[dr_st]

Another vote for the T60. It's almost a now brainer. UXGA vs. SXGA+? Eh, no big diff. Both screens are Flexview. 7200RPM vs 5400RPM? You may feel the difference in some applications, but that's all. All other factors point to the T60.

[pianowizard]

UXGA vs. SXGA+? Eh, no big diff.

The UXGA has 30.6% more pixels than the SXGA+. To me, that's a huge difference.

[dr_st]

UXGA vs. SXGA+? Eh, no big diff.

The UXGA has 30.6% more pixels than the SXGA+. To me, that's a huge difference.

pianowizard, knowing you, to you, even 3 WHXGA monitors wouldn't be enough space. Most people won't even notice SXGA+ vs UXGA in their everyday work.