T42HTU or QIU

[swizzle]

I'm am a IBM retiree and get the employee discount. My son is in the Navy (Norfolk, VA). I ordered at T42 HTU for him not scheduled to ship until 11/12/4. He really would like the fingerprint reader, even though I'm not sure it's worth the extra cost (I know it's a faster processor). There isn't a 1.8 processor with a fingerprint reader. Is it worth the extra cost to get the QIU? Any help would be sincerely appreciated. He needs good wi-fi access and does do gaming. He's been on a computer since he's been 2 years old. I'm not a programmer or hardware expert, just have knowledge of computer options. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I think I can get the QIU faster. He's in a hurry, (after Boot Camp, etc.). Is it worth it? Or should I just tell him to wait.

[dpb]

The exbtra features can't hurt and will probably help. The fingerpint technology seems very cool to me (and I started computing in 1985!). It's strictly a budget question.

[mgp]

Check out the 2379R9U -- it's basically a 2379DXU (great value) with the fingerprint reader, 1.8GHz Dothan, and 9cell battery for only like 45 dollars more through EPP. I'm also in EPP, and this machine sells for $2081 -- about $400 off sticker price.

[swizzle]

Only difference I can see is it has a 80GB hardrive and only 512mb memory. My son's priority is to get a thinkpad ASAP. From what I can tell by the availability, it seems the 1 GB of memory is holding up the shipment. Can memory easily be added later & if anyone can help me with the p/n for extra memory, I'd sure appreciate it.

[dpb]

For RAM, go to crucial.com or newegg.com and look for memory that matches the IBM Thinkpad T42. It's cheaper, faster and just as good as IBM-sourced RAM. And, yes, it's dead simple to add the RAM.

[swizzle]

Thanks for your replies. He'll have to wait. I hope I ordered the right model for him (2373HTU). Have been reading the forum. Hope the 1.8 processor, 60 GB 7200rpm, 126 video memory will handle his gaming, downloads of movies, mp3's, wi-fi with the Intel card vs. the IBM a/b/g card, etc. I know that IBM notebooks are aimed at business use, but b/c of my discount I convinced him to buy IBM vs. HP or Sony. Hope it will do what he needs it to do seeing he has to wait. (He, also, has to pay for it for 2 years). He's, also, trusting me to do the research for him. He currently doesn't have internet access and would have to just purchase from the NAVY NEX. He's always worked on IBM desktops, (Although, he upgraded video, etc. as the desktop aged) so I pray this notebook will work for him. Any thoughts?? Please let me know, as I can still cancel and recommend for him to just go buy something else.
Thanks.