T42 14" or 15"???

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bpsss · #1 Post by **bpsss** » Tue Nov 23, 2004 2:30 pm

I am going to move from a Tecra M2 to a Thinkpad T42....1.8 GHz 80 GB etc. The only thing I can't decide on is the screen size (both notebooks are 1024 x 768). I have always used 14.1" notebooks (always Tecra) and I am a mobile user.

What are peoples opinions on these two? Is the 15" noticably different/better, and is it worth it in size as the 14.1" is handy at only 2kg...

Thanks

gcchatel · #2 Post by **gcchatel** » Tue Nov 23, 2004 2:40 pm

If you are set on 1024x768 go for the 14". Since you are mobile you will not regret it. I have a t42p in the 14" footprint at SXGA+ (1400x1050) and I can read everything just fine. I love this resolution. The only reason to go for the 15" at the XGA resolution would be for the flexview screen since it is not available on the 14" but my vote is 14".

Gael

bpsss · #3 Post by **bpsss** » Tue Nov 23, 2004 2:57 pm

Isn't SXGA 1400 a little small on a 14" screen?

ZPrime · #4 Post by **ZPrime** » Tue Nov 23, 2004 2:57 pm

ugh, i hate working on 1024x768 screens. if you're going to though, the 14" is your best bet just because it's smaller.

that said, the quality of the 14" 1024 screen is much worse than my 15"... but my 15" is the 1600x1200 flexview. don't know what the 15" 1k screen looks like.

bpsss · #5 Post by **bpsss** » Tue Nov 23, 2004 3:21 pm

By the way.....how do you all think T42s (1.8 GHz etc) compare with Tecra M2 at the same spec?

gcchatel · #6 Post by **gcchatel** » Tue Nov 23, 2004 3:33 pm

No SXGA+ is beautiful on the 14" screen, lots or real estate, but then again, I have good eyes

bpsss · #7 Post by **bpsss** » Tue Nov 23, 2004 4:35 pm

Do you know how the 15" looks with 1024?

gcchatel · #8 Post by **gcchatel** » Tue Nov 23, 2004 4:40 pm

Yes I do, my grandfather has a R51 with a 15 inch screen at 1024x768. Personally I don't like it, everything just seems too big. It seems like I waste of such a great screen. If you want to see what it looks like, you don't have to stick with IBM go to your local computer store and look at 15 inch models at 1024x768, it will give you an idea. The screen itself is very nice, but that resolution does not seem to make sense unless your eyes are bad, which is precisely why my grandfather opted for that model.

Gael

Plinkerton · #9 Post by **Plinkerton** » Tue Nov 23, 2004 7:50 pm

I have a 14 inch SXGA+ screen, and would not choose anything different if I had to do it again. It looks awesome. Crisp and clear, and everything is the perfect size.

bpsss · #10 Post by **bpsss** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 3:20 am

I am not sure you can get 14" in SXGA 1400 x 1050 here in the UK, maybe only the US....

gcchatel · #11 Post by **gcchatel** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 9:20 am

You can get it, that is if you are buying from the IBM UK website. Just got to ibm.co.uk, then to products, notebooks, T series, and let me build it. From there you can pick your resolution. Hope that helps.

Gael

pecka · #12 Post by **pecka** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 11:08 am

bpsss wrote:Do you know how the 15" looks with 1024?

I have T42 2373-2VG, wich is 15" @ 1024x768. I had t21 before and I always wanted the 14" SXGA+ screen on my next machine. However all of the SXGA+ were too much for my pocket and those cheap 14" models had Radeon 7500 in them, so I rather opted for 15" SXGA w/ better GPU. Honestly this model would be great, if it came w/ 14" SXGA+, but then again that would cost me about $1000 more. Oh well, it sucks to live in Europe.

op.

Ghostrider · #13 Post by **Ghostrider** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 11:38 am

15" and 1024*768 @R51:
We have some of these machines in our company and do NOT like them compared to the T41/T41p with 14" displays we already have.
If you compare them side by side the 15" are not that evenly bright as the 14" are. The 15" seem to have varying brightness on each side from top to bottom. (at least when you have an uni-coloured background - bright blue or aqua or something like this...)

I just hope that the 14.1" 1400*1050 display on the T42p I ordered will be as good as the displays of the T41 / T41p we already have....

bpsss · #14 Post by **bpsss** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 11:45 am

You don't have the option of custom building in Europe, so I think if I go with a T42, it will have to be 14" with XVGA - 1024...........do you think that will be ok.........?

Ghostrider · #15 Post by **Ghostrider** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 12:02 pm

There are SO MANY models available at the IBM-Homepage... it's nearly like custom building....

Why don't you take the 1400*1050?

I ordered a T42p with that screen...

bpsss · #16 Post by **bpsss** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 12:15 pm

Well... that would be an option, but on UK site you can't buy from them direct, you have to go through a reseller. Finding one with the screen in that res......forget it!

Ghostrider · #17 Post by **Ghostrider** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 12:27 pm

bpsss wrote:Well... that would be an option, but on UK site you can't buy from them direct, you have to go through a reseller. Finding one with the screen in that res......forget it!

Have you already checked eBay? There are some resellers who offer new IBM ThinkPads... just search for "IBM T42p" and you'll finde some...

Don't you know any site in the net that will search for low prices? This may find a reseller for you, too... It's hard to believe that you can't buy the same stuff in the UK you can buy here in Germany.

pecka · #18 Post by **pecka** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 2:10 pm

hmm, I have to say that here in former Eastern block (Czech Republic) it's pretty hard to get even the models available for this market. At first I wanted the top of the line R51, but after a month of waiting I went w/ T42 (only thing missing is DVD-R drive and that SXGA+ display). I have to say that I'm happy, well after using the T21 for past three years it's quite a change. I did a research and nothnig comes close to quality of these black beasts.

bpsss · #19 Post by **bpsss** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 2:35 pm

I found a T42 1.8 GHz on www.insight.co.uk. However, it's over £1,900.....around £400 over budget...so I think that settles it unless I can find one on EBay!

T42 14" or 15"???

T42 14" or 15"???

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