T42 2378FVU add ons to standard configuration?

Message

Esteban · #1 Post by **Esteban** » Fri Nov 26, 2004 7:01 pm

I'm interested in buying my first Thinkpad, a T42 2378FVU. Beyond the standard configuration what makes the most sense to add on to it?

I'm considering adding a 3 year depot warrantee.

Maybe an additional 256 mb of memory--does IBM increases the memory to 512 mb in one slot or fill each one with 256 mb sticks?

k3vb0t · #2 Post by **k3vb0t** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 12:38 am

I have the exact same machine. Don't get the extra 256mb RAM. Buy a 512mb stick from Crucial.com (~$118 shipped) and end up paying just a bit more for the 512 than you'd pay for the extra 256 from IBM. It is simple to install.

The only thing I added was the 3 year depot warranty. Bought the RAM from Crucial, ordered a Powersleeve 14 from Booqbags.com (awesome), and a ScreenSavRz from Radtech.com.

Good luck with your purchase!

lvlolvlo · #3 Post by **lvlolvlo** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 11:57 pm

i'd rather get 1gb ram from outpost 159...i think decent buy

http://www.outpost.com/entry?site=op:mf ... ku=4158153

he he he

Plinkerton · #4 Post by **Plinkerton** » Sun Nov 28, 2004 12:36 am

I agree with everything said. I added all those things, and would add them again.

Just find a place that sells good RAM, for a price you like, and go with that. I like Crucial, as do many others here. I like their guarantee, etc. So I went with them, but there are lots of other options.

Esteban · #5 Post by **Esteban** » Sun Nov 28, 2004 6:56 am

Does IBM fulfill memory upgrades when you buy a new ThinkPad T42 with one large capacity stick in one slot or with two smaller ones in both slots?

lfeagan · #6 Post by **lfeagan** » Sun Nov 28, 2004 3:14 pm

one large capacity.

Esteban · #7 Post by **Esteban** » Sun Nov 28, 2004 7:04 pm

When I called the IBM sales number I was told that an memory upgrade to 512mb would come in 2 sticks. I remain confused about how IBM does memory upgrades. 1 stick total, or 2?

Adding 256mb to the T42 2378FVU, $76.50 from IBM, is less costly than buying a 512mb stick from Crucial at $104.99. Upgrading thru IBM I end up with a total of 512mb.

By buying an additional stick from Crucial I end up with a total 768mb. At this step a better value to buy from Crucial.

I'm thinking another step ahead. I can live with 512mb total for awhile.

However if the time comes when I want 1024 total memory I'd spend less to pay IBM to upgrade to 512 when I buy the ThinkPad and later buy a 2nd stick from Crucial--provided I get my notebook with one 512mb stick from IBM when I purchase it. $76.50 (IBM) + $104.99 (Crucial) = $181.49 to get to 1024mb total. $104.99 + $104.9 = $209.98 total thru Crucial.

Just went back to www.ibm.com/education/us/ to double check memory upgrade prices for the 2378FVU. They offer:
256mb incl. in base system, 512mb (total) for an additional $76.50, 768mb (total) for $170, and 1280mb (total) for $569.50.

Their above memory totals suggest IBM does memory upgrades, at least for this model, by filling it with 2 total sticks as the top upgrade would seem to be filled with the original 256mb + 1024 upgraded mb = 1280 total mb. Threre is no 1024mb total configuration available from IBM for the FVU.

I'm getting longwinded. Sorry. Looks like it doesn't pan out to go to 512mb total purchased from IBM as I'd have to remove one stick to further upgrade memory. Better pricewise to do any memory upgrade thru Crucial.

In time I expect to upgrade memory, and possibly harddrive to larger/faster one. So, in a way I'm looking at buying a FVU and doing my own "CTO" later to enhance it.

Steve

Plinkerton · #8 Post by **Plinkerton** » Sun Nov 28, 2004 11:49 pm

I say get 256 from IBM, 512 from Crucial, and leave it at that. Unless you are positive you will need 1024 at some point, just stick with 768.

T42 2378FVU add ons to standard configuration?

T42 2378FVU add ons to standard configuration?

1 stick or 2?

Who is online