Considering T42/T43: provides what I'm looking for?

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tuxracer · #1 Post by **tuxracer** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 8:55 am

I am looking into getting a laptop but I am not sure whether to buy used/refurbished or one of the newer Core 2 Duo laptops.

I am leaning towards the Thinkpad, either T42 or T43. But, I have some concerns. I am hoping someone here can answer my questions and let me know whether the Thinkpad would make a good choice for me.

These are the specs of the laptops available to me (note: I'm in Canada so I don't have the option of newegg and purchases from ebay if the sellers are located in the U.S.A. would result in added costs from shipping and duties).

Thinkpad T43-1871
Pentium-M 1.73 GHz
1GB RAM
40GB 5400rpm HD,
14.1in 1024x768 LCD,
Intel GM900
DVD-ROM
Intel 802.11b wireless (I think)
XP Pro

My main concern is the wireless and the signal strength. Number two main concern is that I want to install Linux on it. I'd use a recent distro with a recent kernel (version) so I shouldn't have much problem, right? I believe the wireless chip would be supported but is there some external/replacement wireless cards I could get for the Thinkpad that have good Linux support? Would it give the option of improving WiFi signal strength or the signal already good with the stock chip?

Main uses for the laptop would be surfing and watching the odd movie. I just need a laptop so that I can access the internet when I'm not at home. What had me hesitating with going immediately for the Thinkpad is that I would sell one of my desktops if I could get a Core 2 Duo notebook since it would be more powerful than the desktop and I already have two desktops (almost built the 2nd). But, since the main use for the laptop would be for when I'm out and need a wireless signal (some places I can plug in, though), I thought a Thinkpad would suit my needs for now.

Can anyone advise? Is the Thinkpad good for movie watching? Can I use the stock wireless or is there an easy/good upgrade for WiFi? Can I find choices for Linux compatibility?

I thought I could use an external LCD monitor to hook up to the Thinkpad if I needed/wanted more screen area?

aaa · #2 Post by **aaa** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:44 am

All the wireless cards that come with the T4x Thinkpads work great in Linux.

I find that my the Cisco B card that came with mine gets very good reception. There is also the Intel B card, that unfortunately seems to stall alot when you get farther away. For some reason I find that the newer Atheros A/B/G cards get worse reception under Linux.

Define "good for movie watching". I find that it's fine for me.

Yes, you can hook it up to an external monitor. It takes some fiddling to get it working in Linux though. There's also the option of higher resolution screens (like SXGA).

ajkula66 · #3 Post by **ajkula66** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 10:31 am

Welcome to the forum!

Your main concern should be whether the machine in question has any warranty remaining, although T43s with integrated graphics like this one are not notorious for failures.

What you're considering is a lower-end T43 which is still a fine machine, but make sure you don't overpay. These shouldn't command more than $400-425.

I'm fairly certain that this laptop should have a better card than just "b", but if that's all you're getting you may want to look into upgrading it.

Most Linux distros will work "out of the box" on any ThinkPad of this generation.

Good luck and keep us informed.

#4 Post by **Johan** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 10:42 am

... a quick hint: Have a look in the thread About to buy; T42 vs T43; NOISE, HEAT, 15" SX vs. UX LC - much of what you ask is discussed there! Remember to follow the links pointed to in that thread. You may also want to try the very useful Search-function available on this forum.

Trading on eBay from Canada... why should this be impossible? I have the impression that many outside-USA people (incl. I!) from time to time "do business" on eBay - through friends actually residing inside USA! In other words, if you want to take advantage of the many offers on eBay/USA, ask a friend in the USA to bid "on behalf of you" - that's how to! The same goes about Newegg - get help from friends.

Best regards,

Johan

sjthinkpader · #5 Post by **sjthinkpader** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 1:56 pm

If you are using it as a desktop replacement machine with an occasional trip, I would go for an A31 or T42, T43 with a 15 inch screen. These are very robust machines with much fewer potential problems with the GPU soldering issue. The A31's real drawback is a the lacking of a USB2.0 port. I use either a PCMCIA card or a PCI USB2.0 card in a full dock.

If you have a high demand for mobility, then 14 inch screen T42/T43 would be your choice.

For wireless cards, my preference are the various versions of the Atheros a/b/g card. I've had good success even with non-IBM cards.

tuxracer · #6 Post by **tuxracer** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 4:32 pm

The problem is I can't find any of those for a decent price. Even the one I listed is at $469 so either way, if I get one of these laptops, I'm overpaying. That is why I am considering a newer, Core 2 Duo machine for a bit more. I would like something portable but that could serve as a desktop replacement if needed.

I cannot find any of these Thinkpads with the higher end screen and ATI X300 graphics. If I do, the vendors/private sellers are asking super high prices. I've seen such laptops listed as $600 or so. I can buy a brand new Core 2 Duo machine for $700! I thought the laptop I listed was expensive but it would be easiest for me to pay for and paid off quickest. I still use my desktop most of the time but at the moment, a laptop would serve me best and make everything most convenient. I'm not a gamer so I don't need the highest end graphics card but I don't want to overpay for an integrated video chip-based laptop either. I do watch movies on my computer though so I'd like the laptop to do a half decent job with DVDs and video (overall).

Wireless is also an issue and I don't like to mess with that forever but as long as I don't have to use ndiswrapper, it's all good (in other words, I can live with learning how to configure).

ajkula66 · #7 Post by **ajkula66** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 6:31 pm

I'm certain that you'll find what you're looking for if you keep on browsing this forum...

ulrich.von.lich · #8 Post by **ulrich.von.lich** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 8:21 am

I would like something portable but that could serve as a desktop replacement if needed.

Just wanted to add one thing: if you want to use it with an external monitor, please notice the T43 with Intel 900 doesn't support DVI output. The 7500 is kinda limited too I think. A 9600 or X300 (or any graphic card in T4*p) will be fine.

Sometimes you can find a T41p with FireGL T2 cheaper than a T43 with X300, I think it's because the latter is more popular but the former actually has better graphics.

Hope it helps!

tuxracer · #9 Post by **tuxracer** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 10:09 am

ulrich.von.lich wrote: Just wanted to add one thing: if you want to use it with an external monitor, please notice the T43 with Intel 900 doesn't support DVI output. The 7500 is kinda limited too I think. A 9600 or X300 (or any graphic card in T4*p) will be fine.

Sometimes you can find a T41p with FireGL T2 cheaper than a T43 with X300, I think it's because the latter is more popular but the former actually has better graphics.

Hope it helps!

Yeah, that helps a lot! I would prefer to have a DVI output option. The 9600 or X300 supports DVI or has DVI output, then?

Perhaps, I should try to find someone selling it here? The local vendor only has Thinkpads with the Intel 900 graphics or ATI 7500 and the Thinkpads (T42 or T43) are quite expensive for what you get.

ulrich.von.lich · #10 Post by **ulrich.von.lich** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:29 am

The 9600 or X300 supports DVI or has DVI output, then?

Yes. They support DVI but don't have DVI output. You need to buy a docking station (Port Replicator II, Mini-Dock or Dock II), which can be found on eBay for 10 - 20 bucks.

I'm using my T43 with a Dell WUXGA monitor via Mini-Dock at home, and I haven't experienced any problem at all. I'm running XP2 with the Lenovo driver. I've also tried it in VIsta and I was able to get the Aero Glass running at its native resolution 1920*1200, however the laptop was about 5 to 10C hotter. I think the performance of the 9600 is pretty close to the X300.(actually you even get better vista index score with the 9600)

None of T4x has the dual link DVI support so if you need a ThinkPad to drive a screen that has higher resolution than WUXGA, a T6x with graphics better than X1300 would be your only choice. However, the T4's VGA port can usually drive a monitor up to QXGA without problem. (not sure about the 7500 and the Intel 900)

pianowizard · #11 Post by **pianowizard** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:34 am

ulrich.von.lich wrote:the T4's VGA port can usually drive a monitor up to QXGA without problem.

Are there any external monitors with QXGA resolution? I'm not aware of any but would love to get one.

tuxracer · #12 Post by **tuxracer** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:47 am

ulrich.von.lich wrote: Yes. They support DVI but don't have DVI output. You need to buy a docking station (Port Replicator II, Mini-Dock or Dock II), which can be found on eBay for 10 - 20 bucks.

I think the performance of the 9600 is pretty close to the X300.(actually you even get better vista index score with the 9600)

It would be for watching movies on a bigger screen so I don't have to lug the desktop around. My 22" LCD monitor is a lot more convenient if I want the bigger screen so I'd bring it and the laptop.

If I'm just watching movies, I could probably deal with VGA?

However, I've googled for local sellers, looked through the classifieds here and it seems as though there is little choice right now. I suspect I'll have a choice of a different laptop, a more expensive laptop, no laptop or overpaying for a Thinkpad with the weaker graphics (1024 x 768). :-/ For these older generation laptops that still need the VGA and lower graphics resolutions, I won't pay more than $400 used. I was also going to 'finance' it instore so two or three payments since they're overpriced.

ulrich.von.lich · #13 Post by **ulrich.von.lich** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 12:11 pm

pianowizard: I've only seen CRTs with QXGA resolution, not sure about LCDs... Even if they exist, the price would be ridiculous anyway.

I always envy your double R50ps. Actually I could've had one too. A couple of months ago I missed an eBay auction of a pristine R50p (1833 w22) with built in QXGA because I was running out of cash. The auction ended at only 411€.. a killer deal I think

tuxracer: I've never tried using the VGA output so I can't tell you the difference. From what I've heard, the images are crisper via DVI connection. Just for watching movies, I don't think you'd be bothered by the quality of VGA connection. I suggest you to spend some time in the marketplace of the forum. For about $400 to $500, you can possibly find a T4 with SXGA+ and better graphics.

sjthinkpader · #14 Post by **sjthinkpader** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 1:15 pm

For watching movies, even a A30p connected to a 720p TV (1280x720) via DVI looks very good. But the DVD source material is only 450+ lines. You definitely don't need a QXGA LCD to watching movies. The BlueRay drive although available but at a high price.

I am using a A31p for watching photo slide shows on a 1366x768 TV.

#15 Post by **Johan** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 5:37 pm

pianowizard wrote:Are there any external monitors with QXGA resolution? I'm not aware of any but would love to get one.

... I am not sure that these would be of your interest, but have you checked T221 22.2-inch QXGA-W Flat Panel Color Monitor (9503) and T210 20.8-inch QXGA TFT Flat Panel Monitor (6659). Try Google for "QXGA monitor lcd" and see what comes up - there seems to be several. They may probably be a bit pricy, though...

Best regards,

Johan

pianowizard · #16 Post by **pianowizard** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 5:59 pm

Johan wrote:have you checked T221 22.2-inch QXGA-W Flat Panel Color Monitor (9503) and T210 20.8-inch QXGA TFT Flat Panel Monitor (6659).

Wow, I didn't know about the T210! QXGA on a 20.8" LCD is perfect! I need to get me one! Hook it up to my QXGA R50p and I'll double the real estate.

The T221 has 3840 x 2400 resolution, which is not QXGA and the pixel density is too high for me. There are several threads about this monitor on this forum.

ulrich.von.lich · #17 Post by **ulrich.von.lich** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 6:17 pm

I didn't know about the T210 either but I was aware of the T221 and its €8000 retail price. I hope I would still be able to purchase one when I get rich.

Btw, will the FireGL card in R50p be able to drive two QXGA monitors?

Considering T42/T43: provides what I'm looking for?

Considering T42/T43: provides what I'm looking for?

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