Considering a T-series Thinkpad, have questions...

[HarryJ]

Hey all,

I am looking into buying a new notebook, and am considering a T-series Thinkpad. One of my main prioirites is keeping it at or below 5 pounds. I have a few questions, and I would really appreciate any info you could provide.

1. How is the build quality of the Thinkpad. I tried it out in a store, and it seemed pretty solid. However, it seems the case is made out of plastic. How does that compare with a laptop whose case is made out of some alloy of plastic and metal (magnesium, say?). This is important, because I usually use my laptop with it on my lap, or resting on my knee. Thus, the laptop will be placed under some minor strain (since often only part of the underside will be supported).

2. I don't really use optical drives very much, so I would like to take it out in order to lighten the weight of the laptop. In fact, if I'm working in my room, I might even like to take out the battery and just have it run off of AC power (I haven't done this, but I saw it in the store). I was wondering if you think that this would be ok for the laptop.

Moreover, I was wondering if IBM supplies a plastic insert to keep dust out of the open media bay (i.e. after the optical drive is removed).

Do you think removing the optical drive will significantly weaken the strength of the frame of the laptop?

3. Can I customize a Thinkpad to include a 7200 rpm hard drive? Will IBM do this, or can I buy it from another company that will do this? I don't really want to upgrade it myself, especially since that would entail wasting a laptop hard drive (i.e. the one that came with the Thinkpad).

4. How do you think IBM's selling of its PC division will affect Thinkpads? Do you anticipate problems with support?

5. I have heard Intel will be releasing an updated Pentium M processor soon. Do you think IBM will re-fit its T-series Thinkpads with the new processors? Should I wait until the new processors are out to buy one?

6. How is the Thinkpad's screen?

Sorry for writing such a long post. Thanks for your help!

--HarryJ

[wuy30]

Hey all,

I am looking into buying a new notebook, and am considering a T-series Thinkpad. One of my main prioirites is keeping it at or below 5 pounds. I have a few questions, and I would really appreciate any info you could provide.

1. How is the build quality of the Thinkpad. I tried it out in a store, and it seemed pretty solid. However, it seems the case is made out of plastic. How does that compare with a laptop whose case is made out of some alloy of plastic and metal (magnesium, say?). This is important, because I usually use my laptop with it on my lap, or resting on my knee. Thus, the laptop will be placed under some minor strain (since often only part of the underside will be supported).

2. I don't really use optical drives very much, so I would like to take it out in order to lighten the weight of the laptop. In fact, if I'm working in my room, I might even like to take out the battery and just have it run off of AC power (I haven't done this, but I saw it in the store). I was wondering if you think that this would be ok for the laptop.

Moreover, I was wondering if IBM supplies a plastic insert to keep dust out of the open media bay (i.e. after the optical drive is removed).

Do you think removing the optical drive will significantly weaken the strength of the frame of the laptop?

3. Can I customize a Thinkpad to include a 7200 rpm hard drive? Will IBM do this, or can I buy it from another company that will do this? I don't really want to upgrade it myself, especially since that would entail wasting a laptop hard drive (i.e. the one that came with the Thinkpad).

4. How do you think IBM's selling of its PC division will affect Thinkpads? Do you anticipate problems with support?

5. I have heard Intel will be releasing an updated Pentium M processor soon. Do you think IBM will re-fit its T-series Thinkpads with the new processors? Should I wait until the new processors are out to buy one?

6. How is the Thinkpad's screen?

Sorry for writing such a long post. Thanks for your help!

--HarryJ

1. IBM has one of the best built quality out there.. do a search on google about IBM quality. The T series case is actually made out of magnesium+plastic (upper case), and the lower case is out of titanium+plastic... no worry on the built quality at all.
2. I take out my optical and battery all the time.. .no problem so far. I have the cover for both optical and battery, but I got them in Taiwan.. not sure if IBM in US has it or not.... havn't checked....
3. I think the only way to config T series with a 7200 RPM HD is by buying a T42P series. but not 100% sure
4. no clue
5. no clue
6. IBM screen are ok.... I do like the new Sony screen more... but my friend who works for acer (testing products) told me that the new sony screen (really clear and shinny) are actually not good for the long run and eye. (sorry I forgot for what reason)

[lfeagan]

2) Yes, there is a weight saver available. Search the forums and I am sure you can find it. No, it shouldn't have any effect on the structural strength of the laptop.

[SimonCC]

*the bottom of t42s are not made from titanium, they are made from carbon fibre reinforced plastic...t40s have the titanium bottoms.

[rocketman]

3. I think the only way to config T series with a 7200 RPM HD is by buying a T42P series. but not 100% sure

My T42 has a 60gb 7200rpm hard drive and it's not a "p" model.

[AtmosMan]

5. I have heard Intel will be releasing an updated Pentium M processor soon. Do you think IBM will re-fit its T-series Thinkpads with the new processors? Should I wait until the new processors are out to buy one?

Intel will release Alviso and Sonoma on January 19th. The new chip and chipset will provide for a 533Mhz FSB, DDR2 RAM, PCIe support, Intel a/b/g wireless, hi def audio, and some more. Do a google search for it, and you can read all about it.

IBM should announce the new T43 that will incorporate this technology on January 15th. If you want to wait, that is dependant on your needs. If you need the power or you want to future-proof your laptop, then wait for the T43. Also, if you do wait you will pay a premium for the new technology. So asses you needs and make a decision from there.

Good Luck.

-Brian

[skanky]

*the bottom of t42s are not made from titanium, they are made from carbon fibre reinforced plastic...t40s have the titanium bottoms.

whats better, titanium or cf reinforced plastic. all i know is carbon fibre is weight saving stuff but how strong is it compared to a titanium underside?

[k3nnis]

as far as i know carbon fibre is very strong:)

[SimonCC]

you cannot beat titanium when it comes to protection against flexing and knocks, simply put, carbon fibre reinforced plastic is weight saving and more importantly money saving for IBM.My t22 with full titanium chassis is far more solid than my t42 is! Hopefully, ibm will reinstate titanium in the t series one day.

[htorres]

i just bought the t42 2378dxu with flexview and it is very functional. i added the additional 512 ram. i have to say it is one of the nicest laptops i have ever owned. You really cant go wrong with one of these machines. Go ahead and pull the trigger..you wont be disappointed.

[acz]

1. I have had several thinkpads since the beginning of the product line and have always been pleased with the quality.
2. I have always swapped out various devices in all the various generations of what is now called Ultrabay Slim. However, I think that most users pretty much set up their machine one way and leave it alone most of the time, and use extra devices more rarely. You might want to think about that. At the same time, I don't think any laptop is better designed for frequent swapping, that is why some folks use docking stations. I use an external DVD burner via a USB cable, and I think that will be better for me than swapping an IBM Multiburner in and out.
3. My T41p has the 60 GB 7200 rpm HD. When you are ordering just see if that is an option. But generally it should work in most thinkpad models, I believe.
4. My opinion is the same as that of several friends who work at IBM: any changes will take a few years to become apparent. In the short term Lenovo does not want to damage the brand image or the reputation, and there are plenty of well-made Thinkpads in the pipeline to last quite a while.
5. Yes, new M processors are due in January. Ask yourself if you really need to spend extra money to have the very latest technology in your laptop. Some users have hardware that far exceeds their needs in terms of applications - one metaphor is that of driving a $100,000 Maserati to go just around the corner to the grocery store.
6. I have the older 14" with 1400x1050 pixels on my T41p which is excellent. I also have the 14" 1024x768 screen on my T20, and it is fine.

Good luck

[HarryJ]

Thanks for the helpful info, folks. I think I'm going to wait for Intel to release their new processors to finally buy, but IBM is my top choice currently.

--HarryJ