Buying T43

[nemasus]

I am ex-Thinkpad T22 user and tempted to buy a refurbished T43 for my wife who's going back to university. Below is the spec which I think is adequate for what she requires:


Processor P4 Mobile 1.8Ghz
Memory 1GB DDR2
Hard drive 40GB HD
Display 14.1" TFT display
Graphics 64mb ATI Mobility Radeon X300
Optical Drive DVD
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Pro
Condition Grade "A" Refurbished
Warranty 3 months or optional 12 months return to base

My question is, does the T43 have a good overall reliability record or would you recommend that I look for another Thinkpad?

I used to love my T22 but not sure how the Thinkpads fared since then and I would appreciate your advice.

[AlphaKilo470]

Well, overall, the T43 is the model least prone to the dreaded T4x GPU bug. However, ther are reports of the T43 running hotter than the T42 and some people claim the performance difference between a similarly spec'd T42 is negligible.

On the plus side for the T43, DDR2 memory is typically cheaper than DDR. The slightly faster system bus also gives a slight performance boost. A used T43 can be had for relatively cheap these days as well.

[killer]

nemasus,

A HDD of 40GB is, IMO, too small.

I have an 80GB HDD on my T43 and it has over 30GB taken up with everyday applications and documents (no music and no photos). You might want to consider getting an 80GB or 100GB HDD to replace the existing drive.

You can create a Rescue & Recovery backup, copy it to CD or DVD or an external HDD. Then you can replace the 40GB HDD and restore the system from the backup copy.

I hope this helps.

[schen]

A HDD of 40GB is, IMO, too small.

I have an 80GB HDD on my T43 and it has over 30GB taken up with everyday applications and documents (no music and no photos). You might want to consider getting an 80GB or 100GB HDD to replace the existing drive.

I completely agree with this assessment, but there's also another consideration to think about as well. And that is, in the computer hardware market there's always a "sweet-spot" where you get the most for the least. Currently, that has moved away from the 40Gb size which is the bare minimum these days, but cost in the $50 range. However if you double that size (or more) into the $80 to $120Gb range, it'll only cost you $20 or $30 more at the most. Even the $250Gb HDDs can regularly be had for $90, but you'd have to put up with the annoying 2010 error message.

[ajkula66]

Key points here are:

1) How much are you paying for this machine? In today's market anything above 300 is too much, WAY too much.

2) Is there any warranty left on the machine, and I mean from IBM, not from third party?

Personally, I love T43s and always recommend them highly when people inquire...a lot of bang for the buck, and the last REAL keyboard deservant of the ThinkPad name IMO...

[nemasus]

Thank you all, been very helpful.

I am hesitantly walking away from the T43.

Which Thinkpad would you say is the most reliable and best value for money at today's used/refurbished prices for running multiple office apps, i.e not for development nor gaming?

[lifrancis]

I am an engineering consultant, I need a reliable laptop for my travel. As you can see from my signature, I own both T40s and a T30. The T40 series is lighter, which should mean better for travelling. But, from my own experience, the T30 is a more reliable machine and still is my travel companion.

Like you, I am only using the machine for office apps., reviewing drawings, plus some simple engineering 2D finite element calculations, and surfing the web and receiving emails. Both T40 and T30 are up to the task, but for my peace of mind, I am still carrying the heavier T30. I am getting a used T60 soon, but until I am sure of its reliability, I will not be using it for my overseas travels.

[comptiger5000]

If it helps any, my father has had a T60 (14" XGA, T2350, 1gb ram) for almost 2 years now, and no problems at all.

[underclocker]

Which Thinkpad would you say is the most reliable and best value for money at today's used/refurbished prices for running multiple office apps, i.e not for development nor gaming?

Assuming you're not like some of us (upgrading or swapping machines every month), I'd recommend one of the following Core CPU based models;

Z61t - a light and slender machine
Z61m - a big, but heavy, well designed machine
T60 - the standard
R61 (14.1" widescreen only) - a great alternative to the T61

In the U.S., if you take your time and research well, you can occasionally pick up any one of those for as little as $400 on eBay.

If you're really good with eBay (or lucky), you'll find one with warranty remaining.

If you're not a constant ThinkPad upgrader, then it really doesn't make sense to go below a Core CPU in power, especially since the prices between the used Pentium M and Core CPU machines is now so close.

In fact, the Lenovo Outlet site occasionally has the awesome R61 14.1" widescreen model, which is only 1/8" thicker than the T61 14.1" widescreen model, for around $400. Crazy & unbeatable.

(This may be reason enough for a quick visit to the U.S.!)

[killer]

Thank you all, been very helpful.

I am hesitantly walking away from the T43.

Which Thinkpad would you say is the most reliable and best value for money at today's used/refurbished prices for running multiple office apps, i.e not for development nor gaming?

A T43 is a very reliable machine. I have had one problem with mine in 3 years. The HDD had to be replaced under warranty.
If I had to relace mine today I'd probably go for a T60 or T61 ... but how long before a T63 comes out?

There is so much that is better about the T series than the R or Z series. Just look at the capabilities of each of the machines in the T, R, and Z series.

If you can find a good one then go for it.

[agarza]

I've liked my T42p design and functionality. But I'd say that if you want a reliable Thinkpad get a new model with the rollcage, T61 can also be found cheaper on Lenovo's Outlet, and also heard they will be discounting them even more because they have an overstock of T61's. So there's your chance.

The buggin thing on my new T61 is the keyboard feel compared to my Thai KB on my T42p.

Disadvantages of the T43 are:
- Noisy and hot
- 2010 error. You cannot upgrade freely with any PATA HDD because that annoying screen would pop out
- Do not use larger and faster SATA drives
- Old technology
- Could develop the GPU issue
- Some of them are out of warranty

[ajkula66]

@agarza:

a) T43/p tends to get hot and noisy when compared to rest of T4x series, but that's why the TPFC is there. The hottest-running ThinkPad I've ever owned was actually a T61p.

b) If you're content with having 160GB in the main bay, Fujitsu drives do not trigger the error.

c) SATA drives can be used in the UltraBay.

d) Old technology...yes, compared with newer machines, but you can find a T43/p with a FlexView LCD from $400 to $600, and that LCD beats any that is used on newer ThinkPads. For most people, T43/p has enough power for daily use.

e) Intel-based T43s do not develop GPU issues, and ATi-based one develop them in far lesser extent than the rest of T4x bunch. On the other hand, any nVidia-based T61/p may be a ticking time bomb...

f) It's quite easy to find a T43/p with warranty remaining...some of them until 2010...

All in all, a well-spec'd T43/p is still a machine worth owning...

I rest my case....

[sjthinkpader]

I have both T43 and R52. For all practical purposes, they are the same to me. Most equivalent R52 will be cheaper than T43 but they also fetch less value when you go to sell them.

In 14 inch LCD size, T43 will be thinner and slightly lighter.

In 15 inch LCD size, they are almost identical in most respects.

There will be more intel GPU versions available in R52 if you want to avoid the dreaded ATI GPU detachment problem.