WTB: T41p /T42p? But what mods?

[dwallace]

O hai experts on all things Thinkpad. . .

I'm just a 'type and surf' user and a loyal Thinkpad owner - since the 755 days. Oh sure there are shiny new models with 2+ mhz chips but if I picked up a T41p for a few hundred bucks, what other improvements are there besides a 7200-rpm drive and maxing the memory to 2gb? I don't need a 15-inch screen and might even upgrade the chipset if it made a BIG difference.

Looks like renovating the older machine just push me closer to the price of a newer, better choice? I'm not much of a mechanic (at all). Anyone want to offer an opinion or three and maybe see if there's a deal out there?

Thanks
David

[jamerslong]

although i think your posting in the wrong section i will answer that.

The video is Integrated, i doubt you could upgrade it even if you could to BGA soldering.



honestly if your looking to get a renovation project, you would be better off at going for a newer machine.

[ajkula66]

The only thing that would make a fairly serious difference would be putting in a stronger CPU, namely Dothan 755/765 that run at 2.0/2.1 Ghz respectively, along with a long fan if you don't already have one, but these CPUs still hold their price well...

[sjthinkpader]

Given these T4x are prong to thermal cycle failures, I wouldn't bother with these higher clock rate, hotter CPUs. T41/T42 work perfectly well with Dothan 725/735.

RAM is an easy upgrade but T43 and R52 are cheaper to do that. Those have 533 FSB so again they can run hotter. Dothan 740/750 CPU versions are not too bad.

You can forget about those 7200 RPM PATA drives as people are selling from their new old stock. A nice large 5400 RPM drive are not too bad.

[Johan]

David:

Your needs mentioned made me think of the threads T40, T41, T42 or T43? Which to buy? and Thinkpad for my parents! where you might find useful advice (both of the OP's - original posters - of these threads ended up byuing T42's still advertised in the thread FS: High-end T42 15" SXGA+ FlexView LCD, warranty, worl). Also, see the threads Advice please - $700-$800 TP for college student and Want to buy a thinkpad....need recommendations discussing similar "What ThinkPad should I get" question. About upgrades to T4x's, the thread T42 Upgrade Possibilities - most of these upgrades also applies to other T4x/p's.

Johan

[underclocker]

For a 'type and surf' user, I'd agree that a T4x is a suitable machine. However, I wouldn't recommend a "p" model. The T41p/T42p's run much hotter, and therefore have the fans running more often. They are nice if you have a need for a high performance GPU.

Any non "p" XGA or SXGA+ T40/T41/T42 with a 1.6GHz or higher CPU, 1GB of RAM and a 5400 rpm or faster drive is all you'll really need. Thankfully, fine examples can be had in the $200 range at this point. I'd try to find a clean T42 with a (Dothan) 1.7GHz or faster and start surfing.

For a noticeable peformance boost and freedom from fear of a defective GPU, you can pick up a lower end T43 with Intel graphics. The fan will be louder (which is why they are not my first pick for 'type and surf'), but as long as the CPU is under 2.0GHz, it won't be too loud or hot. T43's feel snappy.

(This PM was typed on a T41 with an R51 mobo and a 1.7GHz Dothan CPU...typing and surfing...)

[dwallace]

Thanks for the advice and, much like the other "what should I buy?" threads, the choice teeter-totters on Newer/Faster/15" vs Older/Smaller/14". I've had a company-issue T43 and T60 but the keyboard quality and smaller footprint of the T42 has me leaning in that direction. Sounds like I can do without 'p' though.

More as it unravels,
DW