T40 ATI Mobility Radeon 9000 vs ATI Mobility FIRE GL 9000

[DrGrafix]

I'm still in the looking around process with regard to finding a clean, used TP with some of the features I think I'd want. The T4x series seems to be one of the fastest IBMs that might fall into my (stretched) budget range, and if I opt for one of these... the big question is real world difference.

Can anyone who has used both T40 and T40p (lucky ducks) give me some sort of impression of whether there's a real significant difference in performance and describe typical real-world apps that would show it?

The flip side of all this is whether a high-end T30 with SXGA+ and a 2.x cpu and maybe a gig of memory would be _that_ much slower and is it all about the graphics card in the T30 or is it something else?

Most of my usage for a notebook is in Photoshop, Corel, Visio 2000, or Powerpoint when I'm away from my desktop machine. I'm not looking to do any sort of video editing, animation, or really comlex stuff... basically still graphics, some web design, rollovers, and powerpoint.

Thanks in advance for any/all help.

Mike

[csv96]

I've had both a T40 and a T40p. I'm assuming you want a comparison between similarly configured units (same CPU, same RAM, same hard drive) which means the only difference would be the graphics card. For the applications you've listed, I don't think you'll see any difference between the 32mb Radeon 9000 and the 64mb FireGL 9000. I think you might notice a difference if you stepped up to a T42 with the 64mb Radeon 9600. Since you mentioned the T40p (probably a used 2373G1U or 2373G3U), I'm also assuming your budget is in the $1600-$1900 range. For just a little bit more, you might be able to get a brand new T42 with similar specs.

I don't know much about the T30.

[DrGrafix]

This is one of those proverbial times where you experience the "for a couple of hundred more" syndrome ! I started out with a $1200.00 budget, thought that maybe I could stretch it another hundred or so if a "buy" happened my way. I think I'm actually going to be relatively happy with "last year's (T40) technology" because I just can't afford something like a T41p and certainly not a T42.

Maybe I have to check around the house and see what other items I can sell on eBay so I can edge up a little bit. Let's see... I have a 12 X 12 Wacom ArtZ Tablet, some boating equipment, some camera equipment... hehehehe, I've got to be creative.

But seriously, it sounds like the ATI 9000 would be more than adequate for my needs. My desktop is the real workhorse and a notebook is my means to fix stuff on the fly when I'm not able to get to the desktop.

Mike

[mtj]

... I started out with a $1200.00 budget, thought that maybe I could stretch it another hundred or so if a "buy" happened my way. I think I'm actually going to be relatively happy with "last year's (T40) technology" because I just can't afford something like a T41p and certainly not a T42.

New T42 1.6GHz, 15" SXGA+, 40GB, 512MB, A/B/G, ... $1795.95
Student price: http://www.fis.ncsu.edu/ncsubookstores/ ... dware.html

Maybe you could keep the camera, enroll in a photography class, and find your "buy" at the student store.

[DrGrafix]

Actually, that's not a bad suggestion and I will keep it in mind. My daughter-in-law is a full-time teacher and it's certainly do-able. However I've still got budget constraints and as attractive as it is, at this moment I just can't swing it.

Maybe I just have to sit back and wait a month or two to see what happens. Fortunately, I'm not desperate for a notebook, but I'll eventually need to get one.

Mike

[lilserenity]

I recently purchased a brand new, unopened T40, sealed box. 3 years warranty. Paid $1549.00.

The spec is:

- 1.5GHz Pentium-m
- 512MB
- 40GB 5400rpm disk
- CDRW/DVD combo drive
- 14.1" SXGA Display
- ATI Radeon 9000 32MB
- 10/100/1000 Ethernet
- Wireless upgradeable

And the rest of the usual stuff, I thought it was a great deal.

Presently I am still using my T23 (1.13GHz/512MB/16MB SuperSavage IX/XGA) and I have always been impressed by its performance in Photoshop; so anything better will be a welcome addition!

I'd suggest looking for a T40, for $1059 you can get an SXGA, 1.6GHz Pentium-m with giga-ethernet, 32mb ATI Radeon 9000 - it doesn't come with the memory, hard disk or ultrabay drive though.

Vicky

[DrGrafix]

Victoria...

Out of curiosity, where do you buy a T40 for $1049? Of course, adding a HDD, DVD/CD-ROM ultrabay and memory still represents maybe $400 if you are prudent... and don't go overboard.

For instance, if I bought a bare bones machine like that, I probably would skip the CD-RW and just get a DVD/CD player ultrabay. I have a desktop that I use to burn CDs when I need them.

But I'm also curious about what you actually bought and where you bought it... eBay?

Mike

[eliu]

I can't claim to have used machines configured with those video cards, but I have looked through several benchmarks & read what other people have said...this is the general gist of it in relation to your situation.

The FireGL is meant for graphics intensive operations...like video editing, 3D rendering and the like. For like, word processing, powerpoint, web surfing, etc, the 9000 will be more than enough (you could do just as well on the 7500). Photoshop is more CPU & RAM (especially RAM) intensive--being a 2D application, it won't tax the graphics chip as badly as a 3D application would.

The FireGL is basically a 9000 optimized for the abovementioned tasks. Its drivers are oriented toward higher image quality--higher polygon count, better image filters, blah blah blah--instead of higher frames per second for gaming (that's what the 9000 is for). If you use applications that the FireGL is useful for, then you'll notice the difference. If you don't, then it probably isn't worth the extra money.

Hope that helps a little...
-Eric

[lilserenity]

Victoria...

Out of curiosity, where do you buy a T40 for $1049? Of course, adding a HDD, DVD/CD-ROM ultrabay and memory still represents maybe $400 if you are prudent... and don't go overboard.

Well I was going to recommend a seller on eBay to you but two things:

1.) They don't have any presently
2.) I am no longer as enamoured with them

Point 2. Why? After all my T40, with SXGA and all the rest is on its way, isn't it? brand new from IBM, sealed, 3 years IBM warranty... It's on it's way isn't it? Is it?

Yes it is.

Except I found out that they SOLD THE T40 THAT I FUC&ING PURCHASED before I had chance to pay for it. Excuse my language and being lady like and all that but I am in a sour mood. Their excuse is I did not pay in 3 days (72 hours). let's look at this:

-Thursday Morning, 11am GMT (5am in NYC) - Bought T40 - 2373JU5 (iirc)
- Opening hours for PM Distributors Inc., 10am. Or 4pm GMT.
- At work till 7pm GMT, 1pm NYC
- Phoned to ask if they would ship to a US address if I got my friend to pay via Paypal or I wire the money. Thats fine. They say. I need to verify my friend has a verified paypal address. Thats fine, let us know when you know.
- Friday; no news from friend yet.
- Saturday - weekend: PM Distrib' Inc. is closed, my friend does not have a verified paypal account, send an email to get bank details to wire the money.
- Sunday, closed.
- Monday, closed - Memorial Day in US - Bank Holiday in UK
- Tuesday, around 5pm GMT (11am NYC) still no email back. Phone them. "Sending them right now".
- Tuesday, around 9pm GMT (3pm NYC) still no email. Phone "I'm an idiot, sorry, I will send them". Too late to pay today now...
- Tuesday 11pm GMT : receive email
- Wednesday pay.

Through no fault of my own they sold the laptop I HAD PURCHASED.

So what have I got in return, well it's confusing to say the least.

I had purchased a 2373-JU5; thats 40GB Hard Disk at 5400RPM, 32MB ATI Radeon 9000, 1400x1050 SXGA, 512MB, Giga-ethernet, CDRW/DVD Combo, sealed IBM box - brand new, 3 years IBM warranty, Win XP Home and the usual T40 stuff. Pentium-m 1.5GHZ

I now have a 2374-XXG on the way: 30GB Hard disk at 5400rpm, 32MB ATI Radeon 7500, 1024x768 XGA, 1GB RAM, 10/100 Ethernet, CDRW/DVD Combo, refurb unit, 3 years Mack International warranty, Win 2000 Pro and usual T40 stuff. Pentium-m 1.5GHZ.

Am I being an [censored] by feeling [censored] OFF that this is not up to what I want? They CLAIM it has a 40GB Hard disk but according to IBM, thats [censored] "Get that little twee lady off the phone, we can push her over easy cos she's a girlie". OH GET F.....D *eyes glaring*! Either that or they are claiming the Ju5 had a 30GB Disk, no it did not the eBay auction SAID 40GB, IBM says 40GB too.

In my eyes, an extra 512MEG of ram (making 1GB) does not make up for the lack of SXGA now, or 10GB less hard disk space, and again Windows 2000, I want XP!

May as well have stuck with my [censored] T23 for all this. The whole POINT was to have an SXGA screen....

[censored] I wish my Kickboxing was tonight...

I am just very [censored] [censored] off. I'm sorry for my language, but I need to get this venom out of me.

So this leads to pertinent questions:

1.) Please tell me Mack aren't cowboys when it comes to warranty, are they idiots who will give me the run around, I will be in the UK with the T40 from August onwards.

2.) Would you be somewhat disgruntled (there we go Vics, you can put it nicely without the F word...) if your purchase mainly based on the need for SXGA in Photoshop was no longer present and got XGA instead?

I just think I am in the right here for once, that I have been sold something that IS NOT AS ADVERTISED. I have tried being calm to them on the phone (yeah from the UK to New York) but all I get is a tone of voice that sounds angry when they are saying "1 second please..". Guess that you dear US citizens are not too well acquainted with the dry whit my Brit voice often saddles along...

I shall soon find out when I am in Chicago thats for sure.

*punches wall*

Vicky xXx
(Something of a tough one...)