Finding out prices on a T42 configuration

[modemrat]

I have tried IBM's site to configure, but its interface doesn't seem to be consistent with what can actually be configred, as described in the tabook. So this is the configuration I was looking for:

PentiumM 745 1.8 ghz
512GB
14.1" SXGA (the site won't let me select a 14" screen, only 15")
64MB ATI Mobility RADEON 9600 (Trying to save money and saw that this graphics card performed close to the ATI Mobility FireGL)
60GB Hard Drive (When I could configure, this was only $20 bucks more from the 40 gig)

If prices can't be estimated, does anyone know who I would contact to get a quote? I've heard that IBM doesn't depend directly on their web site since they deal with businesses mostly, so do I have to call someone, or email?

Also, If anyone has comments on my selected config, they are welcomed. I am a software developer and would be using it for that (.NET programming now, ugh) but I also would like for it to handle games such as Warcraft III and Unreal 2004. Could this handle those games?
Thanks

Bill

[csv96]

T42 Express Base Units:
14.1" SXGA+ and 32mb Radeon 7500 (yes, it exists! 2378EVU)
15" SXGA+ and 64mb Radeon 9600

Unfortunately, the configuration you are looking for (14.1" SXGA+ AND 64mb Radeon 9600) is not available in the T42 Express custom-built line. It is available in the regular custom-built line (2373BYU), but it's much more expensive:

http://d02xms012.southbury.ibm.com/ibm_ ... -295483863

By available, I mean as a custom-built option. The 2378FVU is very similar to what you are looking for except it uses the Pentium M 735 and it only has 256mb RAM and 40gb hard drive. You can upgrade the memory/swap out the drive and still spend less than if you custom-built a unit based on the 2373BYU. Hope that helps.

Email Bill Morrow (bill@thinkpads.com) for a quote.

[cynic]

If you know the model number from the TABOOK, then just go to "Shop by part number" in the left column and type it there. It'll show up in your basket with pricing. You can click on the item once it is in the baket and the details will be pulled up.

IBM US ThinkPad page with "Shop By Part Number" in the left column about mid-way down

[csv96]

Also (unless you custom-build) the 60gb drive with the 14.1" SXGA+ screen is only available on T42p units. If you're okay with the 80gb drive, then you're probably going to like the 23739XU or the 23739ZU.

23739XU
Pentium M 745 1.8 512MB 14.1” SXGA+ 9600 80HS Combo 11a/b/g Wi-Fi Mod/Blue XP Pro

23739ZU
Pentium M 745 1.8 512MB 14.1” SXGA+ 9600 80HS DVD-RW 11a/b/g Wi-Fi Mod/Blue XP Pro

Another suggestion if you don't mind the Pentium M 735 (instead of 745) is the 23733VU which Bill Morrow has available for 15% off:

23733VU
Pentium M 735 1.7 512MB 14.1” SXGA+ 9600 80HS DVD-RW ✳ Intel 11b/g Wi-Fi Modem XP Pro

[modemrat]

Hrm, the 2378FVU model is very similar. Performance-wise, would jumping to a 735 1.7 from a 745 1.8 be a big step? And when I looked up that model it said that it did have the ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9600 with 64megs of RAM. Is that a mistake? Also I do NOt want a FlexView display, since it seems to add more weight and thickness. It says that it does have that, but I saw on other threads that any 14" displays listed as FlexView is a misprint. Also I was mistaken when I said it was a $20 difference from the 40 to 60gig HD. Thats for the 30 to 40gig difference, and a 40 gig would be sufficient. So if it really does have the 64meg 9600, along with a 40gig, my only concern is the performance from the 735 1.7 processor. I can easily add memory. Does it have 2 slots? So if i wanted 512 I can add another 256. Is there any first hand experience with gamer performance?
Thanks

Bill

[csv96]

Yes, the 2378FVU does have the Radeon 9600 and the 14.1" SXGA+ (which is NOT FlexView). Take a look at my previous post. I updated with another suggestion, the 23733VU.

All T42's have one open slot to add more memory.

The difference between 1.7ghz and 1.8ghz is negligible.

[modemrat]

I tried looking at the 23733VU specs at IBM's site, but it said it couldnt find it. What price is that model going for?

[csv96]

http://www.thinkpads.com/start.htm

Scroll down to the T42 section. It's the third model listed.

[modemrat]

The 23733UU model seems to be better fitted towards what I was looking for. The major differences between that one and the 23733VU seems to be the multi-burner, which i dont need, and the 80 gig, which I can settle for a 40 gig. It doesnt list the processor speed, but I assume that it is a 735 1.7. So does that model seem to be geared towards my original specs that I was looking for?

[csv96]

The 3UU has a very nice configuration, sort of an updated version of the original T40p (2373G1U). Yes, it's the 1.7ghz Pentium M 735.

T40p 2373G1U
Pentium M 1.6ghz
14.1" SXGA+ LCD
64mb ATI FireGL 9000
512mb RAM
40gb 5400rpm Hard Drive
16x10x24x/8x CD-RW/DVD
IBM 802.11a/b WiFi
Bluetooth

T42 23733UU
Pentium M 735 1.7ghz
14.1" SXGA+ LCD
64mb ATI Radeon 9600
512mb RAM
40gb 5400rpm Hard Drive
24x24x24x/8x CD-RW/DVD
IBM 802.11a/b/g WiFi
Bluetooth

[modemrat]

I've singled my choices down to the 2373-3UU and the 2378-FVU. The only this is that they seem to be essentially the same, except that the 2373-3UU has more software that comes with it (whatever) and that it offers a 3-year warrenty instead of a 1 year like the 2378-FVU and a difference of 256 in RAM. The 2378-3UU is listed as $2,659.00, while the 2378-FVU is listed as $2,029.00. So is this $600 price gap due mainly to the RAM and extra 2 years? or is there something else that i'm missing?

[csv96]

The 2378FVU is an Express model which means it's already discounted. The 23733UU is a regular model which means that you can still get a nice discount (e.g. if you bought from Bill Morrow). The 3UU has the 802.11a/b/g adapter which most people think is better than the FVU's 802.11b/g adapter. The 3UU has Bluetooth while the FVU does not.

Bill's cash price is $2393 for the 3UU which means the price gap is only about $300.

All T42's come with exactly the same preload (i.e. same software).

[modemrat]

Thanks, you've been very helpful. I am going to go with the 23733UU.

[csv96]

You're welcome. Let us know when you receive it.

[mtj]

The Hardware Maintenance Manual has a very useful logical decoding of the model number nomenclature.

Entries for the T42 begin on page 206 of the PDF file, which is indicated as page 200 within the document.

[synapse]

I see the T42p 2373KTU lists a 2.0 GHz PM though when I try to build my own I only see it go up to 1.8. Is this a future model or am I missing something? What I really want is a system with

-2.0 GHz PM
-15" TFT FlexView
-512MB RAM with free open slot for another stick
-DVD burner


Any ideas? Or is the best I can do right now 1.8 GHz? Thanks!

-Dan

[mtj]

Go to the Thinkpad Website, and then enter 2373HTU in the upper-right corner's search box and click on "Search". That is the one I ordered. Click "back" in your brower then enter 2373KTU in the search field and click on "Search". No joy, sorry.

One interpretation is that the product is not available at all. Alternately, it may be that they are for sale but not yet on the web site. You will need to call IBM and ask. They would surely know if 2.0 GHz Dothans are shipping, as might the operator of this website.

When I was on the phone with them last week (spoke with someone in Toronto) they hinted that the 2.0 GHz models would not be out for a while, but that was not a corporate position just an honest voice.

You could aways do an upgrade yourself later. The CPU is in a ZIF socket and the instructions for changing it are in the HMM.

[synapse]

Thanks - I'll have to look into it...