What would you choose?

[Sand]

Hello,

I have the opportunity to purchase one of these six Thinkpads for these prices, and I wonder if some one could help me choose the best value among them for the price . They are all quite similar so I don't know if I would be overbuying if I spent more. I need it for word processing, research, email, no games or music.

ThinkPad2379 R8U 1,709.10
ThinkPad 2379 DXU 1,799.10
ThinkPad 2379 R9U 1,934.00
ThinkPad 2373 N1U 2,023.20
ThinkPad 2373 HVU 2,503.20
ThinkPad 2373 KXU 2,863.00

It's my first laptop, so I would really appreciate someone else's knowledge and experience to know what would their choice be and why, if they needed it for the same reasons.

Thank you in advance,
Sand

[K. Eng]

If you don't need the processing power, don't pay a premium for the fastest stuff.

I don't know how those models compare, but as a general rule, you should get a 3-year warranty and 512 MB of RAM if possible.

[kev009]

Read the t42 buying guide sticky post. It sounds like a 2378-FVU will fit the bill for you if you get some more RAM (best to get from a third party).

[Sand]

I was choosing a fast processor because I was told that laptop processors were not upgradeable, and I thought that speed was important?

I think all of them are similar in that they have the HD 7200 RPM, 60-80 GB, at least 512 RAM, Bluetooth, 3 year warranty, 15" display, high resolution, battery life similar,DVD-ROM, because they were some of the specs I was looking for.Not sure if they all have FlexView,don't know how important that is to display, or it just isn't specified but there..

The problem is, unless you personally have it built, to get and pay for some features you don't need to get the others that you want, is where I'm kind of stalled at, or do you end up using most features sometime?

I'm not familiar with all the components and specifications of a computer so don't know what some of the other specs stand for, although I spend much time online and with books trying to teach myself.

From what I've read on the forum, many seem to agonize over this decision.

thanks,
Sand

[Kenn]

Hi Sand,

A few clarifications - not all of the models you mentioned meet the specifications you posted (7200rpm, 60-80gb, bluetooth, high-res, flexview).

I know it's a confusing topic, but it really sounds like you can do without any of the big expensive options. This is especially true if you're not too familiar with the hardware at this point (it's much easier at this point to succumb to overkill than get something that you will quickly outgrow). In fact, I'd say most owners never end up using even half of the machine's full feature set or potential. Do you know what will you be using the machine for primarily?

My first impression suggestions are to look along the lines of these specs, which will save you a hefty chunk of change and will still be an extremely capable machine for 95% of any task out there:

14" display (smaller and lighter = more portable + better battery life)
1024x768 XGA resolution (1440x1050 SXGA+ is nice, but few beginners need it)

1.6Ghz CPU (cheaper, can't tell the diff with 1.8+Ghz)
512MB Ram (256MB isn't going to work well with XP)
40GB HDD (this should really be plenty)
CD-RW/DVD (standard optical drive)
Intel 2200BG (Wireless is always included, you probably don't need A)
Regular 6-cell battery (standard with most configs - 3-3.5hr with 14")
No bluetooth (Few people ever use the BT connectivity)
3 year warranty (just a good idea for laptops in general)

Of course this might change depending on your particular needs, but from where I sit, this should be a good place to start!

[Sand]

I will use it primarily for word processing, research, email; no games (other than solitaire) nor music.

IBM told me that everything in the future will be Bluetooth oriented. But, this is an example of what I was referring to when I said to get some features I want, some others, such as this ,are included, whether I would use it or not.

I really wanted the 15" screen-I will not be carrying it around much. My current CRT is 19".

I'm confused about the specs that say for instance, 80GB 5400 RPM, whereas 60GB is 7200 RPM. Which is the one that is the speed, the 80, or the 7200?

As far as the higher resolution, I read that the 15" screen does not do well with the lower resolutions.

Thanks,
Sand

[Kenn]

Hi Sand,

From your needs, it sounds like you'd be quite happy with the specs listed above. Let me try to give a little more detail:

The vast majority of computers sold nowadays are quite simply and egregiously, massive overkill for word processing, research, web, email, and other general Internet tasks. And anything above 25MHz (0.025Ghz) would probably be fine for Solitaire

The 15" screen is great, I have one and I love it. If you're not going to carry it around and it will be plugged in most of the time, there are no real disadvantages over the 14".

XGA 1024x768 is just fine on a 15. The only difference with higher resolution screens (besides the resolution) is that it is not flexview, which is only a problem if you find yourself looking at the screen from odd vertical angles a lot (ie. if you stand up while you type without adjusting the screen).

The real advantage of 15" and flexview comes when you use higher resolutions, but there is no real "disadvantage" if you're not considering the portability issue.

Most people I know really don't need anything higher than XGA, especially if they run their applications full-screen. Many even prefer it to higher resolutions, since the text is larger and crisper, or at least more readable for those with less-than-perfect vision.

60GB 7200RPM is 60 gigabytes (of space) at 7200 rotations per minute (speed). The 80GB 5400RPM drive has more capacity, but is slightly slower.

The 60GB drive is the only 7200rpm drive offered by IBM right now. he 40GB and 80GB drives are both 5400 RPM, which is absolutely fine in terms of speed - you will not notice a difference for internet/word.

IBM may be calling BT the wave of the future, but in my opinion that will be a technology that won't be missed. First, you can always upgrade your machine to support it later, and second, there's no real exclusive bluetooth technology out there other than maybe wirelessly syncing your bluetooth cell phone with your computer (and no one I know with a BT phone and computer actually bothers with that). Also, Bluetooth 2.0 is coming out, so if you get it now, you're buying into already-obsoleted technology. In the end, if it's included on the machine you want, that's great, you're not paying a big premium for it. But if it's not included, you can rest assured that you won't miss it.

That's about it for now, but feel free to ask if you have any questions!

[Sand]

So are you saying to ~get Flexview with 15"or it's not really necessary?

Also I've kind of narrowed it down in the last couple hours to the 2379 R8U and the 2379 R9U, and the only difference I could see between them was the R8U has the 32MB and the R9U has 64MB. But the difference in the price I was quoted was 125.00 less for the R8U and it seems to be just for the lesser video ram. Could this one spec make this much difference in price?

The other model I was considering is 2373 N1U because while the other two have the 60GB, the 2373 N1U has 80, for only 89.00 more than the 64MB R9U, and 314.00 more for the 32MB in the R8U. I don't know if I would need the 80 GB, but for 89.00 more, would you choose that?

I hope you're not as confused as I am.

Sand

[BillMorrow]

when you make up your mind, let me know what your gross price is and i'll see if i can match it or beat it..

FWIW, i have one 2373N1U in stock..