Magnesium, Titanium or carbon fibre reinforced plastic???

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James314 · #1 Post by **James314** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 10:15 am

hi all, i am confused, im sure i read a while back (tabook) that the t42s DO NOT have a titanium or mangesium chassis at all, but it seems that most people on this forum think they do. So does anyone know for sure what these beasts are really made from? If it really is carbon fibe reinforced plastic its a shame...

Thanks,

James.

Roisin · #2 Post by **Roisin** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 10:22 am

A feeling that we share
It's a shame
Such a shame
Number me with rage
It's a shame
Such a shame
Number me in haste
Such a shame
This eagerness to change
It's a shame

eriqesque · #3 Post by **eriqesque** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 11:14 am

Why some people can't just answer a ? without all the nonesense is beyond me.
Anyway according to the Jan. 19th 2005 TABOOK
T42's are made of Magnesium Composite in the Top cover and Titanium-reiforced CFRP in the bottom.

James314 · #4 Post by **James314** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 11:59 am

I agree eriquesque! Thanks for the info, im glad the t42s have the titanium on the bottom at least - I still do not understand what titanium reinforced CFRP is, sounds like a lot of reinforcements!! - and magnesium on the top is still better than just plastic.

redsb3 · #5 Post by **redsb3** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 12:36 pm

It is my understanding that titanium reinforced CFRP is carbon fiber reinforced plastic applied around a titanium framework. If that is not correct, please advise James on exactly what it is.

Kenn · #6 Post by **Kenn** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 8:39 pm

I've opened the top cover and it looks 100% plastic to me

No big deal though, it's definitely thick/tough plastic.

James314 · #7 Post by **James314** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 8:14 am

haha, no way! Where is the elusive magnesium and titanium? I think the build is strong and deffinately durable, with little flexing on the screen etc, but when i bought my tp i was told about a magnesium and titanium chassis. If it is actually plastic on the top and titanium CFRP on the bottom - which still sounds odd - i would have liked to know and everywhere i look t42s are adverstised as having a full titanium chassis, although IBM (in the UK at least) talk about 'materials' rather than specifics.

eriqesque · #8 Post by **eriqesque** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 11:31 am

Kenn wrote:I've opened the top cover and it looks 100% plastic to me No big deal though, it's definitely thick/tough plastic.

I've seen the top covers off of the machines and it's not plastic.
The complete underside is unpainted and you can see and it's not plastic.

Kenn · #9 Post by **Kenn** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 2:18 pm

eriqesque wrote:
Kenn wrote:I've opened the top cover and it looks 100% plastic to me No big deal though, it's definitely thick/tough plastic.
I've seen the top covers off of the machines and it's not plastic.
The complete underside is unpainted and you can see and it's not plastic.

Different machines then. I've removed the LCD completely, taken off the thinklight and 802.11 antennas, and scribed contact information on the inside of the cover with a Sharpie. My 15" is definitely plastic (as opposed to ti, mg, or woven cf), and there is no "paint" to speak of since the plastic, like that on the rest of the case, is naturally black.

eriqesque · #10 Post by **eriqesque** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 2:38 pm

I guess IBM false advertises then.

kev009 · #11 Post by **kev009** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 3:24 pm

On my 14.1" -FVU, it is what IBM claims. Knock on the base, then the lid, then the palm rest. You'll notice the difference. FWIW IBM puts at least a thin coat of the ruberized business black on all the external except maybe the lower sides. I can't speak for the 15" or fingerprint reader (these have different cases) but this machine is definantly not just ABS plastic.

mdarnton · #12 Post by **mdarnton** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 3:46 pm

I don't understand the issue. Composite plastics can be made stronger than metal, can be more accurately machined, don't dent, etc. They've been used in expensive camera housings for quite a while now because they have many, many functional advantages (mostly involving durability and protection) over metal. This is not the stuff that cheap plastic boxes are made from. Where's the problem here?

Mine's metal where they say it is, and plastic where they say it is.

eriqesque · #13 Post by **eriqesque** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 4:22 pm

Don't really know that it is an issue.
Just a discussion really.

James314 · #14 Post by **James314** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 11:21 am

well thanks for the response guys, still not sure what the t42 is REALLY made from.The reason i asked was more from interest than from my having an issue with the build quality etc.

J.

kev009 · #15 Post by **kev009** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 4:57 pm

If you have a 14.1" SXGA+ like me, I can tell you that it sure as hell isn't plastic.

rhema83 · #16 Post by **rhema83** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 5:38 pm

I don't think cheap plastic can withstand the abuse I give my TP throwing it around in my backpack on the airplanes and coaches.

#17 Post by **K. Eng** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 7:53 pm

Top LCD cover - Magnesium alloy.
Base cover - Titanium reinforced Carbon Fiber Plastic.
Interior bezels - ABS plastic

That's the truth. Really!

I tried out an HP dv1000 while I was at Staples on Saturday... all plastic construction and it feels really flimsy (and the keyboard was really bad too).

James314 wrote:well thanks for the response guys, still not sure what the t42 is REALLY made from.The reason i asked was more from interest than from my having an issue with the build quality etc.

J.

mdarnton · #18 Post by **mdarnton** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 8:05 pm

The reason I have a Thinkpad is that my plastic Compaq disintegrated--not the first laptop I've physically destroyed. I read a review that said something like "this is too much computer for you--it's never going to break" and figured that was the one I needed.

James314 · #19 Post by **James314** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 8:17 am

Much appreciated K.Eng!

J.

Magnesium, Titanium or carbon fibre reinforced plastic???

Magnesium, Titanium or carbon fibre reinforced plastic???

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