T42p vs T43p

[nomoredells]

I've been researching T42 and using this forum for info for a few weeks. I am getting ready to replace my old Inspiron. I have waited this long, I feel I can wait a few months so here are my questions for anyone who would like to answer:

I am interested in the 60GB drive, 1GB RAM, the fingerprint reader and SXGA+ 14.1 screen.

At first I thought the 2373m3U was the machine I wanted. Indeed, it is a very good value, in my opinion.

But my employer will pay for the machine (though I don't have unlimited budget), and I will have to be content with it for 3 years. Since it will have to be good enough for 3 years, I wonder if I should look beyond the 1.8Ghz processor. I run a lot of financial and statistical modelling packages and speed is important.

So right now I'm looking at the T42p 2373P2U, which is 2.1GHz, with 1GB RAM and everything else I wanted and the T43p 2668G1u which is the 2.13.

The T43p is actually slightly less expensive. Why is that? Which would you recommend (a month or two wait is not a factor)?

Thanks,
Lori

[MobileGuru]

IMHO it depends on what kind of battery life you are looking to get out of the machine. The T43P will be a battery butcher so if running wireless is something you hope to accomplish, you will want to stick with the T42P. Also, I wouldn't be so sure that the T43P would be cheaper than the comperable T42P, since from a sales aspect that wouldn't make sense. If anything we want to get rid of the T42Ps we have in stock to move over to the T43P. Everything I have tells me to skip entirely over the T43P and either pick up a good deal T42P or wait for all the new design boxes that will release as part of the next generation after this summer.

Plus doing the kind of work you are talking about should be a breeze for the T42P .. in fact an identical T42 without the high end video would probably suffice.

[K. Eng]

There is often no apparent reason why a certain model costs more or less than a similarly equipped model.

I would say that speed-wise, there is only a slight difference between the 2.1 and 2.13, although the later has more headroom due to a 533 MHz Frontside Bus and a chipset that uses somewhat faster memory. The 2.13 also supports EDB (Execute Disable Bit) for marginally better antivirus support.

Either would be fine. The T42 has the advantage of being a proven model, the T43 will get you a bit more speed.

[K. Eng]

Really? I have see the Dell Latitude D610 compared to the D600 on CNET (first one has the 915PM chipset, second has original Centrino 855) and the battery life is exactly the same (slight edge to the D610 - 5 mins or so on the same 6-cell battery).

Both systems had a 400 MHz FSB CPU though.

The T43P will be a battery butcher so if running wireless is something you hope to accomplish, you will want to stick with the T42P.

[nomoredells]

Thanks for replies. I agree I don't need the "P" features. I would get a regular T42 if I could get a 2.0 or 2.1 with the 14.1 SXGA+ and the 60 GB disk but they don't seem to make it.

I am feeling that there is a big enough difference between a 2.1 vs 1.8 GHz. Perhaps it isn't big enough to worry about. It would certainly be cheaper to buy an M3U.

I only need 3-4 hours on battery.

[MobileGuru]

Really? I have see the Dell Latitude D610 compared to the D600 on CNET (first one has the 915PM chipset, second has original Centrino 855) and the battery life is exactly the same (slight edge to the D610 - 5 mins or so on the same 6-cell battery).

Both systems had a 400 MHz FSB CPU though.

The T43P will be a battery butcher so if running wireless is something you hope to accomplish, you will want to stick with the T42P.

Yuppers.

The PCI-X video is a gob gob gobbler of juice. I haven't played with my two T43 boxes yet in that great a detail, but battery life will be worse.

[K. Eng]

Could you post specifications and benchmarks if you get a chance?

I was under the impression that the T43p would use a FireGL V3200 and that this was not significantly different than the FireGL T2 (both being 4-pipe RV350 derrivatives).

I think you meant PCIe and not PCI-X (PCI-X being a higher clocked, 64-bit varient of PCI used mostly in servers).

[dfumento]

If you read this:
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=7436

It will give you links to a 9 page article that tells you that you should buy a T42 instead of the T43.

[MobileGuru]

I think you meant PCIe and not PCI-X (PCI-X being a higher clocked, 64-bit varient of PCI used mostly in servers).

Hehehe I used it as my shorthand for PCI Express so yes you would be correct on that PCIe .

[nomoredells]

If you read this:
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=7436

It will give you links to a 9 page article that tells you that you should buy a T42 instead of the T43.

Really? That's not what I got from that. Especially since the t43 price I'm seeing is lower. Perhaps if I wait until more t43s start shipping the t42 price will fall.

[Nathan]

I am new here so please take that into consideration when/if responding. I am in a similar situation with regard to T42 vs. T43 purchasing. Will the T43 be offered in a more customizable fashion any time soon? Also. is the "p" designation simply a descriptor for improved video performance? When talking to the IBM salesman via telephone, it certainly appears you can save a bundle by loading up a fast spec T42p over a T43.

[Leon]

Will the T43 be offered in a more customizable fashion any time soon?

Probably, but why wait?

Also. is the "p" designation simply a descriptor for improved video performance?

Basically, yes. Ignore the "p" designation, just go by the specs.

When talking to the IBM salesman via telephone, it certainly appears you can save a bundle by loading up a fast spec T42p over a T43.

IMO this is the best time to buy a T42. Rarely, do you get such a good chance to buy a model at "end of life" prices when the new model is so close in spec.

Also, contact Bill, host of this Forum, www.thinkpads.com .... he has some great prices on T42s, and his service is legendary....