Considering a T42 in place of desktop

[jeff1981]

Currently I'm using a Dell Optiplex 270 1 gb ram, p4 2.8ghz, 30gb hard drive 15" lcd as my primary computer. I have an oppurtunity to buy a T42 1gb ram, 40 gig hard drive, Pentium M 1.7ghz for $80, in good working order.

Would this be a reasonable replacement for the desktop? I would like to be able to do similar things. I work from home, but the company doesn't provide a computer. We do all our work in the cloud, so it doesn't seem to make sense to spend a ton of money on a new computer.

Is it reasonable to expect a T42 in excellent condition now to last another 3 years or so? (I don't mind doing some repairs, just in general) My intention is to use Windows XP Professional SP3 until the security updates end, then upgrade to Windows 7. At that point, I hope that the cost of dual core hardware will be down. (Can you tell I don't like to spend money on computers?)

[Unknown_K]

Why downgrade CPU speed? Do you need the mobility?

It is easier to work on a desktop then it is to gut a laptop, so unless you need to take the machine outside or just want a cheap laptop I would say stick with the desktop. At the very least keep the DELL incase the Thinkpad has issues so you can still get work done.

No idea what it is like in your area, but people toss faster machines then your Dell in the trash that just need a new HD or maybe spam removed.

[dr_st]

Performance-wise the P4 2.8GHz and the P-M 1.7GHz will be almost dead equal.

I agree with Unknown_K that if you need mobility, a laptop is a way to go, and as far as working on a desk, a desktop will be more comfortable. For the best of both worlds you may want to keep both computers or take the T42 and use a docking station with an external monitor/keyboard/mouse/speakers attached.

No idea what it is like in your area, but people toss faster machines then your Dell in the trash that just need a new HD or maybe spam removed.

Hear hear. I have recently been working on reviving my 6.5yr-old P4-3GHz desktop, and every single response I've been getting from friends is "why don't you just throw this sh*t in the trash?" They can't appreciate quality machines, with hand-picked components, and the pleasure of taking care of them and getting them to work.

[ajkula66]

There's no downgrade in speed here - 1.7 Dothan is as fast if not faster than a 2.8 P4 - but the reliability and longevity of T42 units is quite questionable...it may or may not survive for three more years...but at $80 it's worth a shot...

My $0.02 only...

[pianowizard]

In terms of CPU and RAM, your 2.8GHz P4 PC2700 GX270 and the 1.7GHz P-M PC2700 T42 are going to be comparable. The GX270's hard drive might be slightly faster though, with 7200rpm rotation speed rather than the T42's 5400rpm, but that won't be very noticeable.

If you don't mind using a laptop for prolonged hours, I would get this T42 and keep the Dell. Use the T42 until it dies, and then switch back to the Dell. And my main reason for doing this would be to lower my electric bill -- a P4 desktop with a desktop monitor consumes much more power than a P-M laptop, like 5 to 8 times as much.