t41p for $1,900 -- need advice

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superiorlobe · #1 Post by **superiorlobe** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 8:38 pm

I have the opportunity to but a T41p through my school for $1,900. It has a 60 GB, 7200 rpm drive, 128 MB video card, 512 MB RAM. However, I don't think it has 802.11g. Only b. That sort of bothers me. Also, I don't think I need a 128 MB video card, so I'm not sure I should pay for one. Supposedly IBM sells this computer off their website for $3,100, although I have seen the same model number offered on the web for ~$2,600. (Unfortunately I can't access the model number right now or I would provide it).

There is also a T40 that I can buy for around $1,300. It has a slower drive, slower processor, slower video card, etc. (Not sure on the RAM). Probably good enough, though.

Friends tell me that the T41p is a great price, but on the other hand it is $600 more than the T40, which is also probably a great price, just not as flasy specs. I do really like the thought of that 7200 RPM drive, though. But do I need it?

I'm mainly going to use this computer for writing, keeping track of my finances, and surfing the web. Also, I want to keep it for at least 5 years and I want it to be somewhat future proof. In other words, this computer has to last an awfully long time and run without a hitch.

Please advise.

Also, I only have $8,000 is the bank. That is my net worth. No debt at all, though. My job pays around $45K but I'm hoping to drop down to 3/5 time next year so I can concentrate more on freelance writing. I will mainly use this computer for composing the great american freelance article. I am 29 years old.

csv96 · #2 Post by **csv96** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 8:46 pm

$1900 for the 2373GGU is a very good deal. You can easily upgrade the wireless to Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG for $60 yourself. Or if you can find one, you can ugprade to the IBM 802.11a/b/g for about $100.

superiorlobe · #3 Post by **superiorlobe** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 9:02 pm

Thanks for the feedback. I looked at the specs for the model you provided, and I am pretty sure that is the one I can get. I have another question: the weight is listed at 5.4 lbs, but the travel weight is 5.0 lbs. Does the CD drive come out or something? Also, I'm told that 7200 RPM drives use up the battery faster.

Does anyone know what kind of batter life I can expect from this machine, assuming I'm not doing anything more intensive than email, web, MS Word, and Quicken?

Finally, is this machine a Centrino machine? If so and I switch the wireless card, does that make it not a Centrino anymore? Does Centrino even make a difference?

Thanks much. I appreciate the feedback as I'm really torn up about spending this much money.

Conmee · #4 Post by **Conmee** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 9:06 pm

The extra $600 will be WELL WORTH it. You will have a VERY VERY VERY VERY good machine for dirt cheap. No question.

If you plan on having a great machine that will give you 5 productive years of use as well as give you the ability to run the latest/greatest stuff for the next 12-18 months, you CAN'T go wrong.

Do yourself a favor and buy that system TODAY!!! You'll be glad you did. Heck, even if you want to increase your 'net worth', buy that system and sell it on Ebay for $2500-2700 and use the profit to fund your T40/T40p purchase. Anyway you look at it, this T41p is a no-lose opportunity for you.

Daniel.

superiorlobe · #5 Post by **superiorlobe** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 9:18 pm

One more thing. I can't actually get this deal myself. Instead, I have a friend who goes to the school that is offering the deal, and he will buy it for me. We'll probably use my credit card number, but we have to use his ID number to access the deal. Is this legal? (I guess it is just as though he bought it and then decided to sell it to me second hand...) Also, would it be legal to sell it on eBay? Doesn't IBM guard against that kind of reselling? I'll probably keep it myself, but since you mentioned it, I'm wondering why more people don't do that.

#6 Post by **K. Eng** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 9:24 pm

Being the cheap-butt that I am, I will advise you to go with the less expensive model for $1300, contingent on that machine having a 3-year warranty.

It sounds like your usage patterns are similar to mine (mostly light tasks with little need for large amounts of computational or gaming firepower). It makes no sense to purchase a machine that is far more powerful than you need.

$1900 for the T41p is a steal though. If you can afford the T41p, and feel comfortable spending that much money on it, go for it. As someone else has mentioned, that unit will retain its value fairly well (probably due to the FireGL graphics and fast HDD).

csv96 · #7 Post by **csv96** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 9:40 pm

Yes, travel weight means without the optical drive.

akerman · #8 Post by **akerman** » Tue Jun 15, 2004 5:15 am

But you don't get the travel bezel with the computer, to fill out the void left, when you remove the cd/dvd drive... you have to buy that extra. Something I was a bit dissapointed over

RaysMD · #9 Post by **RaysMD** » Tue Jun 15, 2004 9:01 am

There's an alternative. You can get another model from your friend. Just ask him.

It's 2373JU9

1.6GHz Centrino
Intel 802.11b wireless
60 Gig 7200 RPM drive
512 MB RAM
bluetooth
DVD/CD-RW
SXGA+ Radeon 9000

for approximately $1,5xx. If you were on a budget that's the one that I would get. or, there's going to be anther model out soon for the particular institution that your friend attends.

T42
Intel 1.7GHz 735
60G 7200 RPM drive
Intel 802.11b/g wireless
60 Gig 7200 RPM drive
512 MB RAM
bluetooth
DVD/CD-RW
SXGA+ Radeon 9600 64 MB

~$1,7xx

superiorlobe · #10 Post by **superiorlobe** » Tue Jun 15, 2004 9:11 am

Thanks. I've actually been wondering about the T42s, since I think a 15" screen would be nice. Do you know when this institution will be offering the T42s?

superiorlobe · #11 Post by **superiorlobe** » Tue Jun 15, 2004 5:14 pm

Anyone have the model number of the T42 that will be offered for $1,7xx through the university?

I'm trying to decide whether it is worth waiting for.

Liang · #12 Post by **Liang** » Tue Jun 15, 2004 7:10 pm

Were I u, I would buy 2 or more.

Guest · #13 Post by **Guest** » Tue Jun 15, 2004 9:30 pm

Hey listen don't buy yet. You said your friend's school was not offering T42ps yet but neither was mine until last week. So wait awhile. The school may not have it yet but they will trust me. (I think) On and excel file the list of thinkpads had a date of April 22nd. The new one had a date of June 7. So maybe your friend' school is the same. I know people have advised you to both ways. I just want to say if you are getting thinking about the 1900 dollar computer wait. My school offers a T42 which comes with the 1.7 Dothan and centrino (b/g) for only ten dollars more. If I am correct your computer you’re looking at is 1869? Well the T42 was 1889. If you are going to spend that money might as well go with the T42.
Here is the list my school gave me
T42
2373-6VU $1,899.00 XP Pro Pent. M 1.7 14.1" XGA 40GB 512MB 1Gb Y Centrino (b/g) UltraNav 32MB Radeon 7500 Combo 6 cell 3 Yr. Dep. 4.9 lbs.

2373-3VU $2,299.00 XP Pro Pent. M 1.7 14.1" SXGA+ 80GB 512MB 1Gb Y Centrino (b/g) UltraNav 32MB Radeon 9600 DVD-RW 6 cell 3 Yr. Dep. 4.9 lbs.
2373-3XU $2,079.00 XP Pro Pent. M 1.7 15" SXGA+ IPS

40GB 512MB 1Gb Y Centrino (b/g) UltraNav 64MB Radeon 9600 Combo 6 cell 3 Yr. Dep. 5.4 lbs.

2373-7XU $2,749.00 XP Pro Pent. M 1.8 15" UXGA IPS 80GB
512MB 1Gb Y Centrino (b/g) UltraNav 128MB Radeon 9600 DVD-RW 6 cell 3 Yr. Dep. 5.4 lbs.

t41p for $1,900 -- need advice

Should I buy the nice T41p for $1,900 given my needs and my financial situation?

t41p for $1,900 -- need advice

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