Buying the X40 vs. T43

[nckesq]

Hello friends,

Being new to this forum, I just want to say how pleasant it is to discover the wealth of information here, and to learn and benefit from the posted comments (well, most of them anyways...)

It's already the end of January 2005, and I find myself at the crossroads of retiring my 10 lb Toshiba Satellite notebook. During the past three years it has served me well, but alas, I yearn for something that doesn't cause permanent back damage. So, being more sensible this time I decided that nothing in the market replaces an IBM Thinkpad (thanks to all of you at this forum). I narrowed my decision down to two choices: the X40 or T43.

Initially, the T43 seems like the ideal choice. It's much lighter than my old Toshiba Satellite and it includes the new Centrino Sonoma, fingerprint security along with all the standard features missing from the X40 base model. But ... the X40 is so gorgeous! A CNET reviewer said the X40 is "the Mercedes of laptops!." If I had to compare the two models, the T43 would be the "S" series sedan and the X40 would definitely be the "SL roadster!" I'm having a hard time deciding because it seems like one would get more for the money by purchasing the T43. I work in the legal profession and don't plan on using the laptop as a gaming device. My main use would involve making PowerPoint presentations, presenting evidence in the courtroom, and surfing the internet. So, based on these requirements, I'm curious to know your recommendations....

On a technical note, IBM notes on its website that the X40 (2382HCU) comes equipped with CD-RW/DVD-rom - does this mean that it is built into the base model? or, will I have to purchase the X4 Ultrabase dock?

Lastly, I am comparing the X40 (2382HCU) vs. T43 (187186U).

Thanks ahead for your comments!

Nick

[nckesq]

My apologies ... missed an earlier post addressing the same issue! Anyways, your comments are still appreciated ....

[htorres]

Nick,
I will try to help. Keep in mind that i cannot discuss the intricacies of the hardware in the same manner as some of the very talented and knowledgeable posters on this forum can. That is the disclaimer that i want to give you right off the top. I will be speaking primarily from a more laypersons perspective. That having been said...i want you to know that i am typing this on an x40 that i purchased about a week ago and as you have probably read by now the keyboard is excellent given the size of the machine. I can vouch for that comment. It is a mite undersized but you get used to it so quickly and right now i am flying along on this thing. Previously i had a t42 15 inch xga and the 15 inch flex view with the 1400x1050 resolution. Both machines...in particular the flex view were awesome machines. But as you have probably garnered by now in reading the posts here, all the IBM laptops have their own characteristics...their individual strengths and weaknesses....that is why you see so many people agonizing on this forum as to what machine to buy. Recall..that when you buy an IBM you will be paying a premium ($$)..so that in essence adds to the agony of choosing a model. Dang it..i love this little x40...and so do my daughters. Yes i know it has a 4200 rpm drive that is supposed to be a "bottleneck"..but truth be told...i havent really been able to tell the difference between this drive and the other two drives i have dealt with to date....other than some lag in booting up....and if that bothers you too much...fire that baby up and go get a pepsi or something while she powers up and gets ready for you. Her little 12.1 screen flirts with being too small...yet its not. This little machine seems to just surpass those little threshholds where you might want to say..this is too small...or this is too slow. Battery life is of course an area where the x40 excels..i have the 8 cell battery that sticks out a bit at the back and some would tell you that it is asthetically not as pleasing as having a battery that is nice and flush with the back of the machine...but you will appreciate the extra time that little "blemish" provides. Like some of the other reviewers you find out on the net...i have come to realize that the appeal of the x40 may have something to do to with its......"personality" and the "cute" factor. Yes i know that sounds ethereal and new ageish....but what the heck...that is what adds to the pleasure of using one of these tools. I know that the best machine for us here at home is probably a nice big 15 inch t42 with flexview, bluetooth, a 7200 rpm 60 gig HD etc. etc. and to tell you the truth i am about to order the 2378 FVU to make sure that third form factor isnt my real sweet spot...but i tell you...if i send this little baby back...we is sure gonna miss it...now....having said all that...i want to say...if you must have an integrated optical drive....dont get an x40....if you need more hard disk space than 40 gigs..dont get an x40......if you need a hard drive faster than 4200 rpm....dont get an x40....if you want to wait for the next generation x41....dont get an x40....NOW...if you want a machine you can take to the park...or the coffee shop and not even know you are carrying a laptop.....get an x40...if you want total strangers to come up to you and comment about your neat little computer....get an x40......if you just want to have fun with a super little machine....stop reading these posts...order an x40 and be happy. This forum is filled with smart, savvy, pragmatic people...and they will fill your head with shoulda coulda wouldas...and eventually you will be so torn that you will never be able to make up your mind.......so just do like most of us here have done.....order em all...put em throught their paces....and see what happens....good luck kid.

[nckesq]

Thank you, htorres for your candid thoughts. Based on my current needs (which are not much other than basic wordprocessing, surfing the net, etc.) I'm probably going to get the X40. I don't really care for the screen size (12" is fine) and I've hardly ever used the touchpad on my past laptops. I don't need an integrated optical drive (since I'm planning on buying the X4 dockpad which has it anyways) - I'll just dock the X40 whenever I have to install software on a CD.

You mentioned that you purchased the X40 one week ago ... did you know that the X41 is coming out Q1 this year? or did you find out after the fact? If you knew BEFORE would you still have purchased the X40?? I guess others are saying that if you want it go ahead and purchase the X40. After all, there will always be future upgrades. It's a matter of how much you really want or need a laptop. At the moment, my Toshiba Satellite is still functioning. I'm wondering whether it will be worth the wait to get the X41 with the Sonoma Centrino. (and ... I hear there might be a 60G hard drive too!)

[Moroner]

Basically, your choice comes down between a X40 and a T42p with the 15" UXGA. The X40 is amazingly light, and a pleasure to carry around with you, and it will be easily powerfull enough for your tasks. The T42p is 1.3 kg heavier, which you will feel when carrying it, but you get a screen that is just awesome: three times the pixels (and the information to see) of the X40, and a viewing angle that will allow multiple people to look at the screen at the same time without any problems.
For the wait for the X41, the major difference will be that Intel has improved the integrated graphic, making it roughly two to two-and-a-half times as fast.

[ThinkPadX40]

I have X40

but -below- T42P is the best choise;

2.1GHz,2MB L2,60GB HDD,2GB max.RAM,14.1''SXGA,128MB RAM VGA

Wireless+Bluetooth,FingerPrint


and T42p price is going down aftere release T43p

[htorres]

Nick,
I was perfectly aware of the fact that the new x41 was coming out...and frankly...i didnt give a hoot.....for the intended purposes of the laptop here at home...the new changes arent that important to me...for the use you intend per your prior posts i dont think you should wait...not to mention that the new machine will most likely carry a price penalty initially....good luck

[Tsuioku]

I find the main deciding factor between the two to be performance...
Based on your description, I would recommend that you get the X40.

You will probably move around a lot with the laptop so the X40s size, weight and battery life will be more than suitable for your needs. I have an X40 rite now. It's perfect for commuting and more than adequate for the tasks that you described earlier. Too bad its performance is insufficient for my needs (currently thinking about getting a T41P).

Gains of the T43...
Performance: The X40 should be fast enough for your needs
Optical Drive: I actually don't use one as much as I thought. As you said, should you need one, there's the dock. Or you can just buy an external and keep it in your car.
Biometrics: I guess this would be a major draw if you're really concerned about privacy and security. I heard that it's pretty touchy though.
Ports and expansion: How much stuff do you plan on lugging around? 1 PCI not enough? (vs 2 in the T43), Parallel? Kinda old school, S-Video? Get a VGA adapter.
Touchpad: You'll love the Trackpoint.. Trust me..

As for the X41, I wouldn't worry too much about it.
Processor: Assuming the X41 will stick w/ LV and ULV chips, you will only get a 0.1 GHz boost up to a 1.5GHz LV w/ 2MB @ 400MHz (at least that's the fastest LV Sonoma chip I can find atm)
RAM: DDR2 support... oo.. if one of the chips remain soldered, I don't see there being a DDR2 chip in there except in high-end models. Stick a 1gb module in there and I'm sure you'll be fine. The current 512 might already be sufficient.
Video: You're not a gamer so I don't see why this would really matter to you.
Audio: "High Definition Audio".. pfft... Unless they starting sticking in H/Ks or JBLs... sound sucks..
Only benefit that I see the X41 giving you a bigger hole in ur wallet or dropping the price of the X40.

[nckesq]

"Only benefit that I see the X41 giving you a bigger hole in ur wallet or dropping the price of the X40." ~Tsuioku

Wow ... the image of the X41 burning a hole in the wallet is really convincing! These are words of wisdom.

Yes, my initial concern was over how much of the performance features I want to sacrifice for portability. Even with the X4 dock, the X40 still weighs less than the T43 and when you add on the accessories and carrying case the overall weight adds up! Also, the Embedded Security Subsytem should provide sufficient protection. My only gripe is that the X40 comes with 512MB soldered into the board. That means if I want to max the memory capacity I'll end up paying extra becaue there is only one slot! That sucks!

The question now is that when the X41 debuts, how much will IBM shave off the price for the X40.

So, Tsuioku, what are you planning to do with your X40? Need a buyer?

[LumberJack]

Just thought I would throw in my 2 cents.... All the points made here are perfectly valid. If you are stuck between the two though and are looking for some middle ground I would highly recomment the X31!

It's go speed but is still very light and packed with features. Some people have this idea that it's an "old" model, but I think it can still run with the best of them and certenly gives X4x a run for it's money.

LJ

[Tsuioku]

So, Tsuioku, what are you planning to do with your X40? Need a buyer?

haha.. thx for the offer... but I gotta wait for my new lappy to come first (hopefully next week) Besides, I'm located in Vancouver... I don't think that you would want to deal with customs.
If you can't find anything by mid Feb, gimme a PM and maybe we can work something out.

[Roisin]

and also, if you can get epp pricing, 2373-M3U (t42) is a better choice then FVU/DXU, and if the tabook is correct, it has a 7200rpm drive in it (the ibm website lists it with 5400rpm)

2373-M3U: epp price: $1572, 14" 1400x1050, 3years, 6 cell, 512mb, ati 9600, intel b/g, 60GB 7200rpm < that was my winner on the t42 front

you dont want a 9cell battery to spoil your thinkpad beauty, trust me