Afraid of buying T41?

[manfred]

Should I be afraid to buy a T41? I heard that he is with them a lot of problems with graphics. What is the chance that it breaks down? Better to stick with the R30?

And is it resonable to change R30 to T23?

[rumbero]

Should I be afraid to buy a T41? I heard that he is with them a lot of problems with graphics. What is the chance that it breaks down? Better to stick with the R30?

If i were you, i'd stick with at least a T60. This way you gain the advantage of being able to use virtually all standard SATA hard disk drives available on the market instead of just a few certified for Thinkpads. You'd also get rid of any of the notorious flexing issues related to T4x Thinkpads, and get the ability to use 3GB of RAM (with up to 8GB in T61) with much improved CPU power.

While the T4x generation of Thinkpads may have been the best choice before the introduction of the T60's roll cage construction, investing into any such a machine is just a waste of money for an already far too outdated vintage piece of technology. The T6x machines are not yet incompatible to today's standard hardware replacement parts, but rather still quite modern. Check out the prices on eBay for comparison. And avoid any nVIDIA based Thinkpad at all cost.

[lead_org]

if this is your only laptop and you are going to keep it for a few years, better get the T60 at minimum.

[ajkula66]

T41 is getting a bit long in the tooth, and I'd advise against getting one unless you know the owner personally and have an opportunity the check the machine thoroughly...and even then, I'd be hesitant unless it's a "p" version.

Late model T42s (with a build date after spring of 2005) along with all T43/p units are considered "safer" than the previous T4x models. Higher-end T42 units with Radeon 9600 GPU as well as all T42p, T43p and ATi-based T43 models will run W7 with no problems.

That being said, getting one makes sense only if there's a *significant* difference in price between them and T60 models in Poland...

[pianowizard]

And is it resonable to change R30 to T23?

Correct me if I am wrong, but I get the impression that you have a very low budget. If you can tell us exactly how much you can afford, and how you plan on using the laptop, that would help us give you better advice.

But I agree that you should avoid the T41, which would likely turn out to be a waste of time and money.

[Temetka]

As a T43/p owner, I love the T4x series for their aesthetics.

That being said, it is an older design and system architecture. If it were me I would purchase a T60 or higher machine.

The only T4x machine that I might consider purchasing today would be a high end 15" T43/p. I wouldn't even bother looking at any machine, they are simply too old. My T43/p runs Windows 7 and Linux great especially considering it is a single core machine.

[lukee]

I have T43p with FlexView LCD and I am very satisfied with this perfect laptop. It is in mint condition, 9cell battery is composed from Panasonic cells so it means it lasts about 3-4 hours with no problems after 6 years. And Windows 7? Well, the windows experience index shows 3.8, very good value for the 6 years old machine I will never change it for something newer until it will breaks itself.

[poshgeordie]

getting one makes sense only if there's a *significant* difference in price between them and T60 models in Poland...

Nvidia GPU'd T6x models should be avoided because of two issues:

1. These Nvidia chips have fundamental design issues; OK Nvidia have redesigned this chip and it can be replaced.

2. IBM Lenovo in their wisdom have glued the Nvidia chip to the motherboard with a type of epoxy which cannot be removed without damage to the motherboard.
Also occasionally the Southbridge solder balls on both Intel and Nvidia GPU versions also fail, and leave you with similar problems.

So is the T4x or T6x better long term?
There are also a couple of good mods to extend the life of the T4x range, namely adding Sata HDD's and SSD's as discussed in other posts.