Let's compare our t43s, build quality and fan noise.

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alpuzz · #1 Post by **alpuzz** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 2:40 pm

Based on the following thread started by JujitsuFreak, it appears as if all T43s are not created equal:
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=13004

it would be interesting to compare notes on the following:

1. What model T43 do you have?
2. Is your machine similar to jujitsu's 72U with the double PCMCIA doors, the lid that does not close sollidly, and the louder fan? Or is it more like the 75U with a more solid feel, one door on the pCMCIA slot and significantly less fan noise?

I've only had one Thinkpad, the 75u, and it sounds identical to Jujitsu's 75u, very good build quality, one door on the PCMCIA and a very quiet fan.

--Al

c333 · #2 Post by **c333** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 5:24 pm

I too was worried when I read that, but everything seems okay. I recieved my T43 a few days ago. Here are a few observations:

1) I was worried i might have recieved a refurb/returned unit. It does not appear that way. The box said it was built July 5, but that could easily mean rebuilt July 5. The DVDR drive has "manufactured June 2005" on it.

2) A little weird: on the bottom info sticker, it seems "Manufactured for IBM" was cut out and replaced very nicely with a "manufactured for Lenovo" sticker," leading me to believe it was maybe an IBM return? Probably not, lenovo probably didn't want to reprint the entire sticker.

These following comments are pretty anal, but i have never had a thinkpad before so maybe its NOT normal

-I can pinch the back of the laptop together. If i put my index finger on the middle of the back of the screen, and my thumb on the battery, i can squeeze it together about 3 milimeters.

-I heard reports of loose T42 batteries. The Sanyo battery in my T43 can move 1 milimeter or less up and down, and is snug side to side, front to back.

-The DVD drive can wiggle a little bit up and down, but not much at all.

All and all, i think i got a very good unit that i presume was just built new, no dead pixels on the 14in SXGA. Another thing, the keyboard is nice, but it didn't blow my mind like some people say. I don't do much typing, but compared to dell or gateway, it wasn't like i took a step back when i first tried it, but its definately a step above.

I'll probably do a fresh install in a few days though, seems a bit slugish.

zeus1q · #3 Post by **zeus1q** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 8:36 pm

FWIW, I don't think it's legal to sell a refurb/returned machine as new.

roanoke · #4 Post by **roanoke** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 10:35 pm

c333 wrote:These following comments are pretty anal, but i have never had a thinkpad before so maybe its NOT normal

-I can pinch the back of the laptop together. If i put my index finger on the middle of the back of the screen, and my thumb on the battery, i can squeeze it together about 3 milimeters.

-I heard reports of loose T42 batteries. The Sanyo battery in my T43 can move 1 milimeter or less up and down, and is snug side to side, front to back.

-The DVD drive can wiggle a little bit up and down, but not much at all.

All and all, i think i got a very good unit that i presume was just built new, no dead pixels on the 14in SXGA. Another thing, the keyboard is nice, but it didn't blow my mind like some people say. I don't do much typing, but compared to dell or gateway, it wasn't like i took a step back when i first tried it, but its definately a step above.

I'll probably do a fresh install in a few days though, seems a bit slugish.

I have a brand new T43 2687DRU and I have found everything you said in that post to be accurate.

c333 · #5 Post by **c333** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 11:26 pm

roanoke, thanks, that's reassuring.

zeus1q, its not that they would lie, its just that with a 30 day return policy i'm guessing they get a few returns. They probably don't turn them around and sell them as new, but they probably harvest them for parts, or sell them in bulk to companies at discount, or use them for testing. They don't throw them away, thats for sure. Plus, i haven't seen an official IBM/Lenovo refurb/clearance section, but i never looked.

About the fans, the noise doesn't bother me, but it is a very subjective issue. I haven't stressed it yet, but is has produced a hum that if heard for an extended period of time could get annoying. But i think word processing in a classroom or librabry would keep this thing virtually silent. If you can't get your hands on one before hand, just know that there seem to be quieter solutions. For me, it is a very small price to pay for the quality and reliability of a thinkpad!

roanoke · #6 Post by **roanoke** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 11:37 pm

c333, do you think you could look at your TP for some of the issues described in my thread?
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=13103

alpuzz · #7 Post by **alpuzz** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 11:48 pm

Part of the reason I started this thread is because it seems that at least in Jujitsu's case, there was more going on than subjectivity in terms of the fan noise. The old 72U that was returned was significantly more noisy than the 75U. It also seems that there were at least some differences in the chassis designs between the two machines. The noisy 72U had a chassis with two PCMCIA doors and apparently was not built quite as sollidly. So it would be interesting for example to determine whether the majority of people having problems with fan noise on their 14 inch T43s have the chassis with the double door design.

--Al

Wholesomer · #8 Post by **Wholesomer** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 12:05 am

You might have a point there. I can't figure out why the listed price of the 2668-75U is a lot more comparing to the other TP's with the same specs. Forget the discount you can get from EPP for a while, the retail price from other places will also put the 2668-75U at a higher price again. It could be because it uses a different chassis, and Lenovo is paying more attention to detail since they are asking a lot more for it?

alpuzz · #9 Post by **alpuzz** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 12:41 am

I have no idea and I'm definitely not accusing Lenovo or anyone else of anything. It's just odd though. The 75U and 72U are supposed to be identical except for the wireless card, but here we have at least one case where two supposedly very comparable machines seem significantly different. Maybe it was just the luck of the draw, and there are several chassis models being sourced or something. but having said that,it seems that everyone so far that has a 75U has the single PCMCIA door, better over all build quality in terms of parts fitting together, and a quieter fan.

--Al

JHaislet · #10 Post by **JHaislet** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 12:49 am

I've got a single PCMCIA door on my 2687-DSU which by spec is IDENTICAL to the 2668-72U (exact same parts, screen, ect). I've been pleased with mine, but the fan does constantly run and blows out cool air (even when downclocked to 800mzh with no cpu load).

alpuzz · #11 Post by **alpuzz** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 12:58 am

JHaislet wrote:I've got a single PCMCIA door on my 2687-DSU which by spec is IDENTICAL to the 2668-72U (exact same parts, screen, ect). I've been pleased with mine, but the fan does constantly run and blows out cool air (even when downclocked to 800mzh with no cpu load).

The fan on my 75U does the same thing. The only time it's ever off is maybe for the first few minutes after I boot the system in the morning. But the nice thing is that even though it's pretty much always on, once it settles down, it's at a very low idle. I've never gotten mine into a state where the fan cycles and revs a lot, even after running the prime95 torture test for maximum heat for over an hour.

--Al

zeus1q · #12 Post by **zeus1q** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 1:12 am

c333 wrote: zeus1q, its not that they would lie, its just that with a 30 day return policy i'm guessing they get a few returns. They probably don't turn them around and sell them as new, but they probably harvest them for parts, or sell them in bulk to companies at discount, or use them for testing. They don't throw them away, thats for sure. Plus, i haven't seen an official IBM/Lenovo refurb/clearance section, but i never looked.

I seem to recall people talking about refurbished Thinkpads not too long ago...I figured that's where the returns go. Maybe I'm delusional? But putting used parts in a new machine would prevent them from (legally) claiming it to be new, I think.

Jmmmmm · #13 Post by **Jmmmmm** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 3:38 am

Has anyone with a t43 tried using fangui and setting the fans to 'off'?

jd2020 · #14 Post by **jd2020** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 1:53 pm

I agree with c333's observations. My T43 was manufactured in May 2005 and has a single door over the PCMCIA/PCExpress slot.

- My CD-RW/DVD-ROM does seem to wiggle a bit, but only when I push on it. I think this is just b/c the tray mechanism is so slim--the drive doesn't move in the bay, just the tray cover moving up & down.
- My battery was LOOSE with both latches locked. Called IBM and had them send me another. It fits much better, with only a very minimal amount of movement.
- You can pinch together the lid and body at the hinges but only a bit. Its more flex than anything loose. This was much more an issue with the original ill-fitting battery.

Also agree with JHaislet: my fan is running (at lower speed) blowing out cool air. CPU at ~800Mhz and reports 49 degrees.

#15 Post by **aamsel** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 10:49 pm

I ordered a 266875U also.
As soon as it comes, I will tell you how mine looks.

Andrew
Austin, TX

Let's compare our t43s, build quality and fan noise.

Let's compare our t43s, build quality and fan noise.

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