better specs ALWAYS equals a better laptop? (need advice)

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unvmeikno · #1 Post by **unvmeikno** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 1:59 pm

I'm off to college this fall and finally narrowed my choices down to the T42 2378FVU or the T43 1871C1U. The T43 seems to be the more powerful machine, but is the extra fan noise/heat worth it? Would I be better off with the T42? I don't plan to play any games on the laptop, but I'm an engineering major and this will be my primary computer.

These are the main differences between the two models:

T42 2378FVU................vs.............T43 1871C1U
Pent. M 1.7GHz .............vs............Pent. M 1.86GHz
256MB at 333MHz ...........vs...........512MB at 533MHz
SXGA 14" ........................vs........XGA 14"
ATI 9600..........................vs.........Intel GMA 900 (shared memory)
Intel Pro/Wireless 2200BG ...vs......Intel Pro/Wireless 2915ABG
4.9 lbs................................vs......5.1 lbs.
1 yr. warrantee...................vs......3 year warrantee

If I buy through the college computer store, the prices end up being roughly equal. To those of you who have ever been in my shoes, or anyone who has models similar to the ones I'm looking at, which is do you think is the "better" machine? Which should I choose?

#2 Post by **RonS** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 3:04 pm

I would go for the T42. You can easily double your memory for $50 or less with after-market RAM. The T42's 9600 graphics will make the T42 seem much faster than the T43 with integrated video. And, you're less likely to have fan noise issues with the T42.

jfh · #3 Post by **jfh** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 3:36 pm

If the prices are about the same, I'd go with the T43 - double the memory (and faster), sligtly better processor and two extra years on the warranty.

The only "downside" to the T43 would be the integrated graphics, but I think the other advantages would make up for it, especially for an engineering student.

stgreek · #4 Post by **stgreek** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 4:12 pm

The SXGA+ vs XGA makes this a no-brainer. Go for the T42, you won't regret it. The SXGA+ is just perfect.

bhtooefr · #5 Post by **bhtooefr** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 4:13 pm

If you can get a warranty extension on the T42, definitely get it, and also get a RAM upgrade from some place like Crucial.

Not to mention, it's lighter weight and has a higher-res screen - so even if you CAN'T get the warranty extension, I'd lean towards it.

unvmeikno · #6 Post by **unvmeikno** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 1:33 pm

Wow...thanks for the quick replies!

Well, I just set my monitor to 1280x1024 (the highest res it can get) to get an idea of what SXGA+ looks like. I don't know if it's just me or something, but the font's tiny! I can read it with my glasses on, but can see how this would become hard on the eyes after a while. After I adjusted the display options, the fonts became bigger except the font on programs. Is there anything else I can do to make those bigger?

Judging from the posts I read, the majority of people seem to prefer SXGA+. Did anyone have to make any adjustments to the settings or anything?

sloomy · #7 Post by **sloomy** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 5:42 pm

Personaly, i like to use tiny fonts and small symbols in my desktop, and because of these i have choosen the T42.

The T43 has newer CPU and Chipset, which will made him a little bit faster than the T42. but if you do not need that much performance, i would also just upgrade the ram and -if possible- the warranty, and buy the T42.

Fan noise is quite disturbing, if it lasts more than it should be..

w0qj · #8 Post by **w0qj** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 10:27 pm

In a T43, if you plan to swap your hard drive for another, be aware that there are many unresolved issues that may prevent you from upgrading. see:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=11059

On the other hand, a T42 will not have any of these problems at all--I have switched my 40 GB HDD to a 7K60 with no problems a few months back.

Inky · #9 Post by **Inky** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 1:28 pm

unvmeikno,
Better specs won't always get you the laptop that is best for YOU. I paid more for a T42 2373 M2U, when I could have had a faster T43 for less money, and I am SO happy with my T42, because it's absolutely terrific for doing the things I got it for, which is principally: writing.

On the rare occasions that I watch a DVD movie on it, at that moment I wish I had a 15" Flexview screen, but that is a rare usage, and all the rest of the time the 14" SXGA+ screen is perfect for doing the main thing I got the laptop for.

Regarding SXGA+ (1400x1050) I must caution you that the high resolution is great when you're using a word processor like MS-Word which lets you ZOOM (enlarge) the text. Then instead of making the text smaller, the extra resolution just adds to the sharpness of the letters.

But in some programs which don't allow you to zoom the text (like iTunes for instance) the text can look painfully small. Since I spend most of my time writing in MS-Word it's a trade-off that may or may not be worthwhile for you the way it is for me.

You might find one of my previous posts helpful:
UPDATE on 14.1" Vs. 15" screen dilemma

-Inky

benplaut · #10 Post by **benplaut** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 3:09 pm

personally, i'd go for the T42...

and then some aftermarket RAM, of course

Torque · #11 Post by **Torque** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 5:44 pm

T42.
Mainly because of the higher screen resolution and better graphics chipset.
If you upgrade the RAM in the T42, you wont feel the difference performance wise, despite the faster CPU and FSB of the T43. The only place you'll really feel a difference, is when running 3D CAD or other heavy graphics - and here the T42 will be by far the most powerful.

juancferrer · #12 Post by **juancferrer** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 7:10 pm

T42. Upgrade the RAM and extend the warranty, and you'll have yourself an awesome machine

emorphien · #13 Post by **emorphien** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 7:30 pm

If the T43 had an X300 and the same screen I'd probably choose it as long as I wasn't looking to game or do much that demands a lot of 3d graphics horsepower. That said that T42 is a much more well rounded machine in spite of the slower processor. Upgrade the RAM and it'll be fine I think.

keku · #14 Post by **keku** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 9:47 am

well it's matter of choice.

6 -7 years back ... my brother told me one thing, "Never go what's out there. Think what you need and how long you want to keep it, tomorrow there will be a new technology"

so if you wish to keep it for long I'll suggest go for T43p, but here are few tips

1. Don't buy XGA display,
2. Go for Higher Video RAM if not expandable (t4x won't let you change it)
4. BUS Speed matters. 533 is better than 333
3. Select Powerful Processor.

I would suggest take 80 GB 5400 RPM from IBM. 60 GB 7200 is noisy.
Also buy minimum RAM from IBM go for crucial it's cheap and life time warranty.

Bottom line is when you buy IBM thinkpads, you don't want to replace it in a year or so. those are expensive. so think of future and your needs.

keep in mind needs do grow in future.

TRY 2687 EJU .... it's custom built one.

Jmmmmm · #15 Post by **Jmmmmm** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 12:52 pm

Between the two, I would say neither

I would choose a different t43 with an sxga screen.
Well, actually I did

Also, did you see if you get a discount through your school? I just called IBM and asked.

unvmeikno · #16 Post by **unvmeikno** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 2:51 pm

Apparently better specs won't always make a better laptop......at least not for me! I really appreciate all the input I've gotten so far. I'm probably going to end up getting a T42. I'm also considering the 2378 R4U (1.6GHz, ATI 7500, XGA) now since it has higher battery life and lower price. Any thoughts?

Then again, I like the screen and graphics of the 2378 FVU....decisions, decisions. Would a $200 price difference be worth getting the FVU?

#17 Post by **RonS** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 3:04 pm

Go for the FVU. I think it's a much better screen resolution for the 14.1" display, and with Longhorn on the horizon you'll be able to stretch the useful life of your Thinkpad much longer with the FVU's 9600 graphics controller. The R4U's 7500 graphics chip is pretty wimpy, compared to the 9600.

You can always upgrade the hard drive and memory, but you can't upgrade the graphics.

better specs ALWAYS equals a better laptop? (need advice)

better specs ALWAYS equals a better laptop? (need advice)

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