Buying a T-series TODAY- need some help please

[STS06]

Hi all, I'm new to this board -directed from notebookforums.com.

I have decided to go with IBMs T-series notebook and am excited to buy it but I have a few decisions to make before doing so- I'm also hoping to place the order today!

Thus far, I have configured two models which come to be roughly $2200 each.

T-42
1.70 Ghz Pentium M (400 Mhz)
512 DDR Free (IBM Offer)
512 DDR (the reason I did this is to cut cost - in the end i only wanted 1G)
ATI 9600 graphics card
40 gb 5400rpm hard drive
6-cell and additional 6 cell lithium battery

T-43
1.86 Ghz Pentium M (533Mhz)
512 DDR2 Free
512 DDR2
ATI X300 graphics card
40 bg 5400rpm drive
6 cell and additional 6 cell

My dilema is which computer has the better graphics? I don't expect this comp to be a "gaming machine" (thus IBM) but I'd like the best graphics I can get and I may occasionally play games- also I may do some minor CAD work. The problem is that the T-42's graphics card is better (from what i hear) but its an older model...DDR instead of DDR2 (which is another question, which memory is better). Both graphics cards at 64mb and the last option is a T42p or T43p with a 128mb card, but the price is bit steep for me ( know of any discounts besides the student one that I can take advantage of).

The T42 has better graphics but at the same time, IF i would resale, the T43 would fetch more money. The difference between the two configs listed above is very little, about 50 bucks. The last thing is that on the IBM site, I can configure a T42 with a better screen (1400 X 12..something) than the T43 (1280...by 7 or 8 something).

I would really like some feedback. Thanks a lot for any help you can provide. Good day!

[muffd]

I believe that the Radeon 9600 is the best overall for what you are going to do. Check on Fatwallet. I saw someone post a deal similar to what you posted but it comes with a 7200 rpm hd which for sure you would love.
All for around $1500 and some change.

[GomJabbar]

Well, as a T42 owner, I'm prejudiced, and I did buy my T42 before the T43's came out. However, I think I would still choose the T42 given the option today.

It seems to me you get more bang for the buck with the T42. Better graphics chip for all around use. Longer battery life. Runs cooler. If you get a better display, that's another plus. I really wouldn't worry about obsolescence yet. The only thing I see that could be an issue is the PCI express slot that's available on the T43 and not the T42. On the other hand, that might be a feature that you never use. The fan - I haven't heard mine yet! Caveat: I work around turbocharged locomotive type engines, so my hearing is probably not as sensitive as you library types out there.

I'll probably be flamed by the T43 owners out there, but that's my 2-cents worth.

[STS06]

Well there's some new development...looks like i can get the EPP discount...so with that, I wouldn't mind getting the p version of either series...which has an entirely different graphics card (128 mb)...would you recommend that over the T42?

Outside of the P-series, I think i will go with the T42 as well....sounds like its the best choice for many...including myself. Having said that, if the T42p or T43p is even better, I will go for that with the EPP discount that I have available.

[STS06]

Also anyone know if IBM has Boeing employee discounts?

[asiafish]

The T42p is a terrific machine. Mine is 14" with the 7200rpm drive and 1.8GHz CPU (2373-GVU). It is fast, quiet and very stable.

Andrew

[boilermakerinatl]

If you want to save some money, this is a great machine.

ThinkPad T43 2686DGU
Sale price
$1,423.20
Web Price
$1,779.00
Intel® Pentium® M Processor 750 1.86GHz
512 MB (+free additional 512mb)
60 GB 7200rpm
14.1" SXGA 1400x1050
64MB ATI Mobility RADEON x300
DVD Recordable Ultrabay Slim
One year parts and labor (system battery: one year)
Integrated Gigabit Ethernet
56K V.92 designed modem
Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG
Fingerprint Reader Embedded Security Subsystem 2.0

You are better off buying an additional battery from eBay. Unless you want to pay 2-3 times as much buying from IBM.

http://www-131.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/store ... Id=2049168

[STS06]

Well there are a few questions. I have a cousin working for IBM so I'm pretty sure I can get the EPP deal. I hear its roughly 33% off, but it hasnt been validated (anyone know how much it is?). In that case, I'll go with the T43p which has the same graphics card as the T42p, the ATI FireGl 128mb. I also hear that the T43p has a higher resolution screen available as well.

The Problem is that I can't evaluate it online- there's no option for the T43p on the IBM site (unless I missed it).

I configured the T42p...1Gb, 1.80, 7200 rpm 60gb hd, etc. for 2900 (roughly). If the EPP is 33%, it will be 1900..roughly. Add a couple hundred for hte T43p and I'm assuming i'll spend 2100 for the T43p with the EPP. This is a guess but basically, I'm not sure how to attack this now...I would like to configure a T43p online but cant find it.

Anyways, what do you recommend now that I may have the EPP benefit on my side....b/c I'm still willing to pay up to 2200 (like before) but now I can get a much better machine. Thanks again for the help, its well appreciated.

[mysbca]

I'm not sure how to attack this now...I would like to configure a T43p online but cant find it.

Download the tabook.pdf:
ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pcinstitu ... tabook.pdf

Find the model with the specs that you want. Go to the education site:
http://www.ibm.com/education/us/
Select student pc purchases along the right column. Search for your model to get list price. Apply EPP discount (~35% off) to get your EPP price.

If you don't need the dvd recorder, then the 2668G5U should be around your price range before taxes.

[pipspeak]

If you want to save some money, this is a great machine.

ThinkPad T43 2686DGU
Sale price
$1,423.20

Thanks for the heads up on that Visa offer... I'd only been looking at the Amex deals, which all suck.

[mysbca]

Thanks for the heads up on that Visa offer... I'd only been looking at the Amex deals, which all suck.

The credit card deals are usually pretty similar. Have you checked lately? Amex currently has the same price on the 2686DGU as Visa.

[pipspeak]

I looked at the AMEX page last week and didn't see that deal... I guess they changed them this week.

[STS06]

So after debate, I have limited it to two specific models with two things to figure out.

T42 2373N3U :

1.8
512 (+ 512 free) mb RAM
SXGA screen
ATI 9600
60 gb (7200) hard drive


The second is the

T43p 2668H1U
2.13
1 GB (+512 free) Ram
UXGA screen
ATI FireGL 128 mb graphics card
60 gb (7200) hd


The delima: The 43p model, under the student site is roughly 2700 (discounted from 3400 dollars). With the EPP applied, I'm expecting to pay 1700 dollars roughly. The problem is that I am unsure whether or not employees get this student discount as well....other wise I get the EPP discount from the 3400 dollars.

The second thing is the graphics card. I hear from some that the fireGL is not for gaming but for CAD and others say otherwise. So I have no clue. This is the only concern now...if the fireGL isn't great, despite the 64 mb more memory it has, then i will go with the T42. Otherwise, I will stick to the T43p assuming the student+EPP works out.

So my question to all those that have helped me out thus far (and thank you for that too!), is...which graphics card is best (for slight gaming and all around use) and do you know if we can get the EPP + Student discount.

Thanks mysbca for that valuable info, it allowed to me narrow down the comp config and really make the decision easy (pending the two aformentioned issues). According to your post, student+EPP discount works so the graphics card is the only real issue. The T43p is considerably more than the T42 I have configured...so it is definitely worth researching. Thanks again for all the help! Good day!

[Steve007]

So after debate, I have limited it to two specific models with two things to figure out.

T42 2373N3U :

1.8
512 (+ 512 free) mb RAM
SXGA screen
ATI 9600
60 gb (7200) hard drive


The second is the

T43p 2668H1U
2.13
1 GB (+512 free) Ram
UXGA screen
ATI FireGL 128 mb graphics card
60 gb (7200) hd

Get the T42 - it's cheaper and is more suited to your needs.

Many people buy T4xp's for the most bizarre of reasons, I think most people just assume it's the top of the line and go for that model whereby if they did their research a standard beefed up T4x machine would be more suitable for them - and save them money.

[mysbca]

other wise I get the EPP discount from the 3400 dollars.

EPP discount is off the web list price which is $3449, not the student price. I only gave the link to the student site to get prices.
The EPP price for the 2668H1U is probably around $2242 and you usually don't get the free RAM upgrade through EPP either.

[malcho]

Can you get both, student and EPP discounts? How?
Thanks
N

[mysbca]

Can you get both, student and EPP discounts? How?
Thanks
N

No, you can not.

[STS06]

mysbca, what do you recommend, the T42 or the T43p? Thanks for the help all!

[kaplanfx]

STS06: Are you looking for a 15 inch model? both the models you listed above are 15 inchers.

-kaplanfx

[STS06]

Yes i am looking for a 15" primarly for cad work i may do and occasional game play.

[mysbca]

mysbca, what do you recommend, the T42 or the T43p? Thanks for the help all!

Will you be carrying the laptop around alot? If so, I would actually recommend going to the 14". It is smaller and lighter and has better battery life than the 15" ones with Flexview screen. The 15" Flexview screen also have ghosting problems because of the slow response time. That may or may not affect the games you play.

For the 14", I would recommend the 2373M3U (T42) or the 2373GVU (T42p).

For the two systems that you have listed, I would probably go with the T42 to save some money, but the UXGA screen is tempting.

[STS06]

Well those are some good arguments for the 14" and yes it'll mainly be an "on the go" comp" since I have a desktop at my apartment (college student).

Now the question is the system. You stated the cheaper price of the 42 but I'm willing to get the 42p IF the graphics card is better than the 42's ATI 9600 card. I can beef up the T42 with ram and hard drive but the two things I cannot get from the T42 that the T42p/T43p has is the speed of the processor and the graphics card. The processor speed is not a big concern to me but the graphics card is. So its either the ATI 9600 or the ATI FireGL 128mb card. Some, including one poster on this thread, said that the p-series is really not geared towards the student or casual user but rather the buisnessman/woman. Its also said that despite the extra 64mb, the ATI FireGL 128mb card is not as good as the 9600 for gaming and all-around use. I do not know enough about cards to validate that so I can only rely on opinions. So I ask you, which graphics card is better? I don't mind the extra price (b/c the EPP makes up for the ORIGINAL price I would have had to pay) but I want to be sure I'm getting the right graphics card. Thanks again for answering my questions, I hope this helps others too.

Also what I just realized is that the main reason why I'm not going with the 14" is b/c the model doesnt support a 64 mb graphics card but only a 32mb one (ATI Radeon 7200) which is not enough for my purposes. I also realized that the pdf file with all the models offered has models that I cannot configure to on the IBM/Lenovo site...why is this?
--great, after looking at kaplanfx's sign line, I noticed that he has a 14" with a 64mb graphics card. Whats going on..the IBM site doesnt have this config option...this site is poorly done...it simply sucks.

The problem is taht I'm afriad my cousin will have to order the comp on my behalf and translating this info to him, I'm afraid he'll get something wrong. Wish I could order it using his ID or something.

[STS06]

I've given up on the IBM site and am referring only to the PDF with the list of all offered models. Mysbca, you said the 2373M3U would be nice. I agree but I was hoping to have 1 G of ram, not 512mb. So in this case, would the type-model number change or would I just call them and ask for this model with the change of a 1 GB stick instead of 512? What I don't get is how does the ordering work when I'm referring to this pdf but want to add someting to the models.

[GomJabbar]

Also what I just realized is that the main reason why I'm not going with the 14" is b/c the model doesnt support a 64 mb graphics card but only a 32mb one (ATI Radeon 7200) which is not enough for my purposes. I also realized that the pdf file with all the models offered has models that I cannot configure to on the IBM/Lenovo site...why is this?
--great, after looking at kaplanfx's sign line, I noticed that he has a 14" with a 64mb graphics card. Whats going on..the IBM site doesnt have this config option...this site is poorly done...it simply sucks.

I bought my T42 in January of this year. I have 14" XGA display with the Radeon 9000 (not 9600) display adapter and 64 MB of video RAM. I guess they don't offer this version anymore? BTW, as I am beginning to need reading glasses, I was leery of getting the higher resolution display because of the smaller fonts, and I wasn't able to do a comparison before buying. I still haven't seen a 14" SXGA display up close. I stuck with the 14" for travel reasons, as I wanted the smaller size and lighter weight. The laptop I had been using was a 13.3" XGA 600E.

[mysbca]

Yes, the IBM/Lenovo site doesn't list all the models. No one seems to know why some are listed and some are not.

You can order the computer yourself. You just need your cousin's employee number and last name. You need to call up Lenovo EPP sales and ask for the model you want and ask for any other accessories, including RAM. I haven't checked recently, but RAM may be cheaper if you bought it elsewhere like Crucial.com.

From what I've read, the 128MB FireGL on the T42p is based on the same 9600 core. It is set up with the openGL drivers for CAD applications. Some people have replaced it with another set of drivers (Catalyst?) to make it more like the regular 9600 (slightly faster?). So graphics-wise, the GVU and the M3U are very similar.

The other major difference between the GVU and the M3U is the wifi card. The GVU has the IBM/Atheros card while the M3U has the Intel BG wifi card. Some people think the IBM wifi card is better. The GVU also has a 9 cell battery vs the 6 cell on the M3U. The 9 cell battery does stick out of the back about an inch; the 6 cell is flushed along the back.

[GomJabbar]

I was hoping to have 1 G of ram, not 512mb. So in this case, would the type-model number change or would I just call them and ask for this model with the change of a 1 GB stick instead of 512? What I don't get is how does the ordering work when I'm referring to this pdf but want to add someting to the models.

You can always do what I did. Order an extra stick of RAM with your laptop. Of course, one drawback is that by doing this you have both RAM slots populated. But I'm betting that RAM prices will come down if I decide I need even more RAM in the future.

[mysbca]

BTW, as I am beginning to need reading glasses, I was leery of getting the higher resolution display because of the smaller fonts,

You can increase the font size in Windows by adjusting the DPI setting. I set my DPI setting to 120 and it works well for me.

[STS06]

Thanks for all the help everyone, especially mysbca...forums rule!

What I will do is go with a T42 with the following config:

1GB Ram
60GB 7200 RPM HD
1.80 Ghz
6-cell battery and additonal 6-cell

I guess I'll wait till the end to decide on a 15" or 14"

the two models are the 2373N3U or the 2373M3U

I hope i've made the right decision!

Thanks again for all your help and please don't question my model choice or else you'll make me rethink this for another week! (I'm kidding, suggestions are ALWAYS welcome).

[STS06]

"The other major difference between the GVU and the M3U is the wifi card. The GVU has the IBM/Atheros card while the M3U has the Intel BG wifi card. Some people think the IBM wifi card is better. The GVU also has a 9 cell battery vs the 6 cell on the M3U. The 9 cell battery does stick out of the back about an inch; the 6 cell is flushed along the back."

Cannot I not just ask for the IBM/Atheros card instead?

[mysbca]

but RAM may be cheaper if you bought it elsewhere like Crucial.com.

Just did a quick check:
Mwave.com has 512MB of Crucial pc2700 sodimm for $57.75 and 1GB for $120.75 + shipping.
Crucial.com has them for $71.06 and $140.07 w/free shipping, respectively.

I would recommend getting 1GB from one of these places rather getting the extra 512MB from Lenovo. If you ever need to go to 2 GB, you just have to replace one stick instead of both.