Finally got a QUIET 15" T43 2686-M7U!!

[hoya]

I just received the latest model (August 2005) 15" T43 2686-M7U and it's quiet!! The fan is slightly louder than the T42 I've been using for the past few months, but it is MUCH quieter than either of the previous T43's I've owned.

first 15" T43: 2687-DDU - fan had an annoying pitch that I couldn't stand

second 15" T43: 2687-DDU - exact same problem as above, in addition to a strange electrical feedback problem that would cause an annoying sound to be emmitted from the speakers whenever I scrolled within a window (EZ Serv never figured it out so I just sold it on eBay)

third time is a charm: 15" T43 2686-M7U - fan is of course loud for first few seconds after turning machine on, but that's it. after surfing wirelessly for 15 or so minutes (with 2200BG WiFi enabled), the fan gets loud for a few seconds, but quickly settles into a lower speed that is only slightly louder than my T42.

Did I mention that I am impressed?!!

Now, I'm wondering if Lenovo changed the fan or made some other tweaks to these newer "August 2005" ThinkPads. has any one else tried one of these newer models?

oh, in case any one is wondering about the DVD burner speed, it's 2x even though the site says 8x. it's the sameMatsushita UJ-822S drive that they introduced on the T43 earlier this year.

[Scorpiontico]

I just received the latest model (August 2005) 15" T43 2686-M7U and it's quiet!! The fan is slightly louder than the T42 I've been using for the past few months, but it is MUCH quieter than either of the previous T43's I've owned.

first 15" T43: 2687-DDU - fan had an annoying pitch that I couldn't stand

second 15" T43: 2687-DDU - exact same problem as above, in addition to a strange electrical feedback problem that would cause an annoying sound to be emmitted from the speakers whenever I scrolled within a window (EZ Serv never figured it out so I just sold it on eBay)

third time is a charm: 15" T43 2686-M7U - fan is of course loud for first few seconds after turning machine on, but that's it. after surfing wirelessly for 15 or so minutes (with 2200BG WiFi enabled), the fan gets loud for a few seconds, but quickly settles into a lower speed that is only slightly louder than my T42.

Did I mention that I am impressed?!!

Now, I'm wondering if Lenovo changed the fan or made some other tweaks to these newer "August 2005" ThinkPads. has any one else tried one of these newer models?

oh, in case any one is wondering about the DVD burner speed, it's 2x even though the site says 8x. it's the sameMatsushita UJ-822S drive that they introduced on the T43 earlier this year.

i did not know there was going to be a t43 update.

i wonder if any hardware changes?

thanks for the info.

[nirvana0001]

actually it's 2.24X for dvd+
break the fan so no more sound

[STS06]

Congrats!...that satisfaction feeling is great!

By they way, why not settle for a newer T42?...just wondering why you wanted the T43 so bad.

Have fun with that comp!

[Jmmmmm]

my t43 (ordered july 8th, rcvd july ~26th) is quiet, and acts as you described. So, if yours is different than previous versions, mine is also. I don't know if I got a 'newer version' as well, or if it's just luck of the draw. Perhaps it was luck of the draw, but now it's better?

[dssjon]

my t43 has never been loud.

[pipspeak]

"loud" is clearly a subjective term... my T43 (266875U) has the fan running very low much of the time but it is no louder than my T40, and in fact less annoying because it seems to cycle less.

Frankly I don't remember ever having a laptop that is noiseless. The quiet hum of a fan is part and parcel of computing to me.

[JL Shelton]

[quote="hoya"]I just received the latest model (August 2005) 15" T43 2686-M7U

I am new to the forum but very thankful it is here.

I too just ordered this exact model a couple of days ago and am eagerly waiting for it to arrive. I noticed in the signature of the post you mentioned that this model has a 2x DVD recordable but you didn't mention CDs. I'm assumning that this is the "stock" optical drive that comes with the unit. My question is, does it also record CDR/ CDRW or only DVDs?

Thanks for your help,
Jeff

[pphilipko]

I just received the latest model (August 2005) 15" T43 2686-M7U

I am new to the forum but very thankful it is here.

I too just ordered this exact model a couple of days ago and am eagerly waiting for it to arrive. I noticed in the signature of the post you mentioned that this model has a 2x DVD recordable but you didn't mention CDs. I'm assumning that this is the "stock" optical drive that comes with the unit. My question is, does it also record CDR/ CDRW or only DVDs?

Thanks for your help,
Jeff

Yes, it also burns CD-R's and CD-RW's.

[hoya]

Jeff - the DVD Multi Drive can write to almost any writable CD or DVD (the previous generation lacked the ability to write to DVD+R and DVD+RW). I believe the CD burning speed is 24x.

I'm sure you will be very happy with the unit. if you have any trouble, Lenovo's support is exceptional, and of course this forum is a huge help.

I ran the Software Installer, but it failed to find the newer Fingerprint software (claimed latest version is 4.5.5, even though 4.6 is available on IBM's site). I also noticed the latest supported Intel 2200BG driver is 9.0.1.21, even though version 9.0.2.25 is available on Intel's site.

otherwise, this one is a keeper. I also like the updated Power Manager on the T43 - vast improvement over the T42

STS06 - I wanted to upgrade from the T42 to the T43 because I do a lot of video editing and the difference in processor speed (1.7 v 2.0) and the faster bus add up to a noticeable bump in speed. My T42 actually has the Hitachi 7k60 7200rpm drive while my T43 has the slower 5k100, but I'm planning to upgrade to the new 7k100 once the 100gb model is in stock.

[JL Shelton]

[quote="hoya"]Jeff - the DVD Multi Drive can write to almost any writable CD or DVD (the previous generation lacked the ability to write to DVD+R and DVD+RW). I believe the CD burning speed is 24x.

Major thanks for your knowledge and the time you took to type it out along with the others who answered as well. I am a missionary and constantly travel all over the globe carrying enough electrical gadgets that it's embarrassing. Currently I'm lugging around an 8lb Toshiba and I look forward to the reduction in weight among other things.

Grace and Peace
Jeff