T43 (2668-75U) questions

Message

ayilar · #1 Post by **ayilar** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 10:24 am

Have been lurking for a while, am now ready to buy a Thinkpad to replacer a 4-year old Latitude C600. Before I jump, it'd be great if some kind souls would help with the following questions:

1. Lenovo's educational site now has the ThinkPad T43 2668-75U for $1,699, supposedly 30% off the web price. Short of the EPP prices, is this a good deal or not?

- Pentium M 760 2 GHz
- Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional
- RAM 512 MB
- HD 80 GB (5400 rpm)
- DVD-Writer (4x)
- Mdm
- LAN EN, Fast EN, Gigabit EN, Bluetooth, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g
- 14.1" TFT SXGA+ (1400 x 1050)

2. The machine seems to have most everything I want. If I understand correctly, though, the 266875U was released in February. Would I be missing anything with the 75U, compared to the August models (e.g., different ports, new components, quieter fan, you name it).

3. Is the speed of the DVD writer sufficient?

4. Warranty is 3 years depot. I'd like 3-years onsite -- what I the best option to do so? Does the extended service contract (107) add anything, beyond the onsite service?

Thanks a lot in advance for the responses!

Eriol · #2 Post by **Eriol** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 10:41 am

3. The DVD writer is plenty fast enough for average use. There may be faster writers, but Lenovo isn't selling them for most Thinkpad set-ups.

4. There should be a link to warranty descriptions somewhere on the site. The on-site is more expensive than depot, and doesn't add much more other than having a tech come down to your location within 4-hours, but if it needs to be serviced, it may still take the next business day.

You should also look to see if there is an authorized Lenovo partner. With the depot service, you have the option of sending it back to Lenovo or taking it to an authorized partner in most cases.

mysbca · #3 Post by **mysbca** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 12:18 pm

1. $1699 is a pretty good price. EPP price is only 5% less.
2. I don't think you will be missing anything. Don't know about the fan though.
3. The dvd writer is quite slow, but you don't have much choice for an ultray bay slim dvd writer solution. It is only 2X for DVD-R/RW and 2.4X for DVD+R/RW. It takes about 25 - 30 minutes to burn a full 4GB disc. The 4X refers to read speed of DVD-R/+R. It is also apparently picky with media.

Here is the user's guide for the multi-burner plus with the specs:
ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pccbbs/op ... i336en.pdf

ayilar · #4 Post by **ayilar** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 12:47 pm

Thanks a lot for replying so quickly! A few additional questions:

1. I plan to drive a Dell 2001FP monitor at 1600x1200. Does the 2668-75U have a DVI-D port, or do I need a DVI to VGA (male to male) cable, as I do with my C600 and C-dock?

2. Related question. I think I'll get the Thinkpad mini-dock. I want to drive my external monitor at 1600x1200 from the mini-dock through the DVI port, using the OEM drivers. The IBM website still states that the max resolution is then 1280 by 1024: http://www-131.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/store ... Id=8582164
Yet, searching this site, it seems that the November oem drivers allowed 1600x1200. Can someone tell me what to expect?

3. As for the DVD burner, what is "picky with media"?

mysbca · #5 Post by **mysbca** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 1:02 pm

ayilar wrote:3. As for the DVD burner, what is "picky with media"?

Seems to have some media incompatibility, see these threads:
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=12624
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=13682 (refers to ultrabay multi-burner, not ultrabay slim).

pipspeak · #6 Post by **pipspeak** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 1:19 pm

There's no DVI port on the T43, only through the port replicator or docks.

The DVD burner is slow but fine for backups, which is what I primarily use it for. It is reportedly picky with some faster media and DVD+R media, so just stick to basic, good quality DVD-R and you'll be fine.

Otherwise the model is a great, fully-loaded T43, and mine came with the best display (Hydis) and the best keyboard (NMB). Also worth adding an extra 512MB of ram.

ayilar · #7 Post by **ayilar** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 2:37 pm

Thanks for the further updates. Looks like the DVD burner will be fine for what I want. Two more questions:

1. fan noise -- pipspeak, I belive you stated in another thread that the noise was just a gentle hum -- is this correct/still the case? Others with recent deliveries of 75U want to chime in on this specific model?

2. DVI resolution through the mini-dock: is it indeed 1280x1024 max, or do I need to use the VGA port to drive the LCD at 1600x1200?

pipspeak · #8 Post by **pipspeak** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 3:12 pm

Fan noise of my T43 is actually less than my T40. It's usually always running but at probably the lowest level and is really not much louder than a gentle hum, verging on a whisper.

I use a port replicator and am stuck with the max. 1280x1024 resolution. No idea about the minidock.

Jmmmmm · #9 Post by **Jmmmmm** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 2:32 am

I love my 75u. As far as I've seen, there haven't really been any upgrades, other than the slightly faster processor. But I wouldn't even want faster than 2.0, you're getting into more heat and less battery life area.

My fan is always on, but it's pretty quiet, aside from initial startup (for about 1-2 seconds) and heavy loading.

I haven't had any issues with the dvd player, but I have only used it a few times. The epp I got it for was only $100 cheaper, so $1699 is a pretty good deal.

ayilar · #10 Post by **ayilar** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 8:58 am

Thanks guys, guess I'll go ahead and buy the machine. I will be adding 1GB of RAM from Crucial. Some more questions before I take the plunge:

1. pipspeak (and others), have you tried the VGA port on your port replicator? I wonder whether it's possible to get higher res than through the DVI.

2. if I understand correctly, both wireless and bluetooth are standard, i.e., I don't need to purchase a wireless card to hook up to my school network or to my home wirteless network. Is that correct? If not, which one is best?

3. do I need to add the adapter for a second HDD at ordering time ("2nd HDD Adapter for Ultrabay Slim ", $40), or can I wait to do so till a later date? Not sure if I want another HD, as the best weight/performance combo is what I have in mind. But of course, I may change my mind...

Thanks in advance!

pipspeak · #11 Post by **pipspeak** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 9:40 pm

Never tried a VGA port, so no idea. Sorry.

Both bluethooth and wireless (a, b, and g) are indeed standard, nothing else needed. The atheros-based wireless card has outstanding reception too.

No idea about the 2nd HDD. I just use an external USB drive.

kintaro · #12 Post by **kintaro** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 10:20 pm

I have the T43 (2687-DSU) w/ a Dock II hooked up to my Dell 2001FP flat panel through DVI, I can get 1600x1200 no prob. In fact, it can do 1600x1200 through the DVI, and 1600x1200 to another monitor on the VGa simultaneously. Can't speak to whether this is true with the Mini Dock or Port Replicator II

rpad · #13 Post by **rpad** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 2:21 am

Hi,
could you please post a link to the educational discount web page.
I am also looking for a thinkpad.
--
thanks
rpad

Jmmmmm · #14 Post by **Jmmmmm** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 2:29 am

ayilar wrote:Thanks guys, guess I'll go ahead and buy the machine. I will be adding 1GB of RAM from Crucial. Some more questions before I take the plunge:

1. pipspeak (and others), have you tried the VGA port on your port replicator? I wonder whether it's possible to get higher res than through the DVI.

2. if I understand correctly, both wireless and bluetooth are standard, i.e., I don't need to purchase a wireless card to hook up to my school network or to my home wirteless network. Is that correct? If not, which one is best?

3. do I need to add the adapter for a second HDD at ordering time ("2nd HDD Adapter for Ultrabay Slim ", $40), or can I wait to do so till a later date? Not sure if I want another HD, as the best weight/performance combo is what I have in mind. But of course, I may change my mind...

The t43 has dual channel ram, so if you get another 512 stick instead of the gig, you can take advantage of that. I don't know which would be better in the end. I just got a 512 because a gig total should be fine for me.

2. You shouldn't have to buy anything.
3. You can buy one of those anytime you want. You just might save a few bucks on shipping if you order it along with the comp. Unless you need the convenience of having them both inside the computer, an external usb drive caddy is only like $10 on ebay.

rpad - there is a different site for each school. Mine was www.lenovo etc etc/myschoolname. You can call lenovo to find out yours (if your school does it).

ayilar · #15 Post by **ayilar** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 7:04 am

Thanks again, guys. The order will be placed today. Here is the address where I found the deal on the 75U:

http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/education/index.html

Enter your state, the deal is "30% off select Thinkpad T models." It beats anything else I have seen, short of the EPP.

T43 (2668-75U) questions

T43 (2668-75U) questions

Re: T43 (2668-75U) questions

Who is online