What is a better purchase? T43 or T42P? **Update**

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dc81 · #1 Post by **dc81** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 12:24 pm

This is the first option:

- ThinkPad T43 2668
- Pentium M 760 2 GHz
- Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional
- RAM 512 MB
- HD 80 GB 5400rpm
- 4x DVD-Writer
- Mdm
- LAN EN, Fast EN, Gigabit EN, Bluetooth, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g
- 14.1" TFT SXGA+ (1400 x 1050)
- ATI x300 64mb

This is on the educational site for $1699.

The second option is:

- Thinkpad T42p 2373GVU
- Intel Pentium M 745 1.8 ghz
- RAM 512 MB
- HD 60 GB 7200rpm
- DVD/CDRW
- 14.1" TFT
- ATI FireGL T2 128mb

This is on the Mastercard Site for $1919.

The computer is going to be used for CAD Drafting, mainly 2D Drafting.

I want to get the best computer I can for under $2000.

Do the faster processor and RAM on the T43 makeup for its lack of video memory versus the T42p?

In other words which is the better computer for what I am going to be using it for?

keku · #2 Post by **keku** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 12:33 pm

This case go with T42p it got more video RAM.

Let me put it this way ... I'm T43p fan never liked T42p over T43p even me and other people have heating and noise issues.

The configuration you have shown for T42 looks better than T43. and in your case T42 will be faster than T43 (even though T43 has faster chipset)

Faster HDD and more Video RAM will compansate for it. also T42 will be less hot and noisy

darrenf · #3 Post by **darrenf** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 12:40 pm

The difference between 64M and 128M of VidRam is not important for 2D CAD work. By my math, SXGA uses about 4.5M per screen buffer and I doubt that more than two screenbuffers are used for typical 2D apps. The T43 will therefore be a much better value but may have some quirks as compared to the T42-series (fan noise, HDD compatibility message, etc).

If you plan to game or do 3D modelling then the memory can make a very significant difference, depending on the texture cache demands of the application.

-darren

dc81 · #4 Post by **dc81** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 12:42 pm

I do plan on doing a little gaming, but nothing hardcore.

darrenf · #5 Post by **darrenf** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 12:56 pm

I can't speak to the gaming capabilities of the x300, but some have compared it to the 9600 (x300 has a slower GPU and faster bus I think). The 9600 w/ 64M plays all the games I've thrown at it (Doom3, HL2, FarCry, BF2, JO-TR, FlatOut) but often requires dropping the res to 800x600 and turning down or off some of the high-quality features. It overclocks pretty nicely as well.

-darren

ddutta · #6 Post by **ddutta** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 1:00 pm

You might get better deals if you choose a CTO model. A good model is 2668AJU and you add all the features of a T42p or T43p except the firegl video card and it will be $350-500 cheaper if you dont care for the openGL. I didnt so I went the CTO way.

With CTO, you can order less RAM and add it later for lesser price. Check
https://www-03.ibm.com/lenovo/shop/pers ... &instock=y

You will see the AJU model immeidately. Then click add options to see the options. The student price might be 20-30% lower depending on your state. If you want a T42, you can take a look at 2373H5U or 2378RUU or a 2378RVU (p)

dc81 · #7 Post by **dc81** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 1:12 pm

This may sound stupid, but what is CTO?

v3blue · #8 Post by **v3blue** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 1:31 pm

dc81 wrote:This may sound stupid, but what is CTO?

Don't feel lonely. Took me a while to figure it out also sometime back and I even used it when ordering my T42!

CTO Configure To Order

Hope this helps

dc81 · #9 Post by **dc81** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 4:02 pm

I am still a little confused. Which of the two thinkpads would be considered a "better" computer?

ddutta · #10 Post by **ddutta** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 6:51 pm

T42p .... due to better graphics

T43 is you dont care for graphics

Neither if you want to optimize price and performance. Then get a custom model.

nirvana0001 · #11 Post by **nirvana0001** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 7:52 pm

I think you should get a T42p off from ebay.
For $2000 you can probably get p-m 2.ghz, 60Gb HDD, 512MB RAM, mulit-burner and 14"SxGA.

ddutta · #12 Post by **ddutta** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 8:28 pm

You can get a brand new T42p using edu or EPP discounts within 2K with all the bells and whistles. Ebay doesnt give you the comfort of buying from Lenovo with a 30 day return policy. Also most people sell refurb machines with a 3 yr stupid Mack warranty!

#13 Post by **RonS** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 10:02 pm

T42p. Slam dunk. The 60GH 7200 drive is great.

milesrbruce · #14 Post by **milesrbruce** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 11:58 pm

Buy the t42P. It is a great system, with high end EVERYTHING. Plus
it is a genuine IBM. You will not be disapointed. You will only hope when that one wears out, that you can replace it with something half as nice. It is a great machine and at the cost of $1,919.00 it really is a bargain.

Does anyone know if you can buy this machine from EPP for any better price? Let me know.

#15 Post by **ZaZ** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 12:14 am

I got my T42 off ebay with three year IBM warranty at considerable savings over what IBM was offering. Returns are problematic if any and it is always a good idea to read the fine print. I guess it come down to whether you want a good price or the piece of mind of the 30 day return policy. Me, I'm greedy [censored] so I took the money.

darrenf · #16 Post by **darrenf** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 12:17 am

At the risk of sounding objective

...

The T43 quoted is equal or better than the T42p in every statistic except vidram, HDD speed and battery (perhaps - does the T43 have a 6- or 9-cell?).

I agree that the fan issue is irritating and for some (me) a deal breaker, but that's the *only* reason I would consider going with the more expensive, slower T42p with non-writable DVD and smaller HDD.

The higher speed of the 60GB drive is a plus, but the vibration and capacity reduction (as compared with the 80GB) can be drawbacks as well.

The vidram is good for 3D but you'll have to play driver tricks to take full advantage of the card for gaming. It will make no difference for CAD work and I would guess that the faster bus speed of the x300 is actually a small benefit in 2D work.

Respectfully, I just don't see the T42p being the slam dunk that everyone else seems to.

[dc81, that doesn't go very far to clearing things up, does it?

]

-darren

milesrbruce · #17 Post by **milesrbruce** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 12:30 am

How can I findthe educational site?

Thanks ahead for any help.

darrenf · #18 Post by **darrenf** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 1:12 am

http://www.ibm.com/education/us/

-d

keku · #19 Post by **keku** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 9:22 am

ddutta wrote:You can get a brand new T42p using edu or EPP discounts within 2K with all the bells and whistles. Ebay doesnt give you the comfort of buying from Lenovo with a 30 day return policy. Also most people sell refurb machines with a 3 yr stupid Mack warranty!

I agree with him, also on ebay there are chances of frauds where you pay and wait for your Thinkpad to arrive but it never arived. and when you contect ebay & paypal they stick a note to you saying they can give you upto 1000 back not more than that ... that's also pending to their investigation.

dc81 · #20 Post by **dc81** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 12:58 pm

The verdict of this thread is split almost 50/50. One more question to add to this thread since you have an idea of what my budget is ($1919, but less is better), and what my intentions (CAD and occasional gaming) for the computer are. Is there a different computer or configuration that you would recommend. Or are the two notebooks that I have listed pretty decent choices.

One last note, for all of you Ebay shoppers, nothing against ebay, but I don't feel comfortable making such an expensive purchase through Ebay, regardless of how legit the seller may appear.

dssjon · #21 Post by **dssjon** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 3:03 pm

nobody is going to like this but here it is: get a T43! if your in the DFW area stop by and ill show you that my T43 is quiet and cool.

dc81 · #22 Post by **dc81** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 3:46 pm

I still am not 100% certain on which of the two options I am going for, but this question might help a little: is the price listed for the T42p considered a good price? Regardless of whether it is or isn't better suited for my needs.

Would you consider $1919.20, a good price for a T42P?

Thanks

Daniel

ddutta · #23 Post by **ddutta** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 10:16 am

I think you can get this for around $1600 before tax in edu sites. I saw it one of those when I was trying to decide between a T42 and a 43. I distinctly remeber that model as it was the cheapest T42p I could have bought.

Seems like a very good model if you need the fireGL card.

dc81 · #24 Post by **dc81** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 11:31 am

ddutta,
Can you PM me with where you seen it? When I looked at the educational sites, the cheapest one I found was $2600. My drafting classes are starting soon, and I need to make a decision fast. Thanks.

dc81 · #25 Post by **dc81** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 2:56 pm

I found a T43P

2 ghz
512mb RAM
60 GB 7200rpm
DVD-RW Drive
128mb ATI FireGL V3200
3 years warranty

for $2050.

Unless I hear any problems within this thread in the next couple of days, that is the purchase that I am going to be making.

Thanks for all the help from all of you.

Daniel

dssjon · #26 Post by **dssjon** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 10:31 am

personally i cannot live without the 14.1" TFT SXGA+ (1400 x 1050). see if you can check out the resolution sizes up close and personal.

dc81 · #27 Post by **dc81** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 10:40 am

It is a 15" TFT active matrix UXGA (1600 x 1200) with FlexView and High Density Display.

dc81 · #28 Post by **dc81** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 10:32 am

Did I make the right choice?

The IBM website is having a Sept Special.

I got the T42 Model 2373H6U for $1546. Then I used the savings (originally planning to spend $1919 on T42P or $2100 on T43P) and upgraded the RAM to 2GB for $240.

The final specs:

Intel Pentium 1.8ghz
2gb RAM
60gb 7200rpm hdd
14.1" screen (1400x1050)
ATI Raedon 9600 64mb
XP Pro
3 years warranty
*Free Leather Atache' Case (valued at $129 on IBM.com)

Final Cost: $1786

pae77 · #29 Post by **pae77** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 11:40 am

Sounds like a good deal, except you could have saved more money by sticking with the stock ram from Lenovo and upgrading the memory yourself by buying the right stuff from New Egg.com for about half the cost of buying it from Lenovo.

dc81 · #30 Post by **dc81** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 11:45 am

That is what I did. That's how I got 2gigs for $240. For 2gigs from IBM it would cost a lot more than that.

What is a better purchase? T43 or T42P? Update

What is a better purchase? T43 or T42P? Update

PICK THE T42P

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