No T series for me it looks like?

Message

Guest · #1 Post by **Guest** » Thu Jul 01, 2004 11:45 pm

Well my search for a full time summer job has not been to well. I have searched extremely hard for awhile. Every other day I was out dropping off resumes or interviewing. Now being July no one will hire me for two months. I am a waiter but only get one shift a week maybe two. I will make money to buy books and live off of for the whole semester but not enough to even pay for a quarter of my laptop. I have to go to my parents and they won't pay $2000 and honestly I would not want them to because that is a lot of money for a college student. After telling my father this a few hours ago, he said he did not want me spending $2000 on a laptop to begin with but he respected my decision because he knows I make good decisions with my money. However it is his money now and I have to go with a less expensive model. Not too sad though, because I knew that this could be a possibility. I am thinking about an R51 series or a Toshiba Tecra M2. The school has not discounted it yet but the Tecra might be the same prices as the R51 with a larger hard drive, Bluetooth, firewire and something else that I was sacrificing for the T42 I know IBM is good but it is like if I can't get the T41/42 I think I will be happier with the Tecra. Someone said that after not being able to get and IBM or T series he was envious every time he saw one. I am almost 100%sure that I would feel the same way with an R series each time I saw a T model after reading so much about them for so many weeks. (I read A LOT!!!) I love Toshiba and know they make quality laptops after using my own for four years and after many recommendations from computer tech. This is a great forum and just in case I will still be checking a different mindset. And guys don’t worry; a Dell has never crossed my mind.

eriqesque · #2 Post by **eriqesque** » Thu Jul 01, 2004 11:54 pm

There are plenty of T series less than $2000 perhaps you could just get a little less featured model.
I have had Toshiba, fujitsu and now IBM and this is simply the best.
If you absolutley can not do the IBM T series then I would look at Fujitsu's they are 2nd only to IBM as far as I am concerned.

Guest · #3 Post by **Guest** » Fri Jul 02, 2004 12:02 am

The Ibm i wanted was 1899 plus tax would make it 1993 with tax. You can't bet that. I am talking about with an educational discount. I was thinking about doing the whole 256mb ram and upgrading myself but the school does not offer that. Only on R51 and R50s

Most inexpensive laptop in the T series was the T41
2373-4JU $1,619.00 XP Pro Pent. M 1.5 14.1" XGA 30GB 512MB 1Gb Y IBM (a/b/g) UltraNav 32MB Radeon 9000 Combo 6 cell 3 Yr. Dep. 4.9 lbs.

Second was the one i wanted a T42
2373-6VU $1,899.00 XP Pro Pent. M 1.7 14.1" XGA 40GB 512MB 1Gb Y Centrino (b/g) UltraNav 32MB Radeon 7500 Combo 6 cell 3 Yr. Dep. 4.9 lbs.

They did have a T41 for 1869 with the same spec as the T41 except it came with 1.6m, non-Dothan for $20 dollars more and none of the potentail fan problems at the T41 the T42 was a better deal

Guest · #4 Post by **Guest** » Fri Jul 02, 2004 12:06 am

That T41 for $1619 seems like a good deal but felt that 30Gb was too small considering I was going to have this for many years, and the Active hard safety feature thing. The a/b/g benefits I did take into consideration and the better graphics card but.....We will see I do have until the very end of August. Maybe their will be another price drop on the laps but not doubt it will be that much.

plucky duck · #5 Post by **plucky duck** » Fri Jul 02, 2004 1:25 am

When you're on a tight budget, I'd consider the features in a laptop that aren't upgradable, such as processor speed, physical size (12 vs 14 vs 15"), screen resolution, warranty, trackpad vs stickpoint mouse.

Other things like HD or ram size I would sacrifice now as once the money starts to flow in later you can upgrade those components.

Zeitgeist · #6 Post by **Zeitgeist** » Fri Jul 02, 2004 4:11 am

I don't know what you are studying but for 95 % of all applications a T23 is sufficient. Get one for 700 USD at e.g. Ebay.

Guest · #7 Post by **Guest** » Mon Jul 05, 2004 11:36 pm

Good news. Since my father bought our desktop in january to replace an 8 year old gateway to do people for taxes i am taking the desktop to school for the first semester. During school i will be working and at christmas I have 5 weeks to make more money. Then I can make a better decision. I would rather take a desktop than take a notebook that I am not satisified with. So I guess everything will change by then because there will be the new centrino 2 models with the new FSb and faster processors and a/b/g. Or better I will be able to get the T42 I wanted now for a little less. We will see. At the same time In December/January there will probably something bigger or better "just around the corner". We will see.

Nabeel · #8 Post by **Nabeel** » Tue Jul 06, 2004 12:19 am

The T42 FVU model is about 1750 or so after the educational discount, and then add tax I guess it's about 1800. Check about getting it through your school too, perhaps they won't charge you tax (at my school, they're non-profit, so whatever price from IBM is what they charge)

Stunt101 · #9 Post by **Stunt101** » Tue Jul 06, 2004 2:37 am

I had to pay about 200 in tax for my purchase through my college

ralfaro · #10 Post by **ralfaro** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 8:01 pm

What's your price range? I just ordered a T42 2378DUU through Office Depot for $1599 and a 256mb ram stick for $60. So for $1660 plus tax you have a very decent T42 with 512mb. Not the top of the T42 series I know, but nevertheless a ThinkPad T42. How much is the Toshiba you are considering?

needalaptop wrote:Well my search for a full time summer job has not been to well. I have searched extremely hard for awhile. Every other day I was out dropping off resumes or interviewing. Now being July no one will hire me for two months. I am a waiter but only get one shift a week maybe two. I will make money to buy books and live off of for the whole semester but not enough to even pay for a quarter of my laptop. I have to go to my parents and they won't pay $2000 and honestly I would not want them to because that is a lot of money for a college student. After telling my father this a few hours ago, he said he did not want me spending $2000 on a laptop to begin with but he respected my decision because he knows I make good decisions with my money. However it is his money now and I have to go with a less expensive model. Not too sad though, because I knew that this could be a possibility. I am thinking about an R51 series or a Toshiba Tecra M2. The school has not discounted it yet but the Tecra might be the same prices as the R51 with a larger hard drive, Bluetooth, firewire and something else that I was sacrificing for the T42 I know IBM is good but it is like if I can't get the T41/42 I think I will be happier with the Tecra. Someone said that after not being able to get and IBM or T series he was envious every time he saw one. I am almost 100%sure that I would feel the same way with an R series each time I saw a T model after reading so much about them for so many weeks. (I read A LOT!!!) I love Toshiba and know they make quality laptops after using my own for four years and after many recommendations from computer tech. This is a great forum and just in case I will still be checking a different mindset. And guys don’t worry; a Dell has never crossed my mind.

jsmit86 · #11 Post by **jsmit86** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 9:23 pm

I'll agree with ralfaro.

I did the same thing. 2378DUU, $1599 at CDW, and upgraded the ram to 512MB for about $70 installed.

Compared to a lot of lesser quality competitors available at Circuit or Best Buy, I am very happy. This model has the Intel 2200bg card. Unless you really need 802.11a, you may be all set.

The 40gb hdd is fast, if not huge. Again, this is upgradable in the future if you need larger space in the future. I prefer XGA graphics over SXGA because most of my work is text based email or spreadsheet.

Guest · #12 Post by **Guest** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 10:09 pm

It is interesting that you asked and thanks for replying to my post I almost forgot about it. I have still been on this site twice a day reading about stuff and I am now rethinking my decision. The Tecra M2 had everything I wanted and more than the T42 but one major thing. It came with a 4200rpm HD and that is a no no. I customized the system and it ended up being way at least 150 more than the pre customized one and had a slower processor, and 256 ram. What I have been reading about on this site is more about what kind of company IBM is and I have heard really positive things about that makes me now want to get and IBM. I am now thinking about and R51 series. I could get the FLEXVIEW and 60 or 80 GB HD, Bluetooth, and possibly A/b/g for under $2000 on an express model. My issue is about price and quality. I don't want to spend more than $2000 For this reason the idea that IBM’s are more expensive is not important. I DON't want and never will buy a DELL notebook. HP and the rest either. I am ruled out Toshiba only because of IBMS clearly better tech center. For me I HATE calling tech support lines so if I have to I want it to be as easy as possible. I also freak out at the though of sending anything I purchase back out and want it done right and quick since I am in college. The R series is actually less than the Tecra. Only thing is I am trying to figure out how much weigh is a factor for me. The Tecra build wise is not in the same class as the R. It is business versus consumer. People keep saying IBMS are better but the R series it outsourced while the T series is build by IBM right. Well the Tecra is hand built by Toshiba while others aren't. But more importantly (since they are both quality and reliable companies) is the size factor.
I have a 4 year old Toshiba that I felt was really heavy. I have picked up only a few other laptops including my sister’s cheap HP which fees so much lighter with a 15 inch screen versus my 12.1. I just found out my laptop is only 7.7 pounds. I was shocked expecting my four year old to be over 10 pounds but surprised to see it is still somewhat average. (However this is not a desktop replacement and for a 12.1 inch screen is it I guess heavy). Back to what I was saying is I wonder if I will notice the 1.5 reduction in weight with the R series or 2.5 pounds (14") or 2 pounds 15" difference in T series Just really disappointed so many people like IBM’s and not alot of talk about the R series.
Originally I looked at the R series like I did as that ugly $25,000 Mercedes hatchback/coupe thing with cloth seats people buy just to say the have a Mercedes or like that CHEAP Jaguar that starts at $29,000 but that can be loaded up to $42,000 dollars. If anyone knows these vehicles know that they are cheap.
Now, though still not hearing anything much about the R series I realized that they are different from cars and may are not still of very good quality better than the mainstream. So I am now thinking about one.
I just hope that I will be able to get my hands on both and R50/51 (my friend has one at college) and that famous never before seen or touched T series. Need to see by the end of the year since I have to purchase in January.
If you actually read this whole thing and my other posts you can tell I am long winding but I have to get everything out.

Guest · #13 Post by **Guest** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 10:15 pm

Also one major reason I have decided to reconsider the T series is because of my educational discount. While i am thankful for the discount hearing that so many college students or getting T series for $300 less than I am through my college really sucks. I am from MASS and think that at one of the many colleges around me i could get a better prices. I just don't know many people. I looked at my fathers and my sisters they only have DELL deals online. My school had Gateway, DELL and MAC links/id##s for discounts and we have to call the computer store for TOSHIBA and IBM. On many my fathers college's websites and my sister college websites i only see a link to deal an no offering of a number to call for other companies. Also both graduated so i was looking for alumni discounts. I am not going to go through the troubling of doing all that. Still disappointed though. I am going to ask my computer friends at school if they know have hookups. But as of right now thinking R series express models.

#14 Post by **erik** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 11:23 pm

Zeitgeist wrote:I don't know what you are studying but for 95 % of all applications a T23 is sufficient. Get one for 700 USD at e.g. Ebay.

i'm with zeitgeist on this one. you can even find the rare T23 SXGA (1400x1050) models for $850-950. then, save your pennies for a new model to replace it in a year or two.

over half of the thinkpads that i've purchased through the years have been used. my 600, A22p, and R50p were the only three purchased new.

also check out ibm certified used notebooks.

-erik

Guest · #15 Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 1:10 am

Did you upgrade you warranty? I am not really in an emergency to buy a computer. So I am not really looking to buy one now and then another in tow years. Want this to last four years.

#16 Post by **erik** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 2:52 am

needalaptop wrote:Did you upgrade you warranty?

no need... it's a thinkpad.

all jokes aside, if you aren't in a hurry and are looking for a notebook to last four years then you're probably better off buying one new and upgrading the factory warranty to four years total.

another idea is to keep an eye out for the 6-month-old performance models like the T41p which can have their warranties upgraded. the T41p 2373GEU at educational pricing is $1999.14.

-erik

#17 Post by **BillMorrow** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 3:20 am

flatdraft wrote:
needalaptop wrote:Did you upgrade you warranty?
no need... it's a thinkpad.

**SNIP**

another idea is to keep an eye out for the 6-month-old performance models like the T41p which can have their warranties upgraded. the T41p 2373GEU at educational pricing is $1999.14.

-erik

WHERE..?!
where can i buy at that price.. ?

i will take 50 of them..!

someone send me a link..
at least i might be able to beat up my ibm sales team with that info..

Logi7 · #18 Post by **Logi7** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 3:23 am

a T42p is only 1900 thourgh harvard...

find a freind there?

#19 Post by **BillMorrow** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 10:25 am

ya got a link for that..?

JHEM · #20 Post by **JHEM** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 10:40 am

morrow wrote:ya got a link for that..?

Know any Harvard Alums?

http://www.post.harvard.edu/ibm/images/ ... er2004.pdf

Regards,

James

Guest · #21 Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 06, 2004 11:34 am

Again back to T series. R series seem to only have 4200 rpm HDs. (At least on all the express models I checked out)

No T series for me it looks like?

No T series for me it looks like?

Re: No T series for me it looks like?

2378-DUU Bang for the buck

Who is online