Why does IBM hide informations??

[ulrich.von.lich]

Recently I've learned many others models of IBM T series which I didn't even know existed before.

When I decided to purchase a Thinkpad T4x, I just wanted a 14 inches model with a resolution of 1400*1050, so it's pretty easy for me to focus on 2686-M5U cuz it's the cheapest thinkpad express model on their website, $1920 with taxes (except another model 2686-DGU which is only 50 bucks cheaper and with a slower CPU but faster hard drive)

If I could have another chance, I would probably purchase a T42. Simply because I don't need the power of T43 and it seems to be too noisy to use in a library.. its fan, and especially the dvd burner...

So why doesn't IBM just tell me every model existed in the world? Just because I don't know someone who works for them? EEP program or stuff like that?

[jeffcrilly]

So why doesn't IBM just tell me every model existed in the world? Just because I don't know someone who works for them? EEP program or stuff like that?

Maybe they would if you called the sales rep. Fwiw, I think its just simple marketing 101. Give the customer a few choices. Most will decide, be happy, and never look back. Too many choices alienate a large part of the population. (Fwiw, I always pay list price, maybe more, for cars. I dunno how to shop for them.)

Back when I was shopping for my T22 I was baffled by the multitude of mysterious three letter model suffixes. I was so happy to find the super secret tabook.pdf file. At the time I beleive it simply turned up in a search on the ibm site.

The tabook and its cousins are the key to buying a thinkpad. New or used. And I'm not sure a sales rep can help. (Just my opinion.) and I dont work for them, nor do I know anyone in the EPP, etc.

jeff

[christopher_wolf]

They don't hide information actually; read tabook.pdf...They have every Thinkpad model in there; do not trust their sales site as they do not sell all Thinkpad models directly to the End User. Once again, this goes back to IBM/Lenovo not wanting to compete with resellers and not IBM/Lenovo wanting to "Hide" information. Then again, the easiest thing to do about now would be to call up a Sales Rep and talk with them one on one. You can also look for Resellers near you through the IBM site; if you can find one that is close to you, it might be worth a trip over there to check out what Models they have...especially what models they may have that IBM doesn't sell directly.

[JaneL]

Recently I've learned many others models of IBM T series which I didn't even know existed before.

Item #1 in the FAQ.