T43 options

[safelder]

I've finally settled on getting a T43. I've narrowed my choices down (I think) to 9 machines (7 standard T43 models and 2 CTO T43p models). They're all largely the same, but I've got some questions for the community to help me resolve those few differences:

1) Optical Drive. On the standard models, I've tried to stay with the Combo drive and away from the DVD+-RW drive, which I have heard basically blows (I'll buy an external if it comes to it). This limits me somewhat in that I can't get a 100 GB HDD. Should I be afraid of the DVD+-RW, or just not actively looking for it? (In other words, just how bad is it if all I'm doing is CD burning and watching the occasional DVD?)

2) HDD Speed. On the CTOs, I can do either an 80 GB 7200 RPM or 100 GB 5400 RPM. The standard models are 5400 or 7200 RPM 80 GB drives. Size is fine at 80 GB (for the sake of comparison, my desktop has about 25 GB used). I don't plan on using the machine for any HDD-intensive tasks (most demanding: occasional DVD, listening to my music while traveling, maybe some light photo editing, but I'm keeping my desktop for the "heavy lifting"). Should I care about HDD rotational speed (it's a $40 difference b/w the 80 and 100 on the CTO models, so I don't regard price as the driver--it comes down to which will I get more use out of, space or speed)?

3) Wireless. I've heard and read bad things about the Intel card. Just how bad is it? Like the DVD+-RW question, should I be actively avoiding the Intel card, or just not preferring it?

4) Resolution/Video. As long as I get at least SXGA+, I'm happy. Both form factors are acceptable to me. Both CTO models are UXGA, both are around $2K w/DoD discount, and both can be made ALMOST exactly how I want them. Of course, I probably don't need 128MB VRAM and UXGA MIGHT be too small for me (I've only ever seen it on a 17" Sony VAIO WUXGA...it was at the lower end of my comfort zone). The standard models, all SXGA+ are only about $200 cheaper (though I'd need to buy a 9 cell battery, which eats up some, but not all, of that differential). Is it worth the extra $200 now in terms of performance, resale, and (I assume) heat and battery life?

If only there was a way to build out a 15" SXGA with bluetooth, I'd be all over it...but the only CTO models I can find with bluetooth are the T43ps.

Thanks for the help!

[christopher_wolf]

1.) Optical Drive: It really isn't bad, quite good actually. sure, it burns at 2x...but that is better than none. It won't bog you down if you just use the CDRW and DVDROM part, i.e. there is no trade-off between DVDRW and CDRW/DVD-ROM Operation.

2.) HDD Speed: 100GB is nice, but if you are doing any computational tasks that require a decent amount of speed and memory, I would go with the 80GB 7200 RPM drive unless you really want tat extra 20GB. I find it is good enough for my uses.

3.) Wireless: I have the Intel 2915ABG Card and have had no problems with a vast array of wireless routers; it isn't something I would actively avoid at all

4.) It depends on what you want to do, it doesn't impact resale value from what I have seen, but it does take down the battery life; although the heat isn't much of an issue. I prefer the smaller form factor of the 14", they do have 15" in SXGA+..but that is just making it bigger when you could have the 14"

There *might* be a 15" SXGA+ with Bluetooth that isn't a T43p, but I haven't seen one.

HTH

[ddutta]

1. I would buy a CDRW/DVD as the extra price differential will buy me an external DVD writer or a extra USB 60GB HDD for backups.

2. The 100GB 7200rpm drives are available. Just get one of those.

3. I have a 2200b/g. I havent had problems with it.

4. I have 14" SXGA+ and I increase the font size to large for less eye strain. My friend has a UXGA and he does the same. The 2668AJU is a 14" T43 non P CTO. Did you check that out? But no bluetooth I know that a T42 CTO 2373H6U had bluetooth and 14" SXGA+, and it was on sale last month (when I was deciding to cancel my T43 order). If you are getting a 15" model, you might as well get the UXGA. If you are getting the 14" you cant get the UXGA in any case.

[rayhoo]

I am writing this message on a T43 that is a 15" SXGA+ with Bluetooth. Its machine model is 2687DUU. I hope this helps.

-RH

1.) Optical Drive: It really isn't bad, quite good actually. sure, it burns at 2x...but that is better than none. It won't bog you down if you just use the CDRW and DVDROM part, i.e. there is no trade-off between DVDRW and CDRW/DVD-ROM Operation.

2.) HDD Speed: 100GB is nice, but if you are doing any computational tasks that require a decent amount of speed and memory, I would go with the 80GB 7200 RPM drive unless you really want tat extra 20GB. I find it is good enough for my uses.

3.) Wireless: I have the Intel 2915ABG Card and have had no problems with a vast array of wireless routers; it isn't something I would actively avoid at all

4.) It depends on what you want to do, it doesn't impact resale value from what I have seen, but it does take down the battery life; although the heat isn't much of an issue. I prefer the smaller form factor of the 14", they do have 15" in SXGA+..but that is just making it bigger when you could have the 14"

There *might* be a 15" SXGA+ with Bluetooth that isn't a T43p, but I haven't seen one.

HTH

[christopher_wolf]

See? I learn something new about Thinkpads everyday...So there is one, it is just *hidden*

Thanks alot Rayhoo

[kyrotech]

Lenovo better release a 8x dual layer dvdrw drive soon...so I can use it on my T42

[safelder]

I'm allegedly a smart person. So why didn't it occur to me until this morning that I can get a standard model 14" or 15" SXGA with everything I want except the IBM abg card....and swap out the mPCI WiFi module if the 2915 starts acting up?

[davidspalding]

I have a 43 with the IBM a/b/g card and have had no problems.