New thinkpad user needs a recommendation

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Binglehopper · #1 Post by **Binglehopper** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 11:15 am

Hello All,

I'm getting ready to buy a new thinkpad, probably within the next week or two, and I'm looking for some advice.

1. I read the post about possible cancellation of the T41, think it's worthwhile to wait to see what comes out next? Anyone have an idea what IBM will replace it with?

2. If I don't wait, I was thinking about getting one of the T41's becasue I want a 14" screen w/ 1400x1050 resolution. Anyone have any experience w/ the ATI FIREGL cards? From my understading, the FIREGL cards (at least for desktops) are primarily workstation class, needed for CAD, etc. Basically I'm wondering if it's worth it to get the FIREGL over the Radeon.

3. Should I be considering the T42? From what I could tell, IBM does not offer the T42 w/ the high resolution 14" screen?

Thanks in advance,
Greg

admsteiner · #2 Post by **admsteiner** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 11:36 am

Ok, first, what are you planning on using the laptop for. If you're using it for CAD, the FireGL card might be worthwhile. However, if, like me, you use it for surfing, email, some games (I don't but you might), then the 9600 is more than fine.

There are a lot of T42's with SXGA+ screens. Check out the TABook. I have a T42 2378-FVU with a 14.1" SXGA+ screen and it is wonderful.

--Adam

ian · #3 Post by **ian** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 11:59 am

Binglehopper wrote:1. I read the post about possible cancellation of the T41, think it's worthwhile to wait to see what comes out next? Anyone have an idea what IBM will replace it with?

Yeah - the T42

Binglehopper · #4 Post by **Binglehopper** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 3:05 pm

admsteiner wrote:There are a lot of T42's with SXGA+ screens. Check out the TABook. I have a T42 2378-FVU with a 14.1" SXGA+ screen and it is wonderful.

--Adam

What does TABook mean?

If I get a T42 with a 14" screen, will the dimensions of the computer be the same as the 15" version? i.e. is the 14" in the same "case" as the 15" except there's extra space between the border of the computer and the edge of the screen?

Thanks again

Leon · #5 Post by **Leon** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 3:34 pm

No, it's bigger/heavier.... details here...

ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pcinstitu ... tabook.pdf

benz · #6 Post by **benz** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 3:34 pm

The tabook is a pdf of the entire product matrix and specifications of IBM's line of thinkpads. You can find a link to it in the FAQ.

As far as the dimensions, in short, the 14.1" models are physically smaller and lighter than the 15" models, but not by too much (depends on your standards)...again, all of this is detailed in the tabook.

darrenf · #7 Post by **darrenf** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 3:44 pm

Binglehopper, I have a T42 with 1400x1050 screen and MobileRadeon 9600 w/64M RAM. It's the 2378FVU and it's available at a pretty sweet price too (something like $1650 w/ Shareholder discount). It comes with 40GB, 5400RPM drive which may be sufficient for you, but you'll probably want to upgrade the 256M RAM.

Also note that this machine comes with a 1-year warranty only. The upgrade to 3-yr depot is $119 IIRC.

-darren

Binglehopper · #8 Post by **Binglehopper** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 5:41 pm

thanks for all the good info guys, sounds like a 14" T42 might be just what the doctor ordered

.

one more quick question, is it possible to upgrade the 40gb 5400 rpm drives to the 60 gb 7200 rpm for ANY of the T series? for many of the configurations, it doesn't let you change the hard drive in the computer.

thanks

Leon · #9 Post by **Leon** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 7:58 pm

the answer is Yes, but call and sometimes they can let you change.. if you are in the US, check with Bill..

New thinkpad user needs a recommendation

New thinkpad user needs a recommendation

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