Warranty and Misc questions on T42

[quink]

I am very close to buying a 2378FVU for school/fun and had a few questions for you all.
First, I can purchase this through my brothers business and that will allow me to get the 'total protection' thinkpad warranty. Is this worth the money? Is it that much better then a standard 3 year warranty? Also, I have been unable to find any sort of educational discount from IBM. I checked their education website thing and didn't find any deal that was really a deal. Anyone have any ideas? I emailed Bill for a price quote and never got a response.....
Also, is the lack of a windows key, and the various other minor complaints anything I should concern myself with, or is that you all being extra picky?

I have done a lot of comparision of fujitsu, toshiba, dell and the other big names and they all seem to be around the same price for what I want, but IBM seems to be the best in terms of quality. That seem like a good way to sum things up?

I just don't wnat to spend 2200$ and make a bad choice. Been researching for a month and half now and just ready to make the jump soon. Anyone know if there is a chance of a 14" flexiview or any other worthwihle upgrades that are jsut waiting to happen?

Any other advice for a nervous buyer would be appreciated.
Thanks

[admsteiner]

I am very close to buying a 2378FVU for school/fun and had a few questions for you all.
First, I can purchase this through my brothers business and that will allow me to get the 'total protection' thinkpad warranty. Is this worth the money? Is it that much better then a standard 3 year warranty?

First, I have a 2378-FVU as well, couldn't be happier. It is much better and sturdier than the comparable models from other manufacturers (Latitude D600etc). I also have the Thinkpad protection warranty, but I happen to be hard on my laptops. I don't like the idea of some accident occuring and having to replace the LCD out of my own pocket.

Also, is the lack of a windows key, and the various other minor complaints anything I should concern myself with, or is that you all being extra picky?

The lack of a Windows key does both me a little, but IBM has a utility that allows you to map the windows key function to another key, so you don't really lose anything.

I just don't wnat to spend 2200$ and make a bad choice. Been researching for a month and half now and just ready to make the jump soon. Anyone know if there is a chance of a 14" flexiview or any other worthwihle upgrades that are jsut waiting to happen?

The next intel chipset (Alviso I believe) has been pushed back to 2005, that is the next major update to the mobile laptop market. No clue on 14" flexview, I'm very happy with my non-flexview monitor.

Good luck,
--Adam

[Hangfire]

Also, is the lack of a windows key, and the various other minor complaints anything I should concern myself with, or is that you all being extra picky?

The lack of a Windows key does both me a little, but IBM has a utility that allows you to map the windows key function to another key, so you don't really lose anything.


Hey Adam,

Can you tell us what the utility is that allows us to map the windows key function?

Thanks!

[ian]

On my standard IBM preloaded T42 it's called the Keyboard Customizer Utility and is found in Access IBM

[JaneL]

>Can you tell us what the utility is that allows us to map the windows key function?
>

Read the FAQ.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=1689