Thinkpad T42 for college

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fireracer7 · #1 Post by **fireracer7** » Sun Aug 01, 2004 9:36 pm

Hi,

I am relatively unexperienced with IBM Thinkpad and am extremely grateful for this informative forum. I am interested in purchasing a laptop for college. I intend to mainly use the internet/email but also am going to use it for programming, presentations, and the occasional gaming. My university is offering this deal and was wondering your opinions on it. Also, is it worth it to buy the 3-year accidental warranty?

The offer is as follows:

Processor and Memory:
· 1.7 GHz Intel Pentium M processor with 2 MB on-die L2 cache
· 400 MHz front-side system bus with 333 MHz double data rate (DDR) memory
· 512 MB of PC2700 memory standard, expandable to 2.0 GB

Drives:
· 80 GB hard drive, featuring ThinkPad HDD shock absorber and Active Protection System.
· ThinkPad Multi-Burner Ultrabay Slim Drive (Reads and writes to CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM media plus it also reads DVD+R and DVD+RW)
· Floppy drive optional

Display and Graphics:
· 14.1 inch TFT FlexView display with 1400 x 1050 resolution
· ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9600 64MB DDR 4X AGP

Communications:
· Ethernet: 10/100/1000 Ethernet - Integrated
· Modem: 56K V.92 designed modem
· Wireless: Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG WiFi 802.11b/g

Input:
· UltraNav dual-pointing system, featuring TrackPoint with “Press-to-Select”, and customized touch pad
· Full Size Integrated Keyboard featuring built in keyboard light.

Weight and Dimensions:
· Weight: 5.0 lbs, Travel weight: 4.5 lbs (with travel bezel)
· Height: 1.0 inches (26.6 mm), Depth: 10 inches (255 mm), Width: 12.2 inches (311 mm)

Battery and Power:
· Battery Life: 4 Hrs
· Battery Type: 6 Cell Lithium-Ion
· Charge time (on/off): 4 hrs/ 3.6 hrs
· AC Adapter: Worldwide compatibility

Expansion ports:
· 2 USB 2.0; parallel; S-video out; Infrared; dock/port replicator; external display; AC adapter; RJ-11; RJ-45; audio: headphone/line-out, external microphone

Addtional Features:
· Embedded Security Subsystem 2.0, Trusted Computing Platform Alliance (TCPA)-compliant
· Access Connections utility to help manage wired and wireless communications
· Ultrabay Slim for fast and easy hot- and warm-swapping of selected options

Software:
· Microsoft Windows XP Professional
· IBM Access Support
· PC-Doctor
· IBM Rapid Restore Ultra
· Norton AntiVirus 2004 (OEM version)
. ThinkPad Utilities
. IBM RecordNOW and IBM DLA powered by Sonic products

Limited Warranty:
· Three years parts and labor (system battery: one year)
· Customer Carry-in Repair or ThinkPad EasyServ

The price is $1929. Thank you in advance!

Binglehopper · #2 Post by **Binglehopper** » Sun Aug 01, 2004 9:45 pm

does ibm offer a 14.1" flexview screen???

edelrc · #3 Post by **edelrc** » Sun Aug 01, 2004 9:46 pm

Wow, you input all the info but the model number... that is everything we will need!

The laptop is fabulous and even better is the price!!!

The 3-year accidental warranty you probably have a discount too. If the laptop is going to be in a desk all day long and only be moved once a week or so, leave it. If you plan to move it more than once per week or you have to have in your arms on trips, get the plan! iN COLLEGE however, be concern about theft!

PS: The 14" screen is a good one, but it is not Flexview. Don't worry, for college I wouldn't get the 15" Flexview anyway!

fireracer7 · #4 Post by **fireracer7** » Sun Aug 01, 2004 9:53 pm

The closest I could find to a model number was the item number which is 560R-IB-733VU. I hope that helps but I couldn't find too much using it.

The IBM 3 year accidental warranty costs $169.00. I plan to take my laptop everyday to class, so I'm assuming this extra protection will be a good investment.

At first I was debating between the 15" and the 14.1" screen but I figure the portability outweighs the extra screen size. Also, the SXGA+ resolution should give me plenty of room?!

edelrc · #5 Post by **edelrc** » Sun Aug 01, 2004 9:58 pm

So no doubt here... Get the 14" and the protection plan! You won't be sorry for any of those charecteristics believe me!

Yes, it looks like the 2373-3VU. IBM lists this one for $3,099.00... don't you feel lucky?!

Binglehopper · #6 Post by **Binglehopper** » Sun Aug 01, 2004 9:59 pm

i totally agree w/ the 14.1", in fact, that's the size T42 I just bought

.

I would definitely recommend the protetion program (i got it too), esp since you'll be bringing it to class all the time.

that's definitely an awesome price, wish my school had such good deals

.

admsteiner · #7 Post by **admsteiner** » Sun Aug 01, 2004 10:53 pm

That's a great deal, I would go for it. I would also buy the protection plan (I have it on mine). It's 3AM and like all good college students (or at least computer science majors) you finally sit down to your homework/coding. As you get up to get something you accidently pull on the power cord and watch your nice, metal case thinkpad, fly off the desk, hit the floor and break the screen...

Personally, I've never done that, although my old laptop (a Sceptre) did have a nice encounter with 20 ounces of cherry coke.

I love my T42, it's great, and I plan on carrying it every day on the train to law school. As it is now I carry it everwhere. Thin, light, and at the price you're getting it at, a steal.

--Adam

PS: Sorry for rambling, I've been doing calculus the whole day and the idea of using letters to form words...

I'll stop now.

pete0r · #8 Post by **pete0r** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 11:29 am

i got the same laptop for college next year. it cost me 2100 before shipping through my school. i'm typing this on it right now. it's an awesome machine.

QbA · #9 Post by **QbA** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 3:42 pm

I wish my school offered discounts like this.
All I can get is 20-25%.... guess its time to change my school

fireracer7 · #10 Post by **fireracer7** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 9:14 pm

I'm almost ready to make the purchase. So far I have only heard good things, which I am not suprised to hear. Another of my final concerns is that the SXGA+ on a 14.1" screen might be a little small to read. I use the computer a lot (10+ hours a day) since I am a computer engineer and don't want a screen that will be uncomfortable. Can you please share some of your experiences with the screen?

Also, how do DVD movies play? Games too? How are the speakers on this machine.

Thanks!

admsteiner · #11 Post by **admsteiner** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 9:17 pm

Some remark that it's too small. I find the 14.1" SXGA+ to be great. Not too small and I appreciate the extra real estate that SXGA+ gives me. It allows me to code and have multiple windows open, etc etc

Great screen, very enjoyable to view.

DVD's are fine, haven't tried games. Speakers, well, on my desktop I have a Sound Blaster 2 Audigy Platinum with Inspire 6600 6.1 Speakers. Compared to that the laptop, well, enough said...
--Adam

kenji · #12 Post by **kenji** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 9:59 pm

The price is owesome! Usually it costs 21**. The only pity is
that this model is without bluetooth. But for 19**, it is definitely a
good deal.

fireracer7 · #13 Post by **fireracer7** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 10:26 pm

At first I was a little dissapointed that the laptop was lacking bluetooth since I would have liked it, but in reality I will probaly not be utilizing bluetooth too much, and therfore wont be missing it. It would be nice, but not crucial.

Thinkpad T42 for college

Thinkpad T42 for college

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