Just got my T42 -- my thoughts/mini-review.

[primedude]

Approximately 10 days ago, I ordered a Thinkpad T42 (2378FVU) through the IBM Shareholder's Purchase Program. Including tax, express shipping, an upgrade to a three-year onsite warranty + Thinkpad Protection Plan, and a high-capacity battery, the total I paid to IBM was $2370. I also bought 512 MB of memory for $110 (including shipping) and a 60 GB 7200 rpm hard drive for $200 (including shipping). I ordered this laptop, which I plan to use for law school, in the midst of a move; it arrived at my permanent address just five days after I ordered it. That meant I had to spend a week knowing it was sitting there, boxed up, waiting for me. It was frustrating, to say the least.

I'd seen thinkpads before, and even briefly owned a used one. (A 360, maybe? I can't remember the model number, but it was probably twice as thick as my T42.) So I knew they were nice, but I had also noticed some of the exceedingly minor shortcomings like the creaking palm rest and the loose keyboard.

Well, mine had none of those problems. It is the best constructed, nicest laptop I've ever owned. The build quality is amazing. The sole defect is a single magenta pixel that's stuck on. I almost wish I hadn't run a dead pixel test, as I'm not sure I ever would have noticed it otherwise. After a couple hours of deliberation, I decided not to exchange the laptop -- I'm not even sure I could have, as it's an express model. But either way, the point is moot: one defective pixel out of several million is well within my margins of acceptability.

As I mentioned before, I replaced the stock hard drive with a larger faster one. Consequently, I called IBM to request a set of recovery CDs. As many people have noticed, these were overnighted to me. Yet it still amazes me that I received these, for free, within 12 hours of my call. Excellent support, IBM.

Normally my first task when configuring a new computer is to wipe the hard drive of whatever crap the manufacturer has installed on there and to replace it with a fresh installation of Windows XP. This was not necessary in this case: the IBM system software is that good. I am deeply impressed with how well it all works and how very little of it is a [censored] waste of hard drive space.

My one problem with this laptop is one of my own making. I'm starting to regret replacing the hard drive and thereby exempting it from IBM warranty coverage. Since, in my experience, a hard drive problem is the most likely one to crop up with my computer, I'm foolishly paying for a lot of warranty coverage I don't need. But, an equivalent system with the 60 gig drive would have been over $300 more, so it really wasn't an option. I still can't help but feel a little dumb, though, even if there wasn't really a better way to go about doing the switch.

As you might be able to tell, I'm thrilled with this laptop, and even game performance is good enough (not that I'll be having all that much time to play.) I can't believe I ever considered a Powerbook.

Now all I have left to do is decide on a nice case for it... Zero Halliburton, anyone?

[QbA]

I have ordered the same FVU model + 512RAM.... - in my opinion that was the best deal.

hope they will deliver it fast...

[Kenn]

I'm assuming that only the HDD is exempt from the warranty, and not the entire machine, right?

Also, since you have an extra 40GB now, have you considered sticking it into the ultrabay slim bay and working with a cool 100GB?

Glad to hear you're happy with it, I also got my t42 for law school and am thrilled with it so far!

[primedude]

Kenn, that's more or less my plan. I'm going to get the Ultrabay adapter and then use the 40 GB as a backup drive -- even a couple years down the road, I should be able to fit my entire system partition onto it. Then if I ever have hard drive troubles, I can use that while I deal with Hitachi's warranty division. And also, yes, I meant only my HDD is not covered by IBM -- the rest of the system, including the original drive, is still covered. Sorry if I was unclear.

[Kenn]

And also, yes, I meant only my HDD is not covered by IBM -- the rest of the system, including the original drive, is still covered. Sorry if I was unclear.

No problem, that just scared me for a second. I can't imagine going the entire 3 year warranty period without making any changes or upgrades to the machine!

[rideDPU]

A Zero Haliburton would be just the ticket to keep your new Thinkpad well protected. I would love to get one, but am forcing myself to wait since I already bought a sweet Dana Design bag for it.

Mark

[scot]

Zero Haliburton all the way! I helped design the website, and had the chance to use their products briefly--quite a piece of work they are. Just what you need for your TP.