Need help deciding on a T series (LAST POST, I SWEAR!) :P

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Vasant56 · #1 Post by **Vasant56** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 8:21 am

If you haven't noticed, I'm a REAL worrying kinda dude. I sorta need everything to be perfect for me, and I ALWAYS get worried when I shell cash our for something I'm not sure about.

Anyways, I have it down to four models:

14" SXGA+
2378-FVU
2373-3UU

15" SXGA+
2373-JXU
2378-DXU

The FVU seems to be the winner as far as prices are concerned, but I'm worried about the screen (I have absolutely no idea how it will look). The JXU seems to have the best warranty, best battery life, and doesn't sacrifice the weight TOO much. Although, it's about $800 more expensive (pre discount) than the FVU. The 3UU seems to just be giving me the warranty for the extra $$$, the DXU seems like the most portable of the models.

I'm heading over to futureshop today just to see what a 14.1" SXGA+ looks like, although I'm doubtful they will have one.

Portability will be an issue, as I'll need to take this to class, but it is also my desktop replacement, and my main uses will be Gaming, Word Processing, Programming, and Movies.

Any suggestions? I'm totally blind..

sktn77a · #2 Post by **sktn77a** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 8:57 am

Well, I guess if you're blind, screen size won't matter.........................

csv96 · #3 Post by **csv96** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 9:01 am

My vote is for the 23733UU. I think it's worth the extra ~$350 over the 2378FVU for the longer warranty, more RAM, Bluetooth, and IBM/Atheros wireless adapter. But if price is the main issue, the 2378FVU is a good deal too. Don't worry about the 14.1" SXGA+ screen. It's basically the same 14.1" SXGA+ screen that all of us T4x fans have grown to love since the classic T40p 2373G1U and 2373G3U.

Vasant56 · #4 Post by **Vasant56** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 9:04 am

Oh, ok. It's in no way hard to see? With my glasses I see perfectly (I got me some new prescription oakleys

), but I was just worried that even a small amount of constant light eyestrain over the next few years could be hazardous.

I've heard that people need to change all of these font settings and stuff, and I really don't want to have to do that. Is that true? I want to just be able to buy something and have it already work fine for me.

Also, I heard the 14" have flimzier screens, is that true too?

mrbjr · #5 Post by **mrbjr** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 9:29 am

Vasant56, they don't make a one size fits all, the fact that you can change fonts and other aspects of the display to suit each individual is, in my opinion a real plus. Just take a positive attitude, you will really enjoy any thinkpad you choose. I have both a SVGA+ and Flexview and love'm both.

Vasant56 · #6 Post by **Vasant56** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 9:47 am

mrbjr wrote:I have both a SVGA+ and Flexview and love'm both.

I can understand they're both good, but since I can get them for about the same price.. which is "better".

stgreek · #7 Post by **stgreek** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 9:49 am

Vasant56 wrote:
mrbjr wrote:I have both a SVGA+ and Flexview and love'm both.
I can understand they're both good, but since I can get them for about the same price.. which is "better".

Nothing is "better", since good/better is a purely personal preference matter. You will be happy with both and able to use both, as simple as that.

Stavros

mrbjr · #8 Post by **mrbjr** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 9:56 am

Vasant56, stgreek is right in that you really can't go wrong with either,but if you can afford the flexview that would be my preference

Vasant56 · #9 Post by **Vasant56** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 10:07 am

It's just that they're both the same price

I was just wondering if the 14.1 is just a portability benefit, or if there was something else to it.

mrbjr · #10 Post by **mrbjr** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 10:21 am

I think csv96 answered that question up a couple of posts

csv96 · #11 Post by **csv96** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 2:36 pm

I've had both the 14.1" SXGA+ and the 15" FlexView screens and while the 15" FlexView is larger, brighter, and has better viewing angles, the 14.1" form factor was more important for me. It doesn't seem like much on paper, but the extra 1 pound, .2" height, 1" depth, and 1" width for the 15" model is quite significant. On the other hand, unless you compare both models side-by-side you probably wouldn't think the 15" model is too big.

Vasant56 · #12 Post by **Vasant56** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 2:54 pm

One thing is: Does the extra inch really add that much to the screen? Of the two 15" models which is better?

Sometimes I wish IBM would just sell their thinkpads at stores.. it would really solve a lot of problems.

mrbjr · #13 Post by **mrbjr** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 3:49 pm

Yes and I can only comment on the UXGA which is really outstanding IMO. Also as you can see in my sig. I have one of each as far as size goes and there is a difference ,but I choose the 15" as my most used, I take it and use it everywhere.

Vasant56 · #14 Post by **Vasant56** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 4:04 pm

I think I'd be better off with a 15" since I'm sure portability will still be a cinch.

Which of the two models is better?

mrbjr · #15 Post by **mrbjr** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 4:20 pm

Resolution.
XGA = 1024X768
SVGA+=1400X1050
UXGA=1600X1200
Email Bill for specific prices bill@thinkpads.com be sure to put ThinkPad in the subject line. I beleive he will give you the best possible price and no sales tax except in Florida

Vasant56 · #16 Post by **Vasant56** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 4:21 pm

Yeah, I got prices.

The 2373-JXU and the 2379-DXU will be around the same price.

I'm just not too sure which is better, as I'm new to the laptop world.

mrbjr · #17 Post by **mrbjr** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 4:25 pm

Did you get them from Bill?

Vasant56 · #18 Post by **Vasant56** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 4:33 pm

Yeah. He can't offer a discount for the 2379model, but since it's cheaper, the discount for the 2373 will match the price (or at least come close to it)

mrbjr · #19 Post by **mrbjr** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 6:22 pm

I like the bigger faster HD on the DXU, everything else looks about the same. If it were between the two you mentioned my choice would be the 2379-DXU.

Vasant56 · #20 Post by **Vasant56** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 7:45 pm

ok thanks.

Ok...

now it's between a 3uu and the dxu..

Mabye I should just toss a freaking coin..

Other than the screens, are there any other technical things that should sway me one way or the other?

mrbjr · #21 Post by **mrbjr** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 8:30 pm

Vasant56 I would still opt for the unit with the 60 Gig HD.That is just my personal opinion. Download the tabook and compare them unit for unit. The link is at the very top of the FAQ list.

Vasant56 · #22 Post by **Vasant56** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 8:41 pm

Oh, I compared them. I just don't always know what all of the mumbo jumbo means.

mrbjr · #23 Post by **mrbjr** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 8:52 pm

The only real difference that I see is the DXU has the faster and larger HD. Other than that it seems to be a toss up. I bought my first ThinkPad and laptop for that matter just from word of mouth. I have not even for a second regretted that decision. I have friends and relatives with many other brands and none so far compare.YMMV

Vasant56 · #24 Post by **Vasant56** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 8:54 pm

Well, Bill is out of 3uu's, so I guess I won't be able to get that model.

I'll look at the DXU, I guess. Hopefully it won't come up to more than $2500.

mrbjr · #25 Post by **mrbjr** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 9:02 pm

Vasant56, if you are concidering a 14" model, Bill has a great deal on 2373-GEU. Got top of the line everything and I can't tell any significant difference between the two, that is other than the Flexview.

Vasant56 · #26 Post by **Vasant56** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 10:11 pm

Are the t42's different from the T41's?

$2500 is a little steep for me, and I honestly wasn't planning on spending more than $2000.

Looking at it now: If I can't get the 3UU, I'll just pick up the FVU. For my needs, I don't need anything more.

ZPrime · #27 Post by **ZPrime** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 10:46 pm

just one thing - forget about any serious gaming on the thing. mine will have the 128M 9600 ("FireGL mobility") and i still don't expect much. I'm betting it will do fine for Q3 and maybe handle UT2k4 at lower res without extra options, but i'm not expecting it to be much more than a slideshow on Doom3. I have a desktop for gaming... you should too. The only "gaming laptops" that are worthwhile are the Dell 9100/XPS, or the Alienware one. They both at least have 9700mobility (or higher), and the Dells use full-blown desktop CPUs. The dells also get maybe 2 hours of battery and weigh 9 lbs.

Now, if your idea of Gaming is a little warcraft3 and maybe some counterstrike, then you'll be ok... but anything else, don't expect the thinkpad to do wonders for you. it's a business notebook, not a gamer's delight.

VC15 · #28 Post by **VC15** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 11:50 pm

Vasant

Which university/college are you going to next year?

And if it's close to you check out the laptops in the bookstore. You might find some with the resolutions and size you are debating between.

Vasant56 · #29 Post by **Vasant56** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 11:47 am

I'm going to Waterloo

I'm from NB, though, and there's noplace nearby where I can check.

edit: I don't plan to do SERIOUS gaming. Just the occasional Half Life 2, and new Tribes.

Need help deciding on a T series (LAST POST, I SWEAR!) :P

Need help deciding on a T series (LAST POST, I SWEAR!) :P

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