T43p vs T42p

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Utwig · #1 Post by **Utwig** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 5:21 am

There is a need for faster laptop than my current A21p. 1600x1200 UXGA flexview is a must (current has UXGA), FireGL is desired, I'd like to pay about 1400 € top, preferably arround 1130.

So I will probably go with used T42p or T43p. There are more used T42s available, most of T43s are new and cost 1600-1700.

Today I just missed a still under warranty T43p locally for 1040€, so I guess I'll have to buy from ebay.de at higher cost without ability to see it and will need to spend 37€ on Slovenian keyboard from IBM.

The main differences between the two are:
~1.8 vs 2.1 CPU
FireGL T2 vs 3200 (9600 vs X600, former is 30% faster)
RAM depends on the particular offer, both can take up to 2GB
Both may come with fingerprint reader.

Are the both Dothans or does 42 have Banias?
Which chipsets do they have?

I'd like to ask if there are any particular quirks related to any of them and if I should be looking for a specifical IBM model.

Needs, pattern of use: I study and work, so I need to lug laptop between home, uni and work on daily basis, bus or bicycle (have Thinkpad backpack). Generally I have a desk and electricity where I want to use laptop for longer periods, I might open it in cafe occasionally to check email, etc... I need UXGA for uni work and occasional graphic freelancing, if I'd not need portability I'd go with desktop, but due to circumstances I spend more time on laptop than on desktop. The A21p has been great in this role since I bought it in February, except for lack of CPU and graphic power (some movies artifact in 1600x1200) and for almost dead battery. I plan to pass A21p to mother and borrow it in case something happens to my future primary machine or take it to trips abroad.

Utwig · #2 Post by **Utwig** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 6:02 am

Another question: do any of them use dual channel RAM, specifically in case of dual channel it's better to use same RAM so it might happen I'll have to buy 2GB and resell existing stick.

I'll try the shop have notebook ship with 1GB stick installed and I'll upgrade to 2GB at latter point.

Does RAM need to be of the same model, or can I add a stick I ordered from Crucial to existing installed IBM stick?

The price difference between new T43p and T42p is 300€ or 20%. Is it worth it to pay more for T43?

The price difference between used still in warranty and new 3-year is about 230€ for T42. Here I think it's better to pay more for 3-year international warranty.

schmaud · #3 Post by **schmaud** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 6:48 am

Hi,

both have dothans, but with different FSB (= RAM connection speed), there the T43 is 1/3 faster.
(T42 pentium m 7x5, 400MHz; T43 7x=, 533 Mhz).

performance difference depends on you application, I guess it is more like less tahn 10% in real world applications.

T43 has PCI-express slot if this makes a difference.

Further has the T43 a SATA-PATA adapter which can make problems with old BIOS and hardrive updates( there is a sticky on this.)

The T43 is considered as rather noisy by some owners.

Summary: with everything else equal, the T42 is slightly faster but slightly less convinient in terms of noise and heat (and likely battery performance)

r.

Dead1nside · #4 Post by **Dead1nside** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 7:03 am

I think the above poster meant to say that the T43p is slightly noisier and hotter, but also a slightly better performer.

It is my understanding that many think that the T42p is the perfection of the T4xp line. I own a T41p with 14.1'', the only thing I find myself wanting would be 2GB RAM and a bigger hard drive. It's a good performer (T42p and T41p are largely similar, whereas T43 is architecturally different new chipset, w/ PCI-E/Sata-To-Pata as said above etc. )

Are you after the 14.1'' (1400x1050) or the 15'' (1600x1200)?

Utwig · #5 Post by **Utwig** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 8:05 am

I want to replace UXGA A21p with UXGA T4xp, so I know how big it will be and how UXGA on 15" looks like.

Utwig · #6 Post by **Utwig** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 1:44 pm

OK, looks like I can snag used in warranty (6 months left) T43p locally for 1167€:

Questions:
- How do I find out it's not stolen, can i check by serial number online? (Seller said he has original receipt)?
- How do I find out if it's still under warranty?
- What tests should I briefly run? CPU-Z (to determine RAM and CPU specs), 1 pass of memtest and 10 minutes of Prime95 (based on experience most unstable rigs show instability within first 10-15 minutes, although in some cases it may take hours)
- What is best test for dead pixels?
- Can I upgrade the warranty by purchasing some plan from IBM?
- Anything else I should pay atention to?

Specs:
Intel Pentium M Processor 750; 1.86GHz; 533MHz FSB

512MB DDR2 SDRAM

60GB Ultra ATA/100 (ATA-6) 5400 rpm

15" UXGA Active Matrix TFT Color LCD Backlit 1600 x 1200

ATi Mobility FireGL V3200 128MB DDR2 SDRAM PCI Express

1 x DC Power Input
1 x Docking
1 x Microphone
1 x Headphone(s)
1 x VGA
1 x IrDA IrDA Infrared
1 x Parallel
1 x RJ-11 Modem
1 x RJ-45 Network
2 x 4-pin Type A USB 2.0 - USB
1 x S-video

10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet

WLAN Intel 54Mbps Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11ab/g Mini PCI

BATERIJA: 6 Cell Lithium-Ion DO 3,4 ure; ThinkPad UltraNav

Windows XP Professional

DVD-RW DL

BLUETOOTH

FINGERPRINT READER; tipkovnica odporna proti politju!

raabjerg · #7 Post by **raabjerg** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 5:28 am

That's a great deal, IMHO.

I think you should be able to check the warranty status if you get the model and serial no, at this site:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... arranty.vm

I'm not sure how warranty upgrading works here in Europe - I haven't been able to do it myself - but if you find a way, let me know

T43p vs T42p

T43p vs T42p

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