T42 opinions - about to buy

[alect]

I have read this forum and about to buy a 2378FZU:


Operating System
Operating System 1
Operating System Title Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Operating System 2
Operating System Title Microsoft Windows XP Professional

Architecture
Bus type/architecture PCI
Bays Ultrabay Slim
Indicator light Yes
Cover material Magnesium
PC Card support 2 Type I/II or 1 Type III


Display
External display supported Yes
Simultaneous external display Yes
Screen type description TFT
Viewable image size (diagonal) inches 15.0
Screen illumination Backlit
Max colors or gray shades 16777216
Maximum Resolution 1024x768


Graphics
Video RAM std/max 32MB
Description ATI Mobility RADEON 7500
Graphics type XGA
Video RAM type DDR SDRAM
Max resolution 2048x1536 16777216 colors
Max colors (with max video RAM) 16777216
Graphics bus interface AGP 4X
Video on Planar Yes


Processor
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium M Processor 735
Processor speed[1] 1.70 GHz
Front side bus (FSB) 400 MHz
Internal L2 cache memory size 2 MB


System memory
Memory (RAM) std/max[8] 512MB / 2GB
RAM slots total 2 SODIMM
RAM slots available 1 SODIMM
Memory speed 333 MHz
RAM type DDR SDRAM
Module specifications PC2700


Hard drive
Hard disk size (GB)[4] 40 GB
Interface type ATA-100 (Enhanced IDE)
Hard drive speed (RPM) 5400


Optical device
Optical device CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo
Device interface EIDE
Optical device speed[5] 24X/24X/24X/8X Max


Audio
Integrated speakers 2
Speaker power rating 1.0 Watts
Volume control buttons Yes
Speaker Quantity 2 (Internal Speakers)
Number of speakers 2
Audio chipset SoundMAX
Audio data width n/a
Audio on planar Yes


Communications
Fax/modem description 56K V.92 designed modem
Fax/modem speed[3] 56Kbps data/14.4Kbps fax
Infrared port Yes
Infrared port speed 4Mbps
Wireless type LAN
Wireless standard[10] Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG
Wireless speed 11b:11Mbps, 11g:54Mbps
Ethernet description Integrated Intel PRO/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
Ethernet interface type Gigabit Ethernet- Integrated
Ethernet on motherboard Yes


Wireless Networking Components
Wireless Standard[10] Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG
Wireless Type LAN
Antenna Ultra Connect
Description Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG
Frequency 802.11b/g: 2.4GHz
Wireless Implementation (Form Factor) Mini PCI


Accessories
A/C adapter 72 watt
Worldwide A/C compatibility Yes
Port replication Optional
Docking station None


Standard features
Pointing Device Type IBM ThinkPad UltraNav
Keyboard light Yes


Expansion options
Plug and play support Yes
Parallel Port Type 1 (EPP)
Serial Port Type 2 (USB 2.0)
Port connectors 2 USB 2.0, AC adapter, Expansion Bus port (for Dock II/Mini Dock or Port Replicator II), External Display, External microphone, Headphone/Line out, Infrared, Parallel, RJ-11, RJ-45, S-Video out
Compact flash slot No
Compact Flash Slot No
Security Chip IBM Embedded Security Subsystem 2.0
BIOS type Flash ROM
Infrared Support Yes


Weight & dimensions
Height 1.2 in
Depth 10.6 in
Width 13.0 in


Security
Security features Hard disk drive password, Power-on password, Supervisor password, IBM Security Slot, IBM Embedded Security Subsystem 2.0


Limited warranty[7]
Type of service[13] Customer Carry-in Repair or ThinkPad EasyServ
Limited warranty period One year parts and labor (system battery: one year)


Packaging
Weight metric 2.6 kg
Weight US 5.7 lbs


Battery
Battery Types 6 Cell Lithium-Ion
Battery Voltage 10.8 V


Software[12]
Operating system provided Microsoft Windows XP Professional


I have read some comments about the 1024x768 resolution and XGA - can someone explain why this may be a problem?

Also is the Radeon 7500 not appropriate for my purposes?

I am an IT consultant, mainly on the project management side. I am not a programmer and won't use it for such applications. I am not into gaming. The most I would use the laptop for in terms of graphics would be photos and video (either off the web, or DVD, ReplayTV, or possibly soon video editing/conversion/burning). Will the above config satisfy my needs?

I intend to purchase the 3 (or possible 4) year warranty extension add-on.

Thanks in advance

[sugo]

If you don't play 3D games nor do 3D graphics work, the 7500 graphics chipset will be sufficient for most applications out there today.

XGA screen (non-flexview) is not a problem by itself. A lot of people prefer higher resolution screen that gives you more logical real estate on the display. Also, the SXGA+ or UXGA screen options in 15" are flexview screens, which get a lot of positive feedbacks here.

[Mofo Jones]

alect

I just received my T42 2373-3UU today, which has the 14.1 inch screen with the 1400 X 1050 resolution, Radeon 9600 64 MB and a 3 year warranty standard. I was curious about the DVD playback and how it would look, so I tossed in my Animatrix DVD and watched "Final Flight of the Osiris".

It was amazing. I'm now spoiled due to this screen and will have to upgrade the monitor on my desktop computer.

I don't know what your budget is, but you might want to consider a model with the Radeon 9600 in it if you're gonna be watching a lot of DVDs.

[Plinkerton]

Yup. Buy it. I loved mine, before I sent it back... I'm getting another one though.