Is this a good deal - T41p

[.exeCutionStyle]

I just purchased a T41p factory refurbished laptop (from IBM - 7 day return policy and 1-year warantee) - using an employee discount (a friend is an IBM employee). I also purchased a 512MB upgrade to give me a gig total. The total purchase price was $1745.00 US which includes tax, shipping was free (out the door price). Was it a good deal?

1.7Ghz Pentium M
512MB + additional 512MB RAM
14.1" display
128MB fire GL video
802.11A,B,G & bluetooth
9 cell battery
60GB 7200rpm HDD
USB2.0
GigE ethernet
CD-RW/DVD-ROM

[BccKiller]

I just bought T42 with Biometric syetem it is a brand new unit with 3 year warranty with 30 days returned policy. I am also using employee discount.

1.8Ghz with 2MB Centrino
512MB
15" display SXGA+ Flexview
64MB Radeon9600
802.11B/G & Bluetooth
9 cell battery
60GB 7200rpm HDD
USB 2.0
GIGABIT Ethernet
CD-RW/DVD-ROM
Biometric Fingerprint Reader with ESS 2.0

I paid $40 less that you what you paid for - now it is about $300 more.

[.exeCutionStyle]

I was looking for something with a little more video processing power - the T42p was too expensive and was not to be found on the refurnished page anyway. The full gig of ram I believe will also be beneficial. I built a desktop (about 9 months ago) with a 512 stick of ram with the intent to upgrade to a gig later and have still not done so, so I figured I'd buy it up front. The 3 year warranty would have been nice to have though. The fingerprint reader seems like overkill - I dont have any confidential material and its almost like bad luck - I'd end up programming the reader and then chopping my hands off - knock on wood.

I am currently typing on a thinkpad 390E laptop (on the back porch) that my company sold as is - for $45 about 8 months ago. Although its extremely slow, I love the thinkpad keyboard much more than my parents new Dell laptop. Ive never had a laptop, but love the freedom of wireless so much I had to buy a desent laptop and my wife agreed to it - WOW

[BccKiller]

The deal that you have is not that bad at all. If you need more video power for CAD/CAM or gaming, you will have to go all the way to the top of the line else you will end up with 64MB. It is a good idea to have 128MB instead of 64MB, but I will use my TP as a programming system so VIDEO RAM is not a big deal for me - but screen size is. I am not so excite about the biomatric thing also. For me it is just the fancy stuffs. I also plan to add another stick of 512MB also - which will cost me about $100 more .

I am currently using T21p now - it is my first TP. It has served me for since 2000 without any problems. It is just getting too slow lately and it think it is the time to move on.

I hope you will like your Thinkpad. I can say that you will not be disappoint with IBM notebook. Welcome to the club and glad to talk to you!!

[.exeCutionStyle]

yea, I'm into the fancy stuff also. The fingerprint reader would be fun to play with, but (as I wave my hand in front of the motion censor light, so I can see the keyboard) - the thinklight is neat too. I'm just jerking your chain - It's nice to have the new stuff....

My question is: Is the chipset of the T41p the same as the T42p? - better question - can I upgrade my 1.7Ghz banias to a dothan later?

SOB - I had to grab the power cable to complete this post (just went to standby) - plug the power cord into the extension cord....LOL

I cant wait for my new lappy to arrive. I hate this old POS - my wife has already informed me that this 390E will be hers after I receive it - she can have it - LOL.....

[BccKiller]

I think you should be able to do it. The chipset is the same (as far as I know - may be someone out there can confirm this). You should be able to upgrade your CPU from Dothan later on - but not with Sonoma (1st quarter 2005). The question is the price. Will it worth to upgrade your CPU? How much is it going to cost for the new CPU and what are you going to do with the old CPU? If it does not give you more than 20% gain, i don't think it will worth it. Anyway, it is just my 2 cents.

You should have your system shortly because your system is in stock. I will have to wait almost a month before I get it. The official release for biometric model is Oct 19th and I have to wait for them to build one for me. I also heard that some of the parts are not in stock right now and i will have to wait a few weeks for that parts. I am counting my calender........... hope i will get it soon.....