R Series right for me?

[k3vb0t]

Not sure where to post this, R or T, I think R is more likely my price range... and please forgive my newb status.

I am interested in purchasing a laptop. It is not a needed item, it is more for my own convenience. I'm a 20 yr. old management major. I'm graduating in Dec. 2005. I'd like to be able to take notes in class (and be more productive in my boring classes -- check e-mail, browse, etc.)... but I also want to keep an eye towards future employment.

My price range was originally $1000 or so (whatever I could afford), but has jumped up to around $1500 with the possibility of payment help of my parents.

I was looking at Dell's originally (700m, D600) but bad reviews of Dell quality has me concerned. I've posted something similar to this over at ArsTechnica.com, and IBM was highly recommended (T42 specifically).

I'm looking at : 1.5ghz Pentium M, 256mb RAM (I'll buy a 512mb stick from Crucial.com), 30-40gb HD (4200rpm vs 5400rpm issue?), DVD-ROM (feel no need for CD-RW as I have this on my desktop and can use email, server, or USB drive to transfer to desktop to burn), integrated wireless (Intel PRO 2200 b/g specifically), XP Home (free upgrade through my college), relatively light, and a good warranty (rave reviews of IBM's service, I'd go with the 3-yr depot repair).

With all the recommendations for IBM, I decided I would come here for decision help. R51 or T42?

Here's how I've seen it:
R51 -- a bit heavier, more affordable. Some say it is not as well made as the T42?

T42 -- a bit lighter, "solid", more expensive.

Both -- The only negative thing I've really heard is that the screen is a lot more dim than others (Fujitsu's CrystalView, Dell's, etc.).

Questions: Is the R51 that much "worse" than the T42 to warrant paying a few hundred more dollars (remember I am trying to be on a pretty strict budget here, I am a college student after all), or would it still be better than the competition and do what I need?

In the two configurations I have looked at (more on that below), the weight as configured is never given. Approximations are given... 4.5lbs for the T42 and 5.7-6.2 lbs for the R51.

Here are the configs I have looked at:
ThinkPad T42 2378DTU (through the Visa discount program at IBM.com) -- $1,592.84

• XP Pro
  1.5 ghz Pentium M (1024kb cache)
  14.1" XGA (1024x768) TFT Display
  30gb HD (4200rpm I believe)
  256mb memory (+purchased 512mb stick)
  8x DVD
  Intel Pro Wireless 2200BG
  3 year depot repair warranty
  Notebook bundle: Leather attache case + 256mb USB stick - $49.99 (the leather case is normally $79 on its own, iirc)

ThinkPad R51 2883 (not through Visa discount) -- $1,410

• XP Home (free upgrade from school)
  1.5ghz Pentium M
  14.1" XGA (1024x768) TFT Display
  40gb HD (5400rpm)
  256mb memory (+purchased 512mb stick)
  Intel Pro Wireless 2200BG
  DVD-ROM
  3 year depot repair warranty
  ThinkPad Nylon case ($39)

ThinkPad R51 28838QU (Visa discount)-- $1,402.84

• XP Pro
  1.5 ghz Pentium M
  14.1" XGA (1024x768) TFT Display
  30gb HD (4200rpm I believe)
  256mb memory (+purchased 512mb stick)
  DVD/CD-RW Drive
  Intel Pro Wireless 2200BG
  3 year depot repair warranty
  Notebook bundle: Leather attache case + 256mb USB stick - $49.99 (the leather case is normally $79 on its own, iirc)

Not all of them actually listed the Intel Pro Wireless 2200BG when I got to the last page before purchasing (where you view the config), but it was included in earlier in the configuration.

None of them have the 32mb ATI 7500. A disadvantage if I wanted to do gaming, but I sincerely doubt I would ever have that need. I game on my desktop (but taking 17 and 18 hours, don't exactly have a lot of time or money to do even that), so I could live with not doing it on the notebook.

Only other concern on ArsTechnica was that 1024x768 was not a good size for the 14.1" or 15" screen, 1400x1050(? not sure, 1400x??) would be better. I run 1024x768 on my 17" on my desktop and I think I'll be fine?

Final thought -- I won't be purchasing this immediately, so I have some time (i.e. Christmas, or a little after possibly) to decide. Sorry for this being so long!

Thoughts, bashes (gentle, please), and opinions welcomed!

--Kevin

[Guest]

did you find out if your school offered any IBM discounts?

[thePCxp]

In my opinion, I think that you should get the ThinkPad R51 28838QU.

[k3vb0t]

did you find out if your school offered any IBM discounts?

No I did not. I plan to do that when I get back to school (currently on Fall Break).

In my opinion, I think that you should get the ThinkPad R51 28838QU.

Because it is the cheapest? Because I get more bang for the buck? Why?

Thanks for the replies!

[jon]

I am interested in purchasing a laptop. It is not a needed item, it is more for my own convenience.

You might find that you end up not using it that much...

30-40gb HD (4200rpm vs 5400rpm issue?)

I can't tell much difference myself; 4200rpm to 7200rpm is meant to be huge though.

--

You're right about the difference. If you want a thinner case get the T42. If you can handle a slightly thicker, more plastic case, get the R. Their insides are the same after all. As for being 'well-made', my R50 doesn't have any creaks or misalignments or fit/finish probs, seems solid.

Questions: Is the R51 that much "worse" than the T42 to warrant paying a few hundred more dollars (remember I am trying to be on a pretty strict budget here, I am a college student after all), or would it still be better than the competition and do what I need?

I would say it's no worse at all (I've seen/held both). The T is just a bit thinner, everything else is the same. Question is whether style/size/weight is that important to you, esp. when on a budget. Personally I can't tell much difference in weight, since I just carry it on my back whenever I move about. 500g or so isn't going to make any difference to me. I wouldn't carry a G-series around, but a T/R is fine.

I originally was planning on getting a T41, but ended up getting the R50 + RAM + port replicator for less. As for 1024x768, yeah I think you'd be fine. Some say 1400x1050 is quite small... never seen it myself. As for the 7500 - yeah it's no good for games, but even with the top of the line chip (128Mb FireGL I think?) it's not much better for games. Stick with the desktop there.

R51 for Christmas dude.

[k3vb0t]

I am interested in purchasing a laptop. It is not a needed item, it is more for my own convenience.

You might find that you end up not using it that much...

30-40gb HD (4200rpm vs 5400rpm issue?)

I can't tell much difference myself; 4200rpm to 7200rpm is meant to be huge though.
--
You're right about the difference. If you want a thinner case get the T42. If you can handle a slightly thicker, more plastic case, get the R. Their insides are the same after all. As for being 'well-made', my R50 doesn't have any creaks or misalignments or fit/finish probs, seems solid.

Questions: Is the R51 that much "worse" than the T42 to warrant paying a few hundred more dollars (remember I am trying to be on a pretty strict budget here, I am a college student after all), or would it still be better than the competition and do what I need?

I would say it's no worse at all (I've seen/held both). The T is just a bit thinner, everything else is the same. Question is whether style/size/weight is that important to you, esp. when on a budget. Personally I can't tell much difference in weight, since I just carry it on my back whenever I move about. 500g or so isn't going to make any difference to me. I wouldn't carry a G-series around, but a T/R is fine.

I originally was planning on getting a T41, but ended up getting the R50 + RAM + port replicator for less. As for 1024x768, yeah I think you'd be fine. Some say 1400x1050 is quite small... never seen it myself. As for the 7500 - yeah it's no good for games, but even with the top of the line chip (128Mb FireGL I think?) it's not much better for games. Stick with the desktop there.

R51 for Christmas dude.

I think I'll use it enough to justify it. I think some people that have them don't want to whip them out during class... I have no problem with it. And on top of that, it will be useful for breaks (Thanksgiving, Fall/Spring break, maybe not Christmas...), and it'll be useful when I visit my girlfriend and need to do a bit of work, or when I go home and don't want to haul the desktop... and then on into the business world.

I'm definitely okay with a slightly thicker case. I wish it weren't as plastic, but I'm not a four year old and think I'll take pretty good care of it. And if it saves me a good $200-300 to get the R over the T, I think it's worth it.

And I agree, I think 14.1" @ 1024x768 should be fine. I'd hate to be wrong though.

Hopefully the prices will go down just a tad before Christmas to help me out, but I'm aiming at the R51 2883QU at the moment. The only real difference between the two R51's is the 2883QU has the 30gb HD which is smaller, but nothing that should cause a problem. (How difficult/expensive is it to use a second harddrive with the ThinkPad?) It also has the DVD/CD-RW, when I only desire the DVD, but perhaps this will boost the sale value if I ever go to get rid of it in the future? Plus the 2883QU (at least right now) comes with the nicer case and a basically free 256mb USB stick.

Thanks for the replies.

[jon]

(How difficult/expensive is it to use a second harddrive with the ThinkPad?)

You'd have to buy an adapter to put the second drive in where the DVD goes. But you'd suffer from more heat, more noise, and less battery life...

It also has the DVD/CD-RW, when I only desire the DVD, but perhaps this will boost the sale value if I ever go to get rid of it in the future?

Maybe; laptops seem to hold their value quite well. Handy feature to have on the odd occasion anyway.