T42 W/15" For Daily Travel

[DiViNiTy]

I am considering the 2378DXU with the 15" Flexview screen. Can anyone tell me if this model, or any T42 with a 15" screen, is light enough to carry on a daily basis. I will be commuting back and forth to school by bus and subway so I will be toting this notebook around quite often. I can't decided if this notebook would be too heavy and I should go with a 14" screen or an X40 or not.

[Steve007]

I am considering the 2378DXU with the 15" Flexview screen. Can anyone tell me if this model, or any T42 with a 15" screen, is light enough to carry on a daily basis. I will be commuting back and forth to school by bus and subway so I will be toting this notebook around quite often. I can't decided if this notebook would be too heavy and I should go with a 14" screen or an X40 or not.

It's fine to carry around for those kind of trips - the 15" unit weights about 1KG more than the 14.1" unit.

[wanna_IBM]

I myself got the 14" and I am glad I did, nice and thin. The 15" are ok but you wont them on a airplane as they are much bulkier and larger than the 14" is.

[Kenn]

I myself got the 14" and I am glad I did, nice and thin. The 15" are ok but you wont them on a airplane as they are much bulkier and larger than the 14" is.

Agreed. After using both for a while, the 15" is still my daily commute workhorse, but the 14" is significnatly smaller and lighter, and with longer battery life. If I didn't care for UXGA, I'd go with the 14" every time.

[nikemen]

I am considering the 2378DXU with the 15" Flexview screen. Can anyone tell me if this model, or any T42 with a 15" screen, is light enough to carry on a daily basis. I will be commuting back and forth to school by bus and subway so I will be toting this notebook around quite often. I can't decided if this notebook would be too heavy and I should go with a 14" screen or an X40 or not.

It's fine to carry around for those kind of trips - the 15" unit weights about 1KG more than the 14.1" unit.

I thinki you mean one POUND, it is really only 1.1 pd differance, according to specs.

[rhema83]

If you don't need the UXGA, go with the 14.1". That extra 1lb is going to feel like an extra 5lb if you carry it around everyday. The larger form factor may also be a problem for travelling.

[esquire]

Be warned.........once you go 1400x1050 you can't go back!

[DiViNiTy]

rhema83 said:

If you don't need the UXGA, go with the 14.1". That extra 1lb is going to feel like an extra 5lb if you carry it around everyday. The larger form factor may also be a problem for travelling.

Rhema83: What do you think of your 2378-FVU. Do you find the build quality to be satisfactory? I have heard that the 14" T42's build quality is inferior to the 15" T42's!

[Kenn]

Rhema83: What do you think of your 2378-FVU. Do you find the build quality to be satisfactory? I have heard that the 14" T42's build quality is inferior to the 15" T42's!

I have both, and there isn't anything inferior with the 14" build quality. The battery is a bit looser, but that's about it. For every creak/flexy part on the 14, there's also on the 15.

[rhema83]

I have both, and there isn't anything inferior with the 14" build quality. The battery is a bit looser, but that's about it. For every creak/flexy part on the 14, there's also on the 15.

Same sentiments. My friend has a 15" T42 and the build qualities of the two notebooks are the same. The same flaws seem to be present, except that the battery seems to fit a little more snugly on the 15". However, that can be fixed easily on the 14" with masking tape.

You must take into account that the quality of notebooks worldwide are dropping. So don't expect military-grade quality. That said, I think the T42 is the top-of-the-line notebook along with Apple Powerbook.

[w0qj]

Sorry to go off on a tangent a little,

but is the 15" T42 too bulky to fit into an "Economy" airplane seat to work with? how about the viewing angle?

(assuming 14" T42 can fit into "Economy" airplane seat with no problems, and viewing angel OK).

Thank you in advance for your insights!

[rhema83]

Sorry to go off on a tangent a little,

but is the 15" T42 too bulky to fit into an "Economy" airplane seat to work with? how about the viewing angle?

(assuming 14" T42 can fit into "Economy" airplane seat with no problems, and viewing angel OK).

Thank you in advance for your insights!

It's kind of hard for a 15" to fit into economy class. The 14" is already pushing it. If you really travel by air very frequently, go for a X-series.

[Kenn]

Sorry to go off on a tangent a little,

but is the 15" T42 too bulky to fit into an "Economy" airplane seat to work with? how about the viewing angle?

(assuming 14" T42 can fit into "Economy" airplane seat with no problems, and viewing angel OK).

Thank you in advance for your insights!

It is a bit bulky, but is doable with the enhanced vertical viewing angle. The 14" at the same angle would be a complete washout, but as it's a bit smaller you might get away with a more comfortable angle in the first place.

I agree, if you're computing on planes a lot, an X is probably the way to go.

[ashleys]

I agree, if you're computing on planes a lot, an X is probably the way to go.

or try and blag an upgrade

[MSE Environmental]

I travel by air about once a month. After lugging around a 10 lb. Dell on a trip to Europe and the Middle East, I knew I had to do something different. (With all the other crap in my computer bag it had to weigh 20+ lbs.)

My office manager needed a new computer, so I gave her the Dell and I upgraded to a T42 (2378FZU). With a new IBM bag, I've reduced the weight of my computer bag by a large margin.

I've found the 15' screen to be a big help to my aging eyes. It still weighs just a tad over 5 lbs., so it is light enough to carry around and works pretty well in coach. (Lucky for me I tend to get upgraded a lot, so it works even better in First )

I'd go with the larger screen because for every hour you are in a plane, there's probably signficantly more hours at a desk in a hotel, or in the office you'll be using it.

Good Luck.

Mike