A31p or T40

[lilserenity]

Hiya,

Quick question, if you could go for an A31p UXGA Pentium 4m 1.8GHz or a T40 with SXGA and Pentium-M 1.6GHz, which would you go for?

Vicky

[Conmee]

Victoria,

The A31p is a discontinued, 2+ year old model. A good machine, ask Bill (he runs this site and he owned one, I believe), but here's what you're looking at:

A31p is HEAVY - 7.7 pounds v. T40 5 pounds or so (not sure what the kg equivalents are)

A31p uses an older, power-hungry mobile Pentium 4 (2 hours battery power if lucky, v. 4+ hours with T40), slower RAM, slower CD-RW, slower hard-drive, very old graphics chip which doesn't even support DirectX 8 in hardware... I could go on.

Depending on which model of T40 you're interested in, the T40 probably outclasses the A31p in every respect except for the 15" UXGA Flexview screen. However, I wouldn't give up all the benefits of the T40 just to enjoy the screen of the A31p.

I'm sure there can always be a case made for the A31p in terms of price/performance/features. But laptops tend to age quicker than desktop computers. And the A31p is a bit old if you intend on tackling the latest/greatest software/games, etc.

Hope this helps.

Daniel

[cynic]

The biggest bonus of the A series was that it was three spindles (not two spindles like all other laptops pretty much today) That means you could have 2 hard drives and an optical drive all in at the same time. It also has a serial port if that's necessary for your work (especially if you work on networking equipment) and you don't want to use a usb to serial adapter. The other thing was that it had a FlexView screen, but that has since carried to the R50p and now the T42 series.

In performance, the T series you mentioned will handily beat the A31p. It also is built of more resilient materials (if that's of any concerns to you) And of course, there's the fact it lasts longer on battery, runs cooler, and is lighter and thinner.

[lilserenity]

Thankyou so much for the insights. I just saw how good the prices were on the A31p's and thought, hmmm there's another option. (I almost purchased a A21p last year before I got the T23). The only reason for me upgrading is basically SXGA, and the fact the T40 is such a [censored] slim machine!

I have also looked at the X31; but there again, small screen and the requirement ideally of the MediaSlice/Ultrabase (whatever it is called!) for removable storage access such as DVD. As such I have decided the T40 is the perfect form factor really, it's slim, it has a DVD drive (or combo etc.) and SXGA is indeed a possibly (SXGA on a 12.1" TFT anybody, yikes!).

I'll post in a moment of a deal that I may secure, should all the funds be there

Vicky

[Grady Tucker]

Hi,
I have traveled with a T40 for a year now and really love it. The screen is large enough to work on PowerPoint and other graphics work. But the laptop is thin and light enough to travel with. The best part of any ThinkPad is the keyboard.

Their cost is well worth it.

Grady

[BillMorrow]

the A31p is a terrific thinkpad..
even now, should it be suitable for the users needs..
A31p is more power hungry but has more ports (firewire for example) but it is a bit dated..
USB 1 and pentium 4M..
also the wifi card has the modem on it and i'm not sure if the newer cards will work in the A31p..
2 different customers bought new A31p's in the last 2 days..
sadly, not from me since i can't get new ones anymore..

i moved from the A31p to a T41p..
then to an R50p since the big flexview display is super..

i'm only allowed one thinkpad to keep and use..
so for now, R50p it is..

when i get one of the new T42p's i'll sell my R50p..