Looking to buy a T series laptop, but which?

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pat · #1 Post by **pat** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 8:30 pm

well, I'm looking at selling off my entire desktop and going laptop. I already have an x40, so I know how IBM quality is. I've been looking at the T series because I like the light/thin aspects of them, but they're also expensive as hell (I'm a poor college student). initially I was looking at the t42 2378FVU system that I could get through an educational discount for $1756 but then I realized that I could probably get a t41 cheaper. only problem is I don't know which model to get.

this is what I do on the computer:
watch dvd's (this can change because I have an external dvd+-rw)
burn music
internet
word processing
light-medium gaming

I used to game a lot more than I do now, which is why I'm thinking about going mobile.

so, any ideas?

dpb · #2 Post by **dpb** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 11:29 pm

I made the same leap myself this summer, after 19 years of desktop use. I keep wondering whether I should have gotten an X40 instead. What leads you to spend money on changing?

Assuming you do, the T41 may be worthwhile if it will produce a significant discount. I think the 14" display is a great screen with better portability than any 15" laptop. Of course, the 1400 x 1050 display of the T42 is very nice compared to the 1024x768 of some T41s and T42s. the T41p has the 9-cell battery and higher res screen, but at a higher price.

I would recommend getting the 9-cell hi-capacity battery and bumping up to 1GB with after-market RAM.

lfeagan · #3 Post by **lfeagan** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 11:34 pm

Since you already have an x40, I see nothing wrong with getting a T41 as it sounds like you are really going to use it as a pseudo-desktop instead of a true portable. But, I do think it sounds like the T42 has better battery life than the T41 models. I am personally very happy with my T42 2378FVU.

pat · #4 Post by **pat** » Tue Oct 26, 2004 9:02 am

dpb wrote:I made the same leap myself this summer, after 19 years of desktop use. I keep wondering whether I should have gotten an X40 instead. What leads you to spend money on changing?

well, space is a major factor (I live in a small apartment with 5 other guys), and I would like to be able to be mobile. I started thinking about this when I got my x40 and I totally LOVED the idea of the life without wires ordeal.

would one consider the 2378fvu a desktop replacement?

gcchatel · #5 Post by **gcchatel** » Tue Oct 26, 2004 9:19 am

Yes I would say it is, the areas i might be a little concerned about would be the ram and the hard drive. The video card is plenty fast especially if you don't game a lot, the display is wonderful (it's the same as the t42p 14inch), unless you want a DVD burner the optical drive is fine and you can always upgrade. And if you are looking for desktop replacement you don't need the 9 cell battery. If you start taking it on the road i would recommend it. I would get it, upgrade the ram and maybe later on upgrade the hard drive.

I got the 2373-GVU through my school and was going to use it as a laptop, keeping my desktop for the big stuff, since I got it, my desktop has not been turned on.

Gael

pat · #6 Post by **pat** » Tue Oct 26, 2004 9:34 am

the hard drive wouldn't be a problem for me. I have a 120gb external and a 250gb external. I would (of course) bump up the memory up to 1gb.

I was also looking at this machine here. the "S" model. I'm torn between the 3790-S and the 2378FVU!

pat · #7 Post by **pat** » Tue Oct 26, 2004 9:51 am

also, which warranty should I be looking at? I want at least 3 years but I don't know if I want next day/9x5 or just regular depot.

regular depot looks like the way to go though...

gcchatel · #8 Post by **gcchatel** » Tue Oct 26, 2004 10:26 am

ok here is my evaluation of that sager:

- great video card
- what should be a nice display (not sure who actually makes it)
- good processor
- terrible hard drive
- bad battery
- bad standard warranty
- no OS
- no info about the keyboard, touchpad, general build quality, weight, battery life, etc.
- no IBM name and support and guarantee of excellent hardware

We all know that the IBM hardware is excellent and we also know who makes most of the parts. I was not able to find who makes some of the hardware such as the LCD, the memory, the hard drive and so on, and how good the warranty is.

Once you add a better warranty, an OS (not sure if you already have one), the ram and perhaps a better hard drive, it will cost the same or more than the IBM. I would go with IBM, but what can I say, I'm biased.

Also, which educational discount are you getting, does it come with the 3year depot warranty, mine did. The depot warranty should be fine, i hear they are quick and efficient.

Hope this helps,

Gael

pat · #9 Post by **pat** » Tue Oct 26, 2004 1:40 pm

if I got the educational discount, it would come with the 1 year standard warranty.

#10 Post by **daeojkim** » Tue Oct 26, 2004 3:26 pm

pat wrote:the hard drive wouldn't be a problem for me. I have a 120gb external and a 250gb external. I would (of course) bump up the memory up to 1gb.

I was also looking at this machine here. the "S" model. I'm torn between the 3790-S and the 2378FVU!

I got the 2378fvu last week. I got rid of my desktop, so much space on my desk now. I am just going to use my desktop as file server.

Except for the 256MB RAM (Highly recomend to upgrade, once you boot RAM usage is at 250MB, and any application that you start will begin to use virtual memory and it is a pain), this notebook is so versatile it's amazing. It is also quite portable and battery life is excellent.

I love the ultrabay and options that you can put in there e.g. second HD, or 2nd battery, or just put in a empty case to save weight. and it is hot swapable.

Great graphic card (64MB 9600) , which I think is good enough for pretty much everything.

Anyways I might be biased. But I am glad that I did not get a Ferrari 3200 or Sony Z1.

I was agonizing for a month before I ordered this notebook, so I know what you are going through (I did not spend that much time deciding when I bought my car, which literally took 15 minutes after I test drove it), and I am certain that I made the right choice.

#11 Post by **daeojkim** » Tue Oct 26, 2004 3:27 pm

it got double posted..

pat · #12 Post by **pat** » Tue Oct 26, 2004 9:29 pm

now, what exactly is the ultrabay? is it an optional add on (available through the dock) or is it available directly ON the laptop itself?

gcchatel · #13 Post by **gcchatel** » Tue Oct 26, 2004 9:32 pm

The ultrabay is what the optical drive fits in, it's on the right of the actual laptop and inside of it. It's great, you can add hard drives, batteries, optical drives and it just swaps, you can swap while the system is turned on.

Gael

Looking to buy a T series laptop, but which?

Looking to buy a T series laptop, but which?

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