T42 vs T42p

[neurite]

Hi,

Besides the obvious differences between specs listed publicly. Is T42p better on some other details not disclosed? For example, I have heard rumors here T42p is quieter than T42. Especially, is the mainboard on T42p a different brand/model with better quality? How is the display given they have the same resoluation. Please help me make a choice here.

BTW, which carrying case do you recommend? Any other accessories that you like very much?

Many thanks,

Eric

[Conmee]

The T42 and T42p use the same motherboard. For those T42/T42p models that have Mobility Radeon 9600 and FireGL T2, they also have the same exact fan. A different fan is used for Mobility Radeon 7500 or 9000 graphics equipped T42 models. So if you are looking at models with 9600 or FireGL the sound should be identical.

Nothing different other than the specs listed. IBM multi-sources its LCD screens used in the 14" models from LG (XGA only), IDTech and Samsung. I've noticed Samsung in the 'p' models and IDTech in the non 'p' models. Samsung, by most accounts, and according to the LCD data offered by both companies, is superior. How superior? That's subjective. Some say the Samsungs are better, I believe it. Others say there's little/no difference. I've only taken a look at two 'p' models and one non 'p' T Series, and that's what my comments are based on. Not statistically significant by any means, but good enough for me.

The 15" UXGA and SXGA+ screens are Flexview, and are very nice, and brighter with better color saturation and contrast than the non-Flexview screens. But the systems are slightly bigger/heavier to accomodate the larger screen.

As for accessories, get a Dock II docking station, 9-Cell battery, travel case with rollers (for traveling and bringing extra batteries and peripherals and documents) and a leather executive carrying case for style and smaller/lighter assignments, a USB floppy (floppies still surprisingly useful under certain circumstances--altering the BIOS startup graphic, anyone? lol), external speakers for the Dock II, and a Firewire card (T Series don't have Firewire), earphones for listening to DVDs and music on planes, some anti-static, alcohol-free wet wipes for screen and keyboard, a bottle of compressed air for dusting, a USB Serial port card (for times when you just have to plug into that router/VPN/firewall and need the convenience of a terminal), a good joystick for playing games, and a game pad for those games where a joystick isn't the best input device, wireless travel mouse from Logitech, a Treo 600 with synch dock, mouse pad, USB Memory Key of at least 64MB so you can make it bootable and use it in emergencies, Memorex or Neato CD/DVD label kit, Canon Scanner, inkjet printer with media slots since the T Series doesn't come with them, and an Adaptec USB video capture and TV input device. Of course, a broadband router with wireless g support if you're still using a modem.



Daniel.

[neurite]

Hi Dan, thank you for the detailed comparison. But seems even harder to choose now