T42 14" Radeon 9600 with all the extras

[Tokyo]

Hi all,
I would like to buy a T42 with a 14" (due to size and money restrictions) and a Radeon 9600 (speed). The other reason for 14" is that I don't think I will like the ghosting that was described by people in this forum with 3D games.

I tried several links on the IBM web page and wasn't able to configure this: Pentium M 735/745, 14" SXGA+ 1400x1050 no Flexview, Radeon 9600, 512 MB, Modem/Bluetooth, 802.11 a/b/g, 60GB 7200 RPM

I tried:
- View all models (link): I select 2378FVU and customize it but can't change HDD nor select BT. It says "TFT Display with wide viewing angle and high density". What exactly is this? People in this forum reported that you can't have 14" with Flexview.

- Let me build it (link): I can't select Radeon 9600 and 14" at the same time.

- tabook reference number, e.g. 2373-3UU (link): There is no link to buy it. Is it available anyway? Can I exchange the HDD?

Could you help me with configuring this? There seems to be lots of choice for 15" but not for 14". Many models mentioned in the tabook aren't listed at View all models at all.

Thanks for your help,
Claus

[Conmee]

The 14" models are generally backordered, and won't reappear on the IBM.com site until they have better visibility/availability of the smaller LCD supply from IDTech and Samsung.

In the next week or two, all the models should reappear, to get a jump on summer/back-to-school business.

Daniel.

[maharashi]

14" is not available with flexview. the IBM web site is riddled with errors.

lies, [censored] lies!

get yourself a copy of tabook.pdf - it contains all the answers.

[Tokyo]

I wonder why it takes so long to correct the errors on the website. It must cost IBM a fortune to answer all the inquiry calls by confused customers.

If you order a ThinkPad from the website how do I make sure I'm ordering according to the specs in the tabook?

And can I configure the 2373-3UU with the 60GB 7200 HDD?

[JeffNT326]

I believe that if you call in and talk to them, you'll be able to selectively configure the 2373-3UU.

As long as these model/machine numbers match between the tabook and ibm's website, you'll be getting the same spec'd out machine described in both resources.

[Leon]

I'm buying a T42 soon, but am confused by the video optiions. I've decided on the 14" screen, and want to "future proof" as much as possible. Here are my questions:

1. I won't know till I actually get the system whether I am comfortable with the higher resolution. If I get the FIREGL T2, and find the resolution too small for the screen, can it be set back to XGA?

2. Are there other advantages to the FIREGL T2, even if I can use it at a lower resolution?

Thanks!

[Tokyo]

It's not a good idea to switch to a lower resolution because the picture gets blurry. However you could change the DPI settings to make the icons and fonts larger. In addition, IBM US has 30 days return policy . You could also look at the Vaio Z1 which comes with SXGA or any other laptop with this resolution.

The difference bewteen FireGL and 9600 is discussed e.g. at http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=466. My understanding is that for games the 9600 is better. While the FireGL is better for OpenGL applications like AutoCAD. The extra RAM is nice as well I guess.

[Leon]

So, if I want xga resolution on the 14" screen, I need to get the RADEON 7500 card? I heard that card was outdated and crappy???

[dclee012]

if you wanna surf the web, play dvds, and type out memos, 7500 isn't so bad

[maharashi]

you can get the Rad9600 on a 14.1" non-flexview display.

now go search for tabook.pdf. there is a link here on the forum. it's up on IBM's ftp site.

it contains all the answers.

[Leon]

I looked, but here is my problem..... I want a 14" scceen, but I think with my eyes that XGA is the resolution that I need for that size screen size. But if I want a better video card, (e.g. a. 9600) for the possibility of running graphics intensive applications. But, everything listed is for a 14" 9600 is SXGA+. What to do?

[Nabeel]

Just get the SVGA+, I don't think it's that bad. As someone else said you can increase the sizes of stuff on the screen.

[Leon]

IfI get the SXGA+, and "increase the sizes of stuff on the screen", does that increase stay consistant across applications? Is it then visually equivalent to having an XGA screen? Is there a downside to doing this? If not, that is the way I will go......

[cynic]

Fonts adjust, graphics don't and flash-based websites won't. In essence, anything that doesn't use the windows graphic APIs for fonts won't adjust. Obviously, that helps with readability until you hit a flash website where all the fonts are rendered out to the screen as graphics and therefore aren't adjusted. However, I think SXGA+ on the 14.1" is the perfect fit in resolution. I have a friend with a XGA 14.1" T and it's pretty bad (in fact, he's jealous every time he sees my SXGA+ when working on my computer-- he's since ordered a X40 which is XGA on 12.1")

For comparison, the following is true for pixel density (in thousand pixels per square inch=K PPI)

15"T series/R series:
SXGA+ 13.61K PPI
UXGA 17.78K PPI

14.1"T series/R series:
XGA 8.24K PPI
SXGA+ 15.4K PPI

12.1"X series:
XGA 11.19K PPI

Other laptops/screens I use (for comparison):
Apple Cinema Display 23"/Sony PremierePro 23"
WUXGA 9.69K PPI

Sony TR3AP1 (10.6" screen)
WXGA 19.47K PPI

edited resolution name typo