difficulty decding t41 vs t42

[thecoolpenguin]

Hi there,

Im stuck trying to decide between a t41 and t42(42/42p doesnt matter.. not a gamer really). since im a student, i'd be purchasing via the educational(GSA) program. both are around $1.6K. I have friends with t41s which are really good.

ZDnet reviews on t41 are excellent; those of t42 aren't bad either.

are there any differences between them apart from the biometric login and dothan in t42?

any advice/suggestions would be really appreciated.

Thanks

thecoolpenguin

[admsteiner]

1) Not all of the T42's have the biometric login.
2) Dothan (as you mentioned)
3) I believe the video cards on the T42 are better, at least on the high end. I have an ATI 9600 (which I don't believe is available in the T41)
4) I'm not sure if the 40GB 5400RPM drive is available with the T41
5) The T42 doesn't have that fan problem that some of the T41's had (I'm not 100% clear on this, once I heard the T42 was coming out in 2 weeks I decided to wait and forget the T41).
I'm happy with my T42.

If they cost the same and the specs are the same (what are the specs by the way), get the T42.

[thecoolpenguin]

T41 SPECS

---------------------------------------------------------------
Display

Screen type description TFT
Viewable image size (diagonal) inches 14.1
Max colors or gray shades 16777216
Maximum Resolution 1024x768


Graphics
Video RAM std/max 32MB
Description ATI Mobility RADEON 7500
Graphics type XGA
Video RAM type DDR SDRAM
Max resolution 2048x1536 16777216 colors
Max colors (with max video RAM) 16777216
Graphics bus interface AGP 4X
Video on Planar Yes


Processor
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium M Processor
Processor speed[1] 1.60 GHz
Front side bus (FSB) 400 MHz
Internal L2 cache memory size 1 MB


System memory
Memory (RAM) std/max[8] 512MB / 2GB
RAM slots total 2 SODIMM
Memory speed 333 MHz
RAM type DDR SDRAM
Module specifications PC2700


Hard drive
Hard disk size (GB)[4] 40 GB
Interface type ATA-100 (Enhanced IDE)
Hard drive speed (RPM) 5400


Optical device
Optical device CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo
Device interface EIDE
Optical device speed[5] 16X/10X/24X/8X Max

---------------------------------------------------------------

T42 SPECS

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Display

Screen type description TFT
Viewable image size (diagonal) inches 14.1
Max colors or gray shades 16777216
Maximum Resolution 1024x768


Graphics
Video RAM std/max 32MB
Description ATI Mobility RADEON 7500
Graphics type XGA
Video RAM type DDR SDRAM
Max resolution 2048x1536 16777216 colors
Max colors (with max video RAM) 16777216
Graphics bus interface AGP 4X

Processor
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium M Processor 735
Processor speed[1] 1.70 GHz
Front side bus (FSB) 400 MHz
Internal L2 cache memory size 2 MB

System memory
Memory (RAM) std/max[8] 512MB / 2GB
RAM slots total 2 SODIMM
RAM slots available 1 SODIMM
Memory speed 333 MHz
RAM type DDR SDRAM
Module specifications PC2700


Hard drive
Hard disk size (GB)[4] 40 GB
Interface type ATA-100 (Enhanced IDE)
Hard drive speed (RPM) 5400


Optical device
Optical device CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo
Device interface EIDE
Optical device speed[5] 24X/24X/24X/8X Max

----------------------------------------------------------------------

[AtmosMan]

Looks like the only difference technically between the models is the processor. What is the standard warrany on each? If they are both a 3 year (or 1 year) warranty, and are exactly the same price, then go with the T42. If the warranty on the T42 is only 1 year, and the T41 is 3 years, then you may have to make a (tougher) decision. This is all pending your budget. Good luck.

-Brian

[admsteiner]

and the warranty?

I'd say go with the T42. Faster (and newer) CPU, faster optical drive, newer model...