T4X series advice

[postdiction]

hi,

I recently bought a t23 and this is the best laptop i have ever owned including my 2ghz duo macbook pro with 2gbs of ram.

The only problem I am having with the t23 is that 1024x768 is too low of a resolution for me and the pentium 3 is too slow for online flash video/hd video.

So I wanted to get a more powerful machine and wanted to get an idea of how much things should cost. Also I am unsure of what model of T4X series i should get.

Here are my absolute requirements for buying a laptop:
must be 14inch and must have >1024x768 resolution
must be >2ghz processor
must have >= 512mb of ram
okay cosmetic condition as long is screen is good.

I don't care that much about graphics/hard drive, os installed?

So what types of systems can I expect to find and for around how much?

Thanks in advance

[sarbin]

have a look at this post: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=64581 for some ideas.

[awolfe63]

It is so easy and cheap to add/replace RAM that you can do that after you buy.

2GHz is the issue here. Most T40s are 1.3-1.5. T41s are often 1.6 and 1.7. T42s are mostly 1.5-1.8 and T43s 1.6-2.0. There are faster and slower ones out there though if you look.

For 2GHz - you probably want a T42 or T43. These are likely cheaper than T41p, T42p, T43p. Depending on condition and such - these are in the $300-500 range used (With SXGA+). I recently picked up a T43 SXGA+ with Flexview (15") - the display is fantastic. Look around - getting better graphics (9600 or X300) does not really seem to increase the price, you just need to look around more. Also - you can often find a 7200 RPM drive and DVD-RW included. Many of the machines that have 2GHz processor in this generation were top of the line so they are loaded.

You can get a 1.7 or 1.8GHz machine $50-$150 cheaper. With enough RAM, you probably can't tell the difference based on that change alone. However, often it also means slower graphics, slower disk, and a less capable ultrabay drive.

[Temetka]

With an SXGA+ resolution you might want a better video card instead of the Radeon 7000 32MB card that a lot of units have.

I'd go with a T4xp unit myself if I were you. You'd gain:

Faster CPU
Much faster GPU w/ 128MB VRAM
Bluetooth
Better wifi

T4x's are great machines and highly upgradeable. Start off with a lowen T4xP unit and slowly build it up with 2GB of RAM, a faster HD, faster CPU and so on.

[awolfe63]

That's not really much of a problem. There are not many SXGA+ machines out there with Radeon 7000/7500 graphics. Although, if you are not gaming, I'm not sure it matters at all.

T4xp machines are nice - but everyone knows they are nice so they have a pretty substantial price premium on the used market as compared to top of the line T4x machines. If you are buying used due to budget (and not just the obsessive need to own more thinkpads that many of us have) I'm not sure it is worth the extra money.

Also - although I have upgraded many machines myself - I don't think it generally makes sense in a wide-open used market like the T4x. Buy what you want in the beginning. You can generally find a 7200 RPM drive machine for the same price or a few dollars more than a 5400RPM machine. Certainly the difference will be less than the $40-60 a drive will cost. A faster CPU is only a $20-50 premium, less than one can probably buy a 2GHz+ Dothan ($100+). DRAM is the exception - it's so cheap and many used machines do not have enough. If the built-in Wi-fi is inadequate, a decent modern PCMCIA card can be picked up new for $20.

[schen]

That's not really much of a problem. There are not many SXGA+ machines out there with Radeon 7000/7500 graphics. Although, if you are not gaming, I'm not sure it matters at all.

If the built-in Wi-fi is inadequate, a decent modern PCMCIA card can be picked up new for $20.

I would agree with this completely with the exception that I think that most folks would more likely upgrade the internal WiFi card instead of using the PCMCIA card. That being said, the T4x make this more difficult with the "white list" issue.

The other thing I wanted to elaborate on is the SXGA+ issue, is that as a "non-gamer" but someone who loves high Res screens, I couldn't agree more. So my solution was to buy a used SXGA+ screen on eBay for $50. I know that they generally go for more than $100, but I believe that patience can pay off with an inexpensive upgrade since they aren't all the uncommon with the GPU failure machines out there.

[ajkula66]

I'd suggest a T43/p...not because I'm selling one (that's pretty much already gone) but for the following reasons:

a) Smallest percentage of GPU failures within the T4x/R5x range, due to improved soldering process.

b) Most likely to have some warranty remaining.

c) Cheaper RAM

d) Most powerful units within the T4x/R5 generation. I'm typing this on a T43p and this thing is extremely fast within XP and Linux.

You also may want to consider a higher-end R5x machines, they can be found even cheaper than comparable T4x ThinkPads, and some of them are quite serious and powerful.

My experiences only.

[sparta.rising]

For the >2GHz request, you really can't compare the P3m or P4m clock frequency to the PM clock frequency 1:1. I believe the rough estimate was around 1:1.6 for processing power. I don't think you will find any of the T4x's processors will be the bottle neck for watching Hi-Def streaming video. My T43 doesn't even hiccup.

[awolfe63]

That's not really much of a problem. There are not many SXGA+ machines out there with Radeon 7000/7500 graphics. Although, if you are not gaming, I'm not sure it matters at all.

If the built-in Wi-fi is inadequate, a decent modern PCMCIA card can be picked up new for $20.

I would agree with this completely with the exception that I think that most folks would more likely upgrade the internal WiFi card instead of using the PCMCIA card. That being said, the T4x make this more difficult with the "white list" issue.

The other thing I wanted to elaborate on is the SXGA+ issue, is that as a "non-gamer" but someone who loves high Res screens, I couldn't agree more. So my solution was to buy a used SXGA+ screen on eBay for $50. I know that they generally go for more than $100, but I believe that patience can pay off with an inexpensive upgrade since they aren't all the uncommon with the GPU failure machines out there.

Sorry - I guess I was not real clear. If you are not a gamer or a CAD person, an SXGA+ screen with a Radeon 7500 is just as good as an SXGA+ screen with a Radeon 9600.

[w0qj]

Stick with something between T40/T41/T42...

Specifically, AVOID the T43 due to its infamous 2010 hard drive error that prevents casual users from upgrading hard drive (due to its built in SATA/PATA HDD bridge).

Be aware the T42 is a good, solid machine that has a S-Video out port, but is currently limited to PATA hard drives which maxes out at 250 GB.

I'm using a T42 (2373-K5H), and feel so strongly about it that i've extended mine to the max 5-year warranty.

And yep, I'll skip Win'Vista altogether if I can help it...
(Vista is beginning to look like Win'Me).

[dr_st]

Dothan-based T42 is the way to go. Get the P-M 755 2.0GHz with 1-2GB of RAM, and you are set.

[Johan]

@ postdiction:

Check your PM - I just sent you a very hot tip!

Johan