What should I upgrade to from my T23

[fefrie]

A couple of criteria. Kind of a wish list, but here goes.

The t23 I like alot. In fact I am still using it as a back up to my other laptop that just died and in need of repair.

I like the fact that the t23 is pretty quiet. It's form factor is compact yet still functional.

It runs cool, the fan barely turns on.

It's not lap crushing. It's no feather weight, but the 14 inch 4:3 screen has 'enough' real estate to do the job.

Of course I'd like to be cheap as possible in my upgrades, but looking at how cheap lenovos are selling for these days, it's almost better to buy brand new.

So this is what I'd like.

Something that runs XP. I absolutely don't want vista. I know enough about XP to know that I don't want Vista at all. That whole 'fancy' desktop interface is all gobbledygook to me. I want all my processing power to run my apps, and not the user desktop interface.

Processor power is not a very important thing for me. My laptop that is broken right now runs a pentium M 2.0ghz which is fast enough for what I need to do. It's zippy enough. What is more important is the RAM speed, which runs at 533mzh I think. Something faster would be nice, but not necessary.

There is only one game that I like to play, Battlefield 2, and it requires 128mb graphics. Would integrated graphics be fine, or would it need a dedicated video card? I think that 128mb graphics would be fine to run dvds or youtube right? What if I wanted to run an external monitor with different info. Would a good graphics card be necessary then? More graphics power means more heat, which means more fan noise which I loathe.

Speedy quiet zippy drives. Is it possible to run a second drive in the ultrabay and run the two drives in a raid setup?

Battery power has never really been an issue for me. My laptops run off the grid for maybe an hour at the most. What is more important is a small power bar with dainty cords.

Thinnish would be nice. No thicker than my t23?

I do like the 1680x1024 resolution screen. I've got good eyesight still!

Runs quiet. Power friendly, LED backlighting would be nice, but not necessary.

What should I consider upgrading too? You are t23 people, so you know what I like!

[RealBlackStuff]

My personal suggestion would be to go for a T60 with 14.1" SXGA+ (1400x1050) in a 4:3 format.
Getting hard(er) to find, but as close in format to a T23 as you can get.
If budget does not allow this, go for a similar T43 (or slightly thicker R52).

[ssd_thinkpad]

The T2 series has a rather good 14 inch displays. If you value good displays, make sure the other T4 / T6 model you upgrade to has also a good one.

Regarding fan noise: Go with integrated graphics. All T4 and T6 models with integrated graphics are good at playing videos. High definition videos are better viewed on dedicated graphic notebooks.

When adding a monitor, the digital (dvi) connection is far better than the analog one (vga). Only T6 models can both have integrated graphics and support dvi. Their docking station is far easier to use than the one for the T4 series.

When connecting a monitor with dvi to the integrated graphic T4 series, you'll need a Mini Dock II and put a dedicated graphic card inside it. The T4 models with dedicated graphics support DVI with the port replicator or the Mini Dock out of the box. When adding additional stuff by usb, be aware of the very few USB 2 connections from the T4 docking stations - if they support USB 2 at all. The T6 docking stations and replicators all have 4 x USB 2 ports.

[fefrie]

I think that I would lean towards a t 60 or above. I definitely would want the 1680x1050 screen. 4.3 would be great for portability, and that's what I will be keeping the t23 for, the widescreen would be more a home unit. So form factor is not that much an issue, except for weight

The only thing I would need a dedicated graphics chip would be to play my one game made in early 2000, so i think that integrated graphics should do fine.

Can thinkpads be run in a RAID array, Can I add a secondary drive into the ultrabay?

[ZaZ]

You can use a hard drive in place of the optical drive, but there will be no raid. If you're on a tighter budget, don't forget about the R60. It's slightly heavier and thicker than the T60, but still very well built and uses a 4:3 screen too. It's probably cheaper than the T60, though not as plentiful.

[ssd_thinkpad]

I only use a pata secondary ultrabay hdd, my notebook does not have any primary sata hdd at all. Maybe it is also possible to run a RAID over both the primary sata hdd and the secondary sata or pata ultrabay hdd.

Be aware that most people with good eyesight prefer lower resolutions while people with lenses in contrary do like high resolutions displays. Lower resolution makes it easier for your eyes so they stay healthy.

The T 60 is available with a 4:3 display. You might consider taking one of the last series (T 60 / X60) with 4:3 displays. They have a great form factor for websurfing on the road.

When considering the cheaper R 60 take care if the integrated models support DVI over docking station when you like to use a digitally connected external monitor.