T42 or X40?

[davidlg16]

These are the stock models

the T42 is a 2378FVU $1484
735 1.7ghz 2MB L2
256 RAM
40GB 5400rpm HDD
14'' SXGA Radeon 9600 64MB
6 cell
combo drive


the X40 is a 2386E9U $1574
738 1.4ghz 2MB L2
256RAM
40GB 4200rpm HDD
12'' XGA Integrated Intel extreme
8 cell
no optical drive
SD card slot <-------------i have a SD300

I'll be addding a stick of 512MB to either one I get.

i kno the X40 performs slower cuz it has a 4200rpm hd
X40 has longer battery in that model, very useful.
T42 got better graphics at higher resolution with radeon 9600
I have a desktop so optical drive seems watevers, but never had a laptop w/o one so wont know how big of a deal it'll be

I will be using it on my school campus (word, firefox, occasional photoshop) for the next 6 months, then I will be studying abroad starting 2006 for 2 years, so I will need a laptop there.
I think the X40 is good for now on campus, but the T42 is good when I go abroad and will be my only computer.

but I can always get the X40 now, sell it after a year and get the T42(T43 by then) for abroad.

I've never seen the X40 in person so can't compare the 2 side by side, but i have seen the T42 in person and like its build.
Is the X40 case as tough as the T42's?

Any opinions/suggestions on what i should do?

o and since i'm the impatient type, I already ordered the T42 even tho i'm still undecided between the two.

[Moroner]

Have a look at this thread http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=7582

[daeojkim]

This is a tough one. I know because I was having the same dilemma before I purchased this T42 2378fvu few months ago.

It practically comes down to your priorities. Are you going everywhere with your laptop everyday? Then yes X40 would be the way to go. But I carry my notebook daily back and forth from home and work and to coffee shops where I do some work.

If you do not carry around your notebook very often, T42 would be a better choice. I personally think the difference between XGA and SXGA+ is night and day. Also the graphic card performance b/w X40 and T42 is very very significant. I would go crazy trying to use integrated graphic chip. Not to mention the HD speed of 4200 and 5400 is also quite a lot.

If I did choose to buy a X40 I would definitely get an external monitor for home use since XGA is not quite big for these days.

Financial concerns varies from person to person, but buying a notebook then selling within a year and buying another will result in hundreds of dollars down the drain. If this is not a problem then getting X40 first then a T when you go overseas is not a bad idea. If not then I would definitely get the T42. I am pretty certain that 2378fvu will not give you any performance issues for next 3 years for most of applications such as office, web, photo editing etc.

[davidlg16]

you just made me feel alot better about my purchase

supposed to arrive tomorrow b4 10:30am, hopefully i finish my midterm really fast and speed home to sign for it hehe

David

[htorres]

Just got the 2378fvu delivered....wanted to compare with x40...it is really nice..the screen is superior to x40....i also really miss the optical drive...and you might miss it as well...i believe after seeing them both that i will stick with the 2378 fvu...asked my daughters..and although they think x40 is "cute"..they both said they would prefer the FVU...aamsel..was right about the screen being superior on this thing...well off to play with the laptops...have a good day all

[eriqesque]

Guess it all depends on the user. As I find the screen on the X40 superior to any other laptop I have used so far... save one and that was a fujitsu with crystal view.



Edit for Spelling

[htorres]

oops my bad...i have to make a correction...and i owe a mea culpa to the group...my comments about the two screens were not correct....the x40 has a beautiful screen also. My comparison in the previous post was done with the FVU plugged in and the x40 on battery power..DOH.......its been a long week kids...what with work travel to LA and other areas in beautiful California....