How to choose a T42 with same specs but different price

[Sand]

Hello, I would appreciate someone's opinion.

If I find several models of the T Series that all have the same specs I'm looking for, but the prices vary sometimes hundreds of dollars , what is making the difference? What would I look at next.

For ex: I'm basically looking for
1+ Ghz
512 Ram
64 mg.
60 HD 7200RPM
15" screen
1400x1050 Resolution.

There are several T42's that offer all these. What would then make the final decision?

much appreciation,
Sandar

[johnson5001]

The size/weight of the laptop can have a drastic impact on the price.

[csv96]

The least expensive (at least by MSRP) that meets your requirements is this one:

T42 2378DXU/2379DXU
Pentium M 735 1.7ghz
512mb RAM
60gb 7200rpm Hard Drive
ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 64mb Video
15" SXGA+ 1400x1050 FlexView LCD
24x/24x/24x/8x CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive
Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG 802.11b/g WiFi
IBM Bluetooth Wireless
Gigabit Ethernet
56k V.92 Modem
6-Cell Battery
Windows XP Pro
1-year warranty (2378DXU)/3-year warranty (2379DXU)

[Champ]

obviouslly different processors if you're just looking 1ghz plus. every pm processor is practically 1.4 or higher on the t42 series..

and weights don't vary between t42s.. granted a dvd burner might be a little heavier than cd etc.

[Sand]

Yes, you mean if it's heavy, like the R or G Series?

But these are all the T Series ;I'm comparing them all to themselves with the same specs. What is making the price vary in the hundreds of dollars.

I would think that the processor, hard drive and ram would be the most costly considerations to affect the price. I know Bluetooth, 3 yr. warranty, Flexview and the Fingerprint Reader etc. also figure in, but they are included in most of these, I think

thanks,
sandar

[Roisin]

there are 'express' models and 'standard' models and they have similar configurations

standard models are more expensive, but they all have a 3 year warranty, and they have higher discounts (edu/visa/mc/employee)

then there are t42p models, which have a fireGL gfx card, and some have dvd burners, that add to the overall cost most significantly

[Sand]

The T42 2379DXU was one that I narrowed down to; does it have the DVD burner?

Is there a best way or place to buy; I mean, from the IBM site, or another? I think if it's from the IBM site I can return it if there's anything wrong, but I'm not sure about anywhere else.

Would I really need to go for the longer warranty because I read somewhere that if you leave it on for about two weeks, anything wrong will show up in that time. Is that true?

Sorry for all the questions, but I"m not as computer savvy as I would like to be, being a sextarian, a late starter, and it's a big purchase for me, being my first laptop.

I really appreciate all your help.

regards and thank you,
sandar

[Leon]

check with Bill, the host of this forum....

[CrazyJeeper]

I recently purchased the 2379-DXU and I can only say that it's an amazing machine, especially going from a 9.5lbs Dell Inspiron P4 5150 piece of junk to this beauty. I would like a DVD burner but i'm perfectly happy with the CD burner. Heck I hardly burn anything these days after letting go of the whole music download conspiracy. (i.e. no more music downloading these days.) I love the fact my 2379 has a 3 year warranty.

[csv96]

The 2379DXU does not have a DVD Burner. If you want a T42 (or even a T43) with 60gb 7200rpm drive AND a 15" SXGA+ 1400x1050 screen, there are very few choices. Currently, there are no configurations that offer the 60gb 7200rpm drive, 15" SXGA+ 1400x1050 screen, and DVD Multi-Burner together (they all come with the 80gb 5400rpm drive).

[Esteban]

My advice to choosing a ThinkPad is to listen to what people here write to become well informed.

Then, print pages with model lines of interest from the Tabook which is available from a link on Bill's website http://www.thinkpads.com Check out models and prices from Bill to see if he has what you want. You might save sales tax buying from Bill.

Highlight specific models in the Tabook with the features you want.

Then go to the education website as it has a very wide range of models.
http://www.ibm.com/education/us

On the education site there's a link called Advanced Quick Buy where you can input up to 10 model numbers. It'll show prices and availability.

Use the Quick Buy box or the ThinkPad Notebooks link to get to full descriptions of each model.

Make you final choice and buy one.

[Sand]

Thank you to all the answers to my question;

I'm working on this about morning to night to get it decided; it's prolonged mental torture.
Reading much to familiarize myself with the differences, coming from nowhere in computer land; Don't think I would qualify for the education discount, not being a student or connected to education / business.

I've gotten to vacillating between R9U, N1U and DXU. Can't really see much difference except for little higherwould be.

Does anyone own any of these that would like to explain how they reached the final decision?

much appreciation for your patience ,
(I don't know how to use the Emoticons)