T43 REVIEW

Message

rickslate · #1 Post by **rickslate** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 6:54 pm

Just found the first review of a T43 at NotebookReview.com...

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2240

plucky duck · #2 Post by **plucky duck** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 10:54 pm

Wow, somebody doesn't know how to take pics with a digi-cam or what. So gawd awful blurry, lol. My eyes, my eyes!!

Merlyn_3D · #3 Post by **Merlyn_3D** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 11:33 pm

I can't believe IBM still won't put the [censored] windows key and app key on their keyboard for the T series. How hard could that be?

#4 Post by **JaneL** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 11:36 pm

>I can't believe IBM still won't put the [censored] windows key and app key on >their keyboard for the T series. How hard could that be?
>

Where do you suggest they put it that it won't affect the comfort and ease of use that we enjoy now? There is a finite amount of space on a notebook keyboard, and ThinkPads have been lauded for their keyboard layout for years now.

Merlyn_3D · #5 Post by **Merlyn_3D** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 12:00 am

nonny wrote:>I can't believe IBM still won't put the [censored] windows key and app key on >their keyboard for the T series. How hard could that be?
>

Where do you suggest they put it that it won't affect the comfort and ease of use that we enjoy now? There is a finite amount of space on a notebook keyboard, and ThinkPads have been lauded for their keyboard layout for years now.

I think they should have it as an option at least. Maybe shrink the Ctrl and Alt keys a little, I dunno, but every other laptop I've seen has it.

plucky duck · #6 Post by **plucky duck** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 12:09 am

Windows is not the only OS out there. If they were to add a Windows key I think the place the put it would be beside the shift key since it's so big or take over the Fn key and move the Fn key up besides the shift key.

People aren't going to run out and choose an IBM because they've added one on there. That is the least of their worries when considering a laptop. 1st thing that comes to mind would be pricing and looks among other things.

Kenn · #7 Post by **Kenn** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 12:22 am

IBM's got several reasons for not including a windows key. Of course, I wouldn't mind one, on the condition that they modify the keyboard to comply with Fitt's law and place the Ctrl-key at the bottom-left corner and the fun key between the windows and alt key. That's the only way (and the best way) to cram a windows key into the correct position on a notebook keyboard layout.

Of course, I've gotten quite used to my current Windows key bound to the web-forward key. It does the job I need for easy-to-reach hotkeys, and I wouldn't complain if IBM never added a native windows hotkey.

#8 Post by **RonS** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 12:23 am

I've been programming Windows since 3.0 first came out, and I've never once used the Windows key. I'm happy there's not one taking up the keyboard real estate.

Merlyn_3D · #9 Post by **Merlyn_3D** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 1:10 am

The rumor is that IBM is bitter about the defeat of OS/2 by Windows, which is why they won't put one in there on the T series (their bread and butter of thinkpads). Still though, I think it should be an optional thing. Windows isn't the only OS that uses that key anymore, I remember a few distros of linux which use it as well.

Moroner · #10 Post by **Moroner** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 6:23 am

After looking up Dell's current keyboards, including a Microsoft Windows Key would mean that the space bar moves to the right, instead of making use of the unused portion on the left of the spacebar. That in turn would move the right alt key out of its position, so that it would no longer be possible to reach it easily with you thumb. And for me, and I believe for a lot of other people writing in other languages than English, that key is the most often used modifier key out there.

On the other hand, for desktop keyboards, Microsoft's new keys had the nice effect of moving the right alt key into an easier to use position!

Steve007 · #11 Post by **Steve007** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 6:26 am

How hard is it for people to press Ctrl+Esc?

Voodle · #12 Post by **Voodle** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 6:59 am

Steve007 wrote:How hard is it for people to press Ctrl+Esc?

It's not, but you can't use all the handy windows shortcuts with that key combination.
Win+R = run dialog
Win+E = Explorer
Win+F = Find
Win+L = lock windows

So useful that I'd rather have them than not. But with that said, I don't mind having no windows key on thinkpads - I personally just remap the right Alt to be a windows key.

dvorak · #13 Post by **dvorak** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 7:53 am

Voodle wrote: It's not, but you can't use all the handy windows shortcuts with that key combination.
Win+R = run dialog
Win+E = Explorer
Win+F = Find
Win+L = lock windows

So useful that I'd rather have them than not. But with that said, I don't mind having no windows key on thinkpads - I personally just remap the right Alt to be a windows key.

Or use Windows' shortcut keys that can be applied to shortcuts on your desktop? Eg. more comfortable to press AltGr+. than WinKey+R, IMHO.

James314 · #14 Post by **James314** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 9:00 am

is the t43 pictured in the review a 15inch? I ask because the enter key is differant from my 14inch t42's - IMO my enter key is way better, i hate those small thin enter keys, why would they sacrifice the full size one anyway????

James.

dvorak · #15 Post by **dvorak** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 9:04 am

James314 wrote:is the t43 pictured in the review a 15inch? I ask because the enter key is differant from my 14inch t42's - IMO my enter key is way better, i hate those small thin enter keys, why would they sacrifice the full size one anyway????

James.

The thin one, height of one key, is on the US keyboard and Chinese, for example. Scandinavian, the one I use, has a larger one, as does UK's.

James314 · #16 Post by **James314** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 9:31 am

oh, well im glad to have the UK version, i have become quite accustomed to the larger enter key.

James.

atlacatl · #17 Post by **atlacatl** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 10:35 am

RonS wrote:I've been programming Windows since 3.0 first came out, and I've never once used the Windows key. I'm happy there's not one taking up the keyboard real estate.

You've never used [Win-E] to open an explorer window? Maybe you don't know all the combos, or you really like to use the mouse...

Install this guy: http://www.download.com/3000-2344-91362 ... ag=lst-0-1

You'll never leave home without it...

#18 Post by **K. Eng** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 10:41 am

Nope, it's a 14". Says so in the review, and the pictures of the T43 unit show a thick hinge on the left and a thin hinge on the right. A 15" model has thick hinges on both sides.

James314 wrote:is the t43 pictured in the review a 15inch? I ask because the enter key is differant from my 14inch t42's - IMO my enter key is way better, i hate those small thin enter keys, why would they sacrifice the full size one anyway????

James.

Kenn · #19 Post by **Kenn** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 11:09 am

Nobody who wants a Windows key wants it to activate the start menu (Ctrl-Esc). We want it because it's EXTREMELY handy for the windows shortcuts such as instant access to the "Run" window, which lets you start apps and activate the command prompt faster than you could mouse over and click any icon, instantly lock or shutfdown the machine, etc. The default positioning of the windows key makes it easier and more natural to do this than shifting your hands to reach the bizarrely placed ctrl/alt combos such as alt-f4. It's an efficiency/power-user thing, and lets you fly through common tasks and programs without ever having to lift your hands - quite a timesaver once you get to really use it.

Steve007 · #20 Post by **Steve007** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 11:17 am

Kenn wrote:quite a timesaver once you get to really use it.

It's not there to get used to though.

The workaround is to map the Windows key function to another key such as the AltGr key...

Logi7 · #21 Post by **Logi7** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 12:45 pm

I think they shoudl move the Fn key

theres tons of space newar the volume controls

but ive gotten used to useing the right Alt

Logi7 · #22 Post by **Logi7** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 12:51 pm

http://www.notebookreview.com/assets/3846.jpg

look at the PCMCIA slots
the 1st button is differetn and the door has some grille marks on it

JHEM · #23 Post by **JHEM** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 1:01 pm

Logi7 wrote:look at the PCMCIA slots
the 1st button is differetn and the door has some grille marks on it

ExpressCard slot.

Regards,

James

Kenn · #24 Post by **Kenn** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 1:02 pm

Logi7 wrote:http://www.notebookreview.com/assets/3846.jpg

look at the PCMCIA slots
the 1st button is differetn and the door has some grille marks on it

I think the reviewer talks about it - that's the new Expresscard (?) slot, the new heir-apparent of PCMCIA. One of the only true external changes and probably the only way other than looking at the clearplate of knowing it's a T43.

Kenn · #25 Post by **Kenn** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 1:06 pm

Logi7 wrote:I think they shoudl move the Fn key

theres tons of space newar the volume controls

but ive gotten used to useing the right Alt

The Fn key would be quite useful next to the the Access IBM row of keys actually, since all the combo keys you need to push as on the F-key row anyways.

The thing is, the X-series scrunches some of the longer keys, but it's still more-or-less full size and very easy to type on. Space probably wasn't the biggest concern IBM had when they decided to forego the Windows key, but for "whatever reason," those of us who like it are easily able to remap the key, so no harm done.

#26 Post by **K. Eng** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 5:35 pm

I just realized that the review said nothing about battery life. I know there was some controversy over claims that the Sonoma platform's battery life was slightly worse than the Carmel platform, but there haven't been any conclusive tests.

Leon · #27 Post by **Leon** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 5:38 pm

are battery tests EVER conclusive?

dfumento · #28 Post by **dfumento** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 5:47 pm

Tomshardware mentioned that in their review the battery lasted 20 minutes less.

But the T43 has a 6 cell 4.8 AHr battery compared with the 4.4 AHr battery for the T42.

9 cell is I think 7.2 vs. 6.6.

Thus the newer batteries have about 10% more capacity than the old ones. In which case battery life for T43 is probably about the same as for the T42.

MobileGuru · #29 Post by **MobileGuru** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 5:54 pm

Merlyn_3D wrote:I can't believe IBM still won't put the [censored] windows key and app key on their keyboard for the T series. How hard could that be?

Three words for you on this one ... Keyboard Customizer Utility.

It comes preloaded on the ThinkPads and lets you configure all kinds of keys, including a Windows key.

G.

lilserenity · #30 Post by **lilserenity** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 8:44 pm

I'm quite fine with not having a Windows key taking up my valued keyboard space. I don't have big hands so I would not find it more cramped, however one of the reasons I use my ThinkPad and wouldn't consider any other laptop (I have hated every other keyboard on the laptops I have used over the years) the really high quality keyboard.

The only shortcut you would find me using is probably Windows + L to lock it but then Ctrl + Alt + Del and striking L was hardly the biggest amount of effort

And again accessing the start menu is very easy, and the F keys have the shortcuts I need (Help, Rename and Search), and Alt + tab/Ctrl Tab, Alt + F4 offer all the shortcuts I could possibly need.

Personally, I do not find the missing Windows/Start menu keys a problem, having nice large Ctrl, Alt, and Alt Gr, R Ctrl keys is a real winner for me.

And of course, I am not a Linux user so I don't have a 'hidden agenda' and as correctly stated, if IBM wanted to win greated consumer orientated audience for the ThinkPad, then the Windows key wouldn't be the winner, they'd have to make a silver thinkpad made out of cheap plastic, pile on every gadget known to humankind along with a tin opener on the side, with lots of bright neon lights and market it for $800.

T43 REVIEW

T43 REVIEW

Who is online