Bewildering Choices

[jrnewquist]

Folks,

My PowerBook hath died, and I think I'm gunna replace it with a ThinkPad T-Series. I love the solid feel of the things, and the keyboard is pure heaven. Great. And I have read the FAQ here. Groovy.

I am a little confused, however, about the following things:

(1) Of those mentioned in the FAQ, which promotions do I quality for? Mastercard if I have a Mastercard? Think Express, even though I don't own a Small Business? -- In other words, what's the best way to buy?

(2) I'm used to precise configuration over all the options right at the store, thanks to Apple's kid gloves. But doing this results in a FAR different price than I would expect. Also, the model codes bandied about in some of the forums here aren't always available on the IBM list when you go to the IBM web site's T-Series product list page. Confusing.

(3) I don't see many T43 options anywhere on the IBM ThinkPad T-series ordering site. And those that are around seem to be limited to low-end machines. Isn't this their new T-Series flagship? Is the T42 still what people are mostly buying?

I think getting a handle on these things will get me pretty close to ordering with confidence -- that I'm getting exactly what I want at the best possible price.

If anyone would like to make a suggestion about which alphabet soup mixture would suit me, at least prior to customization, I'm looking for something like this:

- At least 1.7GHz
- 1400x1050, but 14" or 15" ... trade-offs?
- 60GB disk (or better, but 60 is fine)
- 1 GB RAM (or better, but 1 is fine)
- Best possible wireless implenentation (I assume Intel 2200BG?)
- Fingerprint thing optional
- Not sure if this puts me into a T42 or T43 by definition, or not!

Thanks!
-Jason

[nomoredells]

Folks,

I am a little confused, however, about the following things:

(1) Of those mentioned in the FAQ, which promotions do I quality for? Mastercard if I have a Mastercard? Think Express, even though I don't own a Small Business? -- In other words, what's the best way to buy?

I would go with one of the credit card promotions; whichever you own. Or a higher education alumni if you qualify. The discount seems to be the same.

(2) I'm used to precise configuration over all the options right at the store, thanks to Apple's kid gloves. But doing this results in a FAR different price than I would expect. Also, the model codes bandied about in some of the forums here aren't always available on the IBM list when you go to the IBM web site's T-Series product list page. Confusing.

Yeah, you definitely don't want to "build your own". Those prices Don't worry about what shows on the website; you can still order those models that don't come up.

(3) I don't see many T43 options anywhere on the IBM ThinkPad T-series ordering site. And those that are around seem to be limited to low-end machines. Isn't this their new T-Series flagship? Is the T42 still what people are mostly buying?

I'm not 100% sure but it seems that they haven't yet gotten the website updated or aren't yet at high shipping capacity for the T43.

I think getting a handle on these things will get me pretty close to ordering with confidence -- that I'm getting exactly what I want at the best possible price.

If anyone would like to make a suggestion about which alphabet soup mixture would suit me, at least prior to customization, I'm looking for something like this:

- At least 1.7GHz
- 1400x1050, but 14" or 15" ... trade-offs?
- 60GB disk (or better, but 60 is fine)
- 1 GB RAM (or better, but 1 is fine)
- Best possible wireless implenentation (I assume Intel 2200BG?)
- Fingerprint thing optional
- Not sure if this puts me into a T42 or T43 by definition, or not!

Thanks!
-Jason

Well, you've got to make the decision about screen size. That's been discussed here extensively, just search the forum. Basically the 14.1 is better for toting around a lot but the 15 has the nice flexview. Make this decision first. Also, the 60GB is considered the "best" because it is 7200 instead of 5400 rpm. I think the IBM wireless is considered superior to the Intel.

I personally think that a 2373m3u (a T42) or a 266846u (t43) would be a good buy given your specs (though maybe not meeting the "best possible wireless" criterion). The price would be 1895 and 1703, before the RAM upgrade. You could upgrade the 46u to a 60GB drive for less than 200 dollars, which would put them about the same price point, but I would imagine the ram for the T43 would be slightly more expensive.

Plus if you got the M3U you would get the fingerprint reader, and many people on the forum here seem to prefer the T42 because it is a known entity. But in the end, it is all your choice and the prices are very close

[rocketman]

You should also call IBM, I've found sometimes there are models that are not listed on IBM's site. Most of the phone reps are helpful and will lead you in the right direction. On a different note may I ask what model Powerbook died on you, was it an old model or one of the current aluminum Powerbooks.

[Leon]

You'll get better price/performance on a T42. Either way, check with Bill, host of this site. He's having some good sales.

[mattfromomaha]

To get a good listing of all the models available download the TABOOK (I don't know the link, can someone help me out?) or go to cdw.com and search "ThinkPad T43" to get a list of all the models.

You are right, IBM doesn't list all models that are out there on its website. I'd go to cdw and then find a couple models that would appeal to you and then call Bill Morrow to see what prices he can get you. You're probably better off pricewise buying though him than using credit card discount or anything.

[JaneL]

>To get a good listing of all the models available download the TABOOK (I don't know the link, can someone help me out?)
>

You can't be serious. It's item #1 in the FAQ.

[jrnewquist]

Thanks, folks.

I'm in contact with Bill to price out a system!

-Jason