T42 Non-Flexview screens

[PinaColada]

Hello,

I am a student who is seriously considering an IBM Thinkpad T42, with 14" XGA display. However, the only thing holding me back is the screen quality, which is going to be non-flexview.

I've had the chance to use an old 600X series lappy, and I really hated the screen. It did not have even lighting from top to bottom, and was really harsh in terms of glare and vertical viewing angle. When I opened up MS Word, the blank document looked yellow instead of white, and my eyes hurt after using the notebook for only 10 mins. I LOVE the Thinkpad build, but that screen is seriously not going to work for me if it is the same on the T42.

I've read the following review of the new T43: http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2240 and am amazed by the following description of the screen:

For some that are becoming tired of seeing a steady march of glossy widescreen display style notebooks released they will be relieved to see the T43 sticking to the tried and true screen it has used in the past. The screen is decently bright, certainly not the brightest out there, but absolutely bright enough and with enough contrast to provide a pleasurable viewing experience."

So, given the fact that I do NOT have the option of flexview, and in terms of budget, the only option to me is the 14" XGA (resolution is fine for me, just the screen glare and contrast is the potential problem), could anyone tell me if the T42 will be better than the 600X I saw?

Thank you!

P.S. Another question - I thought LCD's don't refresh like CRT screens, but when I had the 600X on battery, the light kept moving up and down the screen like the refresh process on a desktop CRT, and it is flickering a lot. Is that 600 laptop screen broken or defective now, and could that be why I can't stand the screen when it is plugged in to the AC?[/quote]

[JaneL]

I think the operative word here is "old". Screen quality degrades over the years with usage. How old is the 600 that you didn't like, and how much usage has it had?

We can only tell you how well *we* think the T series screens are for us. You'll have to look at one yourself to see how well it will work for you.

[Leon]

No one can tell you if the screen will satisfy you until you see it yourself. I CAN tell you that I have both the 600X and the T42, an that the T42 screen is significantly superior. Also, many demanding users (including myself) are quite satisfied wit it.

Welcome to our Forum. Please add location and other pertinent information to your profile. Not required, but appreciated.

[beeblebrox]

Haha,
the 600x is about, let me guess, 7-8 years old. It seems, your screen is going to Manitou's land, when it is yellowish (burned out tube) and flickering (old inverter inductors).

I think the LCD technology at that time could only be found in museums today.
Newer screens are VERY different in technology, you can order a newest technology 13.3" LCD for the 600x and have an ultra-bright white screen.
I had the same problems on my old T20 about a year ago. IBM replaced the whole thing with the newest stuff. It is ultra-bright white, for work I can only use 1-2 bars on the setup. In 15 months it has not faded at all.
Same with the T4x series.

[PinaColada]

Thank you, that helped me a lot

I really love the Thinkpads much more than other brands and models I have been considering (i.e. Compaq v2000, Fujitsu s6231), because they are in another class altogether - especially that keyboard!

I think I will put in an order from ibm.ca for a T42. That way, I'll have 30 days to get a good feel of the machine for myself and be able to return it if I really have to (though I hope not!)

One last question, how long do notebook batteries last if they are used only once or twice a week? I'm asking because there are some special offers that are available on the IBM Canada site that I'm looking at, such as 1) extra battery and AC adapter and 2) 3 year on-site warranty.

What is the advantage to having more than one AC adapter, and also, is it a good idea to go with an extended warranty on the Thinkpads, or is it unnecessary for a student on a budget (i.e. would most problems spring up within the first year of use, generally, or later as well?)

[dfumento]

What is the advantage to having more than one AC adapter, and also, is it a good idea to go with an extended warranty on the Thinkpads, or is it unnecessary for a student on a budget (i.e. would most problems spring up within the first year of use, generally, or later as well?)

More than one AC adapter means you can have one at work and one in the office and not have to carry it, but as a student you will have to carry it anyway.

You should get the 3 year EZServe warranty which is cheaper than the on-site warranty, but is still very quick.

I myself have an extra 6-cell battery for when I go to places that don't have many outlets for AC.

If possible, I would save your money on accessories and try to get an SXGA+ (1400 x 1050) based machine.

[PinaColada]

I see ... the thing with the SXGA is that I would like one, but it would jack the price up by $1000 with the configuration options on the site. I am going through VISA discounts for IBM Canada, and all I need is a basic 1.6 Mhz, 512 MB, 40 GB, 14" XGA model with Radeon 7500 (I know it is generations behind in terms of gaming, but I don't do much gaming other than Sims 1 and Simcity 3000 even on my desktop, which has 4MB of video memory ). I get a price of $1599 CAD for this model.

The first SXGA available on VISA discount is $2500 CAD, presumably because the processor has been increased, and so has the video card which I don't really need. I'm not sure that is justified for the basic needs that I have.

About the accessories and things, yeah, I'm probably not going to waste money on those. I was just wondering if some of these 'special bundles' were worth it or not.

[Glen]

Sorry to butt in, but where are you seeing Visa discounts on the IBM Canada site? Could you provide a link?

[dfumento]

It is possible that not every model is listed on the IBM visa site. Did you check to see if the drop down box said "All Models" instead of only "In stock"? I'd call IBM to be certain.

Also, somebody recently in this forum suggested that you can get a special PO Box in US and have the laptop sent there as a US model and pick it it. Search the forum for more info.

[PinaColada]

Does the warranty still apply if I buy an American Thinkpad? Also, there is probably shipping and customs to deal with

As for the VISA site, it was the only way I could find a discount on IBM Canada - so frustrating! IBM in the States has EPP, education discounts etc ... and this is all we have. Oh well, better than nothing I guess. I found the link on http://www.visasavings.ca/business, scroll down to where it says IBM. However, I'm not sure if you can get the discount unless you're a VISA 'Affinity' customer - still have to figure out what exactly that is.

[JaneL]

>Does the warranty still apply if I buy an American Thinkpad?
>

Yes.


>IBM in the States has EPP, education discounts etc
>

IBM in the USA also has Bill Morrow, your host in this forum. He's also an authorized IBM reseller who has a number of happy customers in Canada and elsewhere. Might be a good idea to contact him at bill@thinkpads.com