Help me choose plz DXU vs Custom 14”

[javellan]

The 2379 DXU is an amazing steal right now. $1,424.25
It has the works, 60gb 7khd, 64mb R9600, 15” Flexview, Bluetooth, IBM B/G, and 3yr warranty.

I can buy a 2373 H13 , through Harvard where I work. $1,513.00
It has almost the same specs as the DXU but has a 14” screen, Atheros A/B/G (which I don’t want).

I watch a lot of anime on my machine. I deploy 14” XGA laptops all the time at work and I don’t like the screen very much. Although I do love the 14” weight and size, it's just perfect and I’m afraid of the bulk the 15” will give me. I will be lugging this Laptop everywhere! What do I do? And how much longer will the DXU still be around? Should I wait till a new lineup of laptops become available this summer at my work? Right now I'm leaning towards the DXU. GOSH! I'm dying to buy a thinkpad. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

[Patmandu]

The 2379 DXU doesn't come standard with a fingerprint reader, does it?

I just recieved the same 'stock' unit and it is sans fingerprint reader.

--Patrick

[javellan]

Your right, no FPR, I misread IBM Embedded Security Subsystem 2.0

[Patmandu]

So, without the FPR, does that help the decision a little?

I wrestled with the same issue (14 or 15" screen, etc). I use a T40 at work and while the size of the T42 surprised me a little, it's defintely worth it's weight in functionality and use.

[JohnV]

Where are you finding the 2379-DXU at that price. My friend just bought one from the shareholders sote for $1709

John

[none]

Well I noticed you said you don't like the 14" XGA screens in the laptops you deploy... Let me just point out that there is absolutely NO comparisson betweeen them and the SXGA+ on th3 2373-H13, even though they are both 14"... There is a big, big difference in terms of clarity and crispness.

[javellan]

Yes and No, FPR would have been kewl to show off, but a hassle and uncomfortable I think. I'm attending an IBM demo showing off FPR tomorrow for my department. I'll get to see whter it's all that or not and hopefully one of the IBM guys will have a 15" Flexview screen to feast my eyes on for the first time. I think seeing the Flexview will help me make my decision faster.

[JohnV]

If this helps at all I have 2379-dxu and I love it!! Oh and with that price it is a steal!

John

[javellan]

The DXU is from the EPP site, I can't give you the login since I borrowed it from a friend of a friend.
"none" pointed out that the XGA screens and SXGA make a huge difference. I've seen the SXGA+ once and of course its native resolution was much better and looked extra crisp. However, I've been reading a lot of discussions about 14" and 15" screens and from what I gather the 14" has brightness and angle issues. I would use this machine constantly to watch countless episodes and movies and I think it would drive me nutz. I'm gonna have to ask that user nicely to check out her laptop, I can't believe the 14" laptop will cost me MORE than the 15" one!

[trikster2]

From memory (so I may be wrong) but I thought the EPP site had what is essentialy the DXU with a memory reader for $1500 something? Or was it $1600?

Hey, is it an urban legend that someone toasted their Motherboard by shocking (as in winter/static/rug) the fingerprint reader? I know I read that somewhere, have no idea if it is true.

[javellan]

Your right. There is the 2379-R9U which is about $190 more with a 1.8ghz instead of 1.7ghz and has the FPR. Hmmmmm.... I'll find out tomorrow is that FPR is worth the money. Chances are $200 is not

[CChoi83]

I have the 2379-R9U and I love it. The FPR does take some time to set up (<30 min. though) but I like it alot. Once you have it set up, it's works flawlessly everytime. It's very convenient to have. Just remember that the FPR is not a REPLACEMENT for your passwords but rather an added layer of security. Attend the IBM FPR demo show and see if you like it. Other than the FPR, the 2379-R9U is a great machine even though I would've preferred a T42p model (I didn't have that kind of cash the burn at the moment) with FPR. Good luck and let us know how it goes.