T40, T41, T42 significant differences

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Jim Pletcher · #1 Post by **Jim Pletcher** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 5:29 pm

Disregarding RAM, microprocessors, video and hard drive variations, could someone explain the significant differences between these three machines?

Why should I by one (used) as opposed to the others?

combustion · #2 Post by **combustion** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 5:38 pm

I'm in the same boat, trying to figure out which one I want as well... does the t40 come with the dothan proc? or is it only the t42/t43?

#3 Post by **daeojkim** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 6:24 pm

If you have not read the FAQ above please do.
dfumento wrote a very nice summary about how to choose and buy a TP.

Kenn · #4 Post by **Kenn** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 6:25 pm

If by "microprocessors, ram, etc" you don't mean to exclude architectural differences, the T42 is the first to ship with the Dothan core (2MB cache, 90nm process). The T42 is also the first to offer a 15" version. Newer T42s also have the fingerprint reader. I don't remember if the T40 supported gigabit ethernet, but it probably did.

I think there are also some minor chassis differences - something like the T40 having a Ti structural support or bottom casing, whereas the T42 is carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic...pretty minor overall.

So far, the T43 takes what the T42 has and adds the 533MHz FSB Sonoma platform so the CPUs are non-swappable with prior Dothan/Banias processors, and supports Expresscard as well as PC Cards for expansion.

Am I missing anything?

Jim Pletcher · #5 Post by **Jim Pletcher** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 6:48 pm

Sorry I didn't find the FAQ referred to (still can't).
But, Kenn is providing the kind of information I was looking for.

#6 Post by **daeojkim** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 6:51 pm

Jim Pletcher wrote:Sorry I didn't find the FAQ referred to (still can't).
But Kenn is providing what I was looking for.

It's the sticky post on top of the forum.

"FAQ: Before you buy a Thinkpad... " title..

Jim Pletcher · #7 Post by **Jim Pletcher** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 6:58 pm

My apologies, the way the subject is worded, it looked like it was for T43 only.

none · #8 Post by **none** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 11:11 pm

Jim Pletcher wrote:Disregarding RAM, microprocessors, video and hard drive variations, could someone explain the significant differences between these three machines?

The "video" in there kinda jumps out at me, because it's not as easily disreguardable as the other specs. T40 had DDR2100 RAM, T41/42 have DDR2700. T42 also has the Dothan CPU, as mentioned above. But all in all the hard drives, CPUs, and RAM are all interchangable. You can still stick a Dothan into a T40 machine for example. But back to the video -- The video card evolved with each generation (and each generation's p models) and it CANNOT be replaced, upgraded or interchanged like the other parts. Therefore, I think it's one of the key differences between them.

Jim Pletcher · #9 Post by **Jim Pletcher** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 8:28 am

First of all, thanks for the reply. I really appreciate all the information I can get. Your comment is especially valuable.
I also value Kenn's comment about structural differences, and non-interchangable processors.

My original post may not have been too precise. What I was really looking for is:

"what are the differences, if any, that may not be obvious from reading the IBM descriptions".

Thanks again!!!

Leon · #10 Post by **Leon** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 9:02 am

The IBM descriptions and replys above pretty much cover it. They are more similar than different.

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dvorak · #11 Post by **dvorak** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 11:26 am

Well, as much as I have seen in real life and not mentioned above,
T40's have a shiny AccessIBM/Volume/Power button "frame",
T41/T42/T43 AFAIK all have matted frames there.

T40's that I've seen do not exhibit some problems I've noticed on T42's, too big multibay opening, right side of LCD moving, palmrest creaking.

Not big differences though, but the only physical differences I'm aware of :)

sonoma · #12 Post by **sonoma** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 12:50 pm

I think you cannot take those four parts out of consideration. Those four parts make up the most differences between the models you listed. Though, I'm not so fussy about how fast a CPU clock speed is - doesn't bother me at all (I come from Computer Science background).

However, the speed and amount of RAM, the Front-Side-Bus (FSB) speed, as well as the screen resolution are the most important criteria to me when it comes to buying a new model. I used to use R32 (for three years) which only had 16MB of Video RAM and was only capable of 1024x768 native resolution. I loved all aspects of it (as it was my first ThinkPad) except for that screen resolution.

For this reason, any notebooks with screen resol. lower than 1400x1050 do not interest me at all. As I'm a programmer 1024x768 resol. meant I had to a lot of scrolling not only vertically but also horizontally. Also, it is not a good "viewing experience" when it comes to playing DVD movies etc

I love my current T43's high screen resolution plus the wide viewing angle only present in Flexview LCD's. I'm not sure about your criteria but if I was able to give you an advice, the above is my recommendation.

gazingwa · #13 Post by **gazingwa** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 1:46 pm

I do believe (correct me if i'm wrong) the from the t40 to t41 you got hard drive protection system

Jim Pletcher · #14 Post by **Jim Pletcher** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 4:26 pm

I wasn't disregarding RAM, microprocessor, hard drive and video differences. It's just that those things are (relatively) easy to distinguish.

What I was looking for, is exactly the kind of information I am getting now.

For which I'm grateful!!!!

T40, T41, T42 significant differences

T40, T41, T42 significant differences

Re: T40, T41, T42 significant differences

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