Attn: ThinkPad T42 Users. - is T42 Still business laptop in the market ?

Attn: ThinkPad T42 Users.

I want to replace my HP Probook with another Business Laptop - preferably Lenovo ThinkPad T42.

Is the T42 still the "BEST" Business laptop in the market ? Has the quality/performance deteriorated (or improved) since taken over by Lenovo ?

Are there similar Lenovo substitues to T42 ? As I don't need a Internal CD Rom & has to be 14 "

Thanks - Mave

 

If it were my money I'd look at the T60 or R60 if the budget is tight. Though a bit thicker, the T60 is a better machine than the T42 in most regards. Plus it gets you access to a dual core CPU, and bigger faster hard drives and SSDs. The R60 is the T60 with a ABS plastic lid and a bit heavier/thicker too. Either will work well as a daily machine, though are no longer top performers.

 

Thanks. Do the ThinkPad has lost its charm.

 

I would say "yes", but many would disagree.

T42 is quite long in the tooth nowadays. My own T42p has been relegated to the function of a Linux testbed.

In addition to what ZaZ has stated...

If you *must* have a conventional (4:3) ThinkPad, T61/p were the last units available in that format. Models with Intel integrated graphics are trouble-free and would suffice as a daily driver (and then some) when properly configured.

Happy hunting.

 

Personal tip:

Don't buy a 10 year old laptop. Period.

The 20 series from 2012 is excellent as long as you don't mind a 16:9 display.

 

Very solid advice right here.

 

T42 is really old with the Pentium M series CPU. 10 years ago the T42 was the best, but 10 years in computer years is like 100 years in human years. You are better off with the T61, they are only 100 to 200 USD for a good quality unit.

 

Thanks Guys for invaluable advice.

Pointless starting another thread when you guys can help me find what i'm looking for.

Criteria:
Screen: 14"
RAM: 4GB or higher
Processor: i3 or higher
CD ROM: NO
Portable: Yes

That said - which Lenovo model is suitable? Ideapad / ThinkPad (or other)?

I need a portable Lenovo laptop with reasonable high specs without breaking the bank.

I've owned a Dell Latitude, Toshiba Portege & HP ProBook still been disappointed. The new ASUS range look good with solid finish, but performance-wise seem to be inferior.

Thanks in advance.

 

If you are buying from Lenovo your choices for a 14 inch laptop would be:
- Thinkpad T420/L420 (classic chassis and keyboard)
- Thinkpad T430/T430s/L430/T430u (classic chassis and chiclet keyboard)
- Thinkpad T440/T440s/T440p (modern chassis and chiclet keyboard)
- Ideapad u430/u410 (budget ultrabooks)
- Essential G480/G400/G410 (budget laptop)
- Ideapad Y480/Y400/Y410p/Y40 (gaming/performance)
- Thinkpad X1/X1 Carbon/X1 Carbon G2 (slim premium ultrabook)
- Ideapad Flex 14 (Reversible Budget Ultrabook)
- Ideapad Z480/Z400/Z410 (Budget laptop)

 

Sorry, but I think this "classic chassis/modern chassis" differentiation is meaningless. Why do you consider the T430u to have a "classic" chassis, just because it is the classic black color? Its construction is very different from any other T-Series. Also, the L420, is more built like the SL or the first Edge Series, why do you consider it to have a "classic chassis"?

T440/T440s on the other hand are closer to the T430s (Magnesium roll-cage bonded to the palmrest and Magnesium basecover [T440s only]) and the T440p is closer to the T430 construction wise (classic roll-cage with Glas-Fiber chassis). L430 and L440 are very similar in this department. They all have more of a "classic chassis" than T430u or L420...

Nearly any Lenovo 14" Notebook without a DVD drive would fit to these points. But still, my recommendation would be the T440s.

 

Hey - done some research on both T440 & Ideapad430.

For $900, I'm getting more specs on IdeapadU430 compared to T440

Core i5, 8GB RAM & 1 TB HDD

PCMark 7 test on U430 is a whopping 3900 & &T400 is 4400

Seems like U430 is a force to be reckoned with ?
Any thoughts ?

 

I don't think you'll be happy with an Ideapad being a long time T series user. Stick with T410(16:10)/T420(s)(16:9)/T430(s)(16:9)/T440(p/s)(16:9). And get an SSD.

 

Ok - is the T440, Top of Range of T-Series ?

 

I would say that T440p and T440s are _14" _T_ series top of the range, where p means more power less portability and s less power more portability (the "s" it's slicker and lighter, but only integrated graphics and low power CPUs). Just be warned that they have a new keyboard layout and a new trackpoint design (the trackpoint button are integrated in touchpad, I mean, you have to press the touchpad to click). I'd suggest you to read the T440p and T440s threads on this forum, for more details regarding displays and other things.

 

The T440 is $100 more expensive than the IdeaPad. I've changed laptops too many times.

How easy is it to upgrade the T-Series ?

Let's face it, Laptop lifespan is only 3 years, before user wants more power out of it.

 

Depends on what you're upgrading, but the hard drive and memory, which are the most upgraded parts, are pretty easy.

 

If you are used to business, I wouldn't even consider consumer grade laptops. They are the exact opposite of business users want; glossy screens, glossy this, plastic, "fab" and "cool", new models every year. I'd stick with a good old T series ThinkPad, it's a no frills business workhorse.

 

Still not worth getting a 10 year old T42.

U430 and T440p are in different classes. U430 is a touch ultrabook, T440p is a business performance laptop. U430 costs maybe half the price, but the build quality reflects that. You get what you pay for.

The reason why I don't buy business laptops is because i would rather have a machine that I paid less for in advance and have it replaced earlier, to benefit of new tech+design improvements that comes out. Glossy screens really don't bother me at all, and they can be had with touch, if that's your preference.

 

I never said to get a T42, if he was used to a T42, I'd say stick with the T series in general. Business machine aren't about being replaced sooner, they are about standing the test of time, for people who don't want to replace a machine every 2-4 years. Also business machine carry alot of legacy adapters/ports that are considered "obsolete" for consumers, like VGA, DisplayPort. Alot of Cisco stuff still need a Serial port to do configuration in, so gotta have those legacy ports. Glossy screens are an absolute NO in the business world, just thinking about it sickens me to my stomach. Touch again is a consumer feature that business users absolutely do not need. You won't find Apple in the real business world unless it is a director/corporate level position (even then most will use Latitude/ThinkPad/Elitebook).