Help me in configuring a T43

Hi folks,

I am looking to purchase a T43. I went to IBM website and tried to configure a custom Notebook.

I am looking to purchase a T43. I customized a notebook on IBM's website.

Here are the basics.

Intel Pentium M Processor 750 (1.86GHz 2MB L2 Cache 533MHz FSB)
15.0 inch SXGA+ IPS (1400x1050)
1 GB (2 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM PC4200)
40GB 5400rpm EIDE (Standard)
ThinkPad 24X/24X/24X/8X Max CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo V Ultrabay Slim Drive
ThinkPad Multi-Burner Plus Ultrabay Slim Drive
Integrated wireless: Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG (Standard)

Here are my questions.

1. Is 1400x1050 the max resolution available in 15" scrren? Is a higher resolution available in the 14" version?
2. I want a 7200 RPM hard drive. Does IBM offer one on the T43? if yes where do I pick that since I wasn't given an option to change the hard drive.
3. I want the DVD burner that can also burn CDs. This configuration comes with a CD Re-writer and I picked a ThinkPad Multi-Burner Plus Ultrabay Slim Drive. Is this a DVD Re-writer? Is this swappable with the CD writer?
4. Is the Integrated wireless: Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG enough to get wireless internet access? Do I need a different card?
5. Is the fingerprint scanner standard on this? I didn't see an option to pick that.
6. I heard someone say it is better to buy from a vendor than IBM directly since it will be easier to return if needed? Is this true?

Thanks.

 

vp4

1. Higher resolution is available, but may cost a lot. For 15 inch screens you have to get a T43p model, which costs a lot more, but you can get UXGA. 14 inch screens are available in either XGA or SXGA+ screens -- the SXGA+ is available both as a regular T43 and a T43p.

2. Dont try to configure on the Thinkpad site -- it will drive you crazy. Take a look at the "Dodson" sheets, which are summaries of all current model configurations. Once you know the model, you can either use the Lenovo website to purchase it, or call them directly. Note that even if it is not on the website, you can still get the model by calling.
You can access the thinkpad Dodson sheets through this link: www.pc.ibm.com/training/mxw10.html

3. As for a 7200 RPM drive, I have just ordered a T43 with one (15 inch screen, SVGA+, 760 M Processor, 7200U drive and a CD burner (they ALL burn CDs, but most do not burn DVDs). It is a 2668-94U.

4. Unfortunately, there does not appear to be a current model that has SVGA+ together with a 7200 drive and a DVD burner at the same time. If you look at the Dodson sheets, you will see the 7200 drives listed as "60U", which stand for 60 gig "ultra" high speed -- the ones that are listed as HS are 5400.

Your choices are

(i) Order a 2668-94U or a 2668-98U (basically the same machine, just a different wireless ABG card) and live without a DVD burner,

(iii) order the same machine, and a DVD burner separately if you really want one -- and yes, the multi-burner plus ultrabay slim device will burn both CDs and DVDs and is the exact one that you are looking for, or

(iii) go to a T43p, a much more expensive machine which has higher UXGA resolution -- which bothers me but some love, a 770 pentium, and a DVD Drive (Model numbers 2668-H2U, 2668-H5U, and 2668-H8U all fit that bill)

5. Wireless 2200 BG is fine for now. They are moving to ABG cards, so you might want to order a machine that has either an IBM or Intel ABG card, but I would not sweat it too much.

6. The Dodson sheets will list which machines have fingerprint readers and which do not.

7. I don't know about other vendors, but if you buy from Lenovo, you can return it to them for any reason for 30 days after purchase.

 

The Thinkpad ultra-slim multi-burner is a very slow dvd burner (2X - 2.4X):
http://www-131.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=-840&langId=-1&partNumber=73P3342&storeId=10000001

Unless you really need to burn DVDs on the go, I would buy a faster external dvd burner (8X - 16X) for half the price.

You might also want to buy memory outside. Memory from IBM/Lenovo is expensive.

If you don't mind a 5400rpm drive, take a look at this model, 2687DDU:
P-M 750, 15" SXGA+, 512MB RAM, 60GB 5400rpm HD, Multi-burner, Intel abg.
List is $1899. If you are a student/alumni, you can get 10% off through the edu site.

Or 2687D4U, same as above, except CD/DVD combo instead of Multi-burner and 40GB instead of 60GB. List is $1749.

For 14", take a look at 2687D3U. Same as DDU, plus fingerprint scanner and 9cell battery for $1949 list.

You can also get 10% off through the credit card sites: Visa, Mastercard, Discover, etc.

 

You can get the 15" in UXGA resolution, but they are expensive. You could upgrade the hard drive yourself, if you can't get one with the 7200RPM drive since they are in short supply at the moment. I have the Multiburner in my T42. From personal experience, it is not a very good drive. It is slow as mysbca stated. That is why mine is on eBay at the moment. I'm going to go with an external. You can get a 8x burner for a $100 or less on NewEgg plus a case for around $20-25. If you google the machine type and find the specs, it should say whether it has the fingerprint reader. Usually it is hard to return items epecially notebooks to internet retailers. IBM has 30 day return policy.






I was robbed by a sweet little old lady on a motorized cart and I didn't even see it coming.

-Lloyd Christmas


Thinkpad T42:
* 1.8Ghz Pentium M * 1.5GB Memory * 60GB Hitachi 7200RPM * 15" SXGA+ Flexview * MultiBurner * Win 2k *

 

<<You can also get 10% off through the credit card sites: Visa, Mastercard, Discover, etc. >>

I don't have a Discoverer card. Went to Visa & MC web sites. But couldn't find the discount info. Do you know the links? Thanks.

 

Try these:

Visa - http://www.IBM.com/businesscenter/visa
Mastercard - http://www.IBM.com/businesscenter/mastercard

You may also want to contact Bill Morrow at www.thinkpads.com to see
if he can give you a better price.