IBM T42 vs. X40

I am considering getting one of these notebooks, I have searched around, and it seems IBM has most of what I want. However, I unsure on several points:

1-I have heard varying reports about the battery life of each of these notebooks; what has your experience been?

2- Is it strictly necessary to get the dock with the x40? Are there any diadvanteges to just getting an external USB optical drive (would it consume way more power,etc.)

3- On that note, I read somewhere that the X40's HD performance is quite a bit slower than standard-- is this true? If so, would I still be able to burn DVD's at a good rate with the aforementioed set-up? Is the microdrive reliable (has anyone had it fail on them)?

4- Is the X40's keyboard full-sized or not? I have heard conflicting reports about this. (and for that matter what does "full size" mean exactly?)

5- Also, I need info about the ergonomics of these models-- how hot do they get, and where; Is it true that the battery does not lie flush with the back of the notebook, etc.

I have found a nice T42 setup (PM 735, 512 MB, 40 GB, 15" tft, integrated 802.11g ) for $2900 CAD tax incl., and an X40 (PM 1.2,etc, with dock, mouse, 3yr warranty, usb flash drive) for $3400 tax incl.

I have been saving for a computer for three years, so price counts-- what should I get?

note: I am open to other possibilities than IBM

Thanks

 

Just read the sticky; here are my needs:
This will be a general purpose computer for me-- portability is pretty important for me-- I want to be able to work anywhere-- outside, on the plane, at the library, etc.

Also I spend long periods of time on the computer, so it would be nice to find one with a comforatble screen to look at.

I enjoy playing games, but we all have to grow up, so I would eschew a computer with powerful graphics for a good all around design for getting work done (like the IBMs)

Thanks!

 

rookworm, both of these laptops are nice, but very different. the T42 can be configured with a 15" screen while X40 is designed with a 12" screen. Personally, I think the screen size, keyboard size and optical drive options on the T42 just make it a lot easier to be productive with. The T42 with a 14" screen is quite light and I find to be easily portable (I have a T40). Granted, you can't work on a plane as easily with the T42 as you can the X40...but the X40 is made to be thrown in a travel bag and used on planes and in airports. I wouldn't get an external drive for the X40, I'd get the media slice/docking station as I wouldn't want to torture myself with small screen size while at a desk, I'd use a real monitor. But as I said, I think the T42 sounds better for you anyway.

What is a full size keyboard?

"The key pitch must be 18mm - 20mm to qualify as full-size according to ISO standard."

I believe that the X40 technically is full size which is accomplished by reducing key size...full size is a measure of spacing of the keys and not size. Key pitch is simply a measure of distance from the center of one key to the next.

With a 9-cell battery the back of the T42 is not flushed, the battery sticks out a little. if it means more battery life (which it does, i can get up to 5 hours on my t40) then it's worth it.