 [Larger view] | IBM ThinkPad T42P Notebook PC (2.00 GHz Pentium M (Centrino), 1 GB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive) 2373KTU
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Average user rating:  | |
| A terrific laptop - but go with a custom configuration | |
| My T42 is the third ThinkPad I've owned. ThinkPads are a bit more expensive than most other brands (except Sony), but well worth it. They have excellent build quality, the most comfortable keyboards of any laptop, and excellent customer support (the few times I've needed support, it was easy to get through to a real human on the phone who could help me, and the one time a part wasn't working perfectly, they overnighted a replacement to me).
Before purchasing this T42, I purchased an S- series Sony VAIO comparably configured, which cost $300 more than the T42. The VAIO had a brighter display than the ThinkPad, and was even smaller and lighter. It was also more stylish. But the VAIO's display had a narrower viewing angle, meaning if you tilt the screen or turn the laptop even just a little bit, the display gets much harder to read. The VAIO's keyboard was not as comfortable as the ThinkPad's. And the VAIO's fan was noisy and always on, whereas the ThinkPad's fan is whisper quiet. So I returned the VAIO. If you want to buy a T42, I suggest you not limit yourself to this particular configuration, which is about the most expensive one I've seen. Instead, decide what you want the T42 to have, and then look for the configuration that comes closest to what you want. The first thing you'll need to decide is whether to get a T42 with a 14" or 15" display. The tradeoff is that the 15" is nicer, but makes the laptop about 1 pound heavier (though still lighter than similarly equipped laptops from Dell, Gateway, etc). Most people understand the role of processor speed, RAM, and size of hard drive. But you may not know that the speed of the hard drive is an important variable that should factor into your decision. Most desktop hard drives spin at 7200 RPM. In contrast, most laptop hard drives spin at 4300 RPM. This is one reason why laptops feel more sluggish than desktop computers. You can get laptops with hard drives that spin at 5400 RPM, and this makes a noticeable difference. The T42 can be purchased with a 60gb drive that spins at 7200 RPM - same as a desktop computer. I *URGE* you to get a hard drive that's rated AT LEAST at 5400 RPM. Of course, this costs a bit more, but on a limited budget, you can make up for this by choosing a slightly slower processor. Even the slower processors are faster than most of us need for most of the things we use computers for, so you're not likely to notice having a slightly slower processor, but you will definitely appreciate having a faster hard drive. Another thing you should get on your T42 (or whatever laptop you end up choosing) is built-in WiFi. Even if you don't have a wireless network in your home, chances are you're a short drive from half a dozen coffee shops or libraries that have wireless internet access, and this will only increase in the future. Getting WiFi on a notebook adds about $100 to the cost, and it's DEFINITELY worth it. Once you use it, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it, and you'll want to get a wireless network in your home (and they are not very expensive or hard to install - I did it, and I don't know much about networking at all!) After you come up with your dream configuration for the T42, visit thinkpad.com to find the specific model number of the T42 that comes closest to your configuration, then come back to Amazon and search on that model number to see Amazon's competitive price. Also, you can call IBM. Whatever price they quote for that specific model, tell them you found a comparably equipped Dell for $300 less and is there any way they can lower their price. In my experience, they will offer you a lower price. You should also consider the new T43, which will have a faster bus speed and other small incremental improvements over the T42 (but of course it's more expensive). Good luck with your purchase decision, and enjoy whatever laptop you end up choosing! |
