IBM Thinkpad T42 Specs

[Aramitz]

Originally posted by: aakerman
Well you are misinformed indeed.

Øyvind, a Norwegian product manager for IBM, has said on a Norwegian forum:

That the T42 model will come in both 14" and 15" versions (15" will have bigger footprint, and larger weight - a typical weight will be 2.43kg).
Also they will have the dothan cpu.
T42p will have the same video card as the T41p, FireGL T2 (~radeon 9600), but it will have a new ultrabay slim dvd-rw drive, instead of the old cd-rw/dvd drive.

Models will be announced the 11th of May, and be available from the 24th of May (I think it was).

The 15' is mine

 

[imported_Proteus]

...What is the advantage of a 15" vs. 14" display? I have heard that text appears smaller on higher resolution 15" displays intended for better graphics (like R50P). True?

For my part, to my eyes, the text is tiny on both 14 & 15 inch displays compared to Windows 2000 on a 14" display...

 

[Aramitz]

I prefer the largest screen for DVD films
On a 15' SVGA+ text is perfect with the "clear type" fonts

 

[imported_Proteus]

...What is the advantage of the clear type fonts with respect to their default size? The text seems so tiny in XP vs. 2000.

Also, I would have to assume that the 15" T42 would have a magnesium lid to distinguish it from the 15" R50P etc.

 

[aakerman]

Hmm.. the text has nothing to do with the OS? ?
It's all about pixel density..
SXGA+ (1400x1050) on 14.1" would have higher pixel density than XGA (1024x768) on 15" - so everything will appear smaller.
Is this a good thing? YES - because you actually get 87% more procent workspace, on the same physical space. The problem is that the
sizes of text and images might be too small for some, but I find SXGA+ on 14.1" just right. I don't know why people would go
with 15" SXGA+ over 14.1" SXGA+, if they don't have a problem with the size on the 14.1".. I for one prefer a lighter/smaller/slimmer machine =)

I don't like ClearType either.. it makes text appear smudged, and actually harder to read in my case -
I have just left everything on normal on my T41p (sxga+ on 14.1"), and it is crystal clear, even with
less than perfect vision, like I have.

 

[benz]

I think people are so engrained in the 15" screen, thinking that is the standard, and anything smaller is too small. I really think you need to see the 14.1" screen before you decide it is too small, because IBM really does a great job with making the 14.1".

 

[Aramitz]

My previous notebook was a 14'1 and now I've a 15' , it's really great.
For a few oz more , I'll got a 15' without any doubt.

 

[WackyDan]

Ok..... I've been proven wrong.... Checked out some disclosure doc's from IBM today and there is a 15" T42...

Really doesn't make sense to me, as anytime they changed the size of the chassis the model number went up the next "10" ie; T50....

I hope they don't do that stupid screen over hang BS they did a while back with the A's or R's......

 

[MoneyMINTR]

any other changes?

I have a T41p arriving in a few days. I'm thinking about returning it for a T42p if it's any better. Well hopefully, I'll be within the 30 days for a return.

 

[WackyDan]

Originally posted by: MoneyMINTR
any other changes?

I have a T41p arriving in a few days. I'm thinking about returning it for a T42p if it's any better. Well hopefully, I'll be within the 30 days for a return.

Careful there..... The "p" models sometimes aren't first available. You may see t42's first with t42p's following by a few weeks or longer.... Same thing happened with the R50/R50p launch.

 

[MoneyMINTR]

the T41p arrived today. It's going back tomorrow. The case where the battery inserts was broken, so I can't insert the battery. I doubt it broke during shipment. This is another case of IBM's declining quality control. This model was made in China and shipped 2-day express from Hong Kong. Quality control isn't very good with IBM these days. My first thinkpad T40 was great.

I'll enjoy the T41p until tomorrow when UPS picks it up. I'm contemplating ordering another one or just wait 2 weeks (May 11) for the announcement.

Onto the eval.

Keyboard = awesome to type on. I'm typing on it right now. Just amazing. Can say enough. Key are very tactile.

Screen: very nice. I had to adjust the settings in BIOS so that it stays bright even with a battery

Heat: not an issue. very cool to the touch.

DVD/CDRW: I got luck and received the new Combo V drive (24X CDR burning vs 16X) It's the new panasonic UDJA755Z

battery: 9-cell, I can see this thing lasting 5 hours no problem. I'm at 60% and I've used it for close to 2 hours already. beats the powerbook here

wireless: I got the 2373GGU model which comes with the Intel wireless miniPCI which sucks for reception. I got dropped twice already. The IBM made a/b/g is supposed to be better.

anything else that I left out?

 

[WackyDan]

Originally posted by: MoneyMINTR
the T41p arrived today. It's going back tomorrow. The case where the battery inserts was broken, so I can't insert the battery. I doubt it broke during shipment. This is another case of IBM's declining quality control. This model was made in China and shipped 2-day express from Hong Kong. Quality control isn't very good with IBM these days. My first thinkpad T40 was great.

I'll enjoy the T41p until tomorrow when UPS picks it up. I'm contemplating ordering another one or just wait 2 weeks (May 11) for the announcement.

Onto the eval.

Keyboard = awesome to type on. I'm typing on it right now. Just amazing. Can say enough. Key are very tactile.

Screen: very nice. I had to adjust the settings in BIOS so that it stays bright even with a battery

Heat: not an issue. very cool to the touch.

DVD/CDRW: I got luck and received the new Combo V drive (24X CDR burning vs 16X) It's the new panasonic UDJA755Z

battery: 9-cell, I can see this thing lasting 5 hours no problem. I'm at 60% and I've used it for close to 2 hours already. beats the powerbook here

wireless: I got the 2373GGU model which comes with the Intel wireless miniPCI which sucks for reception. I got dropped twice already. The IBM made a/b/g is supposed to be better.

anything else that I left out?

Try dinking around with Access Connections.... I find that when I have too many profiles for my network connection that it can drop mo for no reason.... and access connections tends to be the problem. I also switched channels on my AP and TP from default and I haven't dropped in almost three weeks now. So---Probably a combo of the software(part of preload) and the channel you are on which is probably default.

 

[aakerman]

Grats on the 24x.. I think I got one of the first ones, in my three week old t41p. Agree with you on the keyboard... it's terrific - better than my regular logitech elite!
I do think the notebook gets a tad hot though, under heavy load - it couldn't get much hotter, before it would get very uncomfortable.
Does your harddrive (7200 rpm I take it?) make an audible humming noise too? I can't comment on the wireless thing, since I got the GEU/GEG model, which has the ibm a/b/g.

Btw, one of the most impressive things about this notebook imo, is the fan... the fan is supposed to be proprietary to the t41p models, and it does a really good job - even on maxmimum speed, it is still very inaudible.. if I'm in a science lab or such with people talking around me, I have to put my hand besides the exhaust, to check if it's on or not!

I'm fairly certain the only upgrade the t41p will get, is the new slim dvd-rw drive, and a dothan cpu.

 

[Aramitz]

Hi
1) Is the T41 Chassis made with the same material as the old 600 (velvet feeling) ? coz my R40 is yet shining just after 4 months !!
2) Is the Dothan really a plus vs an 1,4 Banias ?
Thanks a lot

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: WackyDan

Originally posted by: gopunk

i heard there will be a larger screen on some models

Nope.. You will still only get a 14".... T42 represents the same chassis of the T41/T40.



The model number will jump up to "T-50" when IBM changes the T chassis.... Therefore no screen size cahnge yet.

no i think i'm right

sorry just had to rub it in

 

[aakerman]

1) no - the t4x series and the new x40s, are made from a magnesium-alloy, not plastic

 

[a2k]

So I was inches away from ordering a T41 today (my current Dell is gasping its last breaths) and I saw the 'formal' announcement that the Dothan is coming out May 10. Any ideas how that, in conjunction with the upcoming announcement of the T42, will affect pricing and availability of T41's? And will a T42 be a better value for the same price?

Thanks,
a2k

 

[mensa]

I was about to buy a t41 as well but now I am going to wait to see if IBM does start selling T42 thinkpads in May.

 

[Aramitz]

Pratically for a end user and not a technico
What's the difference between a Dothan & a Banias ?
Is the 2 Mb important for surfing ?
Is the Dothan will be warmer ?
Thanx

 

[WackyDan]

Originally posted by: a2k
So I was inches away from ordering a T41 today (my current Dell is gasping its last breaths) and I saw the 'formal' announcement that the Dothan is coming out May 10. Any ideas how that, in conjunction with the upcoming announcement of the T42, will affect pricing and availability of T41's? And will a T42 be a better value for the same price?

Thanks,
a2k

You'll be able to get a T42 cheaper than some of the T41's-- just depends on specs. A higher end T42 will cost more than most of the T41's. That's just reality.

 

[a2k]

Originally posted by: WackyDan

Originally posted by: a2k
So I was inches away from ordering a T41 today (my current Dell is gasping its last breaths) and I saw the 'formal' announcement that the Dothan is coming out May 10. Any ideas how that, in conjunction with the upcoming announcement of the T42, will affect pricing and availability of T41's? And will a T42 be a better value for the same price?

Thanks,
a2k

You'll be able to get a T42 cheaper than some of the T41's-- just depends on specs. A higher end T42 will cost more than most of the T41's. That's just reality.

10 days away, might as well just wait. If I have this thing for as long as I've had my current laptop, waiting a few days and spending a few extra bucks will be long forgotten details...

 

[WackyDan]

Originally posted by: a2k

Originally posted by: WackyDan

Originally posted by: a2k
So I was inches away from ordering a T41 today (my current Dell is gasping its last breaths) and I saw the 'formal' announcement that the Dothan is coming out May 10. Any ideas how that, in conjunction with the upcoming announcement of the T42, will affect pricing and availability of T41's? And will a T42 be a better value for the same price?

Thanks,
a2k

You'll be able to get a T42 cheaper than some of the T41's-- just depends on specs. A higher end T42 will cost more than most of the T41's. That's just reality.

10 days away, might as well just wait. If I have this thing for as long as I've had my current laptop, waiting a few days and spending a few extra bucks will be long forgotten details...

10 days from announce, not general availability which historically is two weeks after announce date. so add 14 days from May 11th and you get the idea of when they start shipping.

 

[a2k]

Originally posted by: WackyDan


10 days from announce, not general availability which historically is two weeks after announce date. so add 14 days from May 11th and you get the idea of when they start shipping.

Good point. And add another few weeks for the supply to meet the demand of all the people like me who delay their purchase of the new laptop in order to get the newest release.

 

[aakerman]

the difference is the 1mb larger level2 cache... no you won't feel it doing light stuff.

yes it will be warmer and use more heat (1.25w for dothan vs 1.0w for banias)

 

[WackyDan]

Well.. I get my T42 very soon.