Impressions of a T40 owner...

[nicowju]

got the 4 recovery CDs via UPS yesterday.
Maybe now I'll unhide that recovery partition and free up the space; maybe not

 

[mocca]

Originally posted by: nicowju
got the 4 recovery CDs via UPS yesterday.
Maybe now I'll unhide that recovery partition and free up the space; maybe not

How do you partition the hard drive? I tried the IBM restore function but it won't let me partition the hdd. I got the T40 with 80GB and IBM make only one partition and I want to separate the hdd into more partition.

Mocca

 

[nicowju]

I would use Partition Magic or something like that

 

[mocca]

Did you try to benchmark the FireGL 9000 yet? I would appreciate if you can post the 3dMark2001(SE) scores. I get T40 but considering now geting T40P instead. Thanks.

Mocca

 

[Resh]

I second that. 3D benchies (UT2003) for the FireGL version would be great!

Thanks in advance Little Louie!

N

 

[patsun123]

so i've been following this thread for a while now... and i'm pretty sure i think i'm gonna go the way of the t40...

the question just is... which one.

does anyone know how big the difference is b/w the 1.3 and the 1.6 pentium m's? Like, i know the mhz and IPC difference, but does it really feel that much slower/faster? I'm currently running an old AMD XP 1800+ and that feels fine to me... not the fastest thing, but fine.

And then there's whether i should get the Intel PRO/wireless connection or the IBM one (thats in the t40p). What confuses me on the site is that it gives me like 2 places to configure the wireless options, one under connection options, and then the 2nd under wireless connectivity. Is there a big difference b/w the 2 wireless cards? Besides the centrino sticker...

Also, what makes the T40p, get a 'p'? Where does the p come from?

i'm glad to see this laptop get good specs.. although i wish it came with an nvidia card instead, but oh well.

 

[Kangaroo802]

Originally posted by: patsun123
so i've been following this thread for a while now... and i'm pretty sure i think i'm gonna go the way of the t40...

the question just is... which one.

does anyone know how big the difference is b/w the 1.3 and the 1.6 pentium m's? Like, i know the mhz and IPC difference, but does it really feel that much slower/faster? I'm currently running an old AMD XP 1800+ and that feels fine to me... not the fastest thing, but fine.

And then there's whether i should get the Intel PRO/wireless connection or the IBM one (thats in the t40p). What confuses me on the site is that it gives me like 2 places to configure the wireless options, one under connection options, and then the 2nd under wireless connectivity. Is there a big difference b/w the 2 wireless cards? Besides the centrino sticker...

Also, what makes the T40p, get a 'p'? Where does the p come from?

i'm glad to see this laptop get good specs.. although i wish it came with an nvidia card instead, but oh well.

I'm too sure on the benchmark differences of the 1.3 and 1.6....

The difference between the Intel version (237394U) and the IBM one (237392U) is the fact that IBM one is a dual band mini pci card from phillips and not from intel. This disqualifies it from being called a centrino (which really is no difference). The difference between 802.11a and 802.11b is the fact that the a is faster at 54mbps instead of the b which is at 11mbps. However, a is not a very common wifi connection unless you work at a company that uses it. The standard right now is b and most hot spots and places have b. The new technology, which is 802.11g is the same speed as "a" and will probably become the next standard. None of the IBM T40's currently have 802.11g cards in them, but this is not a problem because the mini pc card in the t40 is upgradable (so i will be able to get a tri-band a/b/g or g card in the future). The price difference betewen the IBM one and Intel one is about 50$. The atenna is the same in both and the connection between both cards on b is equal. If you will be able to use a, get model 237392U, however, if you dont need it get the 237394U (centrino) and you wlil save $50 (pay for your shipping ). Summarize, the IBM a/b card is more robust because it has 802.11a, but i have no need for a, so i chose not to get it.

Hope that helps!

 

[Kangaroo802]

Here are some notes/specs on my T40 (237394U - Centrino)

I ordered it on the 21st from IBM and it shipped on the 29th, i recieved it on the 2nd of May. They told me when I purchased the laptop that I would not recieve it untill the 19th of May; I was pleasently surprised to recieve it on the 2nd.

Specifications:
Model#: 2373-94U (Centrino - Intel 802.11b Wireless Card/Pentium M CPU/ Intel 855 Chipset)
CPU: P-M 1.6GHz
RAM: 512MB DDR RAM
Harddrive: 80GB, 4200RPM HD
Screen: 14.1" SXGA+ LCD
Video Card: 32MB ATI Radeon Mobility 9000
Media: 16x10x24/8X CD-RW/DVD
Modem: Integrated Bluetooth+Modem
Ethernet: 10/100/1000 (yes, Gigabit) Ethernet
Wireless: Intel® PRO/Wireless 2100 network connection (802.11b)
9-cell battery
IBM Embedded Security Subsystem 2.0
IBM Security Slot
WinXP Pro
---------------------------------------

Impressions:

1. Heat/Battery - I have used this laptop a lot for a paper I have been finishing, while in my lap. It gets a little warm, but it is nothing of special notice that will affect you (4 hours in my lap). I used the laptop till it was dead on Word processing battery mode and it lasted over 6.5 hours.

2. Weight - This thing is amazingly light. My friend has a Sager one (like the alienware 51-M) and the T40 is SO MUCH LIGHTER and easier to move around with. I have carried it around campus all day and it was really nice.

3. Wireless - I had some problems getting the wireless to work at first, but only cause i was incompetent and couldnt figure out how to set it up. After i got it set up, it was really fast and nice (802.11b protocol).

4. Build - This laptop definitely feels nice and sturdy compared to all other brands. It feels like you're carrying around something that was built to be thrown around (Like LittleLouie does). The LCD is really sturdy and does not ripple at all. I have shaken the table and it doesnt, I have also pushed hard on the back of it. When i push really hard it does, but that's because i am pushing really hard. The keyboard and ultraNav are really sweet. I like how the keys feel and the flexibility of the pad and the little red track ball.

5. DVD Playing - This thing is amazing with DVD movies, it plays so nice and is really smooth. It is absolutely flawless.

6. Sound - Pretty normal for a laptop, nothing annoying and nothing amazing. I'm thinking about buying and Extigy for my desk so i can have nice sound when I'm docking.

7. Software Included - Windows XP is a nice addition, and I will soon install a linux partition when I get the chance. The IBM software is a nice touch and is a fairly easy interface to use when trying to get around your laptop. I like how IBM includes very little software.

8. Carrying Case - I got a Brenthaven topload case. This case is really nice.

Summary: This is a really nice laptop. Everything about it is amazing from build to included package.

 

[UltraWide]

I can't seem to find this model for sale anywhere 237358U. I would be perfect for my needs and budget.

 

[Shanteli]

I called IBM for this model and they said they don't sell this anymore...probably cuz they discovered that they could make more money if u were forced to go with a hella expesive system w/ SXGA

 

[Resh]

For the record, I PM'ed Littel Louie to ask him if he would run some UT2003 and 3DMark benches and post the results so we can see how the FireGL does in games.

N

 

[Shanteli]

Does anyone know if IBM charges sales tax if u order online w/ them? Cuz they got pretty good sales going on right now

 

[Kangaroo802]

there is sales tax when you order from ibm

 

[Shanteli]

boo on that

 

[Pennstate]

ARRG my brother's 15% employee discount can't be combined with the 10% sale price :disgust:

 

[Molloch]

Originally posted by: Shanteli
I called IBM for this model and they said they don't sell this anymore...probably cuz they discovered that they could make more money if u were forced to go with a hella expesive system w/ SXGA

That's weird. I ordered it direct from them on Friday. Should be here tomorrow. They stop selling it as of today?

 

[Shanteli]

are you serious? I called them on like wednesday or tuesday of last week and the guy totally was like "Oh....we "used" to have that model. It is no longer being listed...where did you find that model number"....well I'm calling them again right now.

 

[Shanteli]

Cool....well I called them again and the miraculously had some in stock...like only 7 so yeah I got one. Crap thing was that it only had a DVD drive and I had to order the combo drive separate.

good eyes Molloch

 

[Molloch]

Originally posted by: Shanteli
Cool....well I called them again and the miraculously had some in stock...like only 7 so yeah I got one. Crap thing was that it only had a DVD drive and I had to order the combo drive separate.

good eyes Molloch

You are quite welcome. Glad I could give something back for all the info I have received. My school still has it listed as a special order, so I'm guessing the drone you initially spoke with was smoking something.

I was a little peeved that it only had a DVD drive too, but I did the math, and came up with the following:

Order the 237358U for $2k, the Intel wireless MPCI for $100, and the DVD/CDRW combo for $300 => $2400

Configure a machine with similar specs (except only 128M RAM instead of 256M like the 58U) => $2500

In other words, it would have cost me $100 more for the privelege of not having to throw away the DVD drive that comes with the 58U. I'd rather have a spare drive for that (or possibly one that I could peddle on ebay). Honestly, I'm going to see how annoyed I am with not having a burner in it... seeing as I've got one in my desktop and I've got wireless access. If it becomes a big deal, I may consider snagging a USB2.0 burner instead (since I'm pretty sure I've seen those for less than $100).

 

[Molloch]

BTW, any recommendations on notebook sleeves? I've seen a few of these mentioned in this thread, and was wondering what people thought of them. I've always used fairly hefty notebook bags in the past, but I've never had anything as small/light as the T40 before. Seems like a shame to lug it around in a big clunky bag, but I'd still like something that'd offer some kind of protection.

 

[Kangaroo802]

My friend got an ebags one and it's pretty nice. I got a Brenthaven case (Topload) and it has a removable sleve in it which is awesome at protecting it. However, my case is pretty large, but i want to use it for more than just my laptop so it works out really nice. But i think the ebags one is pretty sweet for $20

 

[Shanteli]

I actually got the 237358U with the CDRW/DVD and free case/portable surge protector for 2156. I kinda coaxed the guy to give me the 10% discount that is currently on IBM's site. I am waiting off on the mini-pci wireless card for a little bit to see if they release an a/b/g card. Yeah the sales guy stated that there were only 7 more of this model and he did not know if this was one that was being phased out or if it is just new or something. Either way...it goes to show how some people know their info while others are just talking out of their $ss.

Oh yeah...and does anybody know what is up with the bluetooth on some of the higher models? From what I gather, like on the T40p it is connected to the mini-pci card so it is actually an a/b/bluetooth thing? Is this correct?

 

[Shivatron]

Originally posted by: Shanteli
Oh yeah...and does anybody know what is up with the bluetooth on some of the higher models? From what I gather, like on the T40p it is connected to the mini-pci card so it is actually an a/b/bluetooth thing? Is this correct?

Actually, it's a combination modem/Bluetooth radio. There's details on it in the Anandtech review here.

HTH!

 

[Shanteli]

I see...hummm pity then.

 

[OldSpooky]

My T40 will be here Thursday - I'll post a review that night