Jump to content

Advice for notebook: IBM T42?


Recommended Posts

Guest someone
Posted

Hello,

I am thinking of buying an IBM thinkpad T42 with the following specs:

Intel pebtium M processor 1.7 GHz "Dothan technology" and 2048 Kb cache

768 Mb RAM memory

60 Gb harddisk

CDRW/DVD combo drive

15" XVGA screen, resolution 1400 x 1050

ATI Readon 9600, 64 Mb

intergrated wireless network adaptor 802.11b/g

intergrated 10/100/1000 network adaptor

2 x USB 2.0

S-video

Firewire IEEE 1394

31 x 311 x 255mm 2.1 Kg

more info: here and here

I woud like to know what you think of these specs, because I don't know a lot about computer specifications.

Processor, display and wireless network are most important for me to know if these are good or not in this notebook configuration.

Do I have to buy a 802.11b or 802.11g compatible wireless network accespoint/router for setting up a wireless network with this notebook?

many thanks in advance, Loek

Guest Taoski
Posted

We buy the Thinkpad range here at work but only up to the T40 model.

The spec sounds good and should cover most eventualities - its got plenty of RAM and hard disk space too. And if you wanted to play games, the ATI card should work well.

The wireless adapter is builtin to the laptop providing access to a wireless network - but yes... you will need to get an access point for the laptop to connect to - depending on what type of wireless network you want of course. You can operate 2 wireless PCs as a network together - or you can have a wireless broadband router which will act as an internet gateway for the laptop - and as a local LAN hub too.

There are plenty of sites out there regarding installing a wireless network and the different options.

See Here at the Linksys site for a description of networks - wired and wireless.

Guest Paul [MVP]
Posted

I just bought a new laptop... I plumped for an Acer 1502 LMi with an Athlon 64 3200 in, i've chucked in 2GB RAM too, and it's AMAZING!

Came in at just over a grand plus the RAM, a real bargain!

P

Guest idavid
Posted

paul,

how is the build quality on the acer? my sony is giving up the ghost and it needs replacing. was looking at a P4 2.8HT sony as the one i have had has been damn good. how does the P4 2.8HT compare with the athlon? need a real number cruncher, photoshop, illustrator, CAD etc.

edit: ps where did you get it from, with the ram for just over a grand?? pre tax i presume?

  • 2 weeks later...
Guest Paul [MVP]
Posted

Build quality is top notch... i've mostly had Thinkpads up to now which have been indestructible, but the Acer is fine too!

I have found the performance amazing, feels actually faster than my previous machine, a 3.06GHz HT Acer...

Got the laptop from Technoworld, the price seems to have gone up a little to £951 ex VAT - still a great price - http://www.technoworld.com/productdisplay....20%2D246%2D1502 , and I bought the RAM off eBay! :D You need DDR333 SODIMMs with 128MB chips on, NOT 64MB!

P

Guest idavid
Posted

cheers paul. looks like a nice piece of kit. trying to persuade my cd drive on my old laptop to finally break... :twisted:

Guest Gorskar
Posted

I bought this one a few weeks ago (but from Time, not Tiny)

Had a slight problem where if you plugged in the power while it was running off batteries it would lock up and you'd hear a spark sound.

I've sent it back for repairs now, hopefully it will come back working properly. For the record the performance was supurb, although anoyingly the function key is to the left of the control key, which pretty much necesitaes an external keyboard for games.

Oh- the link: http://www.tiny.com/packages_new.php?prodid=10580

Actually my screen was higher res: 1400 X 1050, but it costed a little more - £999 (only £10 to deliver mind)

Guest idavid
Posted

nuts innit! had been looking for the best price for ages then suddenly ebuyers price dropped by 300 quid! i was pretty sure it was a mistake but had to order it then and there. lets wait and see if i ever get it :shock:

  • 3 weeks later...
Guest idavid
Posted

well ebuyer fell through rather predictably. bloody annoying them dropping their price when they ran out of units and after the product was discontinued... :?

managed to find one elsewhere for a normal price and am typing this on it now, and absolutely fabulous machine. SO SO SO fast, unbelieveable. so thanks for the advice paul. now to find some cheap ram.... :P

Guest Paul [MVP]
Posted

I got mine from eBay, if you go for 1GB sticks, make sure that you get sticks with 128MB chips on and NOT 64MB, or they won't work (i've been there!).

And yes, it's an awesome machine, i'm very happy with it, and particularly like the fact they got DVD Writer, SD, Memory Stick AND a floppy drive in a decent size chassis!

1400 x 1050 is great too ;-)

P

Guest idavid
Posted

the screen in particular is a bloody marzel after 1024X768!!!!!!!!

will keep an eye out for the ram... can you upgrade the slots one at a time? will the 256 work if i get a gig one as well (if oyu see what i mean)?

Guest Dr Who
Posted

If u r interested in laptops the good people at www.whatlaptop.co.uk/forum are very nice, helpful and pretty clued up.

Posted from my SmartPhone!

Guest Paul [MVP]
Posted

Yeah, that'll work fine, again as long as you get the right 1GB sticks.

P

  • 4 weeks later...
Guest ajb3000
Posted

Just wondering if any of you have had problems with your Acer since you bought it? If all is well I'm going to by an Aspire 2026WLMi in a couple of weeks, 2GHz Centrino with 128MB Radeon 9700 :P.

Guest Paul [MVP]
Posted

Ditto, mines lovely, sooooooooooo fast, and 1400x1050 rocks!

P

  • 2 weeks later...
Guest idavid
Posted

paul, or anyone with a decent laptop. have you tried doom3??

i am sure it will run on my laptop, but dont want to get it if its just going to be sloowwwww! :?

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.