Thinkpad recommendation
 

I am an IT consultant, use my current TP for business as well as personal. For business I don't get into any of the coding apps, but usually need several apps open and operating efficiently at once. For personaly use, I am not into gaming or the like, and in terms of graphics mainly use it for pics/photos and video (streaming; DVDs; ReplayTV; and possibly soon editing/burning - but amateur). I am about to buy a new TP T42 (currently have a R30) and have chosen the 2378FZU based on hardware/features v. price (among TPs that is) - this is its config:


Operating System
Operating System 1
Operating System Title Microsoft Windows XP Professional

Architecture
Bus type/architecture PCI
Bays Ultrabay Slim
Indicator light Yes
Cover material Magnesium
PC Card support 2 Type I/II or 1 Type III


Display
External display supported Yes
Simultaneous external display Yes
Screen type description TFT
Viewable image size (diagonal) inches 15.0
Screen illumination Backlit
Max colors or gray shades 16777216
Maximum Resolution 1024x768


Graphics
Video RAM std/max 32MB
Description ATI Mobility RADEON 7500
Graphics type XGA
Video RAM type DDR SDRAM
Max resolution 2048x1536 16777216 colors
Max colors (with max video RAM) 16777216
Graphics bus interface AGP 4X
Video on Planar Yes


Processor
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium M Processor 735
Processor speed[1] 1.70 GHz
Front side bus (FSB) 400 MHz
Internal L2 cache memory size 2 MB


System memory
Memory (RAM) std/max[8] 512MB / 2GB
RAM slots total 2 SODIMM
RAM slots available 1 SODIMM
Memory speed 333 MHz
RAM type DDR SDRAM
Module specifications PC2700


Hard drive
Hard disk size (GB)[4] 40 GB
Interface type ATA-100 (Enhanced IDE)
Hard drive speed (RPM) 5400


Optical device
Optical device CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo
Device interface EIDE
Optical device speed[5] 24X/24X/24X/8X Max


Audio
Integrated speakers 2
Speaker power rating 1.0 Watts
Volume control buttons Yes
Speaker Quantity 2 (Internal Speakers)
Number of speakers 2
Audio chipset SoundMAX
Audio data width n/a
Audio on planar Yes


Communications
Fax/modem description 56K V.92 designed modem
Fax/modem speed[3] 56Kbps data/14.4Kbps fax
Infrared port Yes
Infrared port speed 4Mbps
Wireless type LAN
Wireless standard[10] Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG
Wireless speed 11b:11Mbps, 11g:54Mbps
Ethernet description Integrated Intel PRO/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
Ethernet interface type Gigabit Ethernet- Integrated
Ethernet on motherboard Yes


Wireless Networking Components
Wireless Standard[10] Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG
Wireless Type LAN
Antenna Ultra Connect
Description Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG
Frequency 802.11b/g: 2.4GHz
Wireless Implementation (Form Factor) Mini PCI


Accessories
A/C adapter 72 watt
Worldwide A/C compatibility Yes
Port replication Optional
Docking station None


Standard features
Pointing Device Type IBM ThinkPad UltraNav
Keyboard light Yes


Expansion options
Plug and play support Yes
Parallel Port Type 1 (EPP)
Serial Port Type 2 (USB 2.0)
Port connectors 2 USB 2.0, AC adapter, Expansion Bus port (for Dock II/Mini Dock or Port Replicator II), External Display, External microphone, Headphone/Line out, Infrared, Parallel, RJ-11, RJ-45, S-Video out
Compact flash slot No
Compact Flash Slot No
Security Chip IBM Embedded Security Subsystem 2.0
BIOS type Flash ROM
Infrared Support Yes


Weight & dimensions
Height 1.2 in
Depth 10.6 in
Width 13.0 in


Security
Security features Hard disk drive password, Power-on password, Supervisor password, IBM Security Slot, IBM Embedded Security Subsystem 2.0


Limited warranty[7]
Type of service[13] Customer Carry-in Repair or ThinkPad EasyServ
Limited warranty period One year parts and labor (system battery: one year)


Packaging
Weight metric 2.6 kg
Weight US 5.7 lbs


Battery
Battery Types 6 Cell Lithium-Ion
Battery Voltage 10.8 V


Software[12]
Operating system provided Microsoft Windows XP Professional

I have also posted on forums.thinkpad.com, but having read some of the posts on there the vast majority of users/posters seem to be college kids and gamers. My requirements would obviously be different. And I thought I would get the opinions of FTers who would be more similar users to myself.

So here are my outstanding questions:

• I have read some comments about the 15" 1024x768 resolution and XGA - can someone explain why this may be a problem? Do I really need SXGA+ - and if so I have read 15" is not the best for that. True?
• Also is the Radeon 7500 not appropriate for my purposes? Some of the other T42 configs are Radeon 9000.
• I originally thought of going for a 60Gb HD but looked at my current 40Gb and I still have 23Gb unused. I also have an external (USB) 40Gb HD. So have 'almost' decided to settle for the 40Gb for now - and if in the future need a larger HD can trade up for a couple of hundred bucks. Opinions on this?
• is the 5400rpm HD fine for my purposes or should I go for a 7200 rpm HD
• any other issues I should consider?

Also, I intend to purchase the 3 (or possible 4) year warranty extension add-on.

Thanks in advance

I have used both the 1024x768 and 1400x1050 displays. In my personal opinion, I would spend the extra bucks and get the higher res. Also, I haven't noticed much of a difference between the 7200 and my previous 4200 rpm drive. Yes, it is faster, but not "gee whiz" faster.

Frankly, if your primary applications are 'Office' then the added resolution may be a slight disadvantage unless you have excellent eyes or plan on attaching the laptop to an external monitor. I you are using applications that have tons of palettes or controls (such as Visio or Rational) then maybe the res is worth it.

I have a T30 at 1024x768 (14" screen) but the current issue laptop in my office is the T41. Loads of my colleagues have this and I've not heard anyone complain about the screen res being to low for their taste.

Screen resolution aside, get the larger hard disk! Personally, I'm something of an electronic pack rat. It's great to always have reference material at hand from previous projects or engagements. IMO, it's better to have too much storage than too little.

Can you elaborate on the too high resolution being a disavdantage with Office applications? Is this because the fonts and icons get too small...? I thought you could just re-size them and solve the problem... or?

Thanks.

you gonna post this one everywhere?
 

the posting on thinkpads.com was getting nice reviews and responses already.

I wouldn't worry too much about the 1400x unless you have poor eyesight. I have bought some for my inlaws, and just upped the screen fonts and menu fonts. For things like office, this works fine, menu bar fonts and even screen fonts look larger than their type size would imply. There is a tiny bit of sharpness hit, compared to the regular standard resolution. I can see it, but they really cannot. The flexview screens are much nicer and brighter though. That is a real plus. I do still use an XGA screen on my 14", but would go to SXGA+ on a 15" for certain.

SXGA = 1280x1024 resolution, which is what you typically see on a 17"/18" monitor. To take that same number of pixels and fit them into a 15" monitor means the pixels have to be pretty small, which makes fonts and icons too small for some eyes.

Yes you can re-size, but 1) an LCD monitor looks like crap when not running at its native resolution and 2) why spend the money on the higher-resolution screen when you're just going to run it at the lower resolution.

It sounds like the maximum RAM is 2GB - if so, I'd get 1Gb at the outset, giving you a nice upgrade path if your usage warrants.

nerd, thanks for beating me to the answer on this one. In the case of LCD's it's really not about getting the densest resolution possible, but the right resolution for any particular panel size.

Not necessarily specific to ThinkPads, but many if not most notebook PCs come with two memory slots and for a 1GB config, they'll give you two 512MB modules, meaning that if you upgrade, you have to pull out one of them and toss it aside. What a waste...

FewMiles..

FewMiles - exactly what I was thinking (to specify the 1GB on a single modlule) - sorry for not being clear and thanks for clarifying the point.

I am anxiously awaiting a similar T42, the 2378FVU. Having an 8.5lb Toshiba with the UXGA (1600x1200) 15" screen now, I was shopping for something a little lighter.

The 2378FVU has a 14.1" SXGA+ screen - which I hope should be comparable in crispness to the 15" UXGA that I am used to. Definitely get at least a 5400RPM drive instead of the 4200RPM, but the 7200RPM won't give that much better performance and will give you a noticable battery hit, in my experience. I opted to leave the base 256mb module in there. I found 512mb SO-DIMM's at CompUSA for $100 - $30 rebate. Could easily get 1Gb installed for $170. Far cheaper than IBM's cost to do the same.

What I could not figure out is why ibm.com does not show the accidental damage protection plan under the warranty options, even when there is one available. If you beat your laptop up a bit (I know I do), this may be worth a phone call to inquire about. Try a search for IBM part 01N1577 (that is the 3-year. 2 and 4 are also available).

I think the 32Mb video memory is definitely on the low end, these days, for what you are doing, pics/photos, video streaming, DVDs; ReplayTV; etc. I believe video memory on that model Radeon is not upgradable, so get what you need now.

Video editing takes lot of storage space, and the external USB HD is the best solution. When you're ready, look into a much bigger enternal USB hard drive. They cost app. $1 per Gb, (even less if you buy the external enclosure and HD seperately), and 150 Gb is very common now, topping out at 250 Gb.

On the resolutions and screen sizes, for the 14" TP screens, the 1400x1050 resolution is in direct proportion to the WxH of the 14" screens, and thus it looks quite good. For the 15" screens, there's a different ratio of W:H, and I think the next step in resolution, (1600x1200?) is the correct proportion for the 15" screens -- I'd suggest you verify this to be certain. A previous post mentioning native resolution basically says the same thing.

Taking out the calculator:

For notebook displays (non-widescreen):

14.1" - 4:3 aspect ratio - 1024*768 - 91 dpi - 0.28 mm dot pitch
14.1" - 4:3 aspect ratio - 1400*1050 - 124 dpi - 0.20 mm dot pitch
15" - 4:3 aspect ratio - 1024*768 - 85 dpi - 0.30 mm dot pitch
15" - 4:3 aspect ratio - 1400*1050 - 117 dpi - 0.22 mm dot pitch

For desktop displays, up to 15", the LCDs tend to be 4:3 aspect ratio (1024*768), for 17" and 19" LCDs, they tend to be 5:4 with resolution of 1280*1024.

FewMiles..

15" - 4:3 aspect ratio - 1600*1200 - 133 dpi - 0.19 mm dot pitch

I have two Thinkpads, an A31P with a 1600 x 1200 display and a T40 with a 1024 x 768.

I hate carrying around the A31P, but I also hate going from the 1600 x 1200 back to the 1024 x 768. That A31P monitor is one of the sharpest things ever! :)