Ordered T43 - Thanks, Forum!

After weeks of agonizing I finally came to a decision and ordered a T43. I must especially thank abaxter and others who contributed the various Thinkpad reviews and Asus W3V reviews. Also thanks to all those whose many posts I read in this forum and the Asus forum, for they too helped me with my decision. There was enough insight presented here that it was not necessary to post myself. I am indebted; it really helped.

My system will be:

T43 Pentium M 750 1.86 Ghz, 14.1 in. SXGA
512 MB plus 512 MB free = 1 GB RAM
60 GB 7200 rpm hard drive
64 MB ATI X300 video
Thinkpad Multiburner Plus DVD recordable
Fingerprint reader
Windows XP Pro
Intel Pro Wireless 2200 B/G
6-cell battery (I'll add another later)
Manufacturer Warranty - 3 years depot

Price - $1619 + stinking PA sales tax.
Free shipping

Quoted estimated delivery in two weeks or less. I won't bet on that, but it would be nice.
This package will make me very happy!

Larry

 

Congrats. ThinkPad T series are great notebooks. Although I have the 15" model, I think the 14" is the perfect sized notebook. Don't forget to post back once you've had it a bit.

 

gridbias, enjoy your new notebook in good health!

What is the part number of your configuration? I can't find your configuration in the tabook or the Lenovo site.

If permitted by Forum rules, could you give details on how you reached that pricing?

Thanks in advance.

 

Doriol, go to http://www.lenovo.com/us/en/
Click "Thinkpad Notebooks" (upper left)
Click "T Series"
Look on right hand side for "Manager Picks."

When I worked through one of those, it said I saved $770.
The Model number was 2668A1U. The Product Code on my e-mail calls it SYS.2668A1.

When I called today, I gave that number and went through what I wanted. The fingerprint reader was not shown in what I found on the web, and it wasn't mentioned in my ordering phone call; however, the confirming e-mail includes it. Maybe that is standard for all T43's. I also said I did not need the DVD burner, but that wound up included as well.

I asked how much that was going to cost and was quoted a very high number. I said that was beyond me and that I had seen better numbers on the web site. He asked if it was a manager special, and I thought it was. I was then quoted the price in my post above. I asked what that included, and he said "just what we have been talking about." I asked to read off my list of what I thought was included for his confirmation, and was told it was correct. So I said, "Let's do it." And we did.

It was a very pleasant experience working with a knowledgeable person.

Hope this helps.
Larry

 

Thanks so much, gridbias, for your prompt and detailed reply. I was in the market for an ultraportable (Thinkpad X41 in particular), but a powerful and relatively light machine such as the T43 you ordered makes me wonder. Problem is, I've never owned a laptop and cannot rely on experience to define my needs accurately. Right now it seems to me that the extra 2 pounds of the T43 vs the X41 are no big deal considering it's so much more of a machine.

Since this T43 deal is valid till 12/19/05, I'll go on agonizing a little longer over my decision. I'll be eagerly awaiting your future post with your initial impressions; that could help clinch my decision.

Thanks again for the help.

 

Maybe a x32 should be on your list. It weighs 3.5 pounds, uses a regular Dothan Pentium M and standard hard drive. Perfromance on it is quite good. The x41 uses a 1.8" hard drive which cannot spin faster than 4200RPM which will dampen system performance. x32 would sort of be a be a happy medium between the two.

 

Here's an excellent review: http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2564
And another: http://www.bentuser.com/article.aspx?ID=315

There's lots of good stuff in abaxter's review of the Z60t which will help you:
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2567

If you haven't done so, look over this forum for user comments and questions answered.

Finally, the April PCWorld review which gave the T43 an Editor's Choice:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1788030,00.asp

Larry

 

gridbias, so for $1619 you got the 3 year warranty?
because I was getting confused that on the front page it lists as $1679, and then when u go to customize it, it's $1619 like you said, and the warranty says base, and if you upgrade it to 3 years it's over $1679 (upgrade to 3 years costs $110 - total $1739)!!!

I will be ordering this same one or the 2GHz one ... still undecided

One more question. Since it seems the specs are not so accurate (you got finger print reader although it aint listed), did the email that you got or the sales rep mention anything about bluetooth being included? That's my only negative at the point (yes I am picky )

don't you just hate PA tax ... it comes to something like $120

 

Congrats! Nice solid config there and the price is pretty good, too bad about tax, but hey you need roads to transport the notebook to you and for that you need government to help build them (just trying to inject a way for you to feel better about that cost) I hope it works out for you, it's a great machine and I'm always confident in recommending it.

 

Yeah, the tax is bad news, but I would rather get the warranty, too. Yes, the warranty is included. It says on the receipt e-mailed:
Your Savings $770
Shipping & Handling $0
Tax $97.14
Total* $1716.14 The (*) says prices to be confirmed.

There was no mention of Bluetooth anywhere.
An additional note: The web told me that 3 years warranty is included (next business day in house, no less), and for an additional $9.00 LESS I could have 4 years depot. I think that for home use next day is not the usual. The rep told me it was three years depot and no upgrade to four years. I'm not sure the same facts are reported each day on the web site. Not as bad as Dell, though. I would get an e-mail from Dell with 25% (or somes a fixed dollar amount) off a notebook. Deal to expire the next day, of course. When you configure it on their web site you discover that prices on items they know you will want have increased to cover the discount. In every deal I saw, the bottom line always came out about the same. I'm glad I didn't go that route.

Larry

 

Zazonz, thanks for suggesting the X32. It just so happens that a couple of days ago someone on a digital photography forum mentioned it as an alternative to the X41. I'm looking into it.

 

Thanks for the links to the reviews. I have to say that I had already read them so often that I practically know them by heart.

At this point, I know I'm going to buy IBM (build quality and truly international warranty) but I'm facing three choices: T43, X41, X32. I hadn't seriously considered a T43 before reading your post about your newly ordered machine with those almost irresistible specs. If I can convince myself that I can live with the extra weight over the ultraportables, I'll go for it.

 

bluetooth is very hard to find on a T43. I am waiting for my T42, nearly same specs, but with bluetooth the cost before tax was 1750.