The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    T42 Vs T43

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by Sanity, Sep 22, 2005.

  1. Sanity

    Sanity Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    8
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hi,

    I have the option to select the laptop that i will receive from my work

    ThinkPad T42 2373-FWG

    P M 725, 512MB RAM, 40GB 5400rpm HDD, 14.1 XGA(1024x768) TFT LCD, 32MB ATI Radeon 7500, 24x24x24x/8x CD-RW/DVD, Intel 802.11b/g wireless(MPCI), Bluetooth/Modem(CDC), 1Gb Ethernet(LOM), Secure Chip, 6 cell Li-Ion battery, WinXP Pro

    or

    ThinkPad T43 1871-FAG

    P M 750(1.8GHz), 512MB RAM, 40GB 5400rpm HDD, 14.1in 1024x768 LCD, Intel 900, 24x24x24x/8x CD-RW/DVD, Intel 802.11bg wireless(MPCI), Bluetooth/Modem(CDC), 1Gb Ethernet(LOM), UltraNav, Secure Chip, Fingerprint Reader, 6 cell Li-Ion batt, WinXP Pro


    Which one do you think is better?

    Thanks
    :)
     
  2. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    4,982
    Messages:
    34,001
    Likes Received:
    1,415
    Trophy Points:
    581
    They are nearly identical except for the fingerprinter reader and the T42 has dedicated video memory so it won't draw video memory from the system memory. The T42 runs cooler and has better battery life. T43 has better performance and is noisier. Unless you are doing something where you need the extra juice, I would opt for the T42. Ay least thats what I did when got my T42. I looked at the T43 but went for the battery life and quieter operation cause I don't do anything major on mine. Good Luck.
     
  3. Michael1980

    Michael1980 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    169
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    T42 is better imo. Don't really like the 750 Sonoma. Kinda reminds me going from P3 Mobile chip to a P4.
     
  4. milesm

    milesm Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    -10
    Messages:
    23
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    how do the two compare with respect to weight? thanks.
     
  5. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    4,982
    Messages:
    34,001
    Likes Received:
    1,415
    Trophy Points:
    581
    They are nearly identical. Both a hair under five pounds.
     
  6. Sanity

    Sanity Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    8
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Thanks guys.
    I think i will go on the T42 for now.
    :)
     
  7. Hans Gruber

    Hans Gruber Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    -3
    Messages:
    75
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I would disagree regarding battery life for T43 vs. T42. They are about the same. My brother has a T42 without fingerprint recognition. I have the T43 with fingerprint. If you go for the T42 just make sure you get one with fingerprint recognition.

    PCworld.com says they got 5 hours from a T43.

    "The other big improvement: even better battery life than the T42 we reviewed last September, which endured for 4 hours, 9 minutes on one charge; the T43's standard 6-cell battery lasted a little over 5 hours." PCWORLD.COM

    http://pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,120923,00.asp
     
  8. Hans Gruber

    Hans Gruber Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    -3
    Messages:
    75
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Jeez,
    I didn't realize the T42 used DDR ram instead of DDR2. That alone should make your decision very easy. DDR2 memory runs at 1.8v vs. DDR memory which runs at 2.5v. This for certain will drain your battery a bit quicker than the DDR2 memory. The DDR2 is a bit faster for performance.
     
  9. MP5

    MP5 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    5
    Messages:
    236
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    T43
    32 VRAm, DDR, P725 is like driving a 90s car in a millenium era. Soon it will be out of date...
     
  10. dr_st

    dr_st Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    571
    Messages:
    1,437
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Inconclusive, then. Here's a review from CNET, which reaches the complete opposite conclusion:

    http://reviews.cnet.com/ThinkPad_T43/4505-3121_7-31312127.html

    "The IBM ThinkPad T43 delivers similar performance but lesser battery life than the identically designed ThinkPad T42; we think the latter remains the better buy."
     
  11. MP5

    MP5 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    5
    Messages:
    236
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    'slight' performance by 10% difference from a 0.6 point cpu speed difference and same RAM type. More performance with DDR2. i think faster HD and vcard impact the battery life