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 based on Windows Vista

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by horatiub, Mar 21, 2006.

  1. horatiub

    horatiub Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    23
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Ok, I have an option to buy the following systems:

    T43

    2.13 GHZ
    2GB RAM
    60GB HD 7200 rpm
    ATI X300

    or

    T42

    1.70 GHZ
    512 RAM
    40GB 5400 rpm
    ATI Radeon 9600


    I'm trying to buy it based on Windows Vista requirements. The T43 has a grea t deal, I would say the same price as the T42. The only thing that makes me wonders is the video card. From the research that I made, I found out the the 9600 performs better than the X300. So, I'm not sure which one will run the Vista Full Glass interface better

    Any ideas?

    Thanks
     
    horatiub, Mar 21, 2006
    #1
  2. Trippytiger

    Trippytiger Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    50
    Messages:
    253
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    ATi claims that both graphics cards are ready for Vista's fancier graphics options , so you probably don't have to worry about that. With that in mind, the T43 would be the best choice for Vista, as it's simply more powerful, and, more importantly, has much more RAM. You could always upgrade the T42, but there's no point in spending money if you don't have to.
     
    Trippytiger, Mar 21, 2006
    #2
  3. horatiub

    horatiub Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    23
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I hope the x300 will be good enough. I keep reading that people preffer the old 9600 over the x300, but as long as it runs Vista with all the eye candy, then I'm ok.
     
    horatiub, Mar 21, 2006
    #3
  4. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    4,982
    Messages:
    34,001
    Likes Received:
    1,415
    Trophy Points:
    581
    The 9600 is a bit better of a card. I would prefer the T43 if they are close in price cause it has the faster hard drive, faster CPU and more memory. T42s do run a bit quieter.
     
    ZaZ, Mar 21, 2006
    #4
  5. Aero

    Aero PC/Mac...Whatever works! NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    733
    Messages:
    1,919
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    T43 has a much nicer video card, which is guaranteed to run Windows Vista when it comes out.
     
    Aero, Mar 21, 2006
    #5
  6. Trippytiger

    Trippytiger Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    50
    Messages:
    253
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Actually, the 9600 is the better performer of the two, and both cards are guaranteed (or so says ATi) to be able to handle the Vista eye candy.
     
    Trippytiger, Mar 21, 2006
    #6
  7. dr_st

    dr_st Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    571
    Messages:
    1,437
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I'd say that the video cards are on par. Depending on configuration, drivers and randomness one may outperform the other, but overall their potential is pretty equal.

    The above choice is a no-brainer. That particular configuration of a T43 is better in everything and costs the same? What's there to think about?
     
    dr_st, Mar 21, 2006
    #7
  8. horatiub

    horatiub Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    23
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    you're right about the no brainer, but I was just doubting the video card potential on the T43.
     
    horatiub, Mar 21, 2006
    #8
  9. happogiri

    happogiri Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    37
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Do you know if it's just plain X300 or Mobility X300? Same goes with 9600. They are different cards and the ones that are labeled as mobile are a bit newer in this case.

    Anyways i would take the T43. I've been using one as my work computer since last summer :buyIBM:
     
    happogiri, Mar 23, 2006
    #9