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.

    T43 14' or 15'

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by The Sandman, Dec 21, 2005.

  1. The Sandman

    The Sandman Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    15
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    hi,
    IBM decided to send me a 14' T43 with supposedly better specs instead of a 15' T43. The only difference is an ATI Mobility RADEON x300 64 MB card instead of the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 and an integrated fingerprint reader (unsure if this is actually useful for a student). Is this new grapics card that much better? And what is sacrificed by having a smaller screen/ body? Does the smaller body increase heat build-up?
    Thanks
     
    The Sandman, Dec 21, 2005
    #1
  2. dr_st

    dr_st Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    571
    Messages:
    1,437
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    If your 15" was SXGA+, then by going 14" you've sacrificed the Flexview screen (which is better than the regular screen offered on the 14"). On the other hand you gain mobility and battery life, plus, the dedicated video card is really better.
     
    dr_st, Dec 21, 2005
    #2
  3. Andrew Baxter

    Andrew Baxter -

    Reputations:
    4,365
    Messages:
    9,029
    Likes Received:
    55
    Trophy Points:
    216
    I prefer the 14" due to the lighter weight and better battery life (smaller screen area ). The X300 is better than integrated graphics, but still not enough to do any high-end gaming, doesn't sound like you would have cared about that anyway though. I put little value on the fingerprint reader for my work habits, doubt you will either. In the end, it's baffling why IBM would send you something you didn't order, I'd check what the price of this machine is that you got to see if you've really gotten a better deal or even lost out on price, I'd definitely threaten to return unless they give you $100 since they did a bait and switch to get you to order.

    Did you order direct from lenovo.com or somewhere else?
     
    Andrew Baxter, Dec 21, 2005
    #3
  4. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    4,982
    Messages:
    34,001
    Likes Received:
    1,415
    Trophy Points:
    581
    To me the 14" is the perfect sized notebook. You can notice heat more on the 14" since it is slimmer especially if you have a 7200RPM drive. I don't think you are giving anything up on the screen since the 15" you ordered was not the Flexview and the SXGA+ on the 14" allows you to see more.
     
    ZaZ, Dec 21, 2005
    #4
  5. The Sandman

    The Sandman Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    15
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    hi,

    I did order from Lenovo, and asked them about the shipping time, to which they replied in an email that they swiched the 15' for the 14' and could ship that right away. It comes tomorrow, and as i'm typing on a 15' screen right now, so i guess i can compare tomorrow. however, Abaxter brings up a good point in that i am paying the same amount for a 14' T43 with a different graphics card and a fingerprint reader as a T43 with a 15' screen (all other specs identical). Is this a good deal in exchange for the larger 15' screen?
    Thanks
     
    The Sandman, Dec 21, 2005
    #5
  6. dr_st

    dr_st Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    571
    Messages:
    1,437
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Like said, 15" non-Flexview isn't worth having. The 14" SXGA+ is better. So it seems like you gain.
     
    dr_st, Dec 22, 2005
    #6
  7. thinkpadfan

    thinkpadfan Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    35
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    If 15" laptop is not a flexview, 14.1' sxga+ is the best choice.
     
    thinkpadfan, Dec 23, 2005
    #7