D600 or T40

[memnoc]

I'm looking to sell my desktop and current laptop and replace both with one of these two fine machines (or are they?). The reason I picked these two is because I need a pretty powerful system, but mobility too. I have a 19" on my desk so I don't need a big LCD or anything. Right now, my desktop has a geforce 2 Ti 64mb, so I'm expecting both of these to be a step up for me. With the setup that I'm considering, which would be the best route?

Considering:

Decent graphics (i'm happy at 1024x768 noAA)
snappy performance (is 256 enough for anything)
look and feel (i've looked but never felt)
durability
heat (nobody ever talks about this, but I don't want burns)
wireless capabilities
anything else you want to mention


I can give 1600 or so up front and i'm willing to lease (the whole thing or the remaining after that chunk).

 

[Shivatron]

As a T40p owner, I must say that I'm extremely impressed with machine overall. (I'm not impressed that the logic board has decided to take a permanent hiatus after two weeks of use. But I understand that these things happen, and IBM's tech support has very very helpful thus far.)

Other than the faulty board, the machine is everything you could want in a notebook. Thin, very sturdy, light, and uber battery life. (And a keyboard to die for IMO.)

HTH!

 

[eriqesque]

My suggestion is either the T40 or even the new T41


Considering:
Plays everything I have thrown at it with very playable results
Very snappy perfornmance I have upgraded the HD to the 60GB 7200 Drive but was pretty snappy before
Feels great, very very solid, but very portable very sturdy nice rubberized coating on the lid
extermely durable
Keeps running very cool, No burns from this baby
Buit in wireless capability
3 yr. warranty can't be beat

 

[Frightcrawler]

the only problem with ibm machines are the price.
i wish i could get one... t41p....

 

[kayatai]

if you are considering the D600 you may want to look at the 600m instead. It has the same parts (except for the blue trim on the keyboard/touchpad) except you can upgrade to 64mb video card on the 600m and only 32mb on the D600.

the 600m/D600 does tend to get hot on the bottom around the ram door, you will want to have something between your lap and the laptop (I find a nice 3 ring binder works perfectly and is just the right size)

I got the standard intel centrino wireless and it works great. Haven't tested the range that much as I have a 1 bedroom apt, but there are no problems and always have a perfect signal even through a concrete wall.

you will want more than 256 ram, but you can always buy it from crucial for cheaper.

If I had unlimited funds I probably would have got an IBM, but value-wise you really can't beat a good dell deal combined with a 20% off coupon code.

 

[Capedad]

Hi ya Kaya,

Where, might I ask, do you get a 20% coupon code?

HHHMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmm......

Thanks,

Dave

 

[kayatai]

I signed up to recieve online notifications as well as their catalogs and about 4-5 weeks later they sent me a 20% off coupon code.

 

[Capedad]

That figures. I've been getting catalogs for...ever.

Dave

 

[Frightcrawler]

whoa..20% off, thats insane.

 

[memnoc]

too bad ibm doesn't have stuff like that... or do they?...

 

[Pandaren]

if you are considering the D600 you may want to look at the 600m instead. It has the same parts

This is not exactly true - the D600 has a magnesium LCD cover and a trackpoint in addition to a touchpad.

I recommend the T40 or T41. Build quality and keyboard are great. I've used D600s and 600ms. The D600 is good, but not as good as the T4x.

 

[memnoc]

Ok, excellent...

About the graphics.. I was happy playing Max Payne 2 on a Geforce2 64mb, so I assume if i get any version of the radeon 9000 i'll be ok right?

Also, is there some kind of resource that lists all configurations of the T40 because I hate when websites do the economy/mainstream/performance options.

And finally... aside from getting one that someone gutted, is there anyway to pick and choose different options (like put the fire gl on a lesser P M)?

thanks

 

[Shivatron]

Originally posted by: memnoc
Ok, excellent...

About the graphics.. I was happy playing Max Payne 2 on a Geforce2 64mb, so I assume if i get any version of the radeon 9000 i'll be ok right?

I can only comment on the FireGL, which is nice and snappy in anything I've tried. Keep in mind that the other Radeon's in the lineup only have 32MB VRAM, though.

Also, is there some kind of resource that lists all configurations of the T40 because I hate when websites do the economy/mainstream/performance options.

Personal Systems Reference - IBM ThinkPad Notebooks

And finally... aside from getting one that someone gutted, is there anyway to pick and choose different options (like put the fire gl on a lesser P M)?

thanks

No. The FireGL only comes with the "p" models and the chip is soldered onto the motherboard.

HTH.

 

[Biggs]

You won't go wrong with an IBM T-series other than frequent complaints from your wallet.

 

[memnoc]

wow atticu5.. you work for ibm? thanks alot

 

[PaleRider1]

Atuuco
If i become your friend 20% discount??
HeHe

 

[Shivatron]

Originally posted by: memnoc
wow atticu5.. you work for ibm? thanks alot

Heh, I wish... then I would get the 5% employee discount. No, I'm just a satisfied customer -- despite the fact that my T40p has a blown logic board after only two weeks of use (of course, IBM is picking up the tab).