T42 configurations - Value for money?

[intropert]

Hi folks,

Want to seek your opinion on the value for money for the following 2 configurations. What is happening is that my college is offering T42s at "student prices" for stripped down configurations. My question's how bang for buck is this compared to a web special offer for a T42 in another country.

Is the difference of approximately US$800 really worth the added features of:
- faster processor i.e. 1.5GHz vs 1.6GHz
- more RAM i.e. 256 vs 512
- different XP versions i.e. Home vs Pro
- NIL vs free insurance against theft/damages
- NIL vs Free wifi access
- NIL vs Free smartsuite

My main gripe with the student config is the lack of RAM and the XP ver. I can probably live with a slower processor speed! Of course, both are a little short on the disk storage space. Oh well!

Views appreciated!!!


The main configs are as follows

(1) Student offer (US$1,205)
======================
Intel® Pentium® M Processor 715
(1.5GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 400MHz FSB)
Intel® PRO/ Wireless Network Connection 802.11b
256MB DDR RAM
40GB disk
CDRW/DVD Combo
ATI Radeon 7500 (32MB)
14.1" TFT XGA / 1024 x 768, 16.8M
Modem, LAN
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home (English)
3-year international warranty


(2) Web special offer in othe country (US$2,040)
==============================
Intel® Pentium® M Processor 725
(1.6GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 400MHz FSB)
Intel® PRO/ Wireless Network Connection 802.11b
256MB DDR RAM
40GB disk
CDRW/DVD Combo
ATI Radeon 7500 (32MB)
14.1" TFT XGA / 1024 x 768, 16.8M
Modem, LAN
Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional (English)
3-year international warranty
FREE worldwide insurance against theft and accidental damage
FREE Wi-Fi access (up to 360 mins) in 2,500 locations worldwide
FREE Lotus SmartSuite office software licence

 

[Justin216]

Save the $800...go with the 1.5

 

[Mattster]

I just got my niece the $1,200 one. She loves it and all of the girls in her dorm are somewhat jealous, because she has a ThinkPad and they are stuck with crappy $700 Dell's.

My .02

Matt

 

[fbrdphreak]

I would go with the $1200 one on two conditions:
(1) Upgrade the RAM, XP no like <512MB
(2) See if you can add Thinkpad Protection, extra ~$135USD (read: accidental damage coverage )

These are not "stellar" machines, but for a portable internet/word processing/VERY-LIGHT GAMING (with OLD games), it is a good value. You can't beat IBM for the quality and the Pentium-M is a great CPU @ any clockspeed. Also find IBM's Educational site and see if you might get something with better features for a better value directly through IBM. And don't be afraid to call the person listed on the contact page, they are very helpful.

 

[NeBaWONG]

wow... my school gives pretty good deals then

IBM T42
Pentium M 1.7 GHz
Display 14" SXGA+
Hard Drive 80 GB
Memory 512 MB
Ethernet Integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet
Wireless Centrino b/g
Video graphics 64MB ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9600
Optical Drive DVD-RW
LiIon Battery 6 cell
Warranty 3Yr-Depot
Weight 4.9 lbs
OS Preload Windows XP Pro

All for the low price of $1979

 

[balapavan]

I would get it at $1200 and upgrade the RAM with another 512 @ $120.....that way you would have 784 MB...
And XP Pro you could get it at officedepot for student at @172...
1200+120+170 =$1490...or in the ball park.
you can search the forums for the officedepot forum for xp pro for students.