T42 for $750 or Macbook for $999..

[simms]

My trusty T40 is going to be sold off soon and I can't decide between the IBM and Mac. I could find a used T42 with 2 years waranty, P-M, etc, for around $750 incl. shipping on eBay.

The lowest Macbook is $999 AR, but doesn't include ANY warranty. $180 to increase it to 3 years - but it would be new (and Dual-core, etc... which I don't really need).

I can't justify to myself the 33% increase in price to get a Mac, and yet I can't find a suitable T42 on eBay to buy (DVD+-RW, Fingerprint and warranty are all that I ask for).

So what should I do? I've got to buy one in about 2 weeks...

 

[ubercaffeinated]

Don't macbooks come automatically with one year warranty?

 

[arcas]

T42s are pretty nice. I have a work-issued T42p and I like it pretty well (Thinkpad keyboards are the best in the business but since you have a T40, you already know this) The thing that has so far made me hesitate on buying a current macbook for personal use is it's still first generation hardware. Ideally, one would wait until the second generation macbooks come out before making a decision.

Alternatively, if you have a friend in college, you might be able to work an educational discount on the macbook to bring the price down a bit more?

 

[simms]

Originally posted by: arcas
T42s are pretty nice. I have a work-issued T42p and I like it pretty well (Thinkpad keyboards are the best in the business but since you have a T40, you already know this) The thing that has so far made me hesitate on buying a current macbook for personal use is it's still first generation hardware. Ideally, one would wait until the second generation macbooks come out before making a decision.

Alternatively, if you have a friend in college, you might be able to work an educational discount on the macbook to bring the price down a bit more?

Yep, but even with an edu, there aren't that many discounts. It's maybe 1050 + tax, with a free nano which I could sell, so it comes to about 950+taxes whereas I could get it from Amazon for 999 with no tax.

AFAIK, macbooks only have a 30 or 90 day warranty...

I can only wait about 1 week before I have to sell this laptop, the warranty is due to expire in about 2 months so I want to sell it and replace it with one that has a better warranty.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: simms

Originally posted by: arcas
T42s are pretty nice. I have a work-issued T42p and I like it pretty well (Thinkpad keyboards are the best in the business but since you have a T40, you already know this) The thing that has so far made me hesitate on buying a current macbook for personal use is it's still first generation hardware. Ideally, one would wait until the second generation macbooks come out before making a decision.

Alternatively, if you have a friend in college, you might be able to work an educational discount on the macbook to bring the price down a bit more?

Yep, but even with an edu, there aren't that many discounts. It's maybe 1050 + tax, with a free nano which I could sell, so it comes to about 950+taxes whereas I could get it from Amazon for 999 with no tax.

AFAIK, macbooks only have a 30 or 90 day warranty...

I can only wait about 1 week before I have to sell this laptop, the warranty is due to expire in about 2 months so I want to sell it and replace it with one that has a better warranty.

the warrenty if for a year and the tech support is for 90 days

 

[manly]

It depends on what you want. The Thinkpad T is easier to carry around, probably more durable and has a great keyboard.

The MacBook is more powerful, and ideal if you want Mac OS X, iLife and a built-in iSight.

After re-reading the OP, I'm not sure how much benefit there is going from a T40 to a T42.

 

[erikistired]

i'd only get the macbook if you're interested in running os x. they are still having heat issues. if you're buying it to run windows xp on keep looking.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Are you looking to run OSX as your primary OS? If not, then don't go Apple. Pretty simple IMO

 

[TK2K]

macbook, its an amazing laptop, it runs os x and windows, and its just damn sexy

 

[ValuedCustomer]

I've never met anyone w/ a T-42 (including myself) that was disatisfied w/ their machine.. much to the contrary. I have however met more than a few Macbook owners who weren't entirely pleased. -- I've had a T-42 for 2.5 years and I can't count how many times I've thought to myself, "damn! I love this laptop.". 'nuff said.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Originally posted by: TK2K
macbook, its an amazing laptop, it runs os x and windows, and its just damn sexy

I agree, the Macbook is an amazing laptop, it does so much and it can run all major OS's, so why wouldn't you buy it? What are you going to do with your laptop, maybe then we could help you make a better decision.

 

[thraxes]

As others have alreay said, unless you want to use OS-X as your primary OS I wouldn't really recommend buying an Apple. Don't get me wrong, they are excellent machines and exactly what I was looking for: A very fast OSx capable machine which can boot into windows for some gaming and can run Win and Linux at near native speeds in a VM for dev work.

Some things though that for the time being restricts Windows usefullness to just playing games and noithing else (this is based on my experience with my new MBP):
Keyboard support - all the special keys on the keyboard do not work yet - it's not just brightness and audio volume but also the simulated numpad and generally everything you need the fn key for - this is a real biggie and a major dealbreaker if you want to do any serious work in Windows!
Audio - With the current Bootcamp drivers, the speakers are ALWAYS on, even if you plug in a headset. Sollution is to install Intels Sigmatel drivers which shuts down the speakers for good but the line out works just fine.
No iSight - no biggie, I don't really need it
No Keyboard Illumination (MBP) - It's the 133test feature of the damn thing but when playing games in WinXP at a LAN it doesn't work!?!? Booo Hisss!!

 

[OREOSpeedwagon]

Originally posted by: ChAoTiCpInOy

Originally posted by: TK2K
macbook, its an amazing laptop, it runs os x and windows, and its just damn sexy

I agree, the Macbook is an amazing laptop, it does so much and it can run all major OS's, so why wouldn't you buy it? What are you going to do with your laptop, maybe then we could help you make a better decision.

i love mine. there are no issues at all running windows. bootcamp partitions the hard drive, creates a driver disk for all the hardware, and if you decide you don't want it later it just merges the space you separated for windows back into one partition. what's not to love?

 

[Dennis Travis]

First like was said, the MacBook comes with 1 Year Applecare but 3 months Free Phone support.

Like was said , if you are primarily interested in running Windows XP, get the IBM T42, but if OSX is what you want as your main OS with maybe XP for a few odd apps, get the MacBook. I would always get the Thinkpad if Windows was my main OS.

 

[Blazkowicz]

But T42 is kinda old now. You should be looking at T60.

 

[arcas]

A coworker got a work-issued T60p two weeks ago and it's -nice-. Same resolution as my T42p but the T60p's LCD panel has a much wider viewing angle. IMO, if you're looking for a non-Apple laptop, the T60 needs to be on your short list.

 

[imported_pratz]

If you intend to use it for a few hours at once, get the IBM..The new macbook runs warm to the touch..which will make you uncomfortable after sometime..IBM on the other hand, have the best cooling design in the business I think..