Last day, ordering one of these two!!!! - Page 4

it was an NC model i dont remember the exact ##

it was out on display

aamsel:

First, a couple of specific comments.

The T42's lack of FireWire is not a serious drawback. T42 accepts 2 Type II PC Cards. Just plug in a slim FireWire card (one that doesn't stick out), and you won't notice a difference (my daughter has been using such a card in an older notebook for years without any performance or heating problems), since it won't block access to the second PC Card slot (and how needs more nowadays?).

The nc8000's SD flash reader most probably only handles cards for user authentication, etc., and not other media; I didn't have time to check, but if yes, then it's usefulness would be quite limited.

The 3-spindle design of nc8000 may still be useful for some people, but the industry has moved to 2-spindle designs.

Thinkpad's keyboards are top notch (but of course owners of other notebooks may be perfectly happy with their keyboards as well).

The magnesium cover material of T42 is an obvious advantage, as well as its smaller size and weight.

Of course, T42's 7200rpm drive is much better. If you wanted to swap the nc8000's HDD, together with the extra price and software installation hassles, you should also check how HP handles non-HP drives in warranties and repairs.

The only questionable point is whether T42's screen suffers from ghosting in the applications of interest to you. According to what I saw on the Thinkpad forums, it shouldn't be a problem to you, since you are not a fast gamer. Unfortunately you won't learn much by comparing the HP and IBM specs, since they only impose upper limits on admissible response times.

As is clear from the tone of my comments, I am biased towards the T42 here. Generally, Thinkpads are considered to be better but too costly, and this is not the case here.

Taking everything into account, I would choose the T42. Most probably, you will be happy with its screen; if not, you may return it.

On another note, you should be aware that your case is not typical for this forum, where business class notebooks are regarded as being too expensive. You should try to filter out advices given by users whose knowledge boils down to spec comparisons on cheap websites; some of them hunt for their first notebook, others have used notebooks for several months only, etc., etc. For instance, track sticks (aka point sticks, eraserheads) have been around at least since 1995, may be tapped, configured for scrolling, etc.

How can you even compare HP to IBM?!

Just give big blue the money and you will be happy.

i thought ibm guaranteed less than 8 dead pixels, so why is even 5 (if you are unlucky) a concern

i suppose there is that 30 day return period though

Sorry, this just sounds like you're repeating what everyone likes to say. The nc line is their business line of notebooks and is one of the top dawgs out there. I'd take the IBM, however, for what it's worth.

On a tangent, I notice a lot of people making blanket statements about certain manufacturers' build qualities with the assumption that it holds true across the board. This is dead wrong. I don't know how many times I've heard "ibm's are the most durable".."brand X" sux. Um....try using the IBM A series line and beat it up IBM and tell me if it holds up like the Titanium. I've gone thru both (albeit 4 years ago), but though they are BOTH IBM's...the A series sucks balls. The same holds true with 90% of the manufacturers out there. Anyhow I digress, the original post is in regards to those two particular models and I'd give the nod to the IBM for the ownership experience of big blue (warranty, weight, Cs, etc).

what did you end up going with aamsel? IBM or HP? Heads, or Tails?

proportable said the M6Ne's are officialy availabe for sale today (at least thats what they said when I asked them)

Proportable has the M6BNe, with the 9700 64MB, officially, atleast that is what Justin said. Everywhere else I have seen still has the 9600 64MB, but I am sure that will change soon, and I am also probably sure that you can call and ask them to send you a model with the 9700, with no problems. I am personally still deciding between the Compal and Asus...so many decisions

sounds like a good plan, aamsel

once you order, it'll feel like a weight off your shoulders ... except for the anxious-waiting part!

This coming from an HP user I assume. You may like them but from my experience with my company, HP and Compaq have been nothing but constant headaches.

I could care less if something received rave reviews, it doesn't mean I'll go out and buy it.

To each their own...

Nope, sorry. I don't have an HP or Compaq right now. I don't favor one company or brand over another, so you are way off.

Well, you bought an Alienware, so how was I supposed to know.

...HP is compaq lol, you can't prefer one over the other.

I know that, thanks. But in case you haven't noticed they sell notebooks under both names.

yeah but its' the same company, so meh. They just change the chassis to fool people.