| Selecting the right T42 ThinkPad can be a daunting | | | | |
| task if you do not start out with some clear | | | | For most folks, the display size will not make much |
| objectives in mind. You will quickly realize how true | | | | of a difference and will hardly be considered. For the |
| this is when you do a simple search for the T42 | | | | few in graphic and video applications amongst others, |
| ThinkPad at The search will return about 260 results. | | | | the display size may be critical for what they want |
| So how do you pick out the right ThinkPad from this | | | | to achieve with their ThinkPad. There are basically |
| crowd? | | | | two display size options for the ThinkPad. 14.1" and |
| | | | 15". The first will give you a limit of 1024x768 pixels |
| The first difference that you will note is that the | | | | maximum resolution while the other is capable of |
| prices greatly vary. This tells you that the | | | | 1400x1050. |
| specifications also have to be different. Therefore to | | | | |
| begin to get a better understanding of the particular | | | | In addition, there are a number of Graphic |
| specs that you may want in your ThinkPad, a closer | | | | Processors to choose from for your ThinkPad. They |
| look at the components used is in order. | | | | include: |
| | | | |
| Although all T42 ThinkPad's are equipped with the | | | | The ATI MOBILITY FireGL T2 |
| same CPU Processor, namely the Pentium M type, | | | | The ATI MOBILITY RADEON 7500 |
| the clock speed ranges widely between 1.5GHz and | | | | The ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9000 |
| 2.1 GHz. Your choice of what processor speed to go | | | | The ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9600 |
| for will be guided by two main factors. What you | | | | |
| want to use your ThinkPad for and your available | | | | You will also need to decide on what CD/DVD |
| budget. For instance heavy graphics and video editing | | | | combination you want for your T42 ThinkPad. You |
| will naturally require higher processor speeds. | | | | can go for the basic DVD-ROM only. Or you can |
| | | | settle for the top of the range re-writable DVD and |
| Still on the subject of speed, the RAM also differs | | | | CD combo. |
| ranging between 256MB to 1GB DDR SDRAM. It is | | | | |
| useful for you to note that the T42 ThinkPad's that | | | | You can also go for a ThinkPad with Finger Print |
| IBM ships, all have a 333MHz high speed RAM. | | | | Sensor technology, for a premium price tag, of |
| | | | course. |
| The combination of the RAM and processor speed | | | | |
| to match the most common tasks and applications | | | | Ultimately the decisions you make on the specs that |
| that you will be using with your ThinkPad will | | | | you would like for your T42 ThinkPad model will |
| determine how fast you will be getting things done. | | | | greatly influence the final weight which could range |
| | | | from 4.9lbs to 6.2lbs. This is important to keep a |
| You will also need to decide on the hard drive | | | | close eye on because there are people to whom the |
| capacity you want, which goes with an RPM speed. | | | | weight will be important.Sabir Rizvi is a seasoned IT |
| For the T42 ThinkPad, this ranges from 5400 on the | | | | professional who writes for Notebooks Guide, an |
| basic low-end models to 7200 on the top range. | | | | informative guide for laptop buyers. |