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