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T30

T20-T23 Series and T30. NOT for T25-Retro.
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tony6264
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T30

#1 Post by tony6264 » Wed Jan 25, 2006 7:46 pm

I have a chance to trade up to a T30 1.6, 256 ram cdrw/dvd combo ,40 gig harddrive for not much cash and my t23 1.1 512 ram, 30 gig hard drive and seperate cd rw and dvd rom....any thoughts? Is the T30 that much better than the T23? Also have a chance at a G40, 2.0 128 megs, 40 gig harddrive, any thoughts about it? I really like my T23, but if it is a good upgrade I dont want to pass up the opportunity.
thanks

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#2 Post by betabily » Wed Jan 25, 2006 9:20 pm

The P4 is not a real performer like the PIII. But the improved I/O and higher FSB should make up for any difference. Go for it.

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t30

#3 Post by tony6264 » Wed Jan 25, 2006 9:25 pm

I am not sure what you mean...are you saying that a P4 is not faster than a P3...? how can that be? And is the T30 as solid and comfortable as the T 23...I really really like this t23..it is without a doubt the best put together laptop I have ever seen...is the T30 comparable?

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#4 Post by Kyocera » Wed Jan 25, 2006 9:34 pm

T30 is a great laptop, make sure you get one with the repaired memory slot. I bought mine after using my T42 for about a year and wanted something I could bang around at work with and not worry so much about.
It has performed beyond my expectations so far. I recommend it but ultimately the choice is up to you so good luck :D

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t30

#5 Post by tony6264 » Wed Jan 25, 2006 9:40 pm

What do you mean repaired memory slot...was there some sort of recall?
How would I be able to tell if it has the repaired one?
thanks

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#6 Post by Kyocera » Wed Jan 25, 2006 9:45 pm

On the bottom of the machine the memory slot cover should have a raised square portion in the middle, in other words it is not just completely flat.

Yes, there was a recall of sorts, IBM would repair or replace the board.
Check out this thread "Two T30 Questions" a few threads down from this one.

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hold it

#7 Post by ttan98 » Thu Jan 26, 2006 4:33 am

I do not recommend going for T30 since you have a T23.

I suggest the following:

Wait for 6 to 12 months the prices of refurbished T40/41/42 will drop drastically, to maybe $600-$800 easy. These models have 1.5 to 1.6G CPU, Pentium mobile which is a superior processor to P IV mobile.

Either wait for a wait or can straight away up grade a faster CPU eg. 2.1G CPU. This combination will give a very superior system....coming close to current models except duo core system. You can get 2.1G P Mobile for $350. By 6-12 months, the price will be less than $250.

The total price with thi system is less than $1000.00. I am not just recommending you to wait I am doing myself..

Cheers happy computing.

t this moment I have a T22 and T23, and waiting for a good T4X at a good price.
Hi everyone

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#8 Post by tfflivemb2 » Thu Jan 26, 2006 10:28 am

Do you have the option to "play" with the T30?

I have a T30 1.86Ghz, and I love it, although it is on loan to my nephew for school. It is heavier and a little more awkward than my T23, but it is VERY nice. Mine does not have the memory problem that some have, but even if the one that you get has it, IBM will repair it at no charge.

If you are trading your T23 plus "very little cash", it might be worth it. I would do it. If you later chose to upgrade again, the T30 could be upgraded all the way up to a 2.4Ghz with 2GB ram.

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T30

#9 Post by tony6264 » Thu Jan 26, 2006 10:40 am

I wish I had a chance to see one in person, but I do not....that is why I am asking others opinions...and as for the very little cash, it is probably about $50.00-$100.00 plus my T23...still sound good? And what about the G40...anyone have ideas?
thanks

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#10 Post by Kyocera » Thu Jan 26, 2006 6:27 pm

I have to agree with tfflivemb2 go for it, I purchase another T30 today for our company at AbsoluteRaleigh, 512M ram, 40G, 1.8, built in WiFI, schweet machine, used but in great condition, with the memory slot issue fixed.

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#11 Post by WRB » Thu Jan 26, 2006 7:06 pm

I'd like to weigh in and say keep the T23. Here are my reasons, only you can decide which are important to you.

T30 Pros:
-Faster bus
-Marginally better graphics chip
-Marginally faster processor
-DVD/CD-RW in one
-+10gigs storage

T30 Cons:
-Almost 1lb heavier
-Shorter battery life
-reconfigureing Windows (=time)
-256mb RAM (to buy)
-cost of $50-100

Now, to make your t23 faster than the t30, buy a 5400rpm HDD for less than $75 and watch it fly like new.

Even the fastest processor gets slowed down by today's 4200rpm notebook harddrives making the entire system feel slow. This has been the real bottleneck for years, not the processor/memory interface.

The p3-m Tualatin in the t23 series was the basis for the 'new' Pentium-M series and this is because it runs very efficiently on comparatively low voltage. In fact, the 1.2ghz P3 tualatin core will offer an identical everyday user experience as the 1.6ghz P4 , but without the need for more voltage and cooling. I can't recommend a mobile-P4 for 'mobile' computing.

About the G40, it is bulkier and a lot heavier and you'll need to invest in more memory as well. The processor will be faster, but it's meant to be more of a desktop replacement.

The T30 is no doubt a very competent platform, however it all depends on what the user expects from his system and wether or not its worth the trouble for what you will actually gain.

-WRB

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#12 Post by dr_st » Fri Jan 27, 2006 6:09 am

I too wouldn't recommend upgrading to the T30, because the overall performance increase will be marginal. Now if it was a 1.1GHz P3-M upgraded to a 2.4GHz P4-M (fastest T30), I'd say go for it. But 1.1->1.6, considering that P3 is more efficient clock-for-clock, will not be felt much.

G40 is a piece of oversized, overheating junk and should not be touched. At all.

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#13 Post by tfflivemb2 » Fri Jan 27, 2006 9:31 am

Let me just clarify, I would go for the T30, because of the upgrade possibilities. Comparing the machines side by side as they stand, that are pretty much even with each other, especially since the T23 has 512mb and the T30 has only 256mb.

The T30 just has more wiggle room for upgrading as time goes on. IMHO, even with the fastest processor that the T23 can take (1.2Ghz) and 1GB ram, it cannot touch the T30 with a 2.4Ghz and 2GB ram. Granted you would still be stuck with a middle of the road video card with either machine. Upgrading in steps can sometimes be more cost effective on the wallet.

As for the G40, I too would pass on that one. Stepping from a Tseries laptop into a G series would be a step backwards in workmanship if you as me. (again, my opinion)

All in all, the choice would obviously be yours.

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#14 Post by LtTPfan » Sat Jan 28, 2006 7:10 pm

The T30 can actually go up to 2.6 GHz. Throw in 2gb ram and a 7200rpm drive and you'd run circles around your T23 maxed out.

The T30 has built-in ethernet while the T23 uses the CDC slot for ethernet, both have one MPCI slot. What this means is the T30 can have ethernet, modem, and 802.11g (or better) Wi-Fi, while the T23 would have to give up either the NIC or modem in order to get g-Wi-Fi (the combo Wi-Fi/modem card is only 802.11b).

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#15 Post by dr_st » Sun Jan 29, 2006 6:56 am

LtTPfan wrote:The T30 can actually go up to 2.6 GHz.
I thought that the original IBM models only got to 2.4GHz, even though there WAS a 2.6GHz P4-M. Of course you can put in the CPU yourself. You can make a beast of a machine out of a T30, the question is - is it worth it. This specific tradeoff as suggested in the first port - I don't think it's worth it.

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#16 Post by LtTPfan » Sun Jan 29, 2006 8:26 am

dr_st wrote:You can make a beast of a machine out of a T30, the question is - is it worth it. This specific tradeoff as suggested in the first port - I don't think it's worth it.
The original question was, "Is the T30 that much better than the T23?" Whether a specific tradeoff was better was not the question. Upgradeability wise, yes the T30 is much better.

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#17 Post by dr_st » Sun Jan 29, 2006 10:31 am

LtTPfan wrote:
dr_st wrote:You can make a beast of a machine out of a T30, the question is - is it worth it. This specific tradeoff as suggested in the first port - I don't think it's worth it.
The original question was, "Is the T30 that much better than the T23?" Whether a specific tradeoff was better was not the question. Upgradeability wise, yes the T30 is much better.
Are you sure that was the original question? It seemed to me he was talking about the T30 versus the T23, i.e. the specific models he mentioned.

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#18 Post by dsvochak » Sun Jan 29, 2006 11:23 am

Is the T30 that much better than the T23?
Only if you plan to do some of the upgrades mentioned. Or if there is some feature of the T30 which is not in the T23 that you want/require.

Otherwise, as others have suggested, use the money for a faster hard drive or additional memory for the T23. Or, if you're currently satisfied with the T23, keep the cash in your pocket.
I used to be an anarchist but I quit because there were too many rules

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#19 Post by LtTPfan » Sun Jan 29, 2006 1:55 pm

dr_st wrote:Are you sure that was the original question? It seemed to me he was talking about the T30 versus the T23, i.e. the specific models he mentioned.
Well, he is from the US so English should not be a problem, and as you pointed out he asks about "the" not "this," indicating generic, not specific.

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#20 Post by tfflivemb2 » Sun Jan 29, 2006 3:01 pm

I think that you guys are splitting hairs here with the "the" versus "this".

I believe that he is asking in general whether or not the upgrade from his T23 to a T30 is worth it and at the same time, he is giving the specs of the T30 at the root of his trade possibilities.

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#21 Post by tomjeffus » Mon Jan 30, 2006 11:46 pm

Can the processor on the T30 be upgraded? Is the processor a plug on processor? What and where can I find a faster processor than the 2.0 in my pressent machine?

thanks for any help
tomjeffus
IBM T42P
IBM T40P
IBM T30
IBM A31P
IBM T22

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#22 Post by tfflivemb2 » Tue Jan 31, 2006 12:07 am

I know for sure that the T30 can go up to a 2.4Ghz processor. However, LtTPFan stated further up in this thread that apparently it can take upto a 2.6, but I'm not sure...either way, it is still above 2.0. There are several threads here that discuss upgrading T30s and you should be able to find some part numbers or specs to look for.

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#23 Post by dr_st » Tue Jan 31, 2006 6:33 am

tfflivemb2 wrote:I know for sure that the T30 can go up to a 2.4Ghz processor. However, LtTPFan stated further up in this thread that apparently it can take upto a 2.6, but I'm not sure...either way, it is still above 2.0.
None of the T30s were originally offered with the 2.6, only up to 2.4. However, the 2.6 P4-M does exist, and since I presume it has the same physical and electrical characteristics, it can be put into a T30.

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