IBM ThinkPad T42SMB Laptop ((1.7 GHz Pentium M (Centrino)) 2378FZU

by IBM

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 9.3 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0002SQ2KM
• Item model number: 2378FZU
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,269 in Computers & Accessories (See Top 100 in Computers & Accessories)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 29, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

IBM delivers a top-of-the-line notebook PC--the T42SMB--for mobile business professional at a price that's easy on the bottom line. The T42SMB is highly portable, weighing in at just under 6 pounds, and has an average battery life of up to 4.4 hours. It features a fast 1.7 GHz Intel Centrino processor, 40 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, a CD-RW/.DVD-ROM combo drive, 54g wi-fi connectivity, and a bright 14.1-inch screen.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 40 GB EIDE hard drive is on the small side compared to other notebooks. However, it does offer a decent enough capacity for storing documents and productivity software for road warriors--but not enough for much multimedia storage.
• Processor: The 1.7 GHz Pentium M (Centrino) processor sits near the top of the currently available speed spectrum and will be fast enough for gaming and multimedia applications. The Pentium M processor is designed specifically for low-power mobile usage, and it features the latest in power-saving technologies--ensuring you push your battery and productivity to the max. The T42 has a large 2 MB L2 cache and a 400 MHz front-side bus.
• Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory (2 x 256 MB, 333 MHz, DDR SDRAM) is a good start for power users. It has two memory slots in total, with a maximum memory expansion up to 2 GB (2 x 1024 MB).
• CD/DVD Drive: The combo CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive can write and read CDs at 24x and rewrite at 10x speeds. It can read DVDs at 8x.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has an ergonomic keyboard with palm rest, IBM ThinkPad UltraNav multipointing system, Internet scroll bar, and volume control.

  This IBM ThinkPad T42SMB notebook also features Embedded Security Subsystem, which allows users to authenticate with unique fingerprints instead of passwords with an optional fingerprint reader (sold separately).

Sound and Graphics
This T42SMB notebook has an ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 video/graphics card with 32 MB of video RAM. It's not the strongest card for rendering 3D images, but it is strong enough for demanding business productivity software. The 14.1-inch TFT active matrix screen has a native 1024 x 768 resolution and can drive a 2048 x 1536-pixel external monitor. It also includes an integrated audio card and internal stereo speakers.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
This T42SMB model has an integrated 54g wireless LAN that's compatible with 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g networks. You get a limited offering of connectivity options, but it does include super-fast USB 2.0:

• 2 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 parallel port
• 1 VGA monitor port
• 1 S-Video out
• 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type I/II, 32-bit)
• 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack

It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Gigabit Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Preloaded System and Software
This notebook comes with the Windows XP Professional operating system (which adds Microsoft's IIS Web server, back-up and recovery utilities, Remote Desktop, and other enhanced business features), and it includes other software applications such as Norton AntiVirus 2004 (with 90 days of free updates), InterVideo WinDVD and Sonic RecordNow.

Dimensions and Weight
This notebook measures 13 x 10.6 x 1.4 inches (WxDxH) and weighs 5.7 pounds.

Power
This T42SMB notebook comes with a standard 6-cell rechargeable lithium-ion battery with an average battery life of 4.5 hours.

What's in the Box
This package contains the ThinkPad T42SMB (model 2378FZU) notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a three-year limiited hardware warranty and one-year warranty for the battery.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Laptop-thin, light weight, great features, December 30, 2004

By 

Russell Gillis - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: IBM ThinkPad T42SMB Laptop ((1.7 GHz Pentium M (Centrino)) 2378FZU (Personal Computers)

I am an IBM ThinkPad bigot as I have had excellent service from 3 prior ThinkPads over the past 7.5 years. They just work reliably day after day.

This 2378FZU laptop is one of the standard Think Express models currently offered from IBM. Their express program offers aggressive pricing and good availability on certain laptop configurations aimed at small and medium businesses. The 2378FZU is in the middle of the pack for current offerings in the Express program (Dec 2004). Windows XP Professional is included. The 15 inch display is about 3/4 inch wider than the 14.1 inch display but offers visibly improved viewing area. The system is light weight for this sized display. It has both the TrackPoint and touch pad cursor controls. I prefer a mouse, but occasionaly use the TrackPoint. I don't like touch pads on any laptop as they are always in the way. The touch pad is the first item that I disabled on my system.

The two-pronged power cable is easy to adapt to international power unlike some brands which have a grounding plug that makes it more difficult, in my experience, to find an adapter.

The description on Amazon is not correct. There is NO fingerprint reader on the model 2378FZU. The other specs are correct. It only comes with a one year warantee, while some more expensive IBM models come with 3 or 4 year warantees standard. Warantee on this model can be upgraded to 3 years of depot service from IBM for $112 (or longer for more $).

Standard on ThinkPads are such features as the Active Protection System which detects sudden acceleration and parks the hard drive heads automatically to help prevent damage to the hard drive from shocks.

I am very pleased with the features and performance of this laptop. I would definitely buy another ThinkPad. Watch for rebates from Amazon or special offers such as free extra battery or carrying case when purchased direct from the vendor for your best value.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top Notch - Better Than HP, Dell, SONY, April 5, 2005

By 

M. Monica (Central Square, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: IBM ThinkPad T42SMB Laptop ((1.7 GHz Pentium M (Centrino)) 2378FZU (Personal Computers)

Research can get you a long way. I am an IT purchaser, software developer, and home user. For company use I purchase Dell only - usually. I am real happy I made an exception this time.

This laptop has many features that put it over the top. The only modification I have made is to install an additional 512k memory (total now of 1MB). The memory install was pretty simple in the empty memory slot. The slot has metal tabs to separate that are a little more than tough on the fingers. Note to IBM, make the next model use plastic.

Some of the features that have impressed me:

1.) It has built in 802.11b/g card that works real well. I get great reception due to the two antennas built in. They are those strange rubber tabs on the outside edge of the screen.

2.) Great keyboard feel. They keys are full size! The tactile feel is one of the best I've felt on a laptop. I'd like to see the Function (Fn) key placed somewhere different than the bottom left where I always go for the Ctrl and Alt keys. Suggestion to IBM, move the Fn key between the Ctrl and Alt keys like standard Windows keyboards have the Windows Start key. Extra keys include a forward and backward button that works well in IE, separate volume/mute keys, and ability to save power by turning off the wireless card when not in use.

3.) Speaking of saving power. The average actual battery life I have experienced is 4 - 5 hours! That includes using the wireless card and having the brightness contrast at a decent level. Average settings get above average battery life.

3.) Lightweight and very slim. I bought an IBM bag and the laptop only takes about a third of the available space. There may be lighter laptops but this seems light for a 15" screen.

4.) Hard Drive Airbag! Yes I said air bag. Ever considered what could happen if you drop your laptop? I don't know of anyone else that has this.

5.) Night Light! Yes another innovative feature. A light shines down from the top of the monitor with the click of two keys. The light is wonderful when you are working with presentations with the lights out, traveling overnight, or at home while working.

6.) IBM Software does a decent job monitor the system for you. The battery indicator they add is much better than the standard XP one.

Overall I love this laptop compared to the Dell, HP Sony, Toshiba and WinBook laptops I have seen and used.

Hopefully this research will help make your decision easier. The items I listed above were things I did not realize when I did my research and I though I did a thorough job researching this product.

Great job IBM. If IBM could only compete price and service with Dell desktops we would finally have a computer hardware war.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thinkpad T42 model: 2378FZU, March 31, 2005

By 

Herr JR (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: IBM ThinkPad T42SMB Laptop ((1.7 GHz Pentium M (Centrino)) 2378FZU (Personal Computers)

Some things to note about the description that Amazon has provided for this laptop: this model (2378FZU - Ibm's designation for this notebook) has a 15" screen, not a 14.1"; cdrw rewrite speed is 24x, not 10x; it has one-year manufacturer's warranty, not a three-year; the wifi only works with b and g networks, not a networks; and to clarify, this model does not have the built-in fingerprint reader. I suggest you visit the IBM website to ascertain all of the details yourself. I highly recommend this model. I bought it to replace my Dell Inspiron 5000e which was over 4 years old and broke down on me. Having spent nearly $2700 on the Dell, I can now say that because of my experience with this notebook, I am a Thinkpad convert.