[Thinkpad] Re: Why is T30 so heavier than T40

Hi. Is this really a question?

Well, the T40 is the successor of the T30 and as notebook manufacturers want
to expand usage time and lower weight, it is of course not as heavy as the
T30.

Actually, there are some main differences between the T30 and the T40:

# CPU
Whereas the T30 uses the P4m with MHz up to 2.4 (that's the specs of mine
btw), the T40 features the new Pm with MHz currently up to 1.6. Don't be
misled by numbers. The Pm tends to be faster than the P4m with the same MHz.
So a Pm with 1.6 should be somewhat as fast as a P4m with 2.4 MHz. This is
achieved through the specific cpu design for example by using a bigger
cpu cache. Now the Pm does have some additional advantages over the P4m as
it uses less power and does apparently not produce as much heat. I already
damaged Books and other stuff placed near the exhaust of my T30. Running at
full power I won't suggest anybody to place ones hand there. Don't know how
lefties are supposed to use an external mouse. But that's a different story.

# Form factor
Now, with the introduction of the T40, IBM introduced a new form factor for
the T-series of notebooks; the older ones T20 to T30 do have a similar
form factor. I think IBM did that as it was possible for them to fit the
technology into a smaller case. And they wanted to do it as the T-Series is
aiming for travellers who do want little weight without loosing
functionality. That is i.e. the case with the ultramobile X-Series as those
devices come without optical drives etc. So IBM changed some things with
the T40. The battery is no longer in the buttom but at the back of the note-
book where it can be easily exchanged for a stronger (and also bigger) one.
The bay for exchangeable devices is smaller. Therefore T40-users have to
invest in new hardware as i.e. exchange battery, drives etc. compatible with
the older T's won't fit into the so-called UltraSlim Bay.

Most other things remain the same. OS and IBM software are similar; the
display is still 14.1 with max. SXGA+ resolution. The T40's do feature a
newer graphics card though. All in all it's just the same development you
get with cars.

> Increased power with lower fuel consumption
> Lower weight through usage of lighter materials
> The one or other gadget - useful for some, not useful for others

Martin

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Received on Thu Oct 2 07:32:29 2003