IBM T43 Laptop Sale - Watch Movies, 256MB or 512MB RAM?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the IBM T43 laptop, focusing on its capabilities for watching movies, RAM specifications, and performance concerns. Participants explore the laptop's weight discrepancies, potential for connecting to a TV, and the adequacy of RAM for multimedia tasks.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire whether the T43 can connect to a TV for movie playback, emphasizing a preference for larger screens over the laptop's monitor.
  • There is confusion regarding the laptop's weight, with some suggesting that the travel weight might account for battery weight.
  • Participants discuss RAM options, with some suggesting that 256MB would be insufficient for performance, while others consider adding a 512MB stick.
  • Concerns are raised about the laptop's ability to handle demanding video formats, particularly QuickTime, with suggestions for alternative media players like VLC and Mplayer.
  • Some participants express dissatisfaction with the pricing of the T43, suggesting alternatives that may offer better performance for the cost.
  • There is a discussion about the performance of different media players on Windows, with some advocating for Mplayer and noting its compatibility with various formats.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of opinions regarding the laptop's performance and suitability for watching movies. There is no consensus on the best media player or the adequacy of the RAM, and multiple competing views remain regarding the laptop's value for its price.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the need for additional codecs for certain media players to function properly, indicating potential limitations in software compatibility.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in purchasing the IBM T43 laptop, those looking for advice on multimedia playback options, and users considering RAM upgrades for better performance may find this discussion relevant.

Pengwuino
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http://www-131.ibm.com/content/home/store_LNV_PublicUSA/en_US/sale/sale_SOTS05_t43.html

They got a sale going :) I want a t43 I guess :)

The one thing I'm wondering though is it if will allow me to hook up to my tv to watch movies from my laptop.

I'm also confused as to why its 5.12lb but has a travel weight of 4.7. Does it have its own anti-gravity field? Figures, its IBM. On Demand anti-gravity.

I was also wondering if I should just stick to 256MB of ram and pop in another 512 stick :)
 
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Pengwuino said:
http://www-131.ibm.com/content/home/store_LNV_PublicUSA/en_US/sale/sale_SOTS05_t43.html

They got a sale going :) I want a t43 I guess :)

The one thing I'm wondering though is it if will allow me to hook up to my tv to watch movies from my laptop.

You mean you want to watch movies on your tv from your laptop? because you can already watch movies in your laptop if you have a dvd drive.

I'm also confused as to why its 5.12lb but has a travel weight of 4.7. Does it
have its own anti-gravity field? Figures, its IBM. On Demand anti-gravity.

Must be 5.12lb with batteries

I was also wondering if I should just stick to 256MB of ram and pop in another 512 stick :)

256 will be slow. Get a minimum of 512 mb
 
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......

I want to watch my movies on my 40" television, not my 14" monitor :P

And I know 256 will be slow, that's why I'm wondering how hard it would be to toss in another 512 stick. I assume they wouldn't use 2x128mb and take up both slots...
 
Nice brand slow laptop ;-)
 
Anttech said:
Nice brand slow laptop ;-)

Well $1500 is really pushing it as far as what I want to pay :approve:

And as long as it can play DVD's and full screen quicktime movies (which I am finding requires a hell of a lot of computing power), I'm happy.
 
for $1500 ditch the branding and get something else less well know with more power :-)

Anyway if u are happy I am happy :-)
 
Like what, no one seems to give any decent suggestions except $3000 laptops or mac crap :)
 
Quicktime is horrible for playing movies on Windows. You're better off with Windows media player or VLC media player
 
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The_Professional said:
Quicktime is horrible for playing movies on Windows. You're better off with Windows media player.

Yah too bad WMP doesn't play .movs :(

This damn computer has a P4 3.0ghz 800mhz 1gb corsair pc3200 low lat... fx5950 ultra vid card, SB Audigy 2ZS Pro... and this 1080i or whatever trailer i downlaoded really started to test my system...

I got that T43 laptop though just now :P 1.83ghz Pentium M, 533mhz, 512MB ram, 60gb 7200rpm :)

Now I can bring it to class with me and be one of those laptop a'holes with laptops.
 
  • #10
Pengwuino said:
Yah too bad WMP doesn't play .movs :(

Get Mplayer. Plays EVERYTHING. Much faster and more lightweight than WMP or quicktime. I can run about 15 instances of mplayer playing the same file simultaneously before i notice a performance change.
 
  • #11
franznietzsche said:
Get Mplayer. Plays EVERYTHING. Much faster and more lightweight than WMP or quicktime. I can run about 15 instances of mplayer playing the same file simultaneously before i notice a performance change.

Why didn't you tell me this years ago!

Wait, this is a linux program :P Grrr! Damn you linux people!
 
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  • #12
Pengwuino said:
Why didn't you tell me this years ago!

Wait, this is a linux program :P Grrr! Damn you linux people!

Its open sourced not a "linux program" It has also been compiled for the win32 arch... Its not a bad product and will play anything but remember u will need to install all the codex as well for it to work