IBM ThinkPad T42

176 reviews

May, 2013

Positive
Keyboard (21)
Performance (17)
Usability (10)
Reliability (8)
Portability (4)

Negative
Connectivity (6)
Resolution (1)
Energy (1)

General overview
Price comparison
Product Specifications

alaTest has collected and analyzed 176 reviews from magazines and websites. People really like the portability and reliability. The usability and performance also get good comments. There are some mixed views about the value for money, and the resolution and energy efficiency get negative reviews.

keyboard, performance, usability, reliability, portability

connectivity, energy, resolution

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Laptops the IBM ThinkPad T42 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 82/100 = Very good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 176 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(52% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews (31% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews (6% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews (4% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews (7% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

Value for money
Show positive (32%)Show negative (27%)(Show all)

Keyboard
Show positive (23%)Show negative (12%)(Show all)

Performance
Show positive (88%)Show negative (12%)(Show all)

Usability
Show positive (59%)None yet(Show all)

Reliability
Show positive (58%)Show negative (8%)(Show all)

More features

Showing 111 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

Showing 1 - 10 of 111 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (70)

Expert review by: zazonz (NotebookReview.com)

IBM ThinkPad T42 Review

Well Built

A Little Heavy, No Good DVD Burners

Sep, 2005

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Expert review by: Steve Taylor (laptopmag.com)

IBM ThinkPad T42

One of the most secure thin-and-lights you can buy.

BIOS-level integration Features designed for enterprise• Multiple levels of security settings• Supports up to 21 users

No two-factor authentication No two-factor authentication Location may be awkward for left-handers

Apr, 2005

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Expert review by: abaxter (NotebookReview.com)

IBM ThinkPad T42 with Biometric Security Review

If what you are looking for is a highly durable laptop, with great performance, great service and great usability then the ThinkPad T42 is for you -- if you're willing to pay the price that is.

Dec, 2004

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Expert review by: Ryan Block (engadget.com)

IBM's new ThinkPad T42, is a healthy 5.4lb boy!

Okay, we don't really know if it's a boy-it can be really hard to sex these things sometimes-but what we do know that is that the ThinkPad T42 has got WiFi and Bluetooth, a relatively lackluster 15.1-inch screen, up to 2GB RAM, the trademark IBM...

Aug, 2004

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Expert review by: (pcworld.com)

ThinkPad T42 Notebook

IBM creates another fast, well-equipped business notebook.

IBM's latest slim corporate notebook has the same great keyboard and expandability as its predecessor. The ThinkPad T42, a peppy performer, offers a strong value for $2299. Business application software is not included in the price

Jul, 2004

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Expert review by: (pcmag.com)

IBM ThinkPad T42

The IBM ThinkPad family has always been highly regarded for its reliability and dependability, and their keyboard feel is unmatched among its peers. ThinkPads have also had the rap of being pricey, so we were surprised to see that... click here for

Sharp screen; great ThinkPad keyboard; one-button access to self-serve help and diagnostics

Getting a wireless connection profile to work can be tricky

We couldn't have guessed the ThinkPad T42 would be the value leader in the crop of new Dothan-based portables. It's well-priced for a system of this caliber, but note that others deliver better performance and more features (albeit for more money).

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Expert review by: (pcmag.com)

IBM ThinkPad T42 2378-EXU

Business users take note: IBM has added a 15-inch display to its flagship ThinkPad T42 line. For an additional $50, you can get even more of the T42 you already know and love, which includes 15 percent more screen spaceif you don't mind a bulkier...

Gorgeous 15-inch display. Same great fit and finish, manageability, and protection of other ThinkPads

Below-average wireless throughput. Marginally heavier, one-quarter bulkier than the 14.1-inch T42

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Expert review by: jantin (epinions.com)

The T42 is the Place to Start

When I set out to research a new laptop, I quickly had the reaction that many in my position probably do: nausea. There are so many laptop brands, so many proprietary technologies, so many marketing ploys - it's a thicket. The chain stores (Best Buy...

Powerful, Relatively Light, Good Battery Life, Good Value, Amazing Engineering

No dedicated 'Windows' shortcut key. I hate that!

Jul, 2004

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Expert review by: (toptenreviews.com)

Laptop Computer

Laptops are portable, they're stylish, and let's face it: the opposite sex will think you more sophisticated when you're suavely tapping out your latest blog entry at the coffee shop. Okay, that's probably not true, but they are fun to have for both...

Become more productive by taking your digital life with you. Whether for business or leisure, laptops allow you to carry your information with you, all in a lightweight and compact design

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Consumer review by: jamesrschultz (cnet.com)

IBM ThinkPad T42 - one of the best machines I've used.

I have this machine in edition to many others. Those include a HP Pavilion Dv6809wm, Lenovo ThinkPad Z61t, HP Compaq nc8230, Dell Latitude D620ATG, Dell Latitude C610, and Dell Latitude CPIa 366XT. The ThinkPad T42 is by far the best built out of all...

This machine has THE BEST build quality of any computer I've ever used. I own a Z61t from Lenovo as well, and it comes nowhere close to the T42. The performance is good, even though it's quickly getting outdated. I still love it, and use it a lot

Graphics card does not support Windows aero, no widescreen available, NO WINDOWS KEY, no wifi manual power switch/button. DDR memory, unless a P model for 'Performance' That's pretty much it, it never gets hot and always works like a charm

Aug, 2009

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Product Specifications

The ThinkPad T40 notebooks are a new benchmark of computing performance, battery life and mobility. Work unplugged longer by combining the ThinkPad T40 high-capacity battery with the optional ThinkPad Ultrabay Slim Li polymer battery for all-day computing (up to 9.5 hours).The unique Embedded Security Subsystem, a ThinkVantage Technology, is available on select models. This hardware and software solution can help safeguard data with encryption to virtually lock private information. Rapid Restore PC, another ThinkVantage Technology, is preloaded - giving you the power of a one-button recover and restore solution to save time and frustration. The ThinkPad T40 notebooks include the UltraConnect Antenna built into the cover. This can improve signal reception whether you choose models with integrated 11a/b Wi-Fi wireless, Cisco Aironet Wireless 802.11b or when used with compatible options on wireless-upgradeable models.Choose ThinkPad T40 notebooks - the perfect balance of performance and portability.

Audio Input

Type:Microphone

Audio Output

Type:Sound card

Battery

Run Time (Up To):4.5hour(s)/4.6hour(s)/4.7hour(s)/4.8hour(s)/4.9hour(s)/4hour(s)/5.5hour(s)/5hour(s)/7.1hour(s)

Technology:Lithium ion

Cache Memory

Installed Size:1MB/2MB

Dimensions & Weight

Depth:10.6in/10in

Height:1.1in/1.2in/1.3in/1.4in/1.5in/10.5in/1in

Weight:4.9lbs/5.1lbs/5.3lbs/5.5lbs/5.7lbs/6.6lbs/6lbs

Width:12.2in/13.1in/13in

Display (Projector)

Color Support:24-bit (16.7 million colors)

Diagonal Size:14.1in/15in

Diagonal Size (metric):35.8cm/38.1cm

Max Resolution:1024 x 768/1400 x 1050/1600 x 1200

Technology:TFT active matrix

Widescreen Display:

Environmental Standards

ENERGY STAR Qualified:

Yes

EPA Energy Star Compliant:

Yes

Header

Compatibility:PC

Country Kits:Canada / United States/Denmark/France/United Kingdom/United States

Localization:Danish/English/French

Manufacturer:IBM/Lenovo

Model:2373/2374/2375/2376/2378/2379

Packaged Quantity:1

Product Line:Lenovo ThinkPad T40/Lenovo ThinkPad T42/ThinkPad T42/ThinkPad T42p

Input Device

Type:Keyboard / TrackPoint / UltraNav/Keyboard / Touchpad / TrackPoint / UltraNav/Keyboard / TrackPoint / UltraNav/UltraNav / TrackPoint / Keyboard

Mainboard

Data Bus Speed:400MHz

Miscellaneous

Color:Black

Manufacturer Selling Program:TopSeller

Modem

Max Transfer Rate:56Kbps

Protocols & Specifications:ITU V.90/ITU V.90 / k56Flex/ITU V.92 / k56Flex

Type:Fax / modem

Networking

Data Link Protocol:Bluetooth / Ethernet / Fast Ethernet / Gigabit Ethernet / IEEE 802.11a / IEEE 802.11b / IEEE 802.11g/Bluetooth / Ethernet / Fast Ethernet / Gigabit Ethernet / IEEE 802.11b / IEEE 802.11g/Ethernet / Fast Ethernet / Gigabit Ethernet/Ethernet / Fast Ethernet / Gigabit Ethernet / IEEE 802.11b / IEEE 802.11g/Ethernet / Fast Ethernet / Gigabit Ethernet/Ethernet / Fast Ethernet / Gigabit Ethernet / IEEE 802.11a / IEEE 802.11b / IEEE 802.11g/Ethernet / Fast Ethernet / Gigabit Ethernet / IEEE 802.11b/Ethernet / Fast Ethernet / Gigabit Ethernet / IEEE 802.11b / IEEE 802.11g/Gigabit Ethernet / Bluetooth / IEEE 802.11b / IEEE 802.11g

Type:Network adapter

Wireless LAN Supported:

Yes

Wireless Protocol:802.11a/b/g/802.11a/b/g / Bluetooth/802.11b/802.11b/g/802.11b/g / Bluetooth/802.11b/g / Bluetooth