[fhammond]

I did some tests tonight using PS7Bench Intermediate, comparing the performance of an IBM ThinkPad T40 and a 15.2" PowerBook 1.25Ghz. You all know the specs of the PowerBook but the specs of the T40 might be less familiar. I was using a T40, model 237396U. It has:

• 1.6 Ghz Pentium M processor
• 80GB hard disk
• CD-RW/DVD drive
• ATI Mobility Radeon 9000 video card
• 512MB RAM (originally with 1GB but I removed a 512MB DIMM to make it the same as the PB)
• 14.1" screen (SXGA+; 1400 x 1050)
• USB 2.0
• Bluetooth
• Cisco 802.11b wireless
• 1Gbps wired Ethernet
• modem
• about $2400

The ThinkPad is an inch narrower than the PowerBook, half an inch less deep (front to back) and exactly the same thickness. It is about the same weight (within a third of a pound). It is similar to the PowerBook in that its ports are along the sides (with the exception of the rear parallel port).

It's pointless in a way to compare the computers. If you prefer OS X to XP, there's no choice. However, if you're comfortable with XP and OS X, then it's a more valid comparison. Basically, I prefer the ThinkPad. Build quality seems about the same and the performance is good enough with either to be a non-issue for most people. However, I prefer the screen of the ThinkPad (1400 x 1050 is really nice if you've got ok eyesight), the pointing device (both trackpad and pointing stick) and the battery life. Battery life is really amazing: I get a real seven hours using the standard battery. Remove the DVD drive, install an Ultrabay battery and add fours hours to that. Very impressive. What I miss about the PowerBook when using the ThinkPad is FireWire and the DVD burner...ok, I hardly ever burn DVDs using a PowerBook (I'd use the 4x burner on a desktop) but it's just a cool thing. I also like how the PowerBook's screen isn't as high as the ThinkPad's. The way a PowerBook's screen hinges behind the computer, instead of on top, is just a beautiful design. I wish Apple would make this screen higher resolution. Oh, I do prefer the keyboard of the ThinkPad. The AU PowerBooks do have nice keyboards but I would like to use some of that space at the side for the Page Up/Page Down cluster of six keys. The ThinkPad has a little light on top of the screen that can illuminate the keyboard; not nearly as elegant as the AU 15" and 17" keyboards (I love showing that to people!).

Ok, that's enough. Perhaps I'll get around to comparing the 12" PB and the IBM X31 or the 17" PB and the Dell M60. Phew! A lot of work...

Code:
Test		PB1	T40-1	PB2	T40-2	PB3	T40-3	PB Ave.	T40 Ave.		
										
Rotate 90		0.4	0.2	0.7	0.2	0.2	0.1	0.4	0.2		
Rotate 9		1.6	1.5	1.6	1.5	1.6	1.5	1.6	1.5		
Rotate .9		1.4	1.4	1.4	1.4	1.4	1.4	1.4	1.4		
Gaussian Blur 1	0.4	0.5	1.0	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.6	0.4		
Gaussian Blur 3.7	1.2	1.1	1.2	1.1	1.2	1.1	1.2	1.1		
Gaussian Blur 85	1.9	1.4	1.9	1.5	1.9	1.5	1.9	1.5		
Unsharp 50/1/0	0.6	0.5	0.6	0.5	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5		
Unsharp 50/3/7/0	1.5	1.3	1.6	1.2	1.5	1.2	1.5	1.2		
Unsharp 50/10/5	1.9	1.2	1.9	1.3	1.9	1.3	1.9	1.3		
Despeckle		0.4	1.9	0.4	2.0	0.4	2.0	0.4	2.0		
RGB-CMYK		2.2	4.2	2.2	4.1	2.2	4.2	2.2	4.2		
Reduce Size 60%	0.4	0.5	0.4	0.5	0.4	0.5	0.4	0.5		
Lens Flare		2.8	2.4	2.8	2.5	2.8	2.5	2.8	2.5		
Color Halftone	2.3	1.1	2.3	1.0	2.3	1.0	2.3	1.0		
NTSC Colors	2.5	1.5	2.5	1.1	2.5	1.1	2.5	1.2		
Accented Edges	7.4	5.7	7.3	5.3	7.4	5.3	7.4	5.4		
Pointillize	10.6	8.5	10.6	8.4	10.6	8.4	10.6	8.4		
Water Color	16.7	12.0	16.6	11.6	16.6	11.6	16.6	11.7		
Polar Coordinates	2.8	4.5	2.7	4.4	2.7	4.4	2.7	4.4		
Radial Blur	18.8	17.0	18.9	16.9	18.9	16.9	18.9	16.9		
Lighting Effects	2.0	1.0	1.8	1.0	1.8	1.0	1.9	1.0		
										
							Total	79.8	68.4

[chrisutley]

What are the specs on the 80GB drive??

[machem]

Originally posted by fhammond:
[B]I did some tests tonight using PS7Bench Intermediate, comparing the performance of an IBM ThinkPad T40 and a 15.2" PowerBook 1.25Ghz. You all know the specs of the PowerBook but the specs of the T40 might be less familiar. I was using a T40, model 237396U. It has:

[stuff deleted]

What do these numbers mean? I assume smaller is better?

[Eug]

If you use the 50 MB size then you can compare with other machines.

Details on the test here. (Scroll down.)

[ae86_16v]

Yeah, try it w/ a 50mb and see what happens, I am interested to know.

[buddy1065]

Barefeats has a decent comparo with a Centrino laptop

http://barefeats.com/al15.html

[bauhaus]

Barefeats comparison is useless because they don't give any useful info on the Centrino they used....

I'd be interested in this test with the 50MB PS7 benchmark (the current score posted seems really low for the IBM) Also, what are the power settings: Al15 bus slewing set to max performance and T40 set to diable all timers and max performance?? Or are they both plugged in at the time?

What of the video memory? Since you didn't specify the 9000 FireGL and only the GPU as 9000 Mobility, I'm assuming you're looking at 32MB on the T40 (if I remember correctly, only the T40p has the FireGL with the 64MB)

Just need more info to figure out the importance.

As for the drive on the IBM, the 80GB is 4200rpm. The 80GB 5400rpm is still technically not on the market, which is why IBM isn't offering it (unlike Apple who's offering something that isn't officially on the market until 9/20.) However, you can get the 7200rpm drive in a IBM T40 since it's been available for some time.

[MacNStein]

Originally posted by bauhaus:

As for the drive on the IBM, the 80GB is 4200rpm. The 80GB 5400rpm is still technically not on the market, which is why IBM isn't offering it (unlike Apple who's offering something that isn't officially on the market until 9/20.) However, you can get the 7200rpm drive in a IBM T40 since it's been available for some time.

The 17" we got in yesterday has a 80GB 5400RPM drive.

[forcelite]

I was hoping this was a performance comparison. Like quake fps this or, sisoft that

Force