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Need some advice on buying used Thinkpad with Windows 7

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serpico
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Need some advice on buying used Thinkpad with Windows 7

#1 Post by serpico » Sun Oct 26, 2014 12:16 pm

After selling off my XP Thinkpads, I've been using a desktop and tablet, but now I find myself once again in need of a decent, inexpensive laptop. And of course my first instinct is to find a used Thinkpad.

Which Thinkpad models with 14" or 15" screens came native with Windows 7 (I know you can upgrade an older Thinkpad to Win 7, but I'm using this as a proxy to get hardware that was designed with Windows 7 in mind)?

Which of these models will run 64-bit Win 7? A lot the apps on my desktop are 64-bit, so trying to keep things simple.

Thanks!
T430: i5-3320M(2.6GHz), 8GB RAM, 120GB SSD, 14" 1600x900, NVIDIA NVS 5400M 1GB
W510: i7-720QM(1.6GHz), 8GB RAM, 240GB SSD, 15.6" 1600x900, 1GB nVIDIA Quadro FX 880M
T410s: Core i5 2.53GHz, 8GB RAM, 120GB SSD, 14.1" 1440x900
T60
X60

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Re: Need some advice on buying used Thinkpad with Windows 7

#2 Post by RealBlackStuff » Sun Oct 26, 2014 12:33 pm

Most, but not all, came with W7. All of them can run 32- and 64-bit.
t400, t410, t420
t500, t510, t520
r400
I have a perfect, ready-made T420 for sale with 64-bit W7: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=114903
Lovely day for a Guinness! (The Real Black Stuff)
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.

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Re: Need some advice on buying used Thinkpad with Windows 7

#3 Post by ajkula66 » Sun Oct 26, 2014 1:00 pm

In addition to what RBS said...there are several important variables here:

a) How much RAM do you need? T400/s, T410/s and T500/510 will max out at 8GB. T420/520 will take 16GB. The same applies to their X counterparts, while the W lineup is a bit more complicated.

b) What size machine and screen resolution are you primarily interested in?

c) How much are you looking to spend?

Let us know and we'll take it from there...
...Knowledge is a deadly friend when no one sets the rules...(King Crimson)

Cheers,

George (your grouchy retired FlexView farmer)

One FlexView to rule them all: A31p

Abused daily: T520, X200s


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serpico
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Re: Need some advice on buying used Thinkpad with Windows 7

#4 Post by serpico » Sun Oct 26, 2014 1:29 pm

ajkula66 wrote:In addition to what RBS said...there are several important variables here:

a) How much RAM do you need? T400/s, T410/s and T500/510 will max out at 8GB. T420/520 will take 16GB. The same applies to their X counterparts, while the W lineup is a bit more complicated.
Intended use is as my backup/travel computer. My desktop with 16gb of RAM will be my main computer. So a laptop that maxes out at 8gb is fine. Even maxing out at 4gb will work for my needs.
ajkula66 wrote:b) What size machine and screen resolution are you primarily interested in?
14"-15" screen. In terms of resolution, my T60 was 1400x1050, so that resolution or better would be fine.
ajkula66 wrote:c) How much are you looking to spend?
Trying to stay under $250. Not sure if that will be possible, but I've seen some Thinkpads running Win 7 on Craigslist under $250 (haven't digged into their specs yet).

What are the basic differences between the R, T and W lines?
T430: i5-3320M(2.6GHz), 8GB RAM, 120GB SSD, 14" 1600x900, NVIDIA NVS 5400M 1GB
W510: i7-720QM(1.6GHz), 8GB RAM, 240GB SSD, 15.6" 1600x900, 1GB nVIDIA Quadro FX 880M
T410s: Core i5 2.53GHz, 8GB RAM, 120GB SSD, 14.1" 1440x900
T60
X60

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Re: Need some advice on buying used Thinkpad with Windows 7

#5 Post by ajkula66 » Sun Oct 26, 2014 5:42 pm

serpico wrote:Trying to stay under $250. Not sure if that will be possible, but I've seen some Thinkpads running Win 7 on Craigslist under $250 (haven't digged into their specs yet).
That amount of money will yield a R400/500, T400/s, T500 or possibly W500. You might get a T410/T510 as well, give or take a few bucks.
What are the basic differences between the R, T and W lines?
W = 15.4 or 15.6 workstation. Better graphics, higher screen resolution - generally speaking - than R or T lines.

T = classic business-grade ThinkPad, be it 14" widescreen or 15.4"/15.6"

R = somewhat of an economy offering and might not be as loaded as T/W, but still a respectable machine.
...Knowledge is a deadly friend when no one sets the rules...(King Crimson)

Cheers,

George (your grouchy retired FlexView farmer)

One FlexView to rule them all: A31p

Abused daily: T520, X200s


PMs requesting personal tech support will be ignored.

serpico
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Re: Need some advice on buying used Thinkpad with Windows 7

#6 Post by serpico » Sun Oct 26, 2014 6:25 pm

I might go up to $300 for a T420 or T520 if it's worth the extra money.

Anything unusual/non-standard or known issues with respect to the T400/410/420 or T500/510/520 or the /s models? My baseline for 'normal' is the T60, which I used for several years. Specifically, any screen issues, they all use 2.5" drive bays that can take SATA or SSD drives, usual ports, etc.
T430: i5-3320M(2.6GHz), 8GB RAM, 120GB SSD, 14" 1600x900, NVIDIA NVS 5400M 1GB
W510: i7-720QM(1.6GHz), 8GB RAM, 240GB SSD, 15.6" 1600x900, 1GB nVIDIA Quadro FX 880M
T410s: Core i5 2.53GHz, 8GB RAM, 120GB SSD, 14.1" 1440x900
T60
X60

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Re: Need some advice on buying used Thinkpad with Windows 7

#7 Post by ajkula66 » Sun Oct 26, 2014 6:32 pm

serpico wrote:I might go up to $300 for a T420 or T520 if it's worth the extra money.
You're unlikely to find a decent T420/520 for that amount of $$$ IMO, short of ones with lower-end 1366x768 LCDs. I'm not saying it's impossible, but the going rate for a well-kept machine is higher than that.
Anything unusual/non-standard or known issues with respect to the T400/410/420 or T500/510/520 or the /s models? My baseline for 'normal' is the T60, which I used for several years. Specifically, any screen issues, they all use 2.5" drive bays that can take SATA or SSD drives, usual ports, etc.
T400s and T410s use 1.8" drives which somewhat limit one's choices when it comes to HDD/SSD. Everything else on that list - including the "standard" T400/410 - uses 2.5" drives.

Known issues...if you're buying a system from a trustworthy source there should be none, apart from normal wear and tear.
...Knowledge is a deadly friend when no one sets the rules...(King Crimson)

Cheers,

George (your grouchy retired FlexView farmer)

One FlexView to rule them all: A31p

Abused daily: T520, X200s


PMs requesting personal tech support will be ignored.

serpico
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Re: Need some advice on buying used Thinkpad with Windows 7

#8 Post by serpico » Sun Oct 26, 2014 6:39 pm

ajkula66 wrote:You're unlikely to find a decent T420/520 for that amount of $$$ IMO, short of ones with lower-end 1366x768 LCDs. I'm not saying it's impossible, but the going rate for a well-kept machine is higher than that.
I've seen a couple of T420 units in my area for $250, but those could have the lower res LCD you mentioned. I'm still debating whether I want to get a laptop prior to an upcoming trip or just make do with the tablet for this trip. If I postpone the laptop purchase, I won't need it until a few months into 2015, so I'd have more time for prices to drift a bit lower.
ajkula66 wrote:T400s and T410s use 1.8" drives which somewhat limit one's choices when it comes to HDD/SSD. Everything else on that list - including the "standard" T400/410 - uses 2.5" drives.
Good to know, thanks.

I saw some mentions of replacement screens for the T420 and that the factory screen was lousy. Maybe that was with respect to the 1366x768 LCD you referred to? Are the higher res T420 factory screens good to go?
ajkula66 wrote:Known issues...if you're buying a system from a trustworthy source there should be none, apart from normal wear and tear.
Nice. And that's why I'm looking to buy a used Thinkpad and not Dell/HP/etc. :)
T430: i5-3320M(2.6GHz), 8GB RAM, 120GB SSD, 14" 1600x900, NVIDIA NVS 5400M 1GB
W510: i7-720QM(1.6GHz), 8GB RAM, 240GB SSD, 15.6" 1600x900, 1GB nVIDIA Quadro FX 880M
T410s: Core i5 2.53GHz, 8GB RAM, 120GB SSD, 14.1" 1440x900
T60
X60

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Re: Need some advice on buying used Thinkpad with Windows 7

#9 Post by ajkula66 » Sun Oct 26, 2014 6:45 pm

serpico wrote:I saw some mentions of replacement screens for the T420 and that the factory screen was lousy. Maybe that was with respect to the 1366x768 LCD you referred to? Are the higher res T420 factory screens good to go?
None of the screens found on T420 are anything to write home about, but the 1366x768 LCDs are really bad IMO. FHD panel (1920x1080) found on T/W 510/520 is a decent one, though.
Nice. And that's why I'm looking to buy a used Thinkpad and not Dell/HP/etc. :)
Don't kid yourself: there were some very nice offerings from both Dell and HP within their business lines at the same time...
...Knowledge is a deadly friend when no one sets the rules...(King Crimson)

Cheers,

George (your grouchy retired FlexView farmer)

One FlexView to rule them all: A31p

Abused daily: T520, X200s


PMs requesting personal tech support will be ignored.

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Re: Need some advice on buying used Thinkpad with Windows 7

#10 Post by rkawakami » Sun Oct 26, 2014 7:28 pm

PMFJI, but I believe that for the T410, a fan error may be common. A third T410 I bought from the same eBay seller appears to have this problem. All three systems were identically configured (2537-RB7), had manufacturing dates of 10/08 or 11/03 and all batteries that came with the laptops had from 4 to 8 cycles on them (first used from 2.5 to 4 years ago). This third system powered up fine several times in a row, but with the last three boots, twice it threw a fan error. I've been able to get it to work again by rapping on the bottom where the fan is located. I would guess that it's getting stuck and will probably need to be replaced. In searching about this problem, it seems like more than several people have reported on it. I don't think it's in the same league as the T4x ATI GPU problem or even the T23 loose inductors considering it's a fairly easy job to replace the fan, but it's something to be aware of.
Ray Kawakami
X22 X24 X31 X41 X41T X60 X60s X61 X61s X200 X200s X300 X301 Z60m Z61t Z61p 560 560Z 600 600E 600X T21 T22 T23 T41 T60p T410 T420 T520 W500 W520 R50 A21p A22p A31 A31p
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Re: Need some advice on buying used Thinkpad with Windows 7

#11 Post by ajkula66 » Sun Oct 26, 2014 7:46 pm

rkawakami wrote:PMFJI, but I believe that for the T410, a fan error may be common.
True. While I've never bumped into this problem myself, it would be fair to say that it's reasonably common, judging by the number of complaints on Lenovo Forums and elsewhere.
...Knowledge is a deadly friend when no one sets the rules...(King Crimson)

Cheers,

George (your grouchy retired FlexView farmer)

One FlexView to rule them all: A31p

Abused daily: T520, X200s


PMs requesting personal tech support will be ignored.

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Re: Need some advice on buying used Thinkpad with Windows 7

#12 Post by serpico » Sun Nov 09, 2014 11:02 am

Just to close the loop on this thread, I bought a used T410s with Core i5 2.53GHz, 8GB RAM, 120GB SSD, Intel graphics, and a 1440x900 display. Case has some minor cracks underneath the palm rest, but preliminary inspection has uncovered no functional issues. Came in way under my budget at $130. :)
T430: i5-3320M(2.6GHz), 8GB RAM, 120GB SSD, 14" 1600x900, NVIDIA NVS 5400M 1GB
W510: i7-720QM(1.6GHz), 8GB RAM, 240GB SSD, 15.6" 1600x900, 1GB nVIDIA Quadro FX 880M
T410s: Core i5 2.53GHz, 8GB RAM, 120GB SSD, 14.1" 1440x900
T60
X60

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Re: Need some advice on buying used Thinkpad with Windows 7

#13 Post by ajkula66 » Sun Nov 09, 2014 11:05 am

serpico wrote:Just to close the loop on this thread, I bought a used T410s with Core i5 2.53GHz, 8GB RAM, 120GB SSD, Intel graphics, and a 1440x900 display. Case has some minor cracks underneath the palm rest, but everything seems to work fine. Came in way under my budget at $130. :)
Did you have a gun pointed at the seller? :lol:
...Knowledge is a deadly friend when no one sets the rules...(King Crimson)

Cheers,

George (your grouchy retired FlexView farmer)

One FlexView to rule them all: A31p

Abused daily: T520, X200s


PMs requesting personal tech support will be ignored.

serpico
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Re: Need some advice on buying used Thinkpad with Windows 7

#14 Post by serpico » Sun Nov 09, 2014 11:08 am

ajkula66 wrote:
serpico wrote:Just to close the loop on this thread, I bought a used T410s with Core i5 2.53GHz, 8GB RAM, 120GB SSD, Intel graphics, and a 1440x900 display. Case has some minor cracks underneath the palm rest, but everything seems to work fine. Came in way under my budget at $130. :)
Did you have a gun pointed at the seller? :lol:
No, but I did have some compromising pictures of him with a goat. :lol:

I think I just lucked out and lots of buyers were probably turned off by the case cracks. Will do some more testing today to ensure that ports, optical drive, etc., work OK.
T430: i5-3320M(2.6GHz), 8GB RAM, 120GB SSD, 14" 1600x900, NVIDIA NVS 5400M 1GB
W510: i7-720QM(1.6GHz), 8GB RAM, 240GB SSD, 15.6" 1600x900, 1GB nVIDIA Quadro FX 880M
T410s: Core i5 2.53GHz, 8GB RAM, 120GB SSD, 14.1" 1440x900
T60
X60

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Re: Need some advice on buying used Thinkpad with Windows 7

#15 Post by ajkula66 » Sun Nov 09, 2014 11:11 am

serpico wrote:No, but I did have some compromising pictures of him with a goat. :lol:
:eek: ROTFL. :eek:
...Knowledge is a deadly friend when no one sets the rules...(King Crimson)

Cheers,

George (your grouchy retired FlexView farmer)

One FlexView to rule them all: A31p

Abused daily: T520, X200s


PMs requesting personal tech support will be ignored.

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