Thinkpads Forum

Up for grabs will soon be the built-from-scratch R500F that has been my wife's daily driver for the past several months...a truly outstanding machine in more ways than just one...

the basics:

ThinkPad R500 (2718-A17)
Based on 2718-3KU:
Celeron M 575(2GHz)............now T9400 (2.53GHz 6MB L2 cache 1066MHz FSB)
2GB RAM
80GB 5400rpm HDD..............now 100GB/7200rpm (no OS installed)
15.4in 1280x800 LCD............now *brand new* (NOS) LG Philips 1680x1050 (WSXGA+) - *stunning*
Intel X4500HD
CDRW/DVDRW
Intel 802.11agn wireless
Bluetooth, Modem, 1Gb Ethernet
UltraNav
Secure chip
Camera
6c Li-Ion
WinXP Pro COA
Modded BIOS
65W genuine Lenovo AC adapter included


known imperfections:

- Left LCD latch is broken, but the RH one locks the lid securely in place with no "play".
- Normal wear/tear/shine in the usual spots for a ThinkPad of this vintage

The story behind the machine and sale:

Had I known what Lenovo's *40 series was going to look like - and how upset over it I was going to get - I would've never put this machine together, but my loss will be someone else's gain, and I'd *strongly* prefer for this fine unit to end up in a home of a fellow forum member.

Long story short, I'm keeping only the ThinkPads that I seriously can't live without, such as A31p and T43pSF. My boys will hang on to their R60F and Lord only knows what my Princess Daughter will decide.

The strongest points of this ThinkPad are the facts that it's pretty powerful - yet cool running - and that the LCD (NOS LG Philips pulled out of the factory box, likely less than 300 hours use on it) is absolutely stunning. While I'm selling the machine with 1GB RAM only - to make sure that you can see it boot upon receipt - DDR3 is quite inexpensive nowadays and this thing is scary fast once coupled with a SSD and 4GB or more RAM.

I've got almost $150 in the screen and (incredibly rare) LCD cable alone. No matter how I look at it I won't make the money that I put into this machine back, and I'm OK with that.

Looking to recoup $175 + whatever shipping costs are incurred in getting this laptop to its new residence. I know I'd collect more $$$ by parting it out, but would like to avoid taking that route if at all possible.

PM or email me directly to tataslonATaol.com with any questions/concerns.

Amazing price, amazing piece. A very good base to build a solid workhorse from.

Nice machine. So, are you leaving the Thinkpad scene completely? That would be a great loss for the rest of us. If the direction Lenovo is heading with new designs is so wrong, I would think that keeping these older generation machines going would be more important. Heck, I have an R500 with broken screen, 3.06 GHz iMac CPU, and a new WUXGA screen all set to build up. You supplied the inspiration for me to try to do this. I hope that you still stay around and good luck on the sale.

DRobinson wrote:Nice machine. So, are you leaving the Thinkpad scene completely? That would be a great loss for the rest of us.

Thank you for the kind words. Truly appreciated.

I'm not leaving TPF...way too addicted to it...

If the direction Lenovo is heading with new designs is so wrong, I would think that keeping these older generation machines going would be more important.

Yes, as long as they get some use. This one is pending final replacement within a few weeks...maybe even sooner.

Heck, I have an R500 with broken screen, 3.06 GHz iMac CPU, and a new WUXGA screen all set to build up. You supplied the inspiration for me to try to do this.

I hope that your own R500F ends up as an even more impressive machine than my own.

I hope that you still stay around and good luck on the sale.

Thank you again. And - as previously stated - I'll stick around...