Thinkpads Forum

And yes I forgot to put in just what I WTB/WTT for...

My brother wants my #2 T520 so I am in the market for a backup/project.

Looking for a 15" T61 (Intel only) or a moderately spec'd T500 or W500

I have to trade a dubious Toshiba L75D-A7283 17" quadcore laptop, (I bought it new) no HDD. Still a $400 machine new. Probably just needs a HDD.


Let me know if you have anything interesting.

15" T61 does not exist.
You can choose from these alternatives:
- 15.4" widescreen T61 with Intel or nVidia
- 15" standard 4:3 R61 with Intel (very rare, issued mostly in Europe and Far East)
- 15" standard 4:3 T60 with T61 motherboard with Intel or nVidia (FrankenPad)

I know you didn't mention it among the candidates - but so you know it's an option, I do happen to have a fairly-but-not-handsomely equipped R500 with Intel GFX here which is in pretty good shape. If you find yourself considering it later down the road, I can provide more details.

I may have just the T500 for you SOLD: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=119186
(not interested in a trade)

Thanks for all the help/responses.

My brother decided on one of the new small Lenovo Win10 laptops, so I kept my #2 T520.

I acknowledge I wasn't asked to insert my dos centavos into this decision making process for your family, but for the benefit of your family and anyone else reading I'll offer my opinion that the newer cheap lenovo laptops aren't of the same quality as traditional thinkpads nor are they mass produced to the extent that there will be sufficient parts available to fix them for decades to come, which is the case with thinkpads. They are basically disposable laptops and if you're fine with using it for a year or so and trashing it, then fine, but I'd never buy one. On the other hand the T61 15.4" with intel graphics is one of the most reliable laptops ever made and will likely still be running long after the end of the world and even after the last of the indestructable "twinkies" turns to dust lol

Also that 17" Toshiba model seems to have a poor reputation already, but if you believe it's only a harddrive I have some small ones I could give you very cheap, that way at least you'd know if the laptop was usable or not. I know it sounds attractive to get a 17" laptop new for a few hundred dollars, but the AMD cpus used in them really belong in a handheld device not in a large laptop. I'd bet a nice T61 would out perform it in many ways.

Of course some of this is just my opinion, but I think you'd do better to avoid the cheap laptops you see advertised online and maybe get a used thinkpad if you want something affordable and reliable, and if you are interested in an Intel T61, I have some 14.1 and 15.4" widescreen models which will likely last for decades and can easily be fixed if anything fails.

All very good information, and right along with my thinking entirely,

TuuS wrote:I acknowledge I wasn't asked to insert my dos centavos into this decision making process for your family, but for the benefit of your family and anyone else reading I'll offer my opinion that the newer cheap lenovo laptops aren't of the same quality as traditional thinkpads nor are they mass produced to the extent that there will be sufficient parts available to fix them for decades to come, which is the case with thinkpads. They are basically disposable laptops and if you're fine with using it for a year or so and trashing it, then fine, but I'd never buy one. On the other hand the T61 15.4" with intel graphics is one of the most reliable laptops ever made and will likely still be running long after the end of the world and even after the last of the indestructable "twinkies" turns to dust lol

I was planning on getting a T61 to replace my #2 T520, which I was going to give to him. My brother is only going to use the small, (Ideapad 100s) for watching Netflix and checking email. He really doesn't need something as capable as a T520. I think it's probably appropriate enough technology, plus it's $149.

Also that 17" Toshiba model seems to have a poor reputation already, but if you believe it's only a harddrive I have some small ones I could give you very cheap, that way at least you'd know if the laptop was usable or not. I know it sounds attractive to get a 17" laptop new for a few hundred dollars, but the AMD cpus used in them really belong in a handheld device not in a large laptop. I'd bet a nice T61 would out perform it in many ways.

I bought that (Horrible) Toshiba before I saw the light, I was seduced by the display, I learned my lesson quickly. Thank's for the offer, and I might even have one around here. But I might also just list it on ebay for parts.

Of course some of this is just my opinion, but I think you'd do better to avoid the cheap laptops you see advertised online and maybe get a used thinkpad if you want something affordable and reliable, and if you are interested in an Intel T61, I have some 14.1 and 15.4" widescreen models which will likely last for decades and can easily be fixed if anything fails.

I think he wan't something small and light, I'm just going to leave it up to him, although my preference is for used T-series machines. On the other hand, I'm pretty happy to be keeping my spare T520. I'm completely happy with my T-series machines, but I use a laptop for different tasks than my brother does.

Good luck in your decision making process and hope it works out. If you decide you want a T61, I have some available in all three sizes and I think I also have a T400 and T500 available.