Thinkpads Forum

Which model would be a good choice for a sub $1000.00 used thinkpad?
Which models in this category have fewer problems?
What is the difference between the "A" models, the "T" models and the "P" suffix models.
The T42 deal would be nice but it is not for me at this time.

Thanks,
carbon_unit

I think the best used Thinkpad for under $1000 would be a rare top-of-the-line Thinkpad T23. Look specifically for these specs:

Pentium III-M 1.2ghz
512mb RAM
60gb Hard Drive
CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive
14.1" SXGA+ 1400x1050
16mb Savage Video
Integrated IBM High-Rate WiFi Wireless LAN
10/100 Ethernet
V.90 Modem
Original Preloaded Windows XP Professional Edition
Intact Recovery Partition
Original cables, manuals, box

A unit with exactly these specs is fairly rare, maybe once or twice a month on ebay. If you can find one from the original owner with 1 year warranty remaining, price should be no more than $1000. Original retail price was in the $3500 range, it's the poor-man's T40. Performance is quite good if you plan to use it primarily for typing, emailing, and web browsing. Note that my estimate of $1000 is for this specific configuration. Units with a 1.13ghz CPU, XGA, no WiFI, smaller hard drive, no OS, refurbished, Windows 2000, no box, etc., are worth hundreds less.

try the ibm certified used notebook page.   there are three T23 models shown, all with 90-day warranties.   i just bought one for my father and it arrived in mint condition.

the T23 2647-4NU is a great way to go for $872.10.   the specs are as follows:
PIII-M 1.13GHz (512KB), 128MB RAM, 30.0GB HDD, 14.1 XGA(1024x768) TFT LCD, 8X-3.3X DVD-ROM, 802.11b wireless(MPCI), Modem(MPCI), Ethernet(CDC), TV out, Li-Ion battery, Win 2000

or, for a bit more money ($1169.10), you can upgrade to an A31p 2653-H4U with a larger screen, cd burner, and faster processor at the sacrifice of a slightly larger case.   the specs are as follows:
P4-M 1.7GHz (512KB), 256MB RAM, 60.0GB HDD, 15.0 UXGA(1600x1200) TFT LCD, 8x4x24x/8x CD-RW/DVD, Modem(CDC), Ethernet(CDC), IEEE 1394, TV out, Li-Ion battery, Win2000

-erik

Howdy,
On eBay, I see several T23s that are closer to being affordable to me. They share the trait of being locked. OK, I know that a locked machine could be stolen. I don't want one of those. But, there are plausable stories, such as one seller(with a good rating) who says the machine was locked by a laid off employee.

What are my odds that I'll be able to get the machine unlocked? If it require soldering a part on the motherboars, then I won't attempt it. Will it require the disassembly of the machine? If so, how bad is the T23? I remember that replacing the hard drive in my 560X was not easy mostly due to getting the latch working when I put it back together.
Thanks,

Thinkpads with questionable histories are a bad idea. What price range are you looking for? There are other good Thinkpads that we can recommend.

Severian wrote:But, there are plausable stories, such as one seller(with a good rating) who says the machine was locked by a laid off employee.

If you believe THAT i've got some oceanfront land in Nevada you'd probably be interested in!

Regards,

James

Severian wrote:Howdy,
But, there are plausable stories, such as one seller(with a good rating) who says the machine was locked by a laid off employee.
Thanks,

More likely stolen by a laid off employee.

flatdraft wrote:the T23 2647-4NU is a great way to go for $872.10.

Available from IBM Canada for CA$1012.50 which at the current FX rate is a mere US$729!
http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/store ... lCurrId=75

For once Canadians get a better deal!
http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/store ... daNotebook

[quote="JHEM"]If you believe [b][i]THAT[/i][/b] i've got some oceanfront land in Nevada you'd probably be interested in!
James[/quote]

James, it is good to be skeptical. But, there are real occurances such as that. I am not convinced I believe that seller. Before I bid, I would want to investigate further. Do you have anything constructive to add, such as an easy way to check for stolen ThinkPads? I doubt such a registry exists, but, if I don't ask, I won't learn.

[quote="csv96"]What price range are you looking for? There are other good Thinkpads that we can recommend.[/quote]

I can't get much more than $400 at the present. I have had good luck in the past with buying problem computers. When I say problem, I don't mean of dubious legality. I do a little investigation before I buy a machine and I'll pass a deal if I think it might not be legit. I look for things that have some problem that may be a little challenging, but can be fixed. The average user does not want to mess with it, so they want to get rid of the problem. I bought the ThinkPad 560 for $33, because the Windows installation was completely messed up. The 560 just needs an install, so this is an easy one.. It is not a fast machine (P133), but it should suffice for light web browsing with a bit more ram at a local restaurant that has free wireless service. I wanted something really cheap, in case it walks off.
Looking forward to suggestions,

In the sub-$400 range the list gets much smaller. Depends on what you want to do with it too. I have a 770x that I put a 400Mhz PII in and added the DEVA card. Very capable for most common tasks. Plays DVDs very well and the screen is gorgeous. You might be able to land a 600x or 390x with a PIII in this range too.

Severian wrote:an easy way to check for stolen ThinkPads? I doubt such a registry exists, but, if I don't ask, I won't learn.

From http://www-3.ibm.com/pc/support/site.ws ... WIK-3X4GSR

Register your ThinkPad products with IBM. This can help authorities return your computer to you if it is lost or stolen. Registering your computer also enables IBM to notify you about possible upgrades.

My 760ED was registered with IBM before it was stolen many years ago. I then called IBM to report the theft. I never heard further, but I wonder if the "authorities" call IBM when they report or recover stolen TPs.

I can't find the serial now, otherwise I'd plug it into IBM's Warranty Status page and see how long it takes for the cops to arrive at my door

[quote="mdbrown"]In the sub-$400 range the list gets much smaller. Depends on what you want to do with it too. I have a 770x that I put a 400Mhz PII in and added the DEVA card. Very capable for most common tasks. Plays DVDs very well and the screen is gorgeous. You might be able to land a 600x or 390x with a PIII in this range too.[/quote]

The biggest thing I want that I can't do with my 560Z is playing mpeg4 encoded videos. I capture videos from my VCR and encode them myself. I would like to take some of theses with me at times to show people. That takes about a 500 or 600 MHz cpu do play smoothly. Since laptops are somewhat performance compromised as compared to desktop PCs, it might need a bit more. Other than that capability, my 560Z serves me pretty well. A larger screen than the 560Z's 800 by 600 would be a plus. I also want a bigger hard drive, but I can do that to the 560Z.

p.s. I am intentionally not cutting the quote at the top of this message at all. My previous quotes have not worked well and this is a test.

There are some really good replies in here.
The only reason I set a $1000.00 limit is because it is always the case where "for a few more bucks you can get ........" it has to stop somewhere or else I am back to the T42 for $2229.00.
I am looking for something with good battery life and a large memory capability.
Still which series is the "Desktop Replacement", which is the "ultralite portable" and so on.
I see "A" series, "R" series, "T" series and "X" series.
What are the plusses and minuses of each series?

Thanks,
carbon_unit

At sub-$400 you might be able to get a basic Thinkpad X20 if you're patient. There are several on ebay right now in the sub-$500 range, some even with the X2 Ultrabase. The T20 also approaches that price range as well.

Severian wrote:

JHEM wrote:If you believe THAT i've got some oceanfront land in Nevada you'd probably be interested in!
James

James, it is good to be skeptical. But, there are real occurances such as that. I am not convinced I believe that seller. Before I bid, I would want to investigate further. Do you have anything constructive to add, such as an easy way to check for stolen ThinkPads? I doubt such a registry exists, but, if I don't ask, I won't learn.

No, there's no such registry.

If an ex-employee left a computer locked and unusable upon discharge, it's THEFT plain and simple.

Five minutes at the local police station or sheriff's office would have the PW out of the ex-employee when he found out he was going to be arrested for grand theft!

Regards,

James

carbon_unit wrote:Still which series is the "Desktop Replacement", which is the "ultralite portable" and so on.
I see "A" series, "R" series, "T" series and "X" series.
What are the plusses and minuses of each series?

The X-series is the ultraportable line.
The G-series is the not-so-portable budget line
The T-series is IBM's signature line with a good compromise between portability and performance
The R-series is the budget line with similar features as the T-series but not so elegant
The A-series was discontinued.

carbon_unit wrote:"A" series, "R" series, "T" series and "X" series.
What are the plusses and minuses of each series?

"A" (no longer made) and "R" are desktop replacements. "A" had three spindles (HD, CD/DVD and floppy.) "R" has only the first two, but you can add floppy via USB.

"T" are the workhorses. They're generally a compromise between function, speed and size.

"X" are the smallest and lightest but they also have the smallest screens (12"), smaller keyboards and only one spindle (HD.)

You're probably looking for a "T" or an "A."

The "p" at the end means "professional" or "pricey." It's the top of the line and has better LCD, graphics, multimedia, etc. than p-less models.

don't forget the 240, 240X..
very nice in its time and still very useable and cheap..

hausman wrote:

carbon_unit wrote:"A" series, "R" series, "T" series and "X" series.
What are the plusses and minuses of each series?

"A" (no longer made) and "R" are desktop replacements. "A" had three spindles (HD, CD/DVD and floppy.) "R" has only the first two, but you can add floppy via USB.

"T" are the workhorses. They're generally a compromise between function, speed and size.

"X" are the smallest and lightest but they also have the smallest screens (12"), smaller keyboards and only one spindle (HD.)

You're probably looking for a "T" or an "A."

The "p" at the end means "professional" or "pricey." It's the top of the line and has better LCD, graphics, multimedia, etc. than p-less models.

Thanks! That was exactly what I was looking for.
Yes, it appears I am looking at something in the A30 or T23 range. Probably a T23 because of the better battery life.
One more question, Why are people so down on refurbs? Is there something wrong with them?

refurbs get a bad rap, because:
1. short warranty..
2. bad name "refurb" makes potential customers leery..

reality is some refurbs are just new machines that were refused at the door..
some were opened and then returned for no other reason than the customer was having a bad day, OR it might have a stuck on pixel..

a refurb can be a good value..

or not..

its a gamble..

I've just noticed the title of this thred "Used Thinkpad Advice" - Be very careful - personally I'd only ever use NEW advice (with a garantee) in a box etc...

ian wrote:I've just noticed the title of this thred "Used Thinkpad Advice" - Be very careful - personally I'd only ever use NEW advice (with a garantee) in a box etc...

Happy now?

James

spose so...

JHEM wrote: Happy now?
James

James,

Is there definitely warranty on this advice?!

Will I have to swap the fan for the "long" version to avoid "fan noise"?!!!

n3il wrote:Is there definitely warranty on this advice?!

Yes, that advice comes with our warranty that's "outa' sight"! The warranty is good for as long as you have me in sight!

n3il wrote:Will I have to swap the fan for the "long" version to avoid "fan noise"?!!!

No my short fans are as noisy as the long ones, just as my male fans are as noisy as the female, even though there are so many more females fans.

Regards,

James the Modest

ian wrote:I've just noticed the title of this thred "Used Thinkpad Advice" - Be very careful - personally I'd only ever use NEW advice (with a garantee) in a box etc...

"Used" advice is often better than the new variety. It's also known by another name: experience.

As for guarantees, if you're ever dissatisfied with my advice, I'll gladly refund double what you paid for it

P.S. Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment.

You should've taken a look at my T21 which I recently sold on eBay last week. It had the 40 Gig GNX HDD, a 1.0Ghz CPU, 512MB RAM, DVD/CD player, W2K Pro OS and Windows Office 2000, all the OEM Recovery CDs, a floppy ultrabay, a zip250 ultrabay, and a spare CD-only ultrabay. It sold for $909.00 and I was relatively happy with that. Condition was 9.5 out of 10 (honest). The original 3-year warranty is up June 1st, but I believe IBM can extend that. It was a fine machine and it's driving me to buy another IBM even if I have to take a loss on a new HP I bought in a moment of weakness.

Mike

Well, I bought a 2647-4MU for right under $700.00 shipped today with 1 extra battery, an AC adapter, 256 megs ram, a CDRW drive and about 8 months of warranty left.
It is supposed to be in "Great Condition" just like all the others on ebay. We'll see when it shows up.
The guy had good feedback and communicates well. I should be OK.
There was one on there for $600.00 "Buy It Now" but it didn't feel "right" to me.

It arrived yesterday and all seems well except that the restore partition (if any) has been blown away and it came without any restore CDs or owners manual. It has a generic version of windows 2000 pro on it. Other than that I can't find anything wrong with it.

It sure is quite a step up from a TP600 with a 366 in it.