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Cheap T60. Should I spend the money?

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 12:21 am
by giantyogurt
For 650 bucks, someone will sell a thinkpad T60 with the following specs:

Duo Core,T2300E(1.66GHz)
512MB RAM
60GB 5400rpm HDD
15in 1024x768 LCD
Intel 950
CDRW/DVD
Intel 802.11abg wireless
1Gb Ethernet
Secure chip
Fingerprint reader
6c Li-Ion batt

PLUS an extra battery (I assume 6 cell?) and warranty expires in 9 months.

I wanted to get a decent T4x for $400 range since I got rid of my desktop, then I ran across this lightly used T60. I don't intend to spend over $400 on a used laptop because I've been using a 5 year old T23 I got for $300 last year and I'm quite satisfied with it , although I completely took out the LCD after failing to replace the backlight lamp. (using an ext. LCD now)

BUT, I think T60 w/extra battery for $650 is a pretty good deal. The person's selling it because she accidently locked it up using a proprietary security software(kinda like my dad) and prefers using her brand-new HP 4GB RAMed desktop she purchased for $1600. I'm going over to her place this Saturday to check it out, she's going to let me format it/reinstall Windows so I can see if everything's in working order.

If I buy it, I'll use it for web-browsing, occasional video encoding(xvid), p2p(at lowest clock-rate with lid-closed). I want a very quiet(low power processor) laptop that is reliable, just like my trusty old T23. 1024x768 screen seems kinda small, but I think I can deal with it if I have to. Do you think I should buy this laptop? Thanks for your input in advance.

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 1:58 am
by KristianJ
Welcome to the forums :)

The fact that you're being allowed to reformat Windows and test it out is definitely an advantage over a similar deal on eBay. With that sort of price range though I'd probably consider a T42p over a T60 of those specs because of the better hard drive and higher resolution (because it appears you're "umming and ahhing" over the XGA). Even a T42 with SXGA+ would be worth trying to find.

Good luck with your inspection :)

Re: Cheap T60. Should I spend the money?

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 7:41 am
by pianowizard
giantyogurt, welcome aboard!
giantyogurt wrote:If I buy it, I'll use it for web-browsing....1024x768 screen seems kinda small
That resolution is certainly a bit too low for web browsing. But $650 (Canadian, right?) is a pretty good price. I suggest getting it and selling the extra battery for around $40, so that your final price for the laptop becomes $610. Then try to sell the laptop for $700 to make some money. Keep using it until it gets sold.

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 7:59 am
by Brad
Would be great if the warranty was longer.

...and Welcome!

Brad

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 8:59 am
by giantyogurt
Many thanks for thoughtful insights.

I was actually thinking of doing the same thing: selling the extra battery and the carrying case(which I forgot to mention) and using the laptop until the warranty expires. Then I can decide if the screen is really too small to work with while owning it.

The seller has already ordered the recovery CD from Lenovo which should give another advantage when trying to resell the whole package. I don't mind going through the hassle as long as I can get what I want in the end. (T42 as recommended?)

On my second thought, since I kinda like the better processing power of the T60 over T4x, I'm thinking of using an external LCD monitor I have (1280x1024 NEC 18" IPS panel, real nice).

Ack! I don't like choices. :(

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:06 am
by pianowizard
giantyogurt wrote:Then I can decide if the screen is really too small to work with while owning it.
Of course, the screen is huge. It's the working area that's small.
giantyogurt wrote:The seller has already ordered the recovery CD from Lenovo which should give another advantage when trying to resell the whole package.
That's even better! Make a copy of these discs for your own use, and sell the Lenovo discs for $30. After selling these discs, the extra battery, and the bag, the cost of this laptop will go down to $570 or so.

Good Deal for T-60

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 9:19 pm
by Truthfinder
I have and love my T-60, although it is a bit more tweaked.

A buddy of mine has a T-60, with very much the same specs as what you are looking to buy............. He uses it for just about everything and has no complaints.

If the unit is in GREAT CONDITION, GO FOR IT !

Best of Luck, Truthfinder ;-)

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 11:15 pm
by robert alcantara
I have a T60p at work, and use a T41 for personal use (see signagture for specs).

I prefer the T41 because of its smaller form factor. Now when I use my T60p @ work, I think how huge it is.

It all depends on what you're looking for.