Please help- need a thinkpad by tuesday (8/14),~1k budget...

[jmango]

Hello All, I apologize in advance for the sloppy post I am in a bit of a rush (and i am not computer savvy at all)

long story short..
I am leaving for study abroad on wednesday (east africa)and find myself in need of a new laptop by then. in addition, the budget is around 1200 including overnight shipping...and i want a thinkpad obviously.oy.


I would like the computer to last me at least 3 years, but really as long as possible(although, the less i spend now, the quicker i canget a new one in future). I will be using it for microsoft office, the internet, some media stuff (itunes, movies), and stat software. i would use bluetooth if i have it, not a bigdeal though. I am thinking that I will purchase a T series with the best processor and screen i can get then upgrade everything else (ram etc) when i get back (acutally, my little brother will...but i digress).

so, here are my questions/issues:


1) can i get away with ordering a T42p off of ebay and upgrading it, or should i go with a T6x for the Core Duo newness? (also, where is the most reliable place to get a t42p, the thinkpadworld warranty makes me nervous, but not sure where else to look)

2) weight- i would like the computer to be as light as possible, but at the same time i do not want a subpar screen (currently using a toshiba 15.4 wxga+ with trubrite...whatever that is- don't want a huge downgrade shock)- is there a happy medium that is feasible?

3) need overnight shipping. used does not bother me, but i want to be able to extend stock warranty if possible

4)i know nothing about computers, and i am taking this thing to uganda for 4 months (not in a village, in a dorm), is ordering without Tpp for the sake of budget a huge mistake?

5) should i go for something non thinkpad? (gasp)recs?

here are the models i am considering so far- again, i know nothing about computers so feel free to rip apart and make suggestions- i will be ordering something between now and monday morning for overnight shipping tuesday- thanks so much everyone!

option 1: $1,099.29 (costcentral)

Lenovo ThinkPad T61 7658
MFG Part #: 765803U

*Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 / 2 GHz ( Dual-Core )
*1 GB (installed) DDR II SDRAM - 667 MHz - PC2-5300 ( 1 x 1 GB )
*120 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm
*DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM - removable plug-in module
*Stereo speakers, wireless LAN antenna, ThinkLight, Bluetooth antenna, fingerprint reader
*14.1" TFT active matrix 1280 x 800 ( WXGA ) - 24-bit (16.7 million colors)- this bothers me...is it bad?
*Intel GMA X3100
*Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG
*Microsoft Windows XP Professional
*Manufacturer Warranty 1 year warranty

option 2: BIN- $999, currently $889 w/no bids(thinkpadworld on ebay)

IBM ThinkPad T42p

* Pentium M 755 2.0GHz
* 1GB RAM
* 60GB 7200rpm HDD
* 14.1in SXGA+ 1400x1050 TFT LCD Display
* 128MB ATI FireGL T2
* CDRW/DVD-R Multi-Burner(Slim)
* Intel 802.11b/g wireless(MPCI)
* Bluetooth/Modem
* 1Gb Ethernet(LOM)
* UltraNav
* Secure chip
* 9-cell Li-Ion battery
* Windows XP Professional

Total 42 Month Warranty- Six Months IBM Global Financing Warranty plus 3 Year Mack Computer International Extended Warranty.

[Purcy]

This is just my two cents here, but the things you stated you needed this laptop for are not too intense. Personally if I was going away, possibly moving around with my laptop, I would buy a solid model (even if it was an older Thinkpad) for a nice low affordable price and then when back home - if needed - either sell it and upgrade or just add things and upgrade.

Go to the forum dept. here called Marketplace and browse, you will find MANY Thinkpads for sale and our members here are very trustworthy; more so than a lot of unknown ebay sellers.

Welcome to the community, good luck and have a good trip!

[scosgt1]

I have a MINT T43 with one gig/60 gig/wifiG available. Warranty 10-2008 (international). good battery and DVD burner. $650 plus shipping. This one has the Intel video, by the way.

so don't buy new, buy a good used machine you can afford to trash (you are after all going to Africa)!
International warranty, will do all that you need and more. 2 Ghz Centrino BTW.

[ajkula66]

I'd definitely stay away from Thinkpadworld, since a number of forum members has had not-so-great experiences with them...

T43 that has been offered to you in this thread seems like a very reasonable option to me...my wife uses one of those and she loves it...and she's pretty demanding when it comes to laptops...

And by the time you come back any new machine will be outdated so you're better off buying a used one to begin with, and lose less money on it.

It doesn't sound to me that you need a top-of-the line machine for what your needs are. And I'd take something with IBM warranty if I were travelling outside of U.S....forget Mack where you're going, as well as any Square Trade or something like that...

Any questions, let me know. I'd be glad to help you out, although presently I don't have a machine that suits your needs.

Good luck with your noble quest.

[sktn77a]

I don't think you can guarrantee anything in your hands by Tues/Wed if you buy off e-bay or mail order. Try one of the retail outlets that sell the T60 (eg circuit city, comp usa, etc) or you'll be biting your nails right down to the wire!

[Johan]

Check if the the T41p here is still for sale, and if so check if any remaining warranty? Also, perhaps ask here if that T42p is still for sale? Any Craighlists in your area?

Wow, you have a pretty tight schedule!!

Good luck...

Best regards,

Johan

[tfflivemb2]

I agree with some of the people here, in that you need to buy locally, or here from someone that knows that you need it by Tuesday. Buying anything on eBay will be a crap shoot on whether or not it will even be mailed by the time that you leave...

[pianowizard]

This $650 T61 on Baltimore's Craigslist is worth considering. The only downside is the 1280x800 resolution.

[scosgt1]

Of course you realize that is way way too cheap for a WS T61, so look at that one closely. I sold a bunch of WS T60's for $1200 recently, and people jumped all over them. If it looks too good to be true, it is.

[pianowizard]

Of course you realize that is way way too cheap for a WS T61

If the seller bought it during the recent T series sales with EPP, a 15% off coupon, and other discounts, $650 is possible.

[scosgt1]

Anything is possible, but it seems rather doubtful. No type part number, generic pic of a T61, not of the actual sealed box. No warranty info. Look the gift horse in the mouth.

[hitokage]

currently using a toshiba 15.4 wxga+ with trubrite...whatever that is

Toshiba uses that to indicate the laptop has a glossy finish to the screen. Some people love it, some people hate it.

[Johan]

You might also want to check the absolutely interesting and currently active thread expect for on loaded T42p sale?! No price is indicated, but I am sure that it is within your budget. Although not having a FlexView/IPS display (as these are only available on 15" ThinkPad's), it still has a SXGA+ resolution display, which many people are absolutely satisfied with on 14.1" models. The smaller display, on the other hand, will make this machine have longer battery life, and will ease its "portability" owing to the samller size and weight. Finally, NC is relatively close to Baltimore, so if a fast deal can be arranged, then delivery within-time ought to be possible?

This being a 2373-model it is covered by the IBM international warranty (provided, of course, that the warranty is extended!) - see for yourself at: International warranty service (IWS), with this repair service is also being available in Uganda.

Best regards,

Johan

[jmango]

Hello All,

quick update-

first (Johan), thanks for your suggestion, I did contact the T42p seller in that thread yesterday but have not heard back yet, understandably.

I found a T43 for $699 (18714CU, 1 year warranty,new) , and A Z61t for $800 (944289U, 3 year warranty,new). (as well as a Z61m at sams club if delivery problems arise)

One of those will be the winner (or lesser of two evils really).

Thanks all!

[fox_napier]

I have replied to your message.

Hello All,

quick update-

first (Johan), thanks for your suggestion, I did contact the T42p seller in that thread yesterday but have not heard back yet, understandably.

I found a T43 for $699 (18714CU, 1 year warranty,new) , and A Z61t for $800 (944289U, 3 year warranty,new). (as well as a Z61m at sams club if delivery problems arise)

One of those will be the winner (or lesser of two evils really).

Thanks all!