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Is This T41 Worth It?

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 7:43 am
by CRSO
Hey guys,

I have a chance to pick this up. She wants 400 but I think 350 is a fair offer. Anybody think it's actually worth 400?

It's a 2nd laptop for me. I have a T43 15'' and want a T4x with a 14'' screen to use when I pack heavy.
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ThinkPad T41
Pentium-M 1.6 GHz 2mb Cache
14.1" XGA
ATI Radeon Mobility 32MB
512MB RAM
40GB
CD-RW / DVD ROM
Cisco WiFi (he said he may give me a wireless G mini-pc card)

It's in good condition.


OR, I can also get the following for the same price.

ThinkPad T40
MODEL: 2373-82U

Description: Intel Mobile Centrino 1.5 GHz, 1 GB RAM, 40GB 5400rpm HDD, 14.1 XGA(1024x768) TFT LCD, 32MB ATI Radeon 7500, DVD(slim), Modem(CDC), 1Gb Ethernet(LOM), Intel 802.11b Wireless(MPCI), Secure Chip(TCPA), UltraNav, 6 cell battery, WinXP Pro

the T40 is 350.00 also.

I'm torn here...

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 7:56 am
by KristianJ
$400 may be reasonable as well depending on your assessment of condition. The overall specs are reasonably standard, but the Cisco wi-fi's only b...I'd say offer $350 and see what you can negotiate.

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 8:48 am
by CRSO
he said he'd give me a wireless G mini-pci card, I just see a lot of basic configurations go for 350. i'd offer the 400 if it had more ram, SXGA+, etc..

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 9:13 am
by pianowizard
Did you find these on the New Jersey and NY Craigslists? I took at quick look and saw quite a few other, cheaper T40's and T41's on those sites. For example, this "like new good condition" T40 is $299; it should be possible to get them to knock off around $20. It has minimal specs, but so do the ones you listed.

Fair

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 10:00 am
by scosgt1
$400 is more than fair, you could sell off the parts for more than that. Remember, this is supposedly a working system.

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 11:02 am
by CRSO
yes they are NY CL ads.

See, I want a T4x but can't really break the bank. I only want to spend really 300 max but would go 350 if it were a great deal.

I have a T43 with 1GB of RAM and I want something ''comparable'' to it as a second laptop for me and for my wife to use. I know an older T4x will be slower but I need to find the ''middle ground'' and balance price and speed to get something fairly comparable to my T43.

Any advice is greatly appreciated...

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 11:23 am
by pianowizard
CRSO wrote:See, I want a T4x but can't really break the bank. I only want to spend really 300 max but would go 350 if it were a great deal.
It's not too hard to find T40's for under $350 shipped on eBay. This guy is selling several basic T40's on eBay for $295 + $29 shipping. The seller has very good feedback. If you don't like this one, keep looking for another week or two and you can most likely find something even cheaper and nicer.

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 1:50 pm
by CRSO
Thanks.. He seems to have a lot of T40's and R40's but that's it.

I want a T41 or 42 with a 14.1 screen (XGA or SXGA+). I prefer 1G of RAM and a wireless G card. I don't even need HDD because I have 3 that I swap around. That's pretty much it... I'd rather pay the extra 50-75 bucks and have something somewhat comparable to my T43.

I'll just hold off and something is bound to pop up, it always does...

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 2:13 pm
by CRSO
I think I found a good one...

How about-
T42
1.8Ghz
14.1 XGA
64MB Graphic Card
80G HDD
1GB RAM
CDRW/DVD
WiFi a/b/g

In great condition for 500 even.

good deal?

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 2:16 pm
by pianowizard
Find out how much warranty remains. The display resolution (1024x768) is bad.

Not a bad price

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 2:22 pm
by scosgt1
But a T42 with a 64MB video card and XGA display would be unusual. That vintage machine usually only had enhanced video ram with an enhanced LCD.

And DO NOT pay that much if there is no warranty. You can get burnt. You at least need an active warranty when you receive the machine so any issue can be resolved without having to make PayPal disputes.

Re: Not a bad price

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 2:24 pm
by pianowizard
scosgt1 wrote:But a T42 with a 64MB video card and XGA display would be unusual.
I agree. Sounds like someone took out the original SXGA+ and replaced it with the XGA.

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 4:09 pm
by CRSO
Really? Hm. This is directly from the ad:

14.1" XGA
ATI Video Card 9600 64mb
CDRW/DVD-ROM
802.11 b/g wireless
PCMCIA slot
1Gb Ethernet and 56k v.90 Modem
UltraNav dual pointing device
6 cell Li-Ion battery.
Windows XP Pro

I also asked about the warranty and am waiting to hear back from them...

So, if it is SXGA+ and under warranty, the 500 is reasonable? They were asking 600.00 (which I think is too much anyway).

Oh I get it

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 4:21 pm
by scosgt1
It is in writing so it must be correct!

It also "may" not be wifi G, some T42's seemed to come with b

Do get the actual type-part number, that is the only way you can buy this stuff

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 4:27 pm
by CRSO
Thanks for the great input fellas.

So, if it is SXGA+, -G wireless, and under warranty, the 500 is reasonable? They were asking 600.00 (which I think is too much anyway).

Yes

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 4:32 pm
by scosgt1
If it is under warranty. No warranty, no sale at those prices.

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 4:34 pm
by CRSO
It is SXGA+ and the model is 2373-M1U

Is 500 a good deal?

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 4:41 pm
by wearetheborg
CRSO wrote:
So, if it is SXGA+ and under warranty, the 500 is reasonable? They were asking 600.00 (which I think is too much anyway).
I'll give you some sales on ebay:

Two T42s were sold (I bought one), specs:
$585 shipped
2Ghz dothan
SXGA+
32mb video ram
1GB sodimm
wireless
40GB hdd
cdrw/dvd
warranty until 4/2009

Another one was sold, specs
$470 shipped
1.7Ghz dothan
SXGA+
32mb video ram
512MB sodimm
wireless
40GB hdd
cdrw/dvd
warranty until 11/2007

These were fair prices.

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 5:10 pm
by CRSO
It's a 2373-M1U and warranty until 8/2008

14.1" SXGA+
ATI Video Card 9600 64mb
CDRW/DVD-ROM
802.11 b/g wireless
PCMCIA slot
1Gb Ethernet and 56k v.90 Modem
UltraNav dual pointing device
6 cell Li-Ion battery.
Windows XP Pro

500 fair?

Yes

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 5:27 pm
by scosgt1
That price is spot on.

I would try to retail it for around $600+ locally

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 5:33 pm
by CRSO
awesome... thank you

Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 12:34 pm
by CRSO
Well, the seller isn't getting back to me, this is just great.

I did find another T42. It is OUT of warranty but I think I can get it for about 350.00 (resolution is bad but it's a cheap 2nd laptop). Now, would it be worth it?

It is as follows:

2373-X69
Excellent working condition.

1.7GHz Pentium
Centrino Technology
512MB DDR Memory
32MB 7500 Video Card
14.1 XGA
60 GB Hard drive
Fast DVD/CDRW Combo Drive
802.11 a/b/g wireless
Office 2003 Pro

I've learned a great bit about the T4x's by just doing this searching. Thank you guys for all your help!

Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 1:11 pm
by pianowizard
CRSO wrote:I did find another T42. It is OUT of warranty but I think I can get it for about 350.00 (resolution is bad but it's a cheap 2nd laptop).
I think it's cheap enough.

Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 2:08 pm
by CRSO
Do you think I will notice a dramatic speed difference between the original T42 and this one? The processor is a 1.8 Dothan Vs. a 1.7 (i think both have 2gb L2) and the 64mb graphics vs. the 32mb?

I am used to a T43 1.8 Dothan with 64mb Graphics & IPS. This will be a temp laptop until I get my T43 back.

I think I can live with XGA on a 14.1. It's not that bad.

Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 4:19 pm
by CRSO
I got it for 280.00. It has 15'' XGA. Oh well, should tide me over..

Good deal?

Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 4:28 pm
by pianowizard
CRSO wrote:Good deal?
I am sorry to tell you this but you should have paid no more than $80. The T42 is a very obsolete machine, and XGA on a 15.0" screen is totally unacceptable. You got yourself a piece of junk!

JUST KIDDING!! $280 for a T42, and you have to ask if it's a good deal? Of course it is! It's so cheap that it's scray!

Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 4:38 pm
by SHoTTa35
i started reading the first part of your post and was OMG no this dude didn't, i'm bout to break my foot off in his a**. Then i read the rest and was like ok he was kidding :)

Anyways, yeah you got a super sweet deal there. My T42 (granted it's a 14" and more desirable screen) cost me MUCH more than that... probably closer to double! It still has warranty and came in great condition and all that with new parts too it seemed. I was also desparate for a machine but i did skip over a few T40s and T41 and even a T43 to get this baby :) Now i'm definitely INLOVE!

Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 4:48 pm
by CRSO
I started reading it also and was about to go downtown and get my $$$ back, lol.

Oh yeah, it has that big [censored] 5,000 cell battery on it. It has not too many cycles on it and lasts 4-5hrs.

I really wanted that Dothan Processor for the increased bus speed and L2 cache. I do audio production and those differences I notice (banias-dothan)

The kid got it for free and from his instructor. It is in BRAND NEW condition. I'd buy it just for the [censored] case... The XGA actually isn't that bad for a backup machine that's gonna sit in my home..

Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 11:27 pm
by wearetheborg
CSRO, thos are some great deals. Are they from craigslist ?

Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 11:46 pm
by CRSO
yes, the one I got is.

I have my treo IE shortcut set up and usually check every hour for new listings.

I just hate paying too much for something. If one looks enough and knows what they are looking for, a good deal should arise.

It also depends on the situation of the buyer / seller. If the buyer needs something quick, he / she will eat maybe 50.00-100.00. Same with the seller and this is what turns into what we call ''a deal''. On craigslist, if you approach any educated individual with a reasonable offer, they ''should'' take it. There is a woman on there now selling a T43. She clearly has no idea about anything. I asked her for the part # and serial because there was no detailed description (these TP prices fluctuate a lot). She probably gave me the windows activation code. I said she may be mistaken and I was just trying to do some footwork and help out with the details so I can make a deal. She said ''i don't know, don't bother me''. Well, she posted the details and was asking way too much Because of her lack of professionalism and lack of trying to have an idea of the product she's trying to sell, it was up there for a LONG time and she finally kept lowering it.

On the other hand, there are the occasional ''I paid 2,000 for this Pentium 166 MMX and I want to get at least 1,000'' (my first PC was a 166. My girlfriend at the time got the 266 Pentium TWO and I though that was cool).

I researched out here what the best fit for me would be a fe months ago and I ended up with a T43 for a ''good'' price. Now thanks to everyone here, I know the market for almost all the T4x's.

There are the same T40's on Craigslist that the seller wants 600.00 for... just crazy.

Yes, deals are everywhere if you're patient and educated on the product....