Thinkpads Forum

Fellow ThinkPad’ers, I am kindly asking for any help and/or tips about where I can find a T42 which is (much preferably!) in MINT condition, and having the following specifications:

- 15” SXGA+ LCD (FlexView/IPS)
- with fingerprint reader

According to the ltwbook, the following T42's sold on the US-market fulfill these requirements:

2373-L4U, -L5U, -L6U, -L7U and 2378-R2U (all having PM735 = 1.7 GHz) plus
2373-N1U, -N2U, -N3U and 2378-R9U (all having PM745 = 1.8 GHz)

By “MINT condition” I am particularly referring to the LCD. I am concerned about all of the following issues:

1) No dead or stuck pixels (the free program Dead Pixel Buddy can be used to test this),

2) No dark or light areas,

3) No pressure marks,

4) No dust or any hair(s) inside the LCD,

5) No scratches or any other blemishes on the LCD.

If the CCFL is perhaps becoming a bit pale, that can fortunately be dealt with, through the expert-help of jamiphar. The motherboard should (of course!) be in perfect working condition, with absolutely NO any signs of e.g. the ”loose GPU problem” and also not having any other malfunction. The cosmetic condition of the LCD cover, the palm rest/keyboard-touchpad-bezel and the keyboard is not of huge importance, because I have been very fortunate to have James (jampihar) kindly offer to help restore this (hopefully soon-to-be!) T42 to like-new condition, so these parts can in principle be swapped with new parts (of course at my cost). Because of this, shipment shall be to James in Illinois, USA – so you need not worry anything about international shipment! But: The basics – the LCD and the motherboard – has to be in perfect working condition. A bit of remaining original IBM-warranty would be very valuable, but I will of course consider all offers. Kindly understand that if buying an used T42 in the USA (and regardless of having or not having any remaining warranty), and having the T42 inspected in the USA and shipped to me in Denmark – and then some hardware error shows up here… I will be in serious trouble. This explains my focus on obtaining a perfectly working motherboard.

Finally, in the case anyone is wondering: Why do I really want such an ”old” and probably by many considered as a way outdated T42? Well, the thing is that my dear mother celebrated her 79’th birthday about a week ago, and we started discussing with her what we should plan to get her as a present for her 80’th birthday? To this she replied… that she would like to get on the internet!! And since I believe a T42 with the ID Tech 15” SXGA+ FlexView/IPS LCD is the most aesthetically pleasing designed, and that it would also be perfect for her otherwise (in particular the LCD quality, the speed, the low noise), that’s simply what I am looking for! I know that there are of course many potential ThinkPad-alternatives, but for the time being… the above is what I am after!

Any offers and/or hints about where to find a T42 with the above specifications will be highly appreciated – thanks in advance to everyone wanting to help mother get online!

Kind regards,

Johan

Johan, that's a great machine and a lovely idea for your mother.

My opinion is below!

I do not recommend the following unit because 1) SXGA+ is too high a resolution for 80 year old eyes, 2) you have to handle T4x machine gently, 3) it's an expensive used model.

I do recommend a base 15.4" widescreen ThinkPad. They are really fast, solid and a great price - $400.

Check it out --> http://www.ecost.com/detail.aspx?edp=37 ... u=37846296

You could add another 512MB RAM for $5.00 and a USB mouse for another $5.00. Done.

This is my standard recommendation for kids under 10 and adults over 70.

Good luck.

Thanks very much, Ed, for your kind feedback and suggestions! While I certainly highly appreciate your comments, I however continue to feel that a 15” SXGA+ T42 (FlexView!) is still my preferred choice, assuming of course that I am able to find one! (because, unfortunately, I have received absolutely zero offers until now…).

To reply to your feedback:

1) SXGA+ being a too high resolution? Well, I beg to disagree, because I intend to (if…) increase the display DPI-setting to 120 %, and I am fully convinced that this would be just fine (as my mother sees and reads very well). A friend of mine is using a 15” SXGA+ T42 with this setting, and it is very easy readable even for a 79yo.

2) Handling a T42 gently; of course it shall, and will; but hey, recall that a T42 is one of the absolutely most beautiful black babies ever born so of course it shall be handled with eternal love, soft care and total tenderness!! Just like I treat my own T42p’s!! No; joking aside, the laptop for her won’t be moved much around; at worst I guess it will only be stowed (gently!) away from time to time, if not being in use for some period. And, about mother being able to be gentle; sure she is – she e.g. never, ever dropped me when I was a small (beautiful!!) baby! … and, ooh, thank you very much for not doing that, mother!

3) Expensive or not; I completely understand you point of view also here, and I also understand what is perhaps being said implicitly, that her actual (really, very modest!) needs would no doubt be served satisfactory with an e.g. R60/e, as the one pointed to. But, I should emphasize that money is not an issue here; I would/will certainly much rather pay the double (!), compared to the R60e suggested, and then get a ThinkPad that I know I would enjoy using myself. Also, to be honest, I have very little knowledge about other ThinkPad’s than T42’s and T60’s, so I prefer to stick to what I know, and what I also like when it comes to the design. Again, I wouldn’t like to get something for (especially!) my mother that I wouldn't want to own myself. Which is basically why I am still so focused on a 15” SXGA+ T42. But also because it constantly reminds me of myself: Slim, elegant!

What’s more to say? I have received no offers or even hints about T42’s yet, but if anyone want to mail directly (not via PM), please feel free to do this: johan_granholm [at] yahoo [dot] dk

So, now I will sit back and watch my mailbox to be crowded with offers on 15” SXGA+ T42’s… and yours, Ed, shall be especially welcome! Yes, well, my happiness practically now rests in your hands!!

Again: Thanks in advance for any hints and/or offers – and don’t forget that mother is really counting on you, friends!

Best regards,

Johan

Johan-

You're funny. I'm sure your quest for a fine T42 will be successful. I wish I could help, but I'm hanging on to my T60 15" w/FlexView SXGA+ and warranty until mid-2010. Everytime I use it I can't believe the screen quality.

You'll make your mother happy with a FlexView. You're a fine son.

Good luck.

I might have one for sale soon. I am working with James (jamiphar) to see if I can get the CCFL replaced because the previous owner didn't send it in for repair, as red as it is, before the warranty ran out in January.

Once the CCFL is replaced, I will better know the condition of the LCD. There are no issues with the systemboard.

@ Ed: Thanks a lot for your kind feedback - this forum is about the friendliest place on the internet I know! And you are certainly also part of the reason for this.

@ Steve: Thank you, too; I read your post with intense interest - and I almost can sleep tonight, you know... already dreaming of another beautiful black (ThinkPad T42!) babe! I just sent you a PM; I am dying to hear more!!

Meanwhile, if anyone else might be able to give a hint about where to find a (preferably MINT condition) 15" SXGA+ T42 with fingerprint-reader, then: Don't be shy! Come closer! Thanks!

Best regards,

Johan

I am still very much looking for a 15” SXGA+ T42 w/fingerprint reader (more details in the first post in this thread). Cosmetic condition of everything - except the LCD - is of less importance.

If anybody has such one for sale (or might be persuaded into selling?), or has any (simply any!) idea where I might find one, all helpful hints would be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Best regards,

Johan

No offense meant, but you should perhaps drop the fingerprint reader. If the unit is to be stationary, there's no need for this password-gadget, that does not work all the time anyway.
You might also consider a mini-ITX PC with a separate full-size keyboard and a 17" or 19" LCD monitor.
Your mother's eyes and fingers will thank you!

Unless Steve gets his machine up and running, I believe that you'll have an extremely tough time finding one...

To put it this way: I've owned more T42s than I can count, and not a single one that would meet the requirements above...

If you dropped the fingerprint part, finding a machine like that would be a walk in the park...

Good luck, old friend.

This T60 may be about double your T42 budget, but the spec's are perfect --> http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=63253

PM'd and emailed.