Thinkpads Forum

I'm looking for a used notebook for a friend. She only wants to use it for Internet and music type stuff. She wants to spend around $200. I'm thinking a Pentium M machine might be the way to go. I've been looking looking here and elsewhere. I know some T40s have went here recently for around $200, but who knows if they'll come back, which got me to thinking about the R series. Maybe something like an R40 might be worth considering. It will probably cost less than the T series and she doesn't need much performance. I don't she think she will be taking it out very much, so the extra robustness of the T series is not warranted. I am not as familiar with the older R series ThinkPads and was wondering if there's a general consensus as the quality of the R40? Thanks for any help.

R50 should be the oldest machine you go with. The R40's weren't as good, but some were Pentium M (betther than the Pentium 4M models, but not great).

The prices are identical for used R40's and R50's. Go for the R50 or R51 or T40 or T42. An entry model of any one can be had for $200 upon occasion.

A top-of-the-line T23 or a good T30 should also be available for around $200.-
They both meet with her requirements.

I got a R40 a few years back for someone. It turned out to be a good fit and as far as I know it's still working, but as I said I'm not as familiar with the older R series. Thanks for the replies.

All in all, R40 (not "e") ThinkPads are fine machines, even P4M ones. I've owned dozens of them and was quite pleased. There are some high-end 15" SXGA+ units with P4M 2.4 that are quite fast, and run really nice...PM machines are not bad whatsoever, and probably sturdier than T40/41/42. Their biggest advantage over T30 (which I love) are USB 2.0 ports.

However, underclocker does have a valid point when suggesting a machine from the R5x range...you can find a R51 with Intel board for around that price, and these are tough to beat...

My suggestion, if your friend added a few bucks, would be a T43 with Intel board can be had in the $250-275 range, and that's a step above all previously mentioned machines IMHO...by quite a margin...

My $0.02 only...

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=70591

Just spend a bit more and get a vastly more modern and capable machine...

edit - oops looks like you found the thread.

For 315 something like that is hard to beat. I love the lack of touchpad but some may not.