Prices confuzzling on eBay

[OldManClayton]

Alrighty, let me see if I can get this down. Lenovo's site has apparently dropped the multitouch option for the x61t, and the price just went up, so I've decided to just buy a new sealed one from ebay. There are a number of unopened ones that range from $850 to $930 that I'm interested in, but I'm having trouble balancing everything. From what I've heard, having at least 2 GB of RAM is desirable in this thing, and I'd like the best HDD I can get for my money. I want to stay as low in price as I can while still balancing it out with reasonable specs. I'm not too sure what each upgrade would cost separately after buying the main unit, and all the different listings with different RAM and Hard drive space and bluetooth and price and whatnot is confusing me. I don't think I'm going to be able to find a multitouch without a whole bunch of other features I don't need that raises the price, so I've resigned myself to finding a good deal on a machine without it.

I'm hoping someone can help me sort out a good buy. Maybe a daily ebay lurker who'll help me keep an eye out for a deal? Or maybe just a description of the ideal listing that I should keep an eye out for. It sounds pathetic, I know, but it's not everyday that I spend this much money and I want to make sure I get it right the first time.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

[basketb]

Have you checked in the Lenovo outlet whether there is one that meets your needs/wishes or comes close?
Here's a refurbished multitouch one.

Wrt. to RAM and HD, look on newegg.com for current prices. 2GB RAM should be around $20 or so. a 320GB/7200 RPM or 500GB/5400RPM drive should be $100 or less.
So to max out any machine (w/4GB RAM, faster/biggest HD) it would take at most an extra $150. Plus, you can upgrade incrementally. Start with an additional 2GB first (if the machine comes with 1GB or 2GB that's probably all you'll ever need), only upgrade the HD when you run out of space on the original one.

[ajkula66]

Hmmmmmmmmm...

First of all, why new/unopened ? Most of these machines are young enough to have warranty remaining...

Secondly, all jokes aside, what are you looking to spend as in TOTAL?

[OldManClayton]

Well, it's just that every single computer I have ever owned has been used, and I'd like to have a completely new one for once. (Granted, this model is a year old. It's what I can afford in this class of thinkpad. ) I'd rather any scratches and dings on my thinkpad come from my use of it. It sounds silly, but it's what I'd prefer.

Overall spending in the long run can go higher as I upgrade incrementally. What I'm saying is, I'd like to find what the best of the $850 to $999 range is for a start. I could buy the cheapest one I find, but there may be another right below with a few worthwhile upgrades that would add up to less than the first unit plus those upgrades, and I wouldn't notice. I'm not used to comparing these types of things all the time, so I'm not too good at it.

On a side note... http://stores.channeladvisor.com/Lenovo ... Free%20Bag How does this one have a camera? O_o It's probably external isn't it...

[ajkula66]

More likely a typo than an external camera...Outlet is infamous for wrong descriptions and typos...

[basketb]

do NOT go by the description given in the outlet alone (as far as I know, no X61t came with a widescreen display). Give them a call before buying and ask about all the features the machine comes with. Sometimes you can find out this info yourself. I've described it here how to do it: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 76#p483276

[OldManClayton]

I think that for the new tablets in the outlet, getting one with multitouch might not be that much cheaper than buying one on ebay, if at all... I don't know. Keeping an eye out.

[OldManClayton]

Upgrading to an 8-cell battery would be far more expensive than upgrading RAM and HDD, right? (Well, maybe not HDD... but I'm trying to balance things here)

This one caught my eye.

I saw another that had 3GB of RAM and a 120GB HDD, (here) but I'm sure this one is probably a good idea, especially considering the listing looks more professional, but I'm checking around... I don't even know if I want an 8-cell over the 4-cell, since it's bigger and I'm not sure I need that much battery length. This one also apparently has Bluetooth...

What do you think? Is this a good one to go with? I'm trying to compare multiple ones and I'm just getting confused.

Thanks!
This one is also interesting...

[OldManClayton]

Ok, I think I've found what I'm going to be getting... I'm going with this tablet.
This Screen protector
And this memory module. (Couldn't figure out newegg)
(Still looking for a deal on a sleeve)

Just wanted to check to make sure this is a good plan, particularly with the screen protector. Thanks!

[basketb]

Ok, I think I've found what I'm going to be getting... I'm going with this tablet.
This Screen protector
And this memory module. (Couldn't figure out newegg)
(Still looking for a deal on a sleeve)

Just wanted to check to make sure this is a good plan, particularly with the screen protector. Thanks!

Maybe I'm mistaken, but don't you usually get 2GB for the price of the 1GB stick you linked to? Even buying a 1GB stick from Lenovo is not more expensive than this seller.

[OldManClayton]

Oh, I wasn't aware of that. O_o RAM prices must really have dropped. I'll check to see how much Lenovo charges... but I couldn't even find a 2GB stick on eBay.

[sparta.rising]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi ... %205300%29

I don't know what the max memory that the X61t can handle, but here are 2x2GB for around the same price as that 1x1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820148201

[OldManClayton]

Thanks! I ordered a 2GB Mushkin stick from newegg about an hour ago.