Seeking ideas for replacement of T40/A30

[TP4me]

Hello!

The A30 is history, having bit the dust some months ago. My son had it and I don't recall all the issues but we need to see about parting it/selling it. But the dual bays and included soft were great for some of our work.

The T40, 2373-75U, has a glitch in shutdown/restart for which I've asked help in the proper forum. The day is coming, though, when I will need to replace it. I'd like to have one as compact and versatile (eg: NavStick and Pad) yet rugged. (The example below is something I DON'T ever want to repeat, but you have to read it!)

My typical usage includes several reference works, MS Office suite, a couple of specialized database programs, some audio recording, skype, and a rather decent (FREE) design program (eTeks Sweet Home 3D). I still like XP Pro but by the time I replace I'll probably try Win7, while its grandbaby is being released.

So, I'm seeking ideas as to what you might recommend. Budget restraints dictate used (presumably), probably the $400 range. After getting some ideas I will likely go to actual polling, but for now I don't know what to start with. Fire away, and thanks!

Stan

Oh, the story of ruggedness: Due to sudden zipper failure on my backpack, this T40 took a 4-5 ft fall, landing on its edge on our balcony. I was sick! Popped the battery out as well as mem cards, prayed fervently, put everything back and fired up with bated breath. Aside from a minor crack near the NavPad and one case screw that stripped out, everything has been fine!

[ajkula66]

I love your "location", first and foremost...

At today's deflated market, your best bet for a daily driver to replace the T40 would be T60. Pretty much the same shape, sturdier but (my opinion) uglier. As reliable as it gets in most aspects. Newer SATA platform for hard drives, faster RAM etc etc.

Being that you already have an A30 that has moved on to greener pastures, you can pick up a barebone A31p, use quite a few parts from the old machine (battery, keyboard, drives, adapter...) and enjoy this timeless three-spindle design as long as you're content with running XP.

My $0.02 only...

[ZaZ]

If you're going to look at the T60s, which are an excellent choice, I'd just toss up the R60 and the underrated Z61 if you don't mind wide screen. You can probably get the R60 for less. I've had two R60s. Both were excellent. The R60 shares many parts with the T60. It's just a little thicker/heavier than the T60 and lacks the lid protection, tough it's still very good. I like the ABS plastic on the R60 better as it's not such a fingerprint magnet, but it's a personal preference. Good Luck.

[thePCxp]

I agree with George and Fred. A T60 or an R60 will be great replacements.

At today's deflated market, your best bet for a daily driver to replace the T40 would be T60. Pretty much the same shape, sturdier but (my opinion) uglier.

The T60 is not ugly! You're hurting people's feelings by saying that (and by "people", I mean the T60s) . (I think that all ThinkPads look great!)

The R60 shares many parts with the T60. It's just a little thicker/heavier than the T60 and lacks the lid protection, tough it's still very good.

But the R60's lid protection is still good enough. Compared to other brands, the R60 will last longer (it's a ThinkPad after all).