What's the best value in older Thinkpads?

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iThinkiAmBen · #1 Post by **iThinkiAmBen** » Sat May 17, 2008 12:10 pm

I really hate to say this, but it looks like I'm going to have to start buying TPs on eBay and selling them on Craigslist.

I was wondering what models would have the best potential for profit? I'm not doing this to get rich, by any means, i just want to save for a MacBook Pro and then a car.

Let me know what you guys think!
Thanks!

#2 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Sat May 17, 2008 1:20 pm

The answer depends on one's personal experience (and financial means).
If you can follow the HMM, you can basically take any TP apart. Repairing them requires more skill, and probably an investment in spare parts like HDs + cages/covers, CD-cages, screws, screw covers, inductors, palm rests, bezels, keyboards, LCD cables etc.
You need to be good with a soldering iron and probably learn to use a heatgun as well.
CCFL replacement in an LCD is not for the faint-of-heart, but may be worth your while, to acquire that skill.
The T23 is still one of the more popular types, followed by the T30 (to a lesser degree) and T4x, X2x/X3x/X4x, A31x, and recently there is a good dribble of T6x becoming available.
Check out past prices on eBay of your selected type(s) to get an idea of your profit margin.

PS: it's not too good to advertise your liking for a Mac on a ThinkPad forum....

iThinkiAmBen · #3 Post by **iThinkiAmBen** » Sat May 17, 2008 3:49 pm

Thanks for the help!

Just to clarify: I'm not focusing on thinkpads because I know what I'm doing with them, it's because I like them and would prefer dealing with stuff I like.

I don't think I have the balls to do repairs on laptops... desktops are the only things I'm comfortable with. However, I do have a broken 600E lying around that I might be able to play around with and therefore become more comfortable with the cramped quarters of a laptop.

(What exactly is wrong with Macs? I notice that one of the moderators here has a MBP.)

ajkula66 · #4 Post by **ajkula66** » Sat May 17, 2008 5:11 pm

iThinkiAmBen wrote:

(What exactly is wrong with Macs? I notice that one of the moderators here has a MBP.)

First of all, you're wrong. Both Mr. Morrow (who owns this forum) and Harryc have Macs in their signatures, and others may own them as well, since not all signatures list what a particular member has in his/hers collection.
Buying on eBay and selling on CL is a very bad idea IMHO, since you may find yourself getting garbage and not being able to prove it, hence losing money. But it's your money to lose.

Just my $0.02...

iThinkiAmBen · #5 Post by **iThinkiAmBen** » Sat May 17, 2008 7:14 pm

Wait, I don't get how that makes me wrong...

ajkula66 · #6 Post by **ajkula66** » Sat May 17, 2008 7:20 pm

Harryc is a Moderator and has a MacBook in his signature. Mr. BillMorrow is a Senior Admin and has a MacBook in his signature too..that's what I was referring to.

#7 Post by **rkawakami** » Sat May 17, 2008 7:20 pm

I don't think that professing to lust after a Mac on a TP forum is "wrong", but it does make you a "target"

(says the person with an iMac and MacBook...). Or maybe ajkula66 was talking about your thought of buying on eBay and selling on Craigslist...

iThinkiAmBen · #8 Post by **iThinkiAmBen** » Sat May 17, 2008 8:04 pm

Oh. I get it now... there was a Mac I overlooked?

#9 Post by **Harryc** » Sat May 17, 2008 8:11 pm

ajkula66 wrote:Harryc is a Moderator and has a MacBook in his signature. Mr. BillMorrow is a Senior Admin and has a MacBook in his signature too..that's what I was referring to.

Coincidentally, I traded Bill that Macbook Pro, so maybe it's just me that is that bad influence around here. I missed it so much I traded for another one. Very nice machines and a great OS. Night of the living dead to work on (yes the zombies come to eat your flesh), but a nice machine ...

ajkula66 · #10 Post by **ajkula66** » Sat May 17, 2008 8:47 pm

Harryc wrote:

Night of the living dead to work on (yes the zombies come to eat your flesh), but a nice machine ...

Agreed. I've never worked on one, but have seen a couple of them opened up and waiting for surgery, and I'd rather have five root canals done in a row with no anesthesia than tackle these babies...but pretty and capable they undoubtedly are.

What's the best value in older Thinkpads?

What's the best value in older Thinkpads?

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