IBM Certified Used Equipment Sale - Question

[GregM]

Friends,

I searched and didn't see any discussion of this. It appears that IBM is having a Certified Used Equipment sale here.

A friend of mine is looking to buy a nice used ThinkPad, and I was wondering if some of the more knowledgeable minds on this board would suggest which one he should go with. I have been very pleased with my T42 for the past year and a half, and hope that he can enjoy one as well.

Also, with the used models, can you add warranty and Office and things like that?

All the best, and many thank in advance,
Greg

[Kyocera]

It's hard to answer without knowing what price range your friend is in. I bought a Certified used t30 about a year ago and have used it every day without a problem. When I plugged the serial number into the web site it came back with a warranty date till 2009 . I am not sure how you would find out about the warranty prior to actually purchasing the machine and having the serial number. I'm sure you could purchase more warranty at the regular pricing too. Be sure to read the specs and information about a particular model carefully, i idid have to add the wifi pci card to mine, but it already had the antenae (sp). Some may think these prices are higher than what you could find on ebay or craigslist, but you are dealing directly with the manufacturer and that is always a plus.

[losmeme]

Totally agreed with Kyocera, you might be paying a little more buying from IBM but IMO it is worth it.

I purchased a refurbed X31 three months ago, perfect machine. Not only did it have a totally new hard drive in it, it also came with what I feel is a completely new LCD screen, and a completely new, never used battery. You can't get deals like that off eBay!

What I did notice on this site is that stock changes DAILY. Figure out what level ThinkPad you want, and then wait for it to appear. Wait for exactly the one you want, with the features you want. I did, and ended up waiting no more than 2 weeks or so. During that time, it seems the prices went down a little more and I saved about $50 over what I thought I would have to pay.

All in all, a great deal. Go for it.

[GregM]

Thank you for the replies so far. My friend is looking to spend under $1,000. Mindful of that, any SPECIFIC machines on the list the collective wisdom can recommend?

Many thanks,
Greg

[GregM]

Really? Noone has any input on this?

Help a rookie out!

Thanks,
Greg

[pianowizard]

None of the units under $1,000 are particularly exciting.

[schmaud]

Hi,

you should specify the planed application. If this is just for office/browsing even a T2x is still good enough.

For mobile application give a skip on the R series and T30.

For XP 512 MB are good amount of memory.
For practical reasons a combodrive is better than a DVD rom,
Most private highspeed connection can still go via wlanB, so a missing G is not a deal braker (but if you are in the us, you might need A...).

Since they do not list screen resolution, they are very likely 1024*786. Therfore I would avoid 15 inch models ( i recommend 14 for the nicer size alone).
Your call if you need bluetooth for synchronising your phone.

Prozessor speed is a none issue: most of the time my processor isnot at max speed anyhow.
The t40 has a bit slower memory connection than t41 and t42,
T43 can have some heat and noise issues... but is a bit faster again.

from the current selection I woudl pick the T42 for 715 $ or the t40 for 609 $ similar value


If mobility is the main criteria I woudl really spend the extra money for the x60 over the x40 since performance will be way better.

maybe this helps,

ralf

[GregM]

Ralf,

This helps quite a bit - THANK YOU!

The application is Office and Mobile Office. Specifically Real Estate.

Best,
Greg

[schmaud]

Hi,

I have a machine almost identical to the T42 on sale there in front of me, and I am happy with it. It was at no point limiting in my PhD work ( essentially office and some number crunching, the 1.6 Ghz 725 PentiumM in this one was better than the 2 GhZ Pentium4 at the office), however it will get a bigger harddrive for chrismas

You mentioned real-estate:
-If you are doing any Architect work using CAD -like software you might want to check fot a t4xp offer. or at least check with the model number for a newer Radon 9??? graphic chip.
- If you are handling Big/detailed fotos you might appreciate a higher resolution screen, check with the model number if any of them got it.

However for normal office work, good batterie life and low weight a T42 14.1 inch is a good choice and a XGA resolution is suffiient.

ralf

[tomh009]

Since they do not list screen resolution, they are very likely 1024*786. Therfore I would avoid 15 inch models ( i recommend 14 for the nicer size alone).

They don't list the resolution, but you can figure it out. For example, they currently list this:

IBM Certified Used Notebook T43 (4DU)
T26684DU
$1,119.00*
In stock**

The "4DU" is usually enough to go on. Either google it or search the tabook.pdf, and you can find out what it is. In this particular case, it looks like a 2668-4DU, which has SXGA+ and came with three-year warranty, so there is probably more than just the six months left. (The 15" R51e they have listed looks like an XGA model, though.)

P.S. The T43 above would be a very nice choice. Unless you prefer to go lightweight and get an X60 for $1179 (much better value than the X40 for $100 less).

[Thinkpaddict]

My first machine was certified used, and I was very happy with it. You also get a 7 day money back warranty. I would personally go with a T41 or a T42.

[underclocker]

I, too, picked up my first and current T40 as Certified Used. It had the remainer of the original warranty, which at the time was another 18 months.

Here is another option, Lenovo Outlet, some nice options;

http://www-131.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/store ... &langId=-1

[Coathanger]

Over here in Australia, they are having a sale on new T43 models. I picked up one for A$1199 including delivery and have been very pleased. Strange that the price is comparatively low, considering that IBM Certified units are going for about the same price.

New: http://www-604.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/store ... =home_A_au

Used: http://www-605.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/store ... Id=8708907

[KristianJ]

Wow...what I'd give to take advantage of one of those T43s!!

[SkiBunny]

None of the units under $1,000 are particularly exciting.

Actually the X60s 1704-69u (with port replicator, ie, docking station including DVD multiburner) was $996 there 2 weeks ago. It was sold out in a day.

[Johan]

@ GregM:

I would strongly suggest your buddy getting a T42 with a 15" SXGA+ display (1400 x 1050 pixels) of the FlexView/IPS type - check e.g. this thread. Beware that 14.1" ThinkPads with SXGA+ displays are not of the FlexView type.

If I were to get a ThinkPad today, I would certainly try to find a used T42 with the 15" SXGA+ FlexView/IPS display, much rather than getting a T43 or a T60. Actually, I recently bought a T60 for a friend (a 2 GHz Core 2 Duo, also with a 15" FlexView/IPS display), and compared to my old T42 (see specs, below), I absolutely best like the "old" T42... its design, the display, its low noise etc.

Also, check the Marketplace here at forum.thinkpads... T42's show up regularly. Actually, there was a T42p offered for only USD 800 recently - a very good bargain!

Good luck with your new (hopefully T42!) ThinkPad!

Best regards,

Johan

[sktn77a]

Check out Tiger Direct. They have higher spec machines (off-lease, refurbished) with a better warranty (1 year) for less money.