IBM Certified Used T42

[kchien]

Hi Everybody!

I am looking for a notebook for school. I came across an IBM used certified "slightly blemished" T42 with 1.8 Pentium M, 14.1 SXGA+ LCD, 64mb Radeon 9600, 512 mb ram, 60 gb hard drive.

http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/store ... logId=-840

Since my parents work for IBM, I can get this for around 650. I was originally going to go for a T60 but my mom received on from work and the screen was pretty bad, so she promptly returned it for her T40.

So heres a few questions that can hopefully be answered

How is the performance and screen of the T42?(I plan on juicing up the ram if I buy)
What is the quality of IBM certified used machines?
Should I just suck it up and buy a T61? I will mainly be using this computer to do school work, internet, game a little (Half life 2). I don't photoshop or do graphics.

Thanks for you help.

[SHoTTa35]

hmmm... that's like my system.. I got a lil more for my money tho and i paid the same but instead of the 3month warranty i got part of the original warranty which was ending in January 2009.

I saw a guy selling one on my local craigslist:

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/ ... 47100.html

as well as others. Point is you can find good deals online too, even a T43 for the same price. I seen a sweeeeeet T43 on ebay go for $540+shipping (some guy here will prolly post to say he's the one ) That was a killer deal!!

[Johan]

You don’t mention what is important to you: Long battery life, best screen quality, size of screen etc. Generelly, the larger the screen and the larger resolution is has, the faster it will drain the battery - so if you are not near a power outlet, and want an 8 hour operation on the battery, a 15” SXGA+ (1400 x 1050 pixel resolution) might not be the best option. If, on the other hand, you especially give priority to the quality of the display (which I absolutely do), don’t get a T42 with the XGA display. In such case, I would strongly suggest getting a T42 with a 15" SXGA+ display (1400 x 1050 pixels) of the FlexView/IPS type. Beware that 14.1" ThinkPads with SXGA+ displays are not of the FlexView type.

About FlexView/IPS screens, check e.g. this thread. Search the T4x forum here for "FlexView" and see what comes up.

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.

Right now, there is a used T42 with a 15” FlexView/IPS display at eBay at a good price -->here. It has very good specs (fast HDD, DVD-burner, fingerprint reader etc.), so provided there are no defects (dead pixels or scratches), I would consider this one!

[kchien]

Thanks for your replies!

I was leaning toward the 14.1 because it would have a little greater mobility and greater battery life which would be helpful in class and in the library. While the screen is certainly important, I think it would matter less since I am probably dock it with an LCD when I'm in my dorm.

Again thanks for the replies.

[Johan]

You're very welcome!

About 14.1" vs. 15" display size, there are of course many views on this... which will soon be evident if you, in the T4x forum use "Search for all terms": t42 size 14" 15" ... and check what comes up! Actually, these is an awful amount of extremely useful information on all issues about ThinkPad's to find here (if searching for it!)...

Perhaps you will find these threads of particular interest: T42 14" and T42p 15" comparison (with links to side-by-side photos of 14.1" vs. 15" T42's) or Opinions - T42 with 14" vs 15" LCD? or Question about T42 or or14.1" SXGA+ or 15" Flexview? or 14" vs 15" - Another perspective etc. etc.

Good luck with your new T42 (?); personally - as alreday said! - I wouldn't hesitate very long if I was able to get hold of a good T42 with the 15" FlexView/IPS display - but my usage profile is probably different from yours (I mainly use the ThinkPad as a desktop replacement, and don't need the mobility that often).