Was this a Good Buy?? (Decision Question *please answer*)!!!

[djThinkbad]

I just bought a T42 on ebay for $320 (shipping included) with the following specs:

Product Type: 2374-4WU

P M 735(1.7GHz),
1GB RAM,
40GB 5400rpm HD,
14.1in 1024x768 LCD,
32MB ATI Radeon 7500,
CDRW/DVD,
Intel 802.11b wireless,
Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip,
6c Li-Ion batt, WinXP Pro

The guy had a 100% feedback and has sold over 130 thinkpads on Ebay so I can trust him on the performance of the laptop !

My Question:
THE GUY GIVES A MONEY BACK WARRANTY FOR 30 DAYS

SO IS THIS A BAD DEAL IN YOUR OPINION?? (MONEY RELATED BAD DEAL)


Thanks for your opinion!

[goofyGAguy]

If it's in good shape and everything works, I would call that a steal.

[rkawakami]

I also think that is a pretty good deal if there's no problems with it. Considering that some people are still spending this much:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0214320239 (600X 650Mhz/320MB/12GB/XGA/CDROM for $294)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0197118957 (T23 1Ghz/384MB/30GB/XGA/DVD/wireless but not internal for $366)

[djThinkbad]

I also think that is a pretty good deal if there's no problems with it. Considering that some people are still spending this much:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0214320239 (600X 650Mhz/320MB/12GB/XGA/CDROM for $294)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0197118957 (T23 1Ghz/384MB/30GB/XGA/DVD/wireless but not internal for $366)

LOL why would these people be paying $366 for that???
Even better, why are people buying that???
I wish I could let them know what a T40 is

[rkawakami]

Those two examples are probably at the "abnormal" end of the spectrum. Although with the rarity of a good condition 650Mhz 600X, that one might be closer to "norm". A run-of-the-mill T23 (not the fastest, not with 1GB of memory, or an SXGA+ screen, or built-in wireless) should not be commanding those prices, but eBay is what it is.

[sjthinkpader]

Those two examples are probably at the "abnormal" end of the spectrum. Although with the rarity of a good condition 650Mhz 600X, that one might be closer to "norm". A run-of-the-mill T23 (not the fastest, not with 1GB of memory, or an SXGA+ screen, or built-in wireless) should not be commanding those prices, but eBay is what it is.

T23 with ATi Radeon 9000 and 10/100/1000 ethernet? lol

[underclocker]

One thing for sure, it's a nice laptop. Regarding the price, it's on the better deal side of things for today's market.

Enjoy it.

[ThinkPad]

Sounds like a good deal to me.

[rkawakami]

T23 with ATi Radeon 9000 and 10/100/1000 ethernet? lol

I never said that it was an accurate description! In the body of the "Details" section there's also a mention of "This T22 comes loaded..."" so it's just another example of a rushed cut and paste job, poor proofreading or a simple typo. I do like the comment about the laptop having the "ABILITY TO RUN AT LONG PERIODS WITHOUT BURNING THE CPU OR FRYING THE MOTHER BOARD". Wow, I gotta get me one of those!

[goofyGAguy]

That entire T23 auction page is pure comedy gold.

[ajkula66]

You've done OK, these are nice machines, and price is about right.

FYI, I've just bought a fairly comparable T41 for my daughter, and have dished out $300. And I'm a re-seller. That being said, when I buy stuff for my family's use, I'm not cheap.

Since you've obviously well-accustomed to T4x machines, you definitely know what not to do with them, so just relax and enjoy...

[djThinkbad]

You've done OK, these are nice machines, and price is about right.

FYI, I've just bought a fairly comparable T41 for my daughter, and have dished out $300. And I'm a re-seller. That being said, when I buy stuff for my family's use, I'm not cheap.

Since you've obviously well-accustomed to T4x machines, you definitely know what not to do with them, so just relax and enjoy...

So you think I could have gotten a better deal for a WORKING T42, with similar specs???

The Seller told me no one could beat his price, and told me to let him know if I am getting it cheaper somewhere else!

[ajkula66]

Relax and enjoy...you've done well.

To put it this way: I wouldn't have sold it to you for that amount of money... ...not that I've had a regular T42 for sale in months...

[pianowizard]

So you think I could have gotten a better deal for a WORKING T42, with similar specs???

Of course. Just two days ago, I saw a T42 with warranty through Nov 2008 that had a buy-it-now price of $250 plus $25 shipping. I was very tempted to get it but I am not a big fan of the T4* series (I like it more than the T2* though), so I didn't. Needless to say, someone bought that T42 within a few minutes. If I had more free time, I would have bought it and resold it immediately to make $50 or more, but unfortunately I am too busy these days.

Deals like this are rare and you can't get them unless you're constantly looking for them on eBay.

[underclocker]

FYI, a deal is a state of mind!

Many people will pay $100 more for the same model and feel they found a deal.

No matter what price you paid, if you aren't comforatable with it, you won't think it was a "deal".

There will always be sales for less money and more for the same model.

One thing I can tell you for sure, in a few months T42's will sell for less than they do now - as will all computers.

If you like it, use it. If you want to spend time trying to find a machine you feel is a better deal, sell it and start again!

[djThinkbad]

FYI, a deal is a state of mind!

Many people will pay $100 more for the same model and feel they found a deal.

No matter what price you paid, if you aren't comforatable with it, you won't think it was a "deal".

There will always be sales for less money and more for the same model.

One thing I can tell you for sure, in a few months T42's will sell for less than they do now - as will all computers.

If you like it, use it. If you want to spend time trying to find a machine you feel is a better deal, sell it and start again!

GREAT ANSWER !!
I think you answered this better than Dr.Phil would have !!!

[sjthinkpader]

... but I am not a big fan of the T4* series (I like it more than the T2* though)....

I had T2x in the family for a long time. The first T20 was bought used for my daughter when she went to college ten years ago. The last T23 is still in use. These are extremely easy to work on and quite robust.

The first time trying to get to the WiFi card in my T41 I was horrified with the amount of screws I had to remove. This T41's GPU crap out two months after the warranty expired. And I never held this machine by the front edge.

Had a X20 before that T41 and like to hold it by the back edge between the hinges. It developed missing vertical stripes where I held it.

The A2x and A3x series are definitely more robust if mobility is not an issue. I would like to try a few R5x given the opportunity.

[pianowizard]

sjthinkpader, I agree that the T40-42 are fragile and I think they are the least reliable Thinkpads ever made. However, I still like them more than the T2* because to me, the latter looks clumsy and ugly.

[djThinkbad]

sjthinkpader, I agree that the T40-42 are fragile and I think they are the least reliable Thinkpads ever made. However, I still like them more than the T2* because to me, the latter looks clumsy and ugly.

Lol you guys are talking about other thinkpads and not comenting on my ques....lol

[pianowizard]

Lol you guys are talking about other thinkpads and not comenting on my ques....lol

Okay, let me comment on your question. My objective answer is, it's an okay deal, not bad but not great either. But personally, I would not spend that much money on an XGA T42 that's out of IBM warranty, because the resolution is low, and because the T42 has a very high failure rate.

Have you looked up the serial number of this unit to see whether it still has IBM warranty? Go to this web site.