Current T2/3/4-series price/performance sweet spot?

[jtreble]

A colleague of mine wants to purchase an IBM Canada refurbished T-series laptop. I have purchased a few new/used T-series laptops from Bill/IBM Canada for myself/friends/family over the years but my knowledge of the newer T-series models is very spotty.

So the question I ask is this: where is the current T2/3/4-series price/performance sweet spot? My colleague's needs are pretty basic - she spends all of her time using Office apps. and needs 11b for network access at the local university. After reading many a thread in these forums, the T23 appeals the most. Not interested in EBay offerings.

XPosted to "User FOR SALE/Want to Buy" (hope that's O.K.). Thanks.

[Leon]

For the purposes you describe, the T23 will deliver the best price/performance.

[underclocker]

They are all excellent, the sweet spot on price seem to be the T2's.

One particular item of note, especially in the world of iPod's in every earhole, is the USB ports. The T series didn't have USB 2.0 until the T40.

So, an iPod user or digital camera user, etc., would be underserved w/o access to USB 2.0 ports. Of course this can be remedied with a $15 add-in pc card, but that solution is not very elegant and is occasionially problematic.

I also suggest checking out the R40's. I have or have had an R30, R31, R32, R40, R51 and T40, and the R series are rock-solid. The R40's have USB 2.0 and incredible battery life if you get one with the Pentium M processor. They all came with an 8-cell battery. Weight is reasonable, too.

However, once you get into the used T40 and R40 price range, you have to consider the new R51's and R52's. They are very fast and very, very inexspensive now, too. And you'll get a burner and a warranty.

Good luck.