Must have a serial port - T3x? Where to purchase?

[BLKMGK]

Okay, I've been trying to figure out what the latest T series is that comes equipped with a serial port. So far that looks like the T30 - yes? USB to serial adapters don't work well for me and in this case data integrity is critical so those are a BIG no-go. PCMCIA serial adapters are a maybe but I need something that can take some abuse and these are delicate I'm told.

I have a T20 now upgraded with a 900MHZ chip but I'm starting to outgrow it and need something faster. The T3x series looks like it will exceed my CPU requirements and can take enough RAM to satisfy me. Is there much difference between 1.6-2.4Gig models? Are there any other LIGHT Thinkpads that might also meet my needs? So far my T20 has served me WELL

I note that some T30 come with Bluetooth and others don't. I've read the EXCELLENT BT retrofit thread here and wonder which T3x might come with BT antenna? Not all seem to have 802.11, same deal - are they just needing a Mini PCMCIA installed? Any reason why a faster CPU couldn't be swapped into say a 1.6Gig machine? The 1.6Gig seem to go for a good bit less, upgrading one should the 1.6 prove too slow is pretty attractive. If this is possible what should be hunting for and are there any cooling system changes needed? Are there any other upgrades I should consider? Specific "base" model of T3x that's more desireable? Do the T3x take the same drive cages as the T20? Stupid stray thought - any chance the T30 MB might fit in my T20 case? Pics on EBAY don't look promising but hey, ya' never know!

I see this site is run by someone named "Bill" who is a seller of Thinkpads it seems Unfortunatly looking through his For Sale pages and the For Sale section here I find no T30 series Thinkpads listed I narrowly lost out on one on EBAY (had I realized the deal...!) and so am now looking hard to find another. I'd appreciate some ideas on where to look other than EBAY, a site where folks have good experiences vs a simple Google would be appreciated. If Bill has them I'm interested too obviously!

P.S. Was there a T31, T32 etc.? I don't seem to see anything other than T30 and maybe T31 out there which seems odd considering how the T2x series incremented

P.P.S. I'm trying hard NOT to pay alot for this muffler

[gazingwa]

There was no t31, 32 etc. the t30 was the only machine like it.
As for a processor, what is the difference between a p3 500 and 750 50% processor isn't a hige difference, yes it will be noticable but not earth shatering so a 1.6 to a 2.4 won't be amazing or anything, notebooks are usually held back by video, bus, and hard drives
the 30 is available with a high res 1400x1050 screen that is highly sought after or the 1024x768, there are many conmen on ebay that will advertise the hi-res but lie, watch out, check tawbook for the real specs

there are many t30's on ebay as we "speak"

[BLKMGK]

Well, in my case memory is most likely holding me back but I also see the CPU spike when certain graphics are displayed or I do some math intensive functions. I use my laptop to tune cars, among other things, so a faster CPU helps for sure. Just going from the 700mhz CPU I had to 900mhz was actually noticable in some apps but 900mhz just isn't cutting it anymore IMO. Heh, 800mhz is almost as fast as what I'm running now but point taken - the 1.6 might be good "enough". However if for some reason it's not do I have an upgrade path?

The high rez screen sounds interesting but honestly 1024X768 may suit my needs. I THINK that's what I'm running now - I'll have to check. I appreciate the info on the various steppings of the T30. I could swear I'd seen T31s out there somewhere <shrug>

What exactly is tawbook? Is it this -> http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... sLookup.vm ? Checking a system now out of curiousity - how do I tell which screen is the desireable one? It simply lists a # for the LCD but I have no idea what that crosses to. Is this "tawbook" site a better resource?

TIA!

P.S. I see some slower T30 have no touchpad but that it looks like the faster ones do. I do NOT want the touchpad if possible. If I look for one sans touchpad am I missing out on anything else like WiFi upgrade or BT?

[JaneL]

>What exactly is tawbook?
>

>Is this "tawbook" site a better resource?
>

Items #1 and #16 in the FAQ. (Hint: The "w" stands for "withdrawn".)

[BLKMGK]

DOH! <smack> Thanks! I now have the TAWBOOK Interesting that one of the models I'm currently looking at isn't listed in the TAW 2366-4U5

Anyone have experiences good or bad with Horizon Electronis? The more I look the more I realize what a deal I just passed up. 2Gig T30 for $885 with 802.11, BT, blah blah. <sigh>

[jdhurst]

T30's are good machines. I had one before I sold it and got my T41. I have clients that need T30's because they need the serial port as well. Assuming you are getting this for yourself (or for anyone willing), the one major upgrade you can make to a T30 is to put the 7200-rpm hard drive in it. It will make the 2Ghz model sing. Been there, done that, and highly recommended. ... JD Hurst

[BLKMGK]

Thanks - I appreciate the endorsement! Finding a laptop these days with a serial port is a pain. Lots of apps need it ranging from GPS to electornic lock programming to car tuning. <sigh> If the USB to serial adapters weren't such junk I'd use one but flip the wrong bit and your hardware turns into junk...

[ghp542]

I don't know how the prices compare, but the IBM site has some T30's for sale under the used equipment. They come with a 3 month warrenty. I purchased my 600x from them and was very pleased.

George inTN