Thinkpads Forum

I've been having problems with my laptop T42 DXU 2379 and after spending 300.00 to get it rebuilt, etc it is still not doing well. The backlight is going (background all rose color) and other things, I thought I would look into a desktop. I've always liked the IBM and in researching it for awhile a few questions have come up: first, would the IBM online site be the best source, price? I am not technically able to build or repair anything so need to buy it done. Secondly, is the new one more reliable than a refurbished one? I've noticed that there are several Series, A, M, K, etc. What are the differences. I originally wanted a home unit but after spending time reading posts about this I think the business model would be better if I don't use it for gaming, music, media, etc?
If I were to purchase a new one online, would it have the famour M keyboard I'm reading about? If I could even find one of these keyboards I would like to try it with my laptop until I get the desktop, if I do. I have always liked the 'regular' keyboards.

I appreciate any suggestions or advise,
Sad

I can give some opinion as I just bought a new single core amd cpu desktop A61 off eBay. I chose this one because I just need a simple, cheap, reliable desktop for everyday use like deal with office documents, internet surfing for my study, check email and a little fun like watch movie and some music, of course, picasa for my pictures. So I believe I don't need to spend more for a fancy dual core cpu and I got my baby pretty cheap ($150 + 20 shipping), come with 1 GB ram and 160 GB HD and 1 year warranty from lenovo !! I know someone can find a better deal than me but I'm happy with this purchase so far.

To get a unit either A, M, K, S, D... all up to your budget and what do you want to use for? and it doesn't come with M Keyboard for A61, that's from my experience.

Good luck,

Paul

Lenovo outlet has had some outstanding deals on Thinkcenter desktops for some time now. No 'M' keyboard I'm afraid.

http://stores.channeladvisor.com/Lenovo ... %20Series/

I personally bought a new M55P tower a couple of months ago. It's a great business desktop in my opinion.

I wish I have extra $300 at that time to get Core2Duo.

I think what is confusing me right now is so much choice in Series to narrow down to what I need; ThinkStation, Workstation, Thinkcentre, Ideacentre, Thinkvantage,et. I think I'm getting it now but also there's the different models in each Series with various specs in each . Also, I'm undecided in different form factors and case sizes such as the small form factor versus the tower; trying to learn what the difference, advantages of each of them are.
I am also a little scared of Vista that comes with most of them, (unless I order it custom), having only experience with XP.

Right now I'm down to looking at the M series, 51, 55, & 57 and what each offers. Don't need a business model but want the quality, stability and features of one; also the 3 yrs. warranty since I'm not technically gifted.

Something I never see mentioned in any of the reviews are speakers. Are they not built in?

Paul, are you happy with the horizontal PCU? What is the advantage of it other than space; the convenience of it being right in front of you?

The last question is source; I went to the site you sent Harry but it was limited in choices. I am reading up on refurbished and redistributed and they sound like good deals, although I don't know how safe. But they sound good, maybe even better than new because they are checked and rechecked before sale.

So if anyone would like to help me sort all this out I would be most grateful for any suggestions,

Sand

Hi Sand,

I have an A61tower case model, neither small from factor nor ultra small from factor. I don't mind to use a tower case because it's not a problem for me and my main concern at that time was "price". I think we get probably the same performance (I'm talking about same specification) among tower case, SFF or USFF but you have to pay for "look" or "space efficient" and a little more comfort which is not my point. I may be wrong because it may be a lot more different than I think. However, it probably retain more resale value in the future.

Don't worry about OS, let me tell you my experience. my A61 come with amd athlon 64 3800+ (I know it's old-single core!!) but it's a socket AM2 so I can put a newer dual core amd socket AM2 in the future if I need, 1 GB ram, 160 GB HD and Vista home basic!!. Obviously, 1 gb ram is not enough. I down grade to win xp and finally I found that I fall in love with obuntu!! (please don't tell my girlfriend!!). You can get ubuntu for free, just google it, download and burn to CD then install the OS and that's all you have to do. Ubuntu has a good support forum like here as well. It fast enough for me with 1 GB ram. It does have speakers but don't expect much from built in speaker. I bought 2.1 system creative speakers and it sound much much better.

M series is a decent model, no doubt about that and it will probably most fit to you as your requirement and it come with 3 yrs warranty if you don't buy from outlet. I don't mind to get refurb unit if it worth to take it. I don't think it's better than new unit though.

I take a look at the outlet and this one look good http://stores.channeladvisor.com/Lenovo ... 0M57%20SFF.

Hope you find the right one,

Paul

PS. If someone know and can tell me how to stop beeping noise when it boots, I appreciate.

If you still look for M keyboard, this site may help.

http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cf ... ntcat/9231

Paul

Paul88 wrote:If you still look for M keyboard, this site may help.

http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cf ... ntcat/9231

Paul

Thanks for the link. I may buy myself one of these (I have a "quasi Model M" right now - 71G4644)

Thanks Paul for all those thoughts. I found three refurbs at Micro-Center and wonder what anyone's opinions are on which one would be the best choice. They are all close in price so that is not a problem. I think they are all the M series, although I was only given these numbers;

8183 219.00 small form
8189 219.00
8301 299.00

and a 22" Lenovo monitor for 262.32.

I printed the specs out to try to compare them but I'm not quite sure what I'm looking at with hardware.

When the numbers are larger, such as M50 and M42, are the larger numbers the later model? Does age really matter in them if they are good quality such as IBM & Lenovo? The 8301 is IBM M42 I think, & the other two are Lenovo M50's.
I'm not familiar with what Netvista is, or if the OS Windows 2000 on the older IBM is as good as Win XP.
Why would the older IBM be the more expensive one?The specs are lower as far as the hard drive & memory, et.

My novice guess of the three would be the 8189.I think it's M50 Lenovo. The Lenovo site doesn't list them as four numbers like that so it's hard to check.

Does anyone disagree?

Thanks,
Sand

Thinkpad T42 2379DXU Win XP Pro

Not a problem. I feel good if you find my info useful. If you can find M series for $219, I think that's a good deal, even it's refurb. Make sure it come with Lenovo warranty, not third party. Lenovo monitor is always a little steep. I have seen L194 for $160-170 after rebate.

In general, the later number is newer. I'm not sure whether M42 is exist. I couldn't find it from lenovo website. Don't buy Netvista, it's too old. Win 2000 is not a whole lot different from XP from what I understand and I have no idea why the older IBM pc is more expensive than newer Lenovo pc.

Check this click

Just tossing in my two cents worth. Search [ ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pcinstitute/psref/ ] for PSREF along with the model number. Look at the index (psref.txt) to find the appropriate page. You should be able to find any IBM model in pdf format. Even the old ValuePoint models are listed. The file ldwbook.pdf I believe has information covering discontinued ThinkCentre products.

As an aside, I use a ThinkCentre Model 8183-NUT (must be reference to the owner) connected to my television to watch streaming video from around the world. It is small, quiet and fits beside the set. It does not have much room for expansion. Another interesting model is the 8104-2DU with the CD/DVD drive bay the same as one used in the newer ThinkPads.

Personal Systems Reference (PSREF) is a pdf format covering the models and features of ThinkPad, ThinkCentre, and ThinkVision products. Also, if anyone wants instructions to set up a computer to watch TV (along with some custom icons) send me an email.