T 30 Pricing

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7a7Thinkpad · #1 Post by **7a7Thinkpad** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 3:01 pm

Hello All,

I'm looking to purchase my first Thinkpad, and I would like to know if I've come across a good deal or should I continue to look? Here's the specs (best of my knowledge):
T 30
P4 1.9 Ghz
256 Mb Ram
20 gig HD
14" Display
DVD Rom

This price is $500 w/out an operating system.

Thanks,
VII

#2 Post by **Kyocera** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 3:06 pm

I think that is 1.8 on the processor, without an operating system? I'd say no, what is the model number? for instance my t-30 is 2366-81u, if you find that download a tabook (click on the FAQ in my sig) and find out all the spec's on the machine. Also if you can get the serial number you can check to see if there is any warranty left on the machine. Not having an operating system means you'll have to "obtain" one and if you are a windows person you'll have to get the recovery CD's or buy/borrow/don't steal/ a windows CD.

Is there any kind of guarantee with it, like if you get it and the lcd is not working properly can you get you money back or another machine? I ask this because a friend of mine just a couple of weeks ago bought a sony Vaio from a police auction for a sizeable amount, (with no OS). He got it, tried to load XP pro, only to find the LCD go black. He has no recourse either, now i'm trying to fix it for him.

7a7Thinkpad · #3 Post by **7a7Thinkpad** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 3:21 pm

Thanks,

I just e-mailed the guy, he's from a coparate off-lease pc firm. It comes with a 30 day warranty. I have a unused version of XP Pro just laying around, so I figured I'll use that. Is the T30 a good machine for an initial purchase?

Thanks,

VII

smigs · #4 Post by **smigs** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 3:47 pm

My personal opinion would be to sell your unused XP license and pick up a used T4x that have been going for around $600 both on this forum and on Ebay.

Just my 2 cents,
smigs

JHEM · #5 Post by **JHEM** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 4:53 pm

smigs wrote:My personal opinion would be to sell your unused XP license and pick up a used T4x that have been going for around $600 both on this forum and on Ebay.

I strongly agree.

A T40 weighs half a pound less than a T30 and will run twice as long on battery. Plus, a T40 has USB2.0 built in vs. USB1.1 for the T30. If you hope to use your new laptop to update your Ipod or transfer photos from your digital camera, the USB2.0 capability alone should skew your choice.

Regards,

James

christopher_wolf · #6 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 4:56 pm

JHEM wrote:
smigs wrote:My personal opinion would be to sell your unused XP license and pick up a used T4x that have been going for around $600 both on this forum and on Ebay.
I strongly agree.

A T40 weighs half a pound less than a T30 and will run twice as long on battery. Plus, a T40 has USB2.0 built in vs. USB1.1 for the T30. If you hope to use your new laptop to update your Ipod or transfer photos from your digital camera, the USB2.0 capability alone should skew your choice.

Regards,

James

I second this. For that much, swap the license and use the extra to grab a good T40. Pretty big increase for not too much extra cost.

_erazor_ · #7 Post by **_erazor_** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 3:23 am

Yep, the pricing does not seem to be too interesting for an T30. The Pentium4-M in it also is not what I call a mobile processor. Relatively slow for the Mhz it has, draws a lot of power, runs hot etc.

if it was $350 than I`d go for it, but not for anything close to the price you mentioned

7a7Thinkpad · #8 Post by **7a7Thinkpad** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 10:38 am

Thank You Everyone!

This is the kind of feed back I'm looking for. This is my first Thinkpad and I don't want to feel as if I should have added a hundred or so more to my purchase price a month down the road.

For the record its a 2367 68U, the guy e-mailed me back this morning.

So I'll start looking for a T40, outside of this forum where could I find a deal from a reputable reseller?

Thanks
VII

JHEM · #9 Post by **JHEM** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 12:16 pm

7a7Thinkpad wrote:So I'll start looking for a T40, outside of this forum where could I find a deal from a reputable reseller?

Send an email to Bruce Markowitz (scosgt@worldnet.att.net) and ask him what he's got in a T40.

Very reliable seller, tell him I sent you.

Regards,

James

7a7Thinkpad · #10 Post by **7a7Thinkpad** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 1:06 pm

Thanks James,

I just shot him a e-mail.

As for the T30, does $430 sound better?

The more and more I look into the T40, more I begin to like what I see. Is there a good website to use as a pricing benchmark? To date I've been using laptopcloseout.com as a pricing gauge. I'm starting to think that maybe they aren't as good as I thought (pricewise that is).

Thanks,

VII

#11 Post by **Kyocera** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 2:09 pm

James, does he sell LCD's for t42's?

JHEM · #12 Post by **JHEM** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 5:37 pm

Kyocera wrote:James, does he sell LCD's for t42's?

Bruce will sell anything he can get his hands on Mike, best to ask him if he's got anything. But he usually deals in complete systems rather than parts.

Regards,

James

skitty4gzus · #13 Post by **skitty4gzus** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 6:13 pm

First of all look in here for a t4x series. There are at least 2 to 3 and an x41 as well. Look at the T30 in my specs. I got that for 425 with WXPpro as well as a COA. Double the HD, double the Ram and came with DVD as well. I like the laptop, but man I am kicking myself in the pants right now for not getting a T4x. The simple fact of USB 2.0, lighter weight, possibly a better vid card, and possibly and higher res screen. Just those few alone are worth the difference in price between a T30 and T4x. If you want a T30 though I could prolly turn around and sell mine to you!!!

kstuart · #14 Post by **kstuart** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 11:54 am

At the moment, clean T23's with built-in WiFi from dealers who sell a volume of technician-checked laptops have been going for $250 plus shipping.

I haven't been checking T40's - but by interpolation, I would guess $450-$500.

At the height of the grad/dad price surge, I paid $540 for a mint T40 under warranty that had been hand tweaked.

While some Thinkpads sold in the Forum here may be equally nice, you have no protections buying one-to-one. Some say "oh no, if I buy on ebay, my hair and teeth will fall out!", but in actuality, ebay is one of the only places you are protected, especially if you use PayPal Buyer Protection and only buy from sellers who have very good feedback.

#15 Post by **Kyocera** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 12:06 pm

kstuart,

Some say "oh no, if I buy on ebay, my hair and teeth will fall out!", but in actuality, ebay is one of the only places you are protected, especially if you use PayPal Buyer Protection and only buy from sellers who have very good feedback.

I definately won't buy from ebay now, i don't want to lose any hair or teeth. On the other hand I might find a good set of dentures and a blonde hair piece!!

bigtiger · #16 Post by **bigtiger** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 12:25 pm

To me, eBay might be a very good source. But if you have not used EBay, be very careful as they are many crooks there nowadays. Also, some are heavily over-priced.

If you want to buy, buy it within this month. Next month, the market will gradually pick up and price will go up a little bit. (Good news for Brent though).

dsvochak · #17 Post by **dsvochak** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 12:35 pm

kyocera wrote:

I definately won't buy from ebay now

Would you buy something from Len or brainpicker?

I've bought a number of things on ebay (including Thinkpads) without a bad experience. But it happens. In my opinion, it's less the marketplace than the seller. If the seller's reputable where he's selling isn't a concern.

#18 Post by **Kyocera** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 12:44 pm

dsvochak,

Would you buy something from Len or brainpicker?

Yes, yes I would counsellor, and actually have bought a laptop for the company, and some other pieces from Len. And i'd definately buy from brainpicker, brent, james, steve, you, bill, nonny, alex, etc, etc. I feel like this *is* a community, helping, supporting, buying, selling.

I'm guilty.

kstuart · #19 Post by **kstuart** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 12:45 pm

A very helpful tool for ebay is the easy site:

http://www.toolhaus.org

You type in the ebay userid and it lists all the negative and neutral feedback comments - with the positive ones removed, so you don't have to page through pages of people who happened to not have a problem to see what is reported by the ones who did have a problem with the guy.

bigtiger · #20 Post by **bigtiger** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 1:13 pm

kstuart wrote:http://www.toolhaus.org

You type in the ebay userid and it lists all the negative and neutral feedback comments - with the positive ones removed, so you don't have to page through pages of people who happened to not have a problem to see what is reported by the ones who did have a problem with the guy.

Thanks for sharing this piece of information. So nice to know it.

I remember years ago. eBay offers the option to filter positive feedbacks out but that option is gone, making toolhaus.org an evitable choice.

Website · #21 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 1:16 pm

kstuart wrote:While some Thinkpads sold in the Forum here may be equally nice, you have no protections buying one-to-one. Some say "oh no, if I buy on ebay, my hair and teeth will fall out!", but in actuality, ebay is one of the only places you are protected, especially if you use PayPal Buyer Protection and only buy from sellers who have very good feedback.

Actually, if you are paying with PayPal, you can still be protected from purchases here, and even more so if you use a credit card through PayPal. Better yet, choose the "PayPal's Money Back Guarantee" for even better protection.

bigtiger · #22 Post by **bigtiger** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 1:24 pm

tfflivemb2 wrote:Actually, if you are paying with PayPal, you can still be protected from purchases here, and even more so if you use a credit card through PayPal. Better yet, choose the "PayPal's Money Back Guarantee" for even better protection.

Really? I thought I was not protected. I do not see it is stated anywhere in PayPal.

kstuart · #23 Post by **kstuart** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 1:28 pm

And there are plenty of Forum members with quality items at competitive prices. I have purchased quite happily from the aforementioned Brent, for example.

In a certain sense, the "number of posts" counter is somewhat of an aid here. Anyone who has posted many messages is probably not going to jeopardize their reputation in the Forum just to offload some dubious gear, and in fact, they are the ones most likely to have well maintained items.

Website · #24 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 1:36 pm

bigtiger wrote:Really? I thought I was not protected. I do not see it is stated anywhere in PayPal.

I should have been more specific. PayPal will protect you from a scammer, but you need to pay for the moneyback guarantee to be able to protect you from an item that is not as described.

As for general protection from items not rec'd, see below:

PayPal wrote:Dispute resolution on PayPal purchases.

When you pay with PayPal, you gain access to a forum for dispute resolution called the Resolution Center. Through it, you can file a claim against:
A physical good that you paid for but never received.

Things have changed alot with PayPal, since eBay bought them.

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