should i buy a t30

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mike74 · #1 Post by **mike74** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 11:02 pm

Hello,I have a chance to buy a t30 with the following specs for 275 2.0processor
512 ram
40 gig hd
dvd-cdrw drive
wireless b internal
So should buy it or spend a little more money on a t40 series notebook? I'll just be using it for email and surfing the web.

Six_Shooter · #2 Post by **Six_Shooter** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 11:47 pm

I'm on my T30 now and use it more than my desk top. I use it several hours EVERYDAY, work and personal. Works very well for e-mail and surfing.

ajkula66 · #3 Post by **ajkula66** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 12:42 am

That's an average deal of eBay type for a T30...nothing to write home about.

They are fine machines if infamous memory slot problem is not present.

If you add some money-$100 or thereabout-you may find a T42 which is IMO a far superior and much more upgradeable machine...and may even have some warranty left...

Your money, your call. Just my $0.02

#4 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 7:16 am

My only gripe with the T30 is that is has only USB1.1 ports, not USB2.0.
Apart from that they are great work horses.
Ask seller if that 512MB is 1x 512 stick or 2x 256 sticks.
If 2x 256 it would seem OK as far as the memory slot problem goes.
See here: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=13262
Don't let this put you off though, it only happens to a small number of T30s. Mine for instance is fine with 2x 1GB memory in it.

pianowizard · #5 Post by **pianowizard** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 7:56 am

If this T30 is going to stay home most of the time, then it's an okay choice. But if you're going to carry it around a lot, get a T4* instead because the T30 is quite a bit heavier.

ThinkPad · #6 Post by **ThinkPad** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 10:03 am

pianowizard wrote:If this T30 is going to stay home most of the time, then it's an okay choice. But if you're going to carry it around a lot, get a T4* instead because the T30 is quite a bit heavier.

Agreed

mike74 · #7 Post by **mike74** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 12:45 pm

Thanks for the replys. I think i'm going to spend the extra money on a t40 series.

lifrancis · #8 Post by **lifrancis** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 2:10 pm

I have both T30 and T 40 series. They are both great machines, when they are working perfectly. The T30 has the memory slot problem, as people keep pointing out, the T40 series also has a motherboard problem, that people seem to have overlooked. You can work with a single memory slot in a T30, but you cannot work with a bad motherboard in a T41 or T42.

It is your money, so do your own research and go in with your eyes fully opened.

mike74 · #9 Post by **mike74** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 2:34 pm

The guy i was going to buy it from has uped the price to 300,but he is going to add another 512 of ram. It just seems like a little bit to much to me. When i could get something newer for an extra hunderd dollars or so.

#10 Post by **Kyocera** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 7:26 pm

I agree wholeheartedly with george, however, after dragging around a t30 for almost a year every day I was amazed at how sturdy it was, the form factor is better suited for someone who has to use the machine to troubleshoot network devices, plopping it down wherever there is enough space, and does not sit at a desk. They are strong enough to pick up with one hand and not worry about boardflex.

That being said, the upgrade possibilites are an issue, but with enough ram, 7200rpm hd, it'll run pretty darn good.

ajkula66 · #11 Post by **ajkula66** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 9:02 pm

The key thing remains what is one going to use it for....the last T30 we've had has been a pretty high-end one (2366-97U) and we've all loved it...60/7200 and 2Gb PC2700 had something to do with it, not to mention SXGA+ screen...but my daughter has decided that it was way too heavy for her to move around the house with...now she downgraded herself to T23 but loves it because of the weight...but, I'll agree with Kyocera on the sturdiness issue...as I've stated many times on this forum, T30 is probably the last properly built ThinkPad, at least in my book.

As for T4x machines, I'm really not crazy about T40 and T41, or for that fact anything with Radeon 7500 card, and that was the exact reason why I've suggested a T42...which is a far stronger machine whose price has tumbled down tremendously...

Desktop replacement for $250 equals T30, and that's by far the lightest one within the competition (A31, R40).

A fairly modern all-rounder for $400 equals T42 with 64Mb video, probably the best combination of reliability and performance within T4x series.

Just my $0.02...

#12 Post by **underclocker** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 3:10 pm

Excellent T40's sell here in the $300 to $350 range, currently.

T42's, sometimes with warranty, sell for about $100 more.

I'd recommend one of the above or even a 14" R50 or R51, which are nearly identical to the T4x line. Used, they even cost about the same.

Regarding the T40, it's hard to argue with one on the most beautiful and efficient laptop designs of all time. Plus, it has a Pentium M cpu (long battery life, cool running) and USB 2.0.

should i buy a t30

should i buy a t30

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