Thinkpads Forum

Hi guys,

I am buying a new t60 from an untrusted source (craigslist). What should I look for in the laptop so I know I don't get taken for a ride?

Thanks a bunch.

I am very nervous as one of my ebay purchases turned out sour.

If you are looking at this $375 unit, I think you ought to determine whether it was stolen because $375 for a T60 sounds too cheap to me. Ask for the serial number and tell the seller you want to call IBM to check the laptop's history. If it's stolen, the seller probably won't even respond to your email.

If it's legitimate, ask about the machine's warranty status and 7-character product code so that you can look up the specs on Lenovo's site. The T60 comes in several different display resolutions, so pay attention to that. 1024x768 is the lowest and many people find that too low, although some people like it. When you meet up with the seller, examine the laptop's physical condition carefully, e.g. cracks, scratches on the display, etc. Power up the machine to make sure it boots into the OS. Check the quality of the display, such as brightness and dead pixels. Get on to the internet and play some YouTube videos to make sure there's sound. Check that all keys on the keyboard work. Unplug the AC adapter to check the battery. Play a DVD to check the optical drive.

Check processor type (Core Duo vs Core 2 Duo) and frequency. Check the amount of memory and hard drive space. Check the hard drive model number for disk speed. Get the optical drive model number (CD/DVD-ROM vs DVD writer). See if WWAN works if you ever want to use it. Check WiFi to ensure it works. Check display size as well as resolution. Check for Windows CoA sticker, even if it's not installed any more (mine came with XP but has Vista now).

If you want to be very thorough, check that the video chip is the one you expect (X1300, X1400, Intel); infrared; USB ports; VGA connection; CardBus slot; ExpressCard slot; sound jacks; internal mic; wired network; modem (I don't think I've ever tested mine). Is there anything else?

That "T60" looks more like a T4x to me (or even an R5x), at least the pic on the left. The right pic is too lousy to see the touchpad clearly.

BeeJayEmm wrote:That "T60" looks more like a T4x to me (or even an R5x), at least the pic on the left. The right pic is too lousy to see the touchpad clearly.

Left picture is definitely T4x/R5x from the touchpad. Right picture is T6x/R6x, look at the volume/thinkvantage buttons.

Sketchy.

qviri wrote:Right picture is T6x/R6x, look at the volume/thinkvantage buttons.

Sketchy.

Good eye there. Also just noticed the Windows key in that pic.

well i say just go take a look at the system and from then on decide.

If it's in good condition (and check the warranty before if you can and type to see what it's supposed to come with) then if it all matches up then you've gotten a STEAL!

SHoTTa35 wrote:

then if it all matches up then you've gotten a STEAL!

As in this irregular verb: steal-stole-stolen... ?

Most likely....

I could not check the serial #. But I ended up buying the laptop.

I bargained down to 300 dollars. I will now check if the laptop was stolen.

PianoWizard: The laptop was the one you linked to.

I tested many facets of the laptop. I could not test some of the things, like internet and the utube vid. However, he had not installed the drivers.

I think it was legitimate. But I am not sure. I will have to check the serial #.

Thanks very much guys.

generalachoo wrote:I will now check if the laptop was stolen.

I'm curious - exactly how is it possible to check whether a ThinkPad is stolen? I can't find anything in the FAQs here about that. Where would you look to check the serial number? The only thing that I can find to match a serial number on Lenovo's site is the parts list and warranty information. Is there something obvious that I've missed?

In other words, is there *any* reliable way to find out whether someone is selling a stolen laptop?

Edward Mendelson wrote:snip.....In other words, is there *any* reliable way to find out whether someone is selling a stolen laptop?

Only reliable way is through lenovo which will only work if and only if the owner has reported the machine as stolen to lenovo by providing the serial number and validating to be the owner.

The method is simple:

1. Demand the Machine Type and Serial Number from the seller.
2. Call IBM EasyServ to ask.