Thinkpads Forum

Hi. I'm considering buying either a T43 or T60 from a local computer shop. Both were purchased in bulk from a local business that was shutting down. The shop is selling the T43 for $399 and the T60 for $479. The only other laptop I've ever owned was a T42p and I loved it. Over the past few months the video card, display, and keyboard all failed and so instead of continuing to fix it and a haul around an external keyboard, I've decided to move on. From what I've read, both the T60 and T43 seem to be good machines but I'm wondering if yall have any insights from experience with either of these models and how the prices seem. I've found cheaper refurbed units online but the ones in the store have very light use and I'm more inclined to trust the integrity of a machine that I can verify looks as if it has been taken care of. THanks.

I like both and there are several threads that compare them in detail but a word on the pricing you're being offered.

Of course it somewhat depends on the configuration of each machine, but I'd say their asking prices are at least 100% higher than you would pay buying from a Forum member.
Also, more than double a T43 I sold recently and more than 150% higher than several T60s purchased in the past month.

Place a WTB in the Marketplace that includes your desired config and find out.

If you can swing the T60, that's the way I'd go. The T60 is a bit thicker, but a better machine more durable machine in most ways. No flaky GPUs and you get access to bigger faster SATA drives. Though a lot will depend on the condition and specs of the machine, I'd say $480 for a used T60 seems a bit high. You might want to post over in the marketplace forum that you're looking for a T60. The people here tend to be much more honest about what they're selling than say ebay or cl, which has a lot of value, especially on a used notebook. You can find some good deals ebay/cl, but it's more dicey. The R60, which can be configured the same as the T60, might be worth a look too. It's well built and tends to be less expensive if you can find a good one.

To be honest the price is a bit steep. I would personally go for the T60, as I did recently with my T60p. From my observation, the price fluctuates around 230~320 for an IPS panel, 2 GB RAM and 60 GB HDD or higher (they have Core Duo and X1300 or X1400 GPU anyway). It also depends on the quality of the laptop at the moment of purchase, but overall, that's the price I'm willing to buy at.

The prices are high.

It's difficult to recommend either without knowing a full set of specs. Grab the 7-character model number (located on the bottom of the machine, the same sticker that holds the serial and production date) and post them, and we'll take it from there...

91011 wrote:...I'd say their asking prices are at least 100% higher than you would pay buying from a Forum member.

Absolutely, true. Other than for nostalgia, there is no reason to pick the T43. T60's are well worth the small (used) price differential.

If you're in theh $400-$500 price range, look to the T400/T500 models.

Also, check ebay.
I was looking at some T61p's and they were in the price range of the T60 you mentioned.

For the money, you are going to be able to get a lot more ThinkPad than they are offering.

Thanks for all of your replies and included insight. I headed over to the marketplace and received a number of offers in response to a WTB request for a T-series machine. I feel good about my decision to buy both a T400 and T60 from a forum member. Folks here are entirely helpful and I'm stoked to get these machines soon. Thanks again.

Buying online is something of an acquired skill, the more you do it the better you get. You develop (or should) a sense of what's legit, what might not be. I bought two Thinkpads around a year ago, a T60 and a T61 at very good prices on ebay and both look and act very lightly used. The T61 seemed virtually as new and it was presented as "refurbished" by a leasing company and by all appearances was done so in a Lenovo factory. I personally wouldn't buy at those prices, but they do have the advantage that you can see them before buying and perhaps you trust the sellers to stand behind the machines. Still, myself, I trust my instincts enough to take my chances with better deals online. If you buy in the marketplace here, your chances should be better than dedicated marketplaces (i.e. ebay & Craigslist).