Taking the Plunge! Which x40 to get?

[alo41490]

Hey,

I've decided on getting an X40 instead of waiting. I need it for schoolwork. Now the question comes, which one to get. I need an 8 cell battery, wireless, and I'd prefer a newer centrino setup. So far, I have to options of:

2371-8EU on EBay from good seller (bought from before)
REFURB
1.2 Ghz Centrino (1mb)
512mb+512mb (add on) RAM
IBM B/G WiFi
~$1450

OR
FROM IBM with discount
2386-E9U
1.4 Ghz Centrino with 2mb cache
256mb ram
Intel B/G
~$1575

I know that the refurb is a bit of a risk but alot cheaper. keep in mind, I'm a student, $1575 is pushing it already. A few questions for the seasoned thinkpad buyer (this is only my second, my last 600E lasted 6 years):
1. Are refurbished batteries ok?
2. Which will make more of a difference, the 1.4 with 2 meg cache or the 1gb of ram (versus the 256mb)
3. Can I replace the CPU at a later date if I want to?
4. Does the 512 solder on memory (like on the 2371) make upgrading alot easier?

Thanks.
Austin

[slagmi]

I'd have absolutely no problem buying the refurb!

The .2 cpu won't be noticable but the RAM will be!
IMO you don't really want to buy a new notebook with only 256MB RAM.
Try and run XP-SP2 plus applications with 256MB and you'll see what I mean.

If I was buying the new one I'd add at least another 256 right away and figure that in the budget.

[daba]

The 1.2 is Banias with 1MB L2 Cache, the 1.4 is a Dothan with 2MB L2 Cache.

I'd say that would make a very significant increase in performance.

[em500]

I would go for the 1.4. The processor can't be upgraded later, RAM can. I'm not quite sure, but I'd guess the 1.2 has 256mb on the motherboard and 256 on a SODIMM, so if you want to upgrade you'd have to replace the 256mb first.

[goofball]

plus if you are going to be using/cycling the battery a lot, get the new one. Otherwise, you'd be shelling $100 - $200 for new battery in 6 months time

[davidlg16]

buy direct from IBM
I, myself, once had to make the same choices.

1. 2mb cache vs. 1mb is a big difference, as someone mentioned b4, u can't upgrade the cpu

2. the deciding factor for me was that you can't extend the warranty on a refurbished laptop after the initial year, so u would be stuck with some third party warranty. but if you get it direct from ibm, you can extend it as long as u r still under the initial warranty.

3. 256ram on xp with sp2 is usable, although i did buy 512($100) from crucial. i did a fresh install of xpp, maybe that's why i dont feel the sluggishness at all.

so for about $200 (memory upgrade factored in) more bucks you can get a brand new one from ibm, that's a no brainer.
you mentioned u r a student, you can just sell back some of ur old books, i just sold 4 of my books from last quarter and got about 300 bucks

good luck
David

p.s. do bear in mind that IBM might charge u tax depending on where u r.