A31 or A31p - Difference?

[geosommer]

I just recently purchased an A31p (at least that is what was advertised in eBay). As I was researching this site to look for information for memory upgrades and other upgrades, I noticed that when I entered the computer information on Lenovo's website, 2653-AUU, it labels this computer as an A31. Then when I compare the specs to the computer specs in the tabook, it labels this model also as an A31.

The glossy strip below the computer screen that shows the battery icon also labels the computer as an A31p. What is the big difference between the two? Should I be upset and talk to the seller letting him know that I did not get sent what was advertised?

Any feedback will be appreciated.

[pianowizard]

The 2653-AUU model should have the following specs:

P4-M 1.6GHz (512KB), 256MB RAM, 30.0GB HDD, 14.1 XGA(1024x768) TFT LCD, 8x4x24x CD-RW, 802.11b(MPCI), Modem(MPCI), Ethernet(CDC), TV out, Li-Ion battery, WinXP Pro

An A31p has a 15.0" UXGA (1600x1200) Flexview-IPS LCD, which is much much better than 14.1" XGA and is worth a lot more money. The simplest thing to do to confirm that it's not an A31p is, find a ruler and measure the diagonal length of your laptop to see whether it really is 14.1". If it is, then this is definitely not an A31p; return it to the seller for a full refund.

[ElbertR]

I just recently purchased an A31p (at least that is what was advertised in eBay). As I was researching this site to look for information for memory upgrades and other upgrades, I noticed that when I entered the computer information on Lenovo's website, 2653-AUU, it labels this computer as an A31. Then when I compare the specs to the computer specs in the tabook, it labels this model also as an A31.

The glossy strip below the computer screen that shows the battery icon also labels the computer as an A31p. What is the big difference between the two? Should I be upset and talk to the seller letting him know that I did not get sent what was advertised?

Any feedback will be appreciated.

The A31P has 64MB video memory, a higher resolution screen, a S-Video-In port and a Firewire port (1394) next to the PCMCIA slots.

To be sure, open up the memory cover, lift out the memory chips and look for the sticker with the FRU for the motherboard. Based on the FRU for the board you can determine which one you have.

[luke4010]

This was the same thing that happened to me, the strip under the monitor said A31p, but the system is definitely an A31. Dosen't have firewire, s-video in and it has the 14" XGA screen. Must have been a manufacturing goof on IBM's part, accidentally put the wrong A31p strip on the A31.

[Medessec]

Or... someone somewhere along the lines of the machine's life placed an A31p strip on either for good looks, collectibility or sales ploy. It's not difficult. The screen part, a 14" bezel with 14" screen, will never come from an A31p, so the A31p badging label is definitely misplaced. I'd be very skeptical about the label being misplaced from the factory... partly because I have no idea how IBM's QA could be that poor(especially for the time) but mostly because... these machines are over 10 odd years old now, chances are that someone replaced the label. I'd also suspect a botch repair or home-done refurb.

Do your best to return the laptop and chew the seller out for a full refund. Or ask the seller to refund the money, but you keep the laptop. This way-you don't have to pay return shipping, and the seller doesn't have to try reselling a lemon laptop.

[rkawakami]

Dosen't have firewire, s-video in and it has the 14" XGA screen.

By any chance, was this a seller on eBay with the name of "thecomputerbarn"? I had some conversations with him (?) early last year when I saw an "A31p" being sold with an obvious 14" screen. I typically message sellers like this and attempt to straighten them out. This was the first of several exchanges:

FYI: Photos show a Thinkpad which is NOT an A31p. 2653-JUU is an A31. Your system has a 14" screen. All A31p systems came with 15" (UXGA) screen. Photo of back panel shows only one S-Video port; A31p has two.

ref: http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/landing ... q=2653-JUU

The Thinkpad is the actual item I am selling. It is a A31p with a 14" screen and one S-Video port. It is an educational variation that IBM sold to schools and colleges. They had the smaller screen and one S-Video. The link you sent me even shows that it has a 14" screen and only lists the TV out...no input like other A31p.

Let me know if you have any other questions

The Support page clearly showed the system as an "A31" but apparently he was blind to it, as well as the tawbook link I sent him. He was correct with one thing: a 2653-JUU WAS an educational system but it's also listed as an A31 in the tawbook. Since the clear plate read "A31p", he was convinced that's what it was. I made a mental note NOT to buy anything from him in the future.

[Medessec]

Yeah... that passes off as sketchy to me. And even if it is correct information, all it does is rip buyers off. The only people buying A31ps (most of the time) are people who are looking for a great system with a combination of power and old hardware(A-series) and on top of that, wants the absolute best of that series that IBM made(a proper A31p). Selling a machine that is *badged* "A31p" but is all else and otherwise indicated as a standard A31... and knowing it, is just poor business ethic.

[rkawakami]

If the buyer is really knowledgeable about the A31p system, they would already know by looking at the photos it wasn't one. I was trying to protect the less-knowledgeable buyer as well as the seller. I make it a point to say that it's in the seller's best interest to correct the listing as that would prevent the buyer from filing a "not as described" report when they realize it's not what they assumed it would be or having to deal with a return or bad feedback. Sometimes it works and the seller corrects or removes the listing. Other times the seller can't be convinced no matter how much proof I offer (like with this guy). And then there's some sellers who never answer my messages and continue to repeat the same mistakes time and time again.

[A31]

If you're unhappy about what you purchased, talk to the seller and see if you can possibly return it if you're really *that* unhappy over the fact that you received an A31.

But honestly, these machines are (very) old now - and it's really not worth losing sleep over the fact you got an A31 rather than an A31p. It's not like you bought it brand new when they were on sale about 10 years ago and received the wrong model, after all.

The seller may not have been aware that he/she was selling an A31 which was 'badged' as an A31p.

Just my thoughts.

[PandorasThinkpad]

Hey,


unfortunately the german forum is down again, but there you will be able to find a deal, someone is going to sell his REAL A31p, so if you have some buddy in germany or if you decide to visit germany or europe, hurry up and buy it.
The price is about 70 Euro. And no, i don't have something to do with this person. We don't know each other and this should be only a hint for you who is going to find such an machine. If this site is on again, just check the sells out.

The site is on again, so here is the link: http://thinkpad-forum.de/threads/170254 ... it-Dock-II

I am, for sure, weird in other special stuff, the 701c and 701cs is my machine i won't miss again.

All best wishes,

PT

[luke4010]

Dosen't have firewire, s-video in and it has the 14" XGA screen.

By any chance, was this a seller on eBay with the name of "thecomputerbarn"? I had some conversations with him (?) early last year when I saw an "A31p" being sold with an obvious 14" screen. I typically message sellers like this and attempt to straighten them out.

Nah, I got this free from my uncle who had it since it was new, so I still think certain models say "A31p" from the factory.

[rkawakami]

Sorry to dig up this old thread again but I just got a good laugh for the day....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/311326709545 (IBM ThinkPad A31p Laptop Pentium 4M @ 1.6ghz 14" Screen- 30GB HD, 512 MB RAM Boots)

It's not an A31p. (I wonder if this is the same system that's been mentioned almost 8 years ago??? I know that we normally frown upon publishing serial numbers but for future reference here it is: 78WKR40.) Anyway, I saw this "A31p" on eBay and as part of my normal checkout, looked at the photos. From the start it was obviously a 14" screen (strike 1). The photo showing the clear plate also gave a good view of the LCD bezel thickness. For those of you that don't know, a 15" screen on an A31/p will extended OVER the screw cover at the lower right of the bezel; just to the right of the hinge. 14" screens will have the right side of the plastic bezel extend directly above that screw hole. Photo of the back panel shows only a single S-Video jack (strike 2). Finally, the photo of the bottom showing the model type: 2653-AUU (strike 3). A little harder to see but the photo showing the right side reveals no Firewire port (tag out the runner who was trying to steal second; double play!).

I contacted the seller and pointed out these flags, suggested that whoever buys the system without checking real close might be dissatisfied and provided references to the model type lookup at sm.krelay.de, Googling 2653-AUU and even this thread. I received this message a few minutes ago:

Looks like the real deal, see attached photos, no sticker real embossed. happy bidding!

In the message the seller included a photo of the clear plate, showing the plastic protective film peeled back so that you can see that "A31p" is embossed into the plate. Apparently that makes this "the real deal" . I responded with this:

This example is for an X31, but the plate is the same type of design: http://www.ebay.com/itm/290878818745 (an auction for an X31 clear plate) By your thinking, if I bought this and put it on your laptop it could then be sold as an X31. Funny thing is that an X31 only has a 12.1" screen, does not have any Ultrabay at all and weighs about 1/2 as much as an A31/p.

The second photo I received was of the BIOS page, confirming the model type and that the CPU is 1.6Ghz (corrected for a 2653-AUU A31). Now I know that not all eBay sellers are experts on what they're selling but I had to chuckle when presented the logic that an embossed plate proved that this was really what it said it was.

edit 3/31/15 4:40pm PDT: I thought that my last message to the seller would be the end of it, but I just got this message:

This is not a sticker, the plastic is just a cover for the embossed numbers on the screen case. Thank-you for the info.

[Saucey]

But I thought there were 15" A31s?
At least, I had had one.
Came with a scruffy UXGA screen.

[rkawakami]

Yes there were 15" UXGA A31 but they also were without memory, a hard drive and an open right Ultrabay. But there was never, as far as I know, an A31p with a 14" screen (what this eBay seller said in the title and description).

[Saucey]

Ah gotcha, I guess I lucked out despite a dead motherboard