Does the R50 have the GPU reflow issue like the T4x series?

[dr.strangelove]

I am considering buying a Thinkpad R50 1830BU3 with ATI Mobility 7500 for a nice price, but I am wondering if they suffer from the same GPU soldering issue as the T4x series requiring periodic solder reflow? As nice as the price is, I would just as soon buy something that I'm not going to have to repair in the forseeable future. I did some searching and couldn't find any threads about the R50 and GPU problem, but since it's the same GPU and was manufactured during the same time period, I'm suspicious about buying one used. It seems as if every T40-T42 suffers from the GPU problem at some point.

[dr_st]

Yes, the R50/R50p do suffer from the GPU solder problem.

[dr.strangelove]

Hmm. Bummer. Any guess as to what the rate of defective GPU's is? Is it any more or less likely than a T4x to develop the problem? The model in question is advertised as a refurb, so it's probably been pretty well worn.

*edit* I assume that the R50e with the Intel graphics doesn't have any known video issues?
*double edit* Nevermind, I didn't realize the R50e didn't have ultranav.

[dr_st]

It's hard to talk about rates, since even with the T4x, the rates varied depending on the model. For instance, T43/T43p have a much lower failure rate due to a changed soldering technique. Same is true about late T42 units, especially 15" models with Radeon 9600.

Regarding the R-series, what I seem to have noticed from the amount of talk on these forums, is that R50p units with FireGL GPUs tend to fail more often than the regular R50 units.

If you are looking for a model with Ultranav (touchpad), but with an integrated Intel GPU (which does not have the solder failures), you can look into an R51 (not R51e), model numbers beginning with 288x.

[dr.strangelove]

Thanks for the info - very good to know.

The only real reason I was interested in that particular R-series model is the price. I can pick one up for around $165, but I'm debating whether I want to roll the dice on the GPU issue. Model no. indicates it's a standard 32MB Mobility 7500. Decisions, decisions...