T60 vs. T61 Buying Decision (Split off from Buy of the Week

[Harryc]

If you are looking for a 14" T60, this is a good deal. I have bought from this seller many times (so has Bill M) ...recommended
http://cgi.ebay.com/T60-Laptop-Port-Rep ... 3cb03d39e3

[hunterman223]

Yeah, I saw that one, a very good deal, but I am looking for a T61. I have been looking on UK sites since I will be moving there soon and my money will be converted to british pounds. How does this look?

http://www.bigpockets.co.uk/product.php?product=SOLV324

[Harryc]

It looks fine. Has a small hard drive and the LCD is adequate at best.

[hunterman223]

Okay, 80GB is plenty for me, I have a 160GB drive in my desktop and that is massive for what I put on it. What do you mean by the lcd being adequate at best? Resolution?

[Harryc]

No, quality. Poor viewing angles, marginal brightness, marginal contrast.

[hunterman223]

Does that pertain to all T61s? Or should I look at different models?

[Falcon63]

Does that pertain to all T61s? Or should I look at different models?

I think the screen sucks on my T61...

[hunterman223]

What's wrong with it? Any reviews I have read say that it's fine. I wasn't expecting flexview or anything, I am accustomed to standard laptop TN displays.

[Radioguy]

They're dark as hell. This is fairly common with TP's in general, but I wasn't prepared for quite how dark.

[hunterman223]

Ahh, no big deal. My R40 definitely is not as "bright as the pearly gates" if you ask me.

[hunterman223]

How much do you think would be a good asking price for my R40 on ebay? it is in excellent condition, with one tiny scratch on the top. I would include the battery with a 1.5hr charge, ac adapter, cd-rw/dvd-rom ultrabay drive, dvd-rom ultrabay drive, recovery cds, and wifi.

[RealBlackStuff]

You be lucky to get more than $80-95 for it.
R40 was made under license by Acer, so is not a real IBM laptop.
It's technology is not up to scratch anymore.
There are also too many postings on the internet about the inferior quality of this particular machine.
If it's working OK for you, hang on to it till it dies...

[hunterman223]

Well, the way I see it, that's $80-95 towards my T61. The R40 was made by acer under the supervision of IBM, and to IBM's specifications. So one of Acer's machines made it instead of IBM's.

[Falcon63]

They're dark as hell. This is fairly common with TP's in general, but I wasn't prepared for quite how dark.

Dark and colors seem a bit off...

[RealBlackStuff]

I would strongly advise you to buy that laptop in the US, you'll be disgusted with the high UK and European prices!

[hunterman223]

I'll keep looking then I guess.

[ThinkRob]

Well, the way I see it, that's $80-95 towards my T61. The R40 was made by acer under the supervision of IBM, and to IBM's specifications. So one of Acer's machines made it instead of IBM's.

I agree with this interpretation. After all, a large number of "true" IBM ThinkPads -- even some customer favorites -- were made by Lenovo under the supervision of IBM and to IBM's specs...

[Worzyl]

Yeah, I saw that one, a very good deal, but I am looking for a T61. I have been looking on UK sites since I will be moving there soon and my money will be converted to british pounds. How does this look?

http://www.bigpockets.co.uk/product.php?product=SOLV324

It would be easier and cheaper in the US than the UK.

[hunterman223]

It would be easier and cheaper in the US than the UK.

The thing is that I won't be here for long, and since I don't have a job until I get there and get settled I don't want to spend the money right now.