Thinkpads Forum

If you're planning to buy a 2nd hand IBM which would you prefer?

Thinkpad 240 or 600x?

I would appreciate any reply. Thanks.

Some might disagree, but I would go with the 600 series, as it seems that there are always parts available...if needed.

Granted the 600X series specific parts are not as common as the 600E or the 600, but there are a lot of common/shared parts.

tfflivemb2 wrote:Some might disagree, but I would go with the 600 series, as it seems that there are always parts available...if needed.

Granted the 600X series specific parts are not as common as the 600E or the 600, but there are a lot of common/shared parts.

Thanks for the feedback sir. I appreciate it.

I would choose 240X, becaus of its weight. You will get a real notebook feeling, because it is a subnotebook wihtout optical drives(honestly , who need them that often, so you have to carry them whole the time). OK , it has just one USB , one PCMCIA, one Ps/2 , but these are just perfect for trips...

If given a chopice between the two, I'd look for a 600x as they are most likely easier to find and will probably give you more for your money.

However, if I could stray a few models away, I'd probably put that same money towards a T21, T22 or T23 as thos notebooks can usually be found for not much more than the price of a 600x and will usually give you more megahertz for the money. However, some people say the 600 has a slightly nicer case and much better keyboard. It's all a matter of which trade-offs you're willing to accept and go with.

tfflivemb2 wrote:Some might disagree, but I would go with the 600 series, as it seems that there are always parts available...if needed.

Granted the 600X series specific parts are not as common as the 600E or the 600, but there are a lot of common/shared parts.

Since I'm really low on budget, I'm being offered a 600E and a 240m instead of the 600x that I earlier posted. What would be my best option.

Below are the specs:

Thinkpad 600E-400MHz
160MB RAM
10GB HDD
External FDD
DVD and extra CD-ROM
IR, USB
Modem

Thinkpad 240-400MHz Celeron
96MB RAM
12GB HDD
FDD
IR, USB
Modem
No CD-ROM

Thanks.

I would still go with the 600 series.

I used to own a 600E and still own a 240 and they serve very different purposes. The 600E is quite a bit faster and the bigger screen with higher resolution is much more convenient to work with. However, at around 5.2 lbs, it's substantially heavier than the 240 (just below 3 lbs) and if you plan to travel with the laptop, the 240 will be the better choice. Trust me, 2.2 lbs makes a huge difference.

pianowizard wrote:I used to own a 600E and still own a 240 and they serve very different purposes. The 600E is quite a bit faster and the bigger screen with higher resolution is much more convenient to work with. However, at around 5.2 lbs, it's substantially heavier than the 240 (just below 3 lbs) and if you plan to travel with the laptop, the 240 will be the better choice. Trust me, 2.2 lbs makes a huge difference.

Thanks for the heads up @pianowizard. I'm post if I've bought the 2nd hard laptop. Thanks.

Anyone using IBM TP 240? Please post your observations after installing Windows XP SP1. Thanks.

I'm using Windows XP SP 2 with my IBM 240X. The notebook has 4200 RPM harddrive and 196 mb ram.

It is functioning absolutly without any problems. The computer is very usefull and fast enough for surfing, Office aplications. I'm also using it as Navigator, and am happy about this small wonder.

sloomy wrote:I'm using Windows XP SP 2 with my IBM 240X. The notebook has 4200 RPM harddrive and 196 mb ram.

It is functioning absolutly without any problems. The computer is very usefull and fast enough for surfing, Office aplications. I'm also using it as Navigator, and am happy about this small wonder.

Ey, thanks for the update. One major reason that I'm considering the 240 is for WiFI access. Anyone tried using a 240 to do WiFi?

Just to counter, I have several 600Es running Win XP Pro SP2, with a wifi card, 366-400mhz (not Celeron) 288mb Ram, and 40GB HDs. Absolutely great.

I would agree that the 240 is lighter, but I think your best bet is to play with both of them, if you have the ability to do so, then make your decision.

red5torm wrote:Anyone tried using a 240 to do WiFi?

Yes and it works fine on 240.

tfflivemb2 wrote:I would agree that the 240 is lighter, but I think your best bet is to play with both of them, if you have the ability to do so, then make your decision.

But red5torm may not be able to play with them before purchasing. I think the two most important factors for him/her to consider are:

1) Whether having an internal optical drive is necessary, and
2) Whether red5torm would be comfortable using a 10.4-inch screen with a relatively low resolution of 800x600.

Although I love the ultra light weight of my TP240, I do find the 800x600 small screen quite a pain to use.

The 240 is great for its weight, the 600 for its accessibility, but with either be sure that the system you buy is complete.

Duct tape and card borad can be used to make a drive fit in a 600x, but the 240's require a special adapter (which I've yet to find for less than $50) and many of the cheaper (less than $150) 240's on eBay do not include a battery (not a big deal) or a HD caddy (a BIG deal).

Your mileage may vary.[/quote]

pianowizard wrote:

tfflivemb2 wrote:I would agree that the 240 is lighter, but I think your best bet is to play with both of them, if you have the ability to do so, then make your decision.

But red5torm may not be able to play with them before purchasing.

This is why I said: "if you have the ability to do so".

I was kind of under the impression that since red5torm is "being offered" these laptops, and with such variables (ie down from a 600X/240X to a 600E/240M), that it might be in person. I understand that I could easily be wrong.

I agree that two big factors are the display and the internal optical drive...not to mention the portability factor.