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Opinion Poll: Did I pay too much?

T430-T490, T530-T590 Series
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ThorOfAsgard
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Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2016 5:23 am
Location: Atlanta, GA

Opinion Poll: Did I pay too much?

#1 Post by ThorOfAsgard » Thu Jun 28, 2018 5:03 pm

I'm a big fan of Microcenter, and I like to support the store. It's so much easier to spend a few minutes taking a bad part or product back there and getting an exchange than it is to wait weeks via mail-order. That said, I've on occasion purchased a refurb Thinkpad from Microcenter. Most recently I picked up a T430, i7-3720M, 1600x900, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD. With tax, I paid about $350.

Now, I already had an extra 4GB SODIMM and a spare 256GB Samsung 850 Pro sitting in a drawer, so I put those in the unit. With those installed, it's running pretty well. Also, the battery is OEM and lasts a long time.

I looked on eBay before purchasing, but there's just so many variables there. Units are cheaper, but a lot of times don't include parts, especially good batteries, and I've read the T430 may not play nice with cheap aftermarket batteries. It just seemed like a higher risk to buy there. With Microcenter I can return for a full refund in 15 days and there's a 90 day warranty, for whatever that's worth.

I did look at later models, but I had a dock and several power adapters for the T430 from my previous T and X series. So I stuck with the T430.

The above was my rationale. Thoughts? Could I/should I make a different choice next time?

Cigarguy
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Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Re: Opinion Poll: Did I pay too much?

#2 Post by Cigarguy » Thu Jun 28, 2018 5:38 pm

Looking at it holistically, I think you did good. Sure you could probably find it cheaper on eBay or elsewhere but the peace of mind and supporting local out weigh the small cost saving in my books.

rdrake
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2018 4:47 pm
Location: Kingsville, Canada

Re: Opinion Poll: Did I pay too much?

#3 Post by rdrake » Fri Jul 06, 2018 9:59 am

Paid $125 canadian for my T430, just the standard i5, 12gb of ram, 160gb hd, that crappy low res display but it looks in very good shape. Works fine. The higher resolution, much better cpu makes it a decent deal at $350.

jevette_hayes
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Mar 17, 2018 12:24 am
Location: Pune, India

Re: Opinion Poll: Did I pay too much?

#4 Post by jevette_hayes » Fri Sep 14, 2018 2:14 am

As per my opinion you have done fine. Ebay is a good option :lol:

brucehe
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Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2007 5:25 pm
Location: Corvallis, Oregon

Re: Opinion Poll: Did I pay too much?

#5 Post by brucehe » Thu Oct 04, 2018 10:38 pm

I purchased a T430 a few months ago on Ebay for a local nonprofit I support. it was a 1600X900, 4GB 500GB drive and cost $175. I got lucky, unit is perfect, OEM battery has 37 cycles and is 90% of design. By the time I put in the 256GB SSD and got 8GB RAM and dock it was about $300. I have been in the Microcenter store in Tustin CA. It is a nice store with competitive prices. You did fine. The time I spent looking for this unit on Ebay you saved.

Bruce
P1 I7 8850H Gen1 32GB Quadro P1000 3840X2160 (CAD machine) , X280 (music machine), W520 FHD Quadro 2000M, Yoga 2 10 inch W10, (3)T450S 8GB 256 GBSSD FHD, touchscreen, backlit keyboard, X230T 8GB IPS 256GB SSD

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