Determining screen resolution and discrete graphics when searching ebay/FB Mktplace for used Thinkpads?

[serpico]

Shopping for a used T450 or T460. What's the easiest way to figure out the screen resolution and whether the laptop has discrete graphics (sellers often don't include this information; some aren't even familiar with these details)?

I enter the machine type here: https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/us/en - this brings up a parts list. I can scroll and find the screen FRU and search that FRU to see what the resolution is. Not much luck finding the discrete graphics chip in the parts list - could be the machine types I've checked don't have discrete graphics, but could also be it's not listed separately since it's not a replaceable part as it's a soldered on chip.

Anyone have more efficient method of figuring out screen resolution and presence of discrete graphics? Asking each seller as I'm looking through dozens of listings is cumbersome and also not a surefire method as some sellers simply don't know.

[RealBlackStuff]

Ask for the S/N of that laptop, enter it (without the - [dash]) at: https://support.lenovo.com/ie/en/partslookup
Check the found motherboard/planar FRU against the frubom/parts list of that model.
Same for the screen/LCD FRU.

[serpico]

Thanks. Better than nothing, to be sure, but a hassle when contacting multiple ebay sellers. Most don't want to give you their laptop serial number.

[RealBlackStuff]

But even if they give it and you check the Lenovo list, it's no guarantee that a previous owner didn't swap parts.
If a seller remains vague or uncooperative, look somewhere else.

[atagunov]

If a seller remains vague or uncooperative, look somewhere else.

Exactly! Screen resolution/graphics card type are crucial parts of the laptop spec, a sensible seller will confirm these upon request - if they are not yet part of the listing. And if the seller delivers anything else this will be "not as described".

Private sellers usually provide these details without issues for working machines. "Bulk" sellers may be slow to respond or unresponsive. They are also likely to be those using a generic image for the auction not that of the actual laptop they're selling. I would suggest to assume the lowest possible specs/your worst case scenario in this case.

I quite like buying from private sellers and treat bulk-sell-unresponsive ones with greatest of caution.

That said I'm in the process of getting a refund from a private UK seller for a processor sold as i7-3720MQ which was nothing but.. The process is longer than I would have liked but c'est la vie.To be hoenst the price was a bit too good to be true. And I should have paid more attention to the listing, a careful look would have told me it's not a 4-core.

As another counter-example I once purchased a used T520 from a bulk seller and got a brand new one in a box So luck can go either way.

[Saucey]

Usually I only bid on items that have photos of the BIOS screen, but do not have blanked out info.
From there I would look at the MTM to cross reference it's specs.
For the S/N I didn't know about checking as configured

T450 PSREF

T460 PSREF


On some listings, when the seller has a photo of the keyboard, there's a chance the display will be in the photo & you'll be be able to tell if it's IPS or TN due to the discoloration.

[kfzhu1229]

If a seller remains vague or uncooperative, look somewhere else.

if the seller is vague, it's actually a gamble that can turn out great or really bad...
Sometimes the seller has no idea what stuff he's actually selling, and if you are able to find out that it has a great screen or a great CPU or something like that without the seller knowing, you can get a great bargain!
So if you ask the seller to be more specific about this, you will know what you are getting, but sometimes the seller also knows more what he's selling and raise the price!
I had one instance where I asked the seller whether the laptop has the NVidia graphics inside, he didn't respond me explicitly, and the next moment I see the listing again, the price went up by like 40 bucks.
So I guess whether you wannna take a gamble on something like this is your call. I would ask the seller for the MTM or Service tag and have a look at the specs myself there so that if it has some hidden gems inside the seller wouldn't know