Buying a Second Hand ThinkPad T - advice

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sebika · #1 Post by **sebika** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 9:44 am

Hello. I need a robust laptop but I am pretty short of money and i was thinking of buying a SH Thinkpad. I was wondering... How do i know if the interior was not messed up. I mean, I would only buy it if the original CPU, HD, RAM are still inside. Is there a sure way to know this?

Thanks

ajkula66 · #2 Post by **ajkula66** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 9:54 am

Welcome to the forum!

It really doesn't matter whether the CPU, RAM or HDD are the original ones. In many cases it's better that they're not.

What are you looking to spend? This forum's marketplace is an excellent place to start shopping, but you'd have to tell us more about your requirements...

sebika · #3 Post by **sebika** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 9:59 am

Well... I'm don't have a lot of money (not from the US). I would spend a maximum of 350$. It's not a lot, but i found some older T models that suited me. Why are you saying that it's desirable not to have the originals?

#4 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 10:50 am

Some laptops came from the factory with low specifications (slow CPU, not much RAM, small hard disk, etc.).
Lots of people upgrade to faster CPU, more RAM, larger hard disk, etc.
That's why you don't always want original parts.

Tell us more about how you plan to use the laptop (web browsing, email, writing documents/spreadsheets, gaming, intensive graphics programs, etc.)
What size screen, what resolution, how much RAM, what sort of CPU, battery-life, etc.

pianowizard · #5 Post by **pianowizard** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 12:03 pm

sebika wrote:Hello. I need a robust laptop

How robust do you need it to be? If you are talking *extremely* robust, you would be better off getting a fully rugged Panasonic Toughbook. Thinkpads are only "business-rugged".

Why do you think it's better to have the original CPU, RAM and HDD? At least for the HDD, I would say it's better to have a recent upgrade because all HDDs have a limited lifetime and so the original HDD would likely not last as long as a replacement drive. For the CPU, if it has been upgraded, it probably also means fresh thermal grease was applied, so you not only get a faster CPU but also better cooling.

#6 Post by **underclocker** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 1:34 pm

To OP, please update your profile with your location - we can provide improved comments with that info. Also, will you be buying the laptop in the US or elsewhere?

Generally, buying from established members of this forum should assuage your concerns, since experienced sellers often include detailed information and stand behind their offerings.

If I were in the $350 range (in the U.S., anyway), I'd definitely focus on finding a T410 or T510, as they are getting down to that range and I'd consider them to be "robust".

One alternative would be a new or refurbished ThinkPad Edge model via the Lenovo Outlet. There were some there today for $350. Current machines with 1 year warranties, 4GB of RAM and 320GB or 500GB hard drives. Tough to beat.

P.S. Contrary to the rumors, not everyone from the US has a lot of money! Some would consider $350 for a used laptop as excessive.

sebika · #7 Post by **sebika** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 9:26 am

I'm from Iasi, Romania. I want to buy the laptop from Iasi. I would definitely like an Edge. Just that I don't know of anyone selling them here.

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