Advice for used T23 on ebay

[baraider]

getting a T23 on ebay for a friend (part of being a geek friend and all )

Getting a off leased T23 2647-4MU Pentium III 1.13Ghz - 256MB - 30GB - DVD - 14.1" XGA Active Matrix

What is a good price for these model?

Because it's off lease, the seller erased all the hd, there is no OS cd,

what are my options to install OS, I have a winXP so that won't be a problem.

Anything i need to know about T23? does it have a place for internal wifi card?

[Nolonemo]

Here's the bottom line for ebay: T23s go for incredible range, from $450 up to $700.

I always find out what the low end of the going rate is when bidding on stuff on ebay. Do it like this: run your search, tighten it up to get rid of junk, then check the box to look for completed items. Sort by low price first. Going up in price, look for the spot where there start to be a fair number of winning bids.

The problem with ebay for T23s (or T22s) is that there can be a tremendous variation in the quality of the thinkpads being auctioned. Most of the stuff will be off-lease, and some of it will be pristine and some can be pretty beat up. All you can do is read the descriptions, check the feedback, email the sellers and pin them down on the condition. I got a T22 that was close to perfect -- but the seller had super feedback and had glowng feedback for a T22 auctioned the week before, so I felt pretty comfortable going for it.

As far as wireless goes, very few of the T23s on ebay currently have integrated wifi (I think only 2 or 3 out of the ones that are listed) (I had a little buyers remorse and was surfing to see what T23s were out there ). Be alert for auctions that mention wifi but are actually referring to a PC card the seller is throwing in. Somewhere on this forum are the model numbers of the T23 that are wifi enabled, but I don't have that information any more.

Bottom line is that if you want a wifi enabled T23 off ebay be prepared to be patient unless you want to throw money at it. But compare with IBM refurbs (which you can count on being pristine) for price purposes.

One other thing, most of the T23s being auctioned have 512MB, I'd pass on a 256MB model. Also, few 1.13 Gzh, but the difference in CPU speed in the available range isn't worth worrying about, imo

[baraider]

thanks for the reply.

The model i look at is 256Mb, and the seller say there are some spotting on the lcd...don't know if this is acceptable or not...being a off lease t23, what can i expect from the lcd and battery..

the model 4mu does not have wifi but i don't know if it has built in antenna..

[uzibear]

unless you have a very CLEAR picture of the LCD while it's ON i wouldn't go for it.

ps: probably not what you want; but i just picked up a T21 for $215 (no hdd; no OS), but was perfect for me cuz i need a bigger/faster hdd anyway and i have xp pro cd. so deals are out there; so are scams, so are easy ways to waste money

picked up a 60gb samsung 5400rpm hdd new for $75 and am going to get 512mb ram (2x256mb) proably cost me $75 after i sell the 128mb and 64mb stick that the laptop came with.

so $375-$400 all told for what i got i think it's a steal

and: often finding laptops missing OS or hdd or something can be good because people who "just want it to work" and don't want to mess with it won't bid.

pps: watch the item till there's ten seconds left; then put in the highest price you'd be willing to pay: that's it. do not bid early!!!! you just drive the price up

JUST BECAUSE IT'S ON EBAY DOESN'T MEAN IT'S A GOOD DEAL

[carbon_unit]

unless you have a very CLEAR picture of the LCD while it's ON i wouldn't go for it.

ps: probably not what you want; but i just picked up a T21 for $215 (no hdd; no OS), but was perfect for me cuz i need a bigger/faster hdd anyway and i have xp pro cd. so deals are out there; so are scams, so are easy ways to waste money

picked up a 60gb samsung 5400rpm hdd new for $75 and am going to get 512mb ram (2x256mb) proably cost me $75 after i sell the 128mb and 64mb stick that the laptop came with.

so $375-$400 all told for what i got i think it's a steal

and: often finding laptops missing OS or hdd or something can be good because people who "just want it to work" and don't want to mess with it won't bid.

pps: watch the item till there's ten seconds left; then put in the highest price you'd be willing to pay: that's it. do not bid early!!!! you just drive the price up

JUST BECAUSE IT'S ON EBAY DOESN'T MEAN IT'S A GOOD DEAL

Lots of good advice here. Especially that last line!

Stay away from any auction that mentions screen defects unless it is still under warranty.
Most of them are going out of warranty soon so be careful, it may be under warranty when you buy it but not by the time you get it. Always ask for model/serial numbers so you can check warranty status.

[baraider]

if the screen has defect and it's under warranty, would ibm replace the lcd?

[Leon]

yes, as long as it's not just a few bad pixels...

[baraider]

can anyone tell me if the T23 has any hidden recovery partition that can be used with a recovery CD set?

The seller told me there is no hidden partition.

[Zeitgeist]

can anyone tell me if the T23 has any hidden recovery partition that can be used with a recovery CD set?

The T23 has a hidden partition! But what do you mean by "that can be used with a recovery CD set"?

If you have the recovey CDs they can reinstall the hidden partition only if you delete before the recovery process all partitions, also you must change the boot order (CD first, not temporary).