Request to suggest between a T400 and SL510 and T61

[arunpr]

Hi,
I am in the market for a good Thinkpad (T series) laptop. After some research, I realised that we are transiting from 802.11 a/b/g/n to 802.11 ac which promises noticeable increase in wifi data rates. wifi speeds being something that affects our experience (as against to maybe the difference between an i5 and i7 processor to lay man user), I have almost decided to wait over for the upcoming new Thinkpads that support 802.11ac. However, I WILL NEED to buy one till I get the new Thinkpad (T Series) with 802.11ac. Since I also love the thinkpad, particularly the old keyboards, I decided to buy a used refurbished Thinkpad from store.techturn.com . My usage is mostly editing, browsing, word pdf and I RUN UBUNTU or one of the other LINUX flavours.

I am unable to decide among the following three laptops

1. Thinkpad T400 costing $199 Core 2 Duo, 14 inch,
2. Thinkpad SL510 costing $199
3. Thinkpad T61 costing $215.

The first two laptops are in B grade condition and the third is in A grade condition. Briefly, the third has fewer cosmetic blemishes. Each of these laptops are guaranteed functional.

The thing that goes in for the SL510 is that it is one version newer than the T400 generation. (Am I right?) The thing that goes in for the T400 is that as a T series model, it is better built.
I have read and seen some reviews of T400 and Sl510 and some of them like http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8sOO-8LP4E mention that T400 is not as good as it is meant to be. Please pour in your thoughts.
Thanks,
regards,
Arun

[RealBlackStuff]

Welcome to the forum.
It would help us greatly if you could give at least the TYPE/Model of each model, so we know what's inside
(on the bottom of each laptop on a label, giving TYPE/Model, S/N, DATE and PRODUCT ID).
Don't list the S/N.
T400 has 14.1" widescreen 16:10 format and Intel or AMD grapics
SL510 has 15.6" widescreen 16:9 format and Intel or AMD grapics.
T61/T61p has either Intel, nVidia NVS140M or nVidia FX570M graphics and comes in 3 formats:
-14.1" standard 4:3 format (XGA or SXGA+)
-14.1" widescreen 16:10 format (WXGA or WXGA+)
-15.4" widescreen 16:10 format (WXGA or WSXGA+ or WUXGA)
And the above is just the tip of the iceberg.
We need those TYPEs, as well as other (like size/weight) requirements.

For 802.11ac read this: http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/201 ... ines/?_r=0
You just buy the appropriate wifi card + router.

You may be well advised to consider buying on this forum instead of from that (unknown to me) company...
I happen to have T400 and SL510 for sale, as well as a whole slew of other models...

[underclocker]

Welcome to the forum!

$215 is very close to the low side cost of picking up a T410 via eBay. I would definitely hold out for one of those. The T410 includes an Intel Core CPU, which is a generation ahead of the models that you listed.

[arunpr]

Can you please provide me details of the systems you are selling. I am quite interested.
Thanks,
Arun

[RealBlackStuff]

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