The new, the old and the...

[JimL]

I'm just curious, since this is the legacy category, how far legacy extends into time.

I got a 770 for two reasons. The 770 looked to my neophyte eyes like a newer machine than the 660 and the more realistic, (I think) fact that it had a bigger screen.

I'd like to have a faster machine, but my hacking days are long, long past, given that no one wants to cater to dumb old crows like me and the hand holding they require.

On the other hand the budget most old crows are on excludes bleeding edge technology purchases. That leaves one fishing in the dark for some indefinable middle ground.

Does some date mark legacy's latter extreme? Does some CPU speed do it? Does some price category mark the line? All of the above?

Of course the most important question (to me right now) will remain unasked - which machine to buy. But if someone were to tell me where I can get a good, virtually new, 2.5ghz TP for $200 I'd consider loooking into it!

[AlphaKilo470]

For the 200 dollar 2.5ghz ThinkPad, there's these two folks named Vinny and Snake I know who hang out in the alley across the streetcorner of Peachtree St. over in Five Points but make sure there are no cop cars nearby and that you never take the computer for IBM for service. Just kiddin, I neither endorse stealing or working with thugs.

Seriously now, the 770 series was introduced in 1997 and the 600 in 1998 and for a small amount of time in 1998 and 1999 the 770 and 600 coexisted. The 770 was discontinued in 1999 with the 366mhz PII based 770z with a 14" screen that displayed 1280x1024 or 1024x768 depending on model. The slowest 770 was the original 200mhz P-MMX based 770 with a 13" XGA screen introduced in 1997.

The 600 was introduced in 1998 with the slowest computer having a 233mhz P-MMX and a 12" SVGA screen and the newest 600 being the 650mhz 600x with a 13" XGA screen released in 2000 and discontinued in 2001.

So as for 770 being faster than a 600, it depends on the model you have. The 770's ranged from P-MMX's (770) to PII's (770E, ED, X and Z) and the 600's were availble with P-MMX's (600), PII's (600E) and PIII's (600x).

I believe legacy status is determined by many factors, main one being how obsolete is the computer. If you have the bleeding edge machine of 2001, it'll stay current longer than the el' cheapo machine of 2003. The actual technology in the computer is a big factor. Another factor is whether or not the manufacture still warranties and/or supports and/or produces parts for the machine. There are also other factors but those are the main ones.

[JimL]

For the 200 dollar 2.5ghz ThinkPad, there's these two folks named Vinny and Snake I know who hang out in the alley across the streetcorner of Peachtree St. over in Five Points

I kind of hoped my comments about wanting something faster but being limited by budget might bring out some suggestions about a middle ground machine that might do the job - maybe something late in the legacy category.

I could have said that, but I've found that asking directly doesn't get me any more replies. For whatever reason, no one wants to suggest a machine that might be good value for a moderate price. I've never got a suggestion yet, no matter how I word the question.

[leoblob]

Well... you haven't said what you want to use the machine for, nor what your budget is...

That being said, I would recommend a 600X... here are details copied from the intro comments in the forum area for the 600s...

The 600X:
MMC2 processor ranging from PIII 450 to PIII 650 (Speedstep) with 100MHz FSB. Aftermarket MMC-2 modules are available up to PIII 850MHz, the fastest MMC-2 module made.
Base RAM: 64MB. Max RAM: 576MB
Video RAM: 4MB NeoMagic MagicGraph256ZX

I don't have one of these, but I suspect that with a 650MHz PIII and loaded up with memory, this machine could probably handle XP tolerably well.

[AlphaKilo470]

Aside from the 600X, I'd also give the T2x series a look and maybe the T30 and T40 if you can dig up some extra cash. All of these can be had for decent prices if you know where to look and all are very good and capable performers. If you are looking under $600 dollars, I'd stay between the 600X and the T2x series which includes the T20, T21, T22 and T23.

Another capable performer is the G series if you need a newer notebook and are willing to live with some extra heft. A new G series can be had for as low as under $700 and older used ones on eBay for cheaper.