HOW MUCH WOULD YOU PAY FOR A 10TH ANNIVERSARY X30

[SHANGHAIBERKELEY]

I am thinking about upgrading, but this laptop is just too amazing. If you don't know anything about it, google "x30 10th anniversary."
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It took me a lot of effort to get this thing from Japan, but it seems silly to just keep a laptop for looks.
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If I do sell it, then it has to be a premium...so I want to take a poll. If you see the thing up on ebay in pristine condition with the box even, how much would you pay?

[daeojkim]

Well if you tell us more about it then may be we can get a better idea. All those pages are in Japanese.

To me it seems like there are no special feature about this laptop except for the glossy cover like in the S30.

[bhtooefr]

IIRC, that's the only difference.

Type/model, please? That way, we can find the value more easily.

There's no direct comparison, as the S3 models are all glossy, so there's no regular model to compare to, and all other glossy models are done after the fact, so they'd be worth less than this.

[SHANGHAIBERKELEY]

You are right that there's nothing functionally special about the laptop. Unless you count bluetooth that is not available on some other x30s.

The "mirage" black lcd cover is the most obvious difference. The area of the LCD hinge is inscribed in contrasting white "10th Anniversary Limited Edition."

On the other hinge area is the individual serial number out of 2002. e.g. 1234/2002

If you can't read Japanese, then you can just look at the pictures. It was a Japan only release and it makes sense that the press coverage would only be in Japanese.

Model number is:

2672-4B7

Can you name a regular production number that is more rare? (the refurbs don't count) I know IBM made some s31 (model bb1) for internal use and has the mirage black back, but I doubt the number is fewer than this.

Actually, not all s30s are mirage back. Actually, a lot fewer are mirage back. I think only model 43J had the mirage back. I love the s30 and really wanted one since no one's ever seen one in the States and the size+finish is very impressive.

Alas, I picked this model over the S30 (43J) for the following reasons:

1) ease of availability of English keyboard. I picked up one on eBay and swapped out the original Japanese one. I of course kept the Japanese keyboard.

2) availability of parts after warranty runs out. Should anything go wrong with the system, parts are readily available on eBay versus sourcing it from Japan for the s30.

3) better docking availability and accessories. There is no docking station avaialble for the s30 and the 10.4 screen is too small to do work for a long time, especially spread sheets. The s30 batteries have to be sourced from Japan.

4) The limited edition status. I mean when was the last time you saw an IBM with a piano black finish with the word "limited edition" on there?

Sorry have to gloat a little. It was quite an effort getting one. Just a little background about my thinkpad experience.

1) 760E
2) 770
3) 600 (dtsn)
4) 600E
5) 570X
6) t20
7) x20
A20P
9) x30
10) t42

Most interesting experience ever:

I had to replace the motherboard for an A20p after having my wireless card stab into the pcmcia slot and destroying the motherboard. (Never put your laptop on top of a pile of laundry that is sitting on a swivel chair)

Had to source a new motherboad, but motherboard doesn't come with PCMCIA slots. Had to get another bad "lower" to salvage the pcmcia slots. Had to reuse everything on the old A20p and thing was working like a charm. I made sure to get a 3com xjack card thereafter.

[PDADoc]

So, in reality, the only reason for this thread was to showcase your acquisition of this notebook with a glossy cover?

[bhtooefr]

And to make us jealous, so we could tell him how much we'd pay for it.

Unfortunately, if I collect, I can only collect the old ones - I have to save up for an X32/33.

[SHANGHAIBERKELEY]

OK, I admit it. I bought this thing from Japan and went through all the efforts of switching keyboard and new recovery discs just so I would have something that nobody else has. Something that is not tacky to boot!

But, can you blame me?!? Why does PDAdoc have his MD PHD degrees up? Am I suppose to be impressed? of course, I am impressed! Anybody who has such a passion for science and have the commitment to sleep in their labs for weeks at a time gets my respect. MD PhD people study for the right reasons, so they get my respect.

When we work hard for something, we want to be recognized. It's up on Marslow's hieraarchy and it's on the books for every OB course in B school. Maybe, it's silly to gloat over a laptop...but people certainly gloat over more silly things. So yeah, don't try to give me a guilt trip.

Note from Moderator: Color me not impressed.