How to buy ThinkPad open bay models?

[atekant]

Looks like this is as close you can get to a barebones system with a Thinkpad.

http://www-306.ibm.com/common/ssi/OIX.w ... es#@2h@78@

I wonder how one gets to order one of these?

I called Lenovo, the sales guy did not know, or pretended to not know what I was talking about (was more interested in selling me something right then).

Argun

[CupOfJoe]

Looks like this is as close you can get to a barebones system with a Thinkpad.

http://www-306.ibm.com/common/ssi/OIX.w ... es#@2h@78@

I wonder how one gets to order one of these?

I called Lenovo, the sales guy did not know, or pretended to not know what I was talking about (was more interested in selling me something right then).

Argun

Here's my experience with these "open bay" models:

I ordered a CTO (configure to order) model, and they start out with a shell (which are one of the "open bay" model part numbers listed in the link you provided). (Note my signature: it is one of the listed open bay models.) From that point, the rep added on alll the necesary parts to complete the system (memory, optical drive, etc.).

At one point, I asked if they would send me the unit with no memory installed (because I was going to just buy it myself -- a cheaper option), but he said they can't do that.

So, the short answer to your question (from my experience) seems to be that you can't really buy one of these "shells" (open bay models).

Has someone been able to pull off buying one of these open bay models? Maybe (or even probably). But I didn't see it happening.

-CupOfJoe