Should I get a T40?

Message

micah · #1 Post by **micah** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 1:27 pm

Hi,

I've got a dying 600e, and I'm contemplating getting a T40. Would people recommend that i get a T30 or A30 instead, or maybe a T43? If so, why?

I am seeing the T40 online for about $700, which is not a bad price, but maybe its refurbished and I should be wary?

Basically I want the best thinkpad I can get for $1000 or less, I can't really afford $1000, but I might be willing to go into debt for a little bit for this.

Thanks all!

christopher_wolf · #2 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 1:38 pm

Well, what are you going to be using it for?

You should get the Thinkpad that is suited best for what you will be doing.

micah · #3 Post by **micah** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 2:13 pm

christopher_wolf wrote:Well, what are you going to be using it for?

You should get the Thinkpad that is suited best for what you will be doing.

I'll be running Debian, probably a relatively slimmed down GUI, web, email with the thunderbird, and some development. Beyond that, I dont need much.

I'm looking around and am confused. I see people buying T42s for $900, and then people selling them for $1500, and not many people moving T40s.

micah · #4 Post by **micah** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 2:20 pm

I'd be buying the machine locally for $850... I'm concerned that I would be getting ripped off, what should I ask about, or check out?

Here are the specs:

Pentium M 1.5G
1GB DDR RAM
40GB HDD
DVD/CDRW COMBO DRIVE!!
Internal wireless
USB PORTS
10/100 Ethernet
56K Modem
Infrared Port
14.1" XGA LCD SCREEN
4hr Battery
AC Adaptor

micah · #5 Post by **micah** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 2:30 pm

Hmmm, I'm seeing on ebay and compusa T40s going for $700, perhaps this is not such a great deal.

Links:

http://www.compusa.com/products/product ... tabtype=rb
http://cgi.ebay.com/ThinkPad-T40-Centri ... dZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-Thinkpad-T40-1- ... dZViewItem

#6 Post by **KristianJ** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 5:34 pm

Key is definitely to shop around and find the best price you can, but also to ensure you find the best spec machine for the price you're looking for. I went through the same process as you 3 weeks ago and the machine I bought was a little bit more expensive than equivalents on eBay, but I was given the chance to thoroughly go over it and make sure it was in top condition. Here in Australia, I got mine for ~ $750US, but most eBay ones were about $100US cheaper.

JHEM · #7 Post by **JHEM** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 6:15 pm

micah wrote:I'd be buying the machine locally for $850...

At that price the machine is overpriced.

That's a very "plain vanilla" T40 and similar machines can be found for as little as $600.

Regards,

James

#8 Post by **daeojkim** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 6:34 pm

For $1000 budget I would seriously look into the T41p that tselling is selling on the this marketplace.

I think it is a pretty god deal and she has a great reputation as a honest seller in this forum.

JK.

micah · #9 Post by **micah** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 6:43 pm

daeojkim wrote:For $1000 budget I would seriously look into the T41p that tselling is selling on the this marketplace.

I think it is a pretty god deal and she has a great reputation as a honest seller in this forum.

Thanks for the pointer... 'm not sure if I know the big differences between the T40 and the T41p (sooo many acronyms my head might explode).... I'll do some more research!

micah · #10 Post by **micah** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 6:49 pm

JHEM wrote:
micah wrote:I'd be buying the machine locally for $850...
At that price the machine is overpriced.

That's a very "plain vanilla" T40 and similar machines can be found for as little as $600.

Hi James,

Thanks for the information... I have not been able to find a T40 for as little as $600, the lowest I could find was $700, but maybe you know of the places to look?

Website · #11 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 6:55 pm

Depending on your location, you could check craigslist.

#12 Post by **KristianJ** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 8:54 pm

daeojkim wrote:For $1000 budget I would seriously look into the T41p that tselling is selling on the this marketplace.

I think it is a pretty god deal and she has a great reputation as a honest seller in this forum.

JK.

I thought the same thing when I saw it (which was after my post). Research wise, what you can do is ask tselling for the model number of the T41p she's selling, ask the seller of the T40 for the model number of that T40, and compare the specs either through Lenovo's support page, or download the tawbook that will have extensive specifications for the different T series machines that are no longer sold new.

But that T41p does look like a good deal with excellent upgrading potential

micah · #13 Post by **micah** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 9:34 pm

KristianJ wrote:
daeojkim wrote:For $1000 budget I would seriously look into the T41p that tselling is selling on the this marketplace.
I thought the same thing when I saw it (which was after my post). Research wise, what you can do is ask tselling for the model number of the T41p she's selling, ask the seller of the T40 for the model number of that T40, and compare the specs either through Lenovo's support page, or download the tawbook that will have extensive specifications for the different T series machines that are no longer sold new.

What is the "tawbook"?

I think tselling's machine is already taken, but there are a couple available on craiglist locally that I am trying to research.

1st one has these specs ($800):
2373-Q1U
Intel Pentium M 765 2.1GHz
1GB DDR SDRAM
120GB 5400 PRM
15.1" SVGA (1600x1200) TFT Color LCD
Modem Included
Gigabit Ethernet
DVD-MultiBurner
ATi Mobility FIREGL T2 128MB DDR SDRAM AGP 4x
802.11a/b/g
AC Adapter Included
Battery Included

Second one has these specs ($500):
Model Number 2373-KGU
PENTIUM M 1.7GHz
512MB
40GB
Cache 1MB
CDRW/DVD
14.1 XGA 1024x768 DISPLAY
I/O Ports Parallel, Keyboard/Mouse, Svideo, Headphone, Microphone, FingerPrint Scanner
Modem 56K
Network Support 10/100/1000 ETHERNET - WIFI 802.11b&g
USB Ports 2
Video Port 1
Battery Li-ion TAKES A FULL CHARGE
Power Supply YES
Weight 4.8LBS

#14 Post by **JaneL** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 9:45 pm

micah wrote:What is the "tawbook"?

Item #1 in the FAQ.

#15 Post by **KristianJ** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 9:51 pm

Ah, yes...link for the pdf you'll want to download:

ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pcinstitu ... awbook.pdf (up tp T41)

Or for T42 or newer (which are what the 2 you've described are), download ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pcinstitu ... tabook.pdf

micah · #16 Post by **micah** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 9:56 pm

nonny wrote:
micah wrote:What is the "tawbook"?
Item #1 in the FAQ.

Oops, thanks for pointing that out.

micah · #17 Post by **micah** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 10:04 pm

KristianJ wrote: Or for T42 or newer (which are what the 2 you've described are), download ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pcinstitu ... tabook.pdf

How does it work if the specific model isn't listed in the tabook? I see neither a T42p 2373-Q1U or 2373-KGU in the T42p page.

Website · #18 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 10:08 pm

tabook is for standard systems. If there is a special order or CTO, they are assigned a different number and are listed as being "based on xxxx-xxx".

You can look up any system here.

monkey243 · #19 Post by **monkey243** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 11:54 pm

one thing you should pay more attention is the USB ports of T40s,T41s or T42s.There is very often some damage in the south bridge,then the 2.0 USB ports only used in USB1.1 mode.
So,you should test the USB ports with USB2.0 devices.Make sure it works fine.
Good luck.

JHEM · #20 Post by **JHEM** » Sun Apr 30, 2006 8:55 am

micah wrote:Thanks for the information... I have not been able to find a T40 for as little as $600, the lowest I could find was $700, but maybe you know of the places to look?

There are plenty of T40s on eBay and a quick search of completed listings shows 30 to 40 T40s that sold for under $600.

Take your time, ask the seller plenty of questions if their description of the item in the listing is lacking in details and don't chase after bad deals just to be the "winner".

Regards,

James

gunston · #21 Post by **gunston** » Sun Apr 30, 2006 9:00 am

get what is withing your budget. T4x series should be ideal for you.
Though, i am using T43, i was just recently upgraded from my NEC laptop for 6 years ago.

Well, i am happy with my laptop now, though bit of the fan problem, hopefully IBM can fix it soon.

Highwayman · #22 Post by **Highwayman** » Mon May 01, 2006 7:38 pm

JHEM wrote:
micah wrote:Thanks for the information... I have not been able to find a T40 for as little as $600, the lowest I could find was $700, but maybe you know of the places to look?
There are plenty of T40s on eBay and a quick search of completed listings shows 30 to 40 T40s that sold for under $600.

Take your time, ask the seller plenty of questions if their description of the item in the listing is lacking in details and don't chase after bad deals just to be the "winner".

Regards,

James

I picked up a T40 on Ebay for $550, still under IBM warranty until 11/06. Five minutes after I powered it up for the first time, the display went dead. Totally dead. I called IBM support and they stepped me through some diag checks, only to determine that the MoBo was probably bad. They scheduled a visit for an IBM tech to come to my home (this unit had in-home support) and he replaced my MoBo with a new one. I'm still smiling....

#23 Post by **dorronto** » Mon May 01, 2006 8:02 pm

Go for the T40. I've had one for a couple of months trouble free. I've owned many laptops, none, I repeat none have been this good. Excellent value. Light, powerful and gets the job done.

Go for it.....

Ron

Should I get a T40?

Should I get a T40?

Who is online