Questionable A31p for sale on eBay

[rkawakami]

Please read what I wrote again: "The seller could have downgraded it to XGA." I once bought an A31p on eBay with an XGA screen, even though all A31p's are supposed to have UXGA-IPS.

Funny you should mention that. I've been having a polite (so far) conversation with this eBay seller:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0150745318

According to the title, description and messages, he claims he is selling an A31p. The type number is 2653-AUU (as stated in his description AND shown in a picture) which lists as an A31 with a 14.1" XGA screen. That much can be confirmed by looking at the LCD bezel in the picture. His reason for insisting that he has an A31p? Because of "evident by the label at the bottom of the screen". In other words, the clear plate says "A31p".

[pianowizard]

Mine was a 15.0" model. I think it had a base from an A31p and the top, including the XGA screen, from an A31, so that its LCD bezel said "A31".

One really needs to be careful buying stuff on eBay. Yesterday I saw an X60 tablet with a BIN price of $899 shipped that was described as having SXGA+ res. I looked up its product number and it turned out to be only XGA.

[andyP]

That TP cannot be an A31p - the HMM confirms that.

All A31p TPs were 15" UXGA - someone must have changed the sticker or something. I think the seller doesn't have a clue about Tps.

[wearetheborg]

I saw a decent T43, in which the description said SXGA 1400x1050.
I contacted the seller for model/serial number. The seller was really apprehensive about giving them out, and he insisted he'd give me the relevant info without the serial etc numbers. I had to guide him to the lenovo parts page, and he sent me the parts list. Turns out it is XGA.
The auction ended with 1400x1050. Seller has said he is gonna contact the winner about this

[rkawakami]

Here's the history of messages between us so far:

Just FYI: The picture and model number indicate that this is an A31 system (not the higher-end "p" version). It has the 14.1" screen as seen by the wide borders of the LCD bezel.

Hi, thanks for the info, but this is actually an A31p. --Dan

Model # in pic says A31 not a P

Hi, I realize that if you look up the model/type on Lenovo's website, it says A31, however, the laptop is an A31p, as evident by the label at the bottom of the screen, which you can't see from the picture, but I just physically looked at the laptop. Also, we originally had 2 of these models and I purchased them both, so I am 100% certain it an A31p. Thanks. --Dan

The label at the bottom of the screen can be changed out but that does not make it a "P" system. The A31p shipped with 15" UXGA screens and an ATI FireGL video chip (instead of the regular Radeon chip). Both the Lenovo system lookup and IBMs tawbook.pdf file says that the 2653-AUU is a 14.1" XGA system.

Hi, thanks for the comment. As stated in the description, you should go by the model/type number. This will give you the following info from Lenovo's website: P4-M 1.6GHz (512KB), 256MB RAM, 30.0GB HDD, 14.1 XGA(1024x768) TFT LCD, 8x4x24x CD-RW, 802.11b(MPCI), Modem(MPCI), Ethernet(CDC), TV out, Li-Ion battery, WinXP Pro Regardless, the model is branded as an A31p and the screen or any other part of the laptop has not been changed since purchased from IBM. Sorry if this causes some confusion. --Dan

Yes, I know about how to check the type numbers at the IBM/Lenovo support site. However, you left out the FIRST line in that page: "Product: ThinkPad A31 2653-AUU [change]". The IBM reference guide which lists the various models is called the "tawbook". In it, it lists the 2653-AUU as an A31 with a 14.1" XGA LCD. ALL of the A31p models came with 15" UXGA screens; quite a significant difference. Can you measure the diagonal dimension of the screen and report what it is? From looking at the picture AND already having a couple of A31/A31p machines to compare it against, it looks like the LCD bezel is the same width as on a 14.1" screen. The "clear plate" you refer to which has the "A31p" on it can be easily changed out and does not really mean anything. If the system can be powered up and the display properties queried, that would help.

Hi, I meant to add in my last response to you that I updated the product description. As originally stated, you should go according to the model type number, which lists the 14.1 inch screen, etc. I understand what you are saying about the A31p model. This model has a 14.1" screen. Kind of strange that it was branded as an A31p. Perhaps some kind of mistake at IBM, as this is the way it was purchased.--Dan

So, that's as far as I am going to query this seller. I'm also going to assume that it's an A31 and given the lack of confidence in the stated operational condition, enter a low snipe as a parts machine.

[gator]

He is atleast decent enough to respond. Most sellers send the first 4 digits of the model number, even after specifically asking for the entire 7-charecter code.

Good luck, Ray.

[The Spirit of X21]

Indeed, good luck Ray. I don't think I would have the patience to discuss whether or not the machine is an A31p or not, as the seller really doesn't seem to know a heck of a lot about ThinkPads.

[rkawakami]

Oh, you definitely need an infinite amount of patience with some eBay sellers. I'll be documenting my current hard drive fiasco sometime next week when I expect to be done with testing seven units...