Is this a good deal (T40, 1.5ghz, 512 on ebay)

[Balls Co.]

Here are the specs from the ad...


I HAVE NOT MUCH WORDS TO DESCRIBED THIS IBM T40.
JUST TAKE A LOOK AT THIS funtions below . Cosmetic still look new.
Few signs of minor used . still look new . wIFI BUILD IN

Original description: Based on 2373 : P M 1.5GHz, 512MB RAM, 40GB 5400rpm HDD, 14.1 SXGA+(1400X1050) TFT LCD, 32MB ATI Radeon 9000, 16x10x24x/8x CD-RW/DVD, Intel 802.11b wireless(MPCI), Modem(CDC), 1GB Ethernet(LOM), UltraNav, Secure Chip, 6c Li-Ion, WinXP Pro[/i]ITEM COME WITH A.C ADATER . BATTERY HAS BEEN TESTED AND STILL HOLDING GOOD CHARGE .



its a buy it now for $320, $30shipping.
tell me what you guys think.

Thanks

[SHoTTa35]

i say you can get better in the marketplace here for that much money. If he was selling it for $250 plus shipping then i'd get that but not for that much.

Maybe even $300 even oh well

[Johan]

A very similar question was asked quite recently on this board - have a look in the thread: Is this a Good Price - the comments there might be of some help.

I am hesitating by saying "yes" to this offer; this could be a ThinkPad with no hidden errors and in the condition stated, and well cared for... but I would nevertheless always go for something with an amount of remaining warranty, particularly knowing that many T40/T41/T42's are troubled by the "loose GPU" problem, as e.g. discussed in the thread [url=ttp://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=33952]t42 shuts down when i move it[/url]. Still, $320 is a bit expensive for a T40, in my opinion. I agree with SHoTTa35 that you should have a look in the Marketplace on this forum. Much, much more safe to buy from trustworthy, long-time ThinkPad-enthusiast here compared to buying from some totally unknown eBay person. You may be lucky to get a good deal, but you may also... risk the opposite.

Best regards,

Johan

[dorronto]

I think $320 is a fair price. Looks sell of course. I do not believe that $320 is a HIGH price at all. Check the buyers feedback, look at pics and ask questions. Sometimes, it's just a gut feeling......

Good luck,
Ron

[pianowizard]

Much, much more safe to buy from trustworthy, long-time ThinkPad-enthusiast here

I totally agree, especially for T4* models which often have the GPU issue Johan mentioned. Many resellers on eBay don't test their laptops thoroughly and there're a variety of problems that can't be detected unless one has used the laptop for a while. I got burned once buying a T41 off eBay. It looked almost new, and it powered up just fine, so at first I thought I had gotten an excellent deal. But after just several minutes, the machine turned itself off! Apparently the seller wasn't aware of this issue because he tested the unit for only a minute or two. By contrast, most sellers on this forum actually own the laptops they sell, so they'd know if there's anything wrong with the machines.

I think $320 is a fair price. Looks sell of course. I do not believe that $320 is a HIGH price at all.

If the laptop really runs perfectly well and is in very good cosmetic condition, I too think $320 is okay for an SXGA+ T40. But including the $30 shipping, the final cost becomes $350, which is just a tad too much. I wouldn't buy it unless it's in mint condition.