Report on IBM Certified Used T42p

[mbarker]

I've been searching for a T42p for a couple months now to replace the old A31 I've had for 4 years. Since a promising deal fell through on the Marketplace a few weeks ago, I've not found much to my liking.

Well, a couple days ago I made my periodic check of the IBM Certified Used site. They had dropped the price of 2373-C96 by about $100, AND they are currently offering 5% off and the usual free shipping.

Despite some reported problems with IBM Certified Used I decided to give one a try. I picked up a 2373-C96 for $693.82 delivered- 2.05ghz/2gb/80gb/15" Flexview, 3 month warranty

It arrived today- a little more than 48hrs after I ordered it (yes, standard free shipping). I must say, I am quite impressed. The top has some minor scratches, but the inside (keyboard, palmrest, LCD) looks new. So far, it works perfectly- and the screen is beautiful! Seriously, it is really nice compared to that old 1024x768 A31. It also runs a heck of a lot cooler and quieter. It picked up my wireless connections without hassle, and has a working battery. Sweet. So far I've had it on for 2hrs and I still have 25% remaining.

The Lenovo site shows the original warranty being in effect until 2008-05-31, so I am going to try and extend that. Has anyone tried this on a refurb machine??

Well, that is about all. Thought some of you in the market might appreciate the positive report.

take care,
Mike

[Johan]

Congratulations with your new T42p, Mike!!

It is very pleasing to read this positive report about your "new" T42p, bought via IBM Certified Used PCs, Notebooks, Laptops, PCs , because there have been several recent reports describing far less positive experiences - see e.g. the threads T42p Screen Brightness and Certified Used T42p - Very disappointed... and the links pointed to in those threads.

About extending the present very short (only 3-month) warranty; see the thread IBM Certified used notebook questions - and note in particular the post there of Sat Dec 01, 2007 3:54 am.

As far as I have recently learned, it seems that it is soon NO LONGER possible to extend the warranty to 5-year (in total, meaning 2 years beyond the 3-year base warranty, which for you will expire soon). To investigate if your warranty can be extended, I suggest you check the thread Warranty extension - and there especially see the two posts of Sat Jan 12, 2008 12:28 pm and Fri Jan 18, 2008 7:12 am. If I was in your position (considering/investigating to extend the warranty), I would call Fred - he has proven very helpful, efficient and competent to other US-users on this forum (I have never been in contact with him myself).

Good luck with your new baby!!

Best regards,

Johan

[mattbiernat]

because there have been several recent reports describing far less positive experiences

Johan

i had a very good one with my T23, everything i got looked like new (all ports were unused). anyways congratulations on your new thinkpad. I am considering getting T4XP some time in the future as well. I love the design of older thinkpads and the flexview right now is irreplaceable.