First Time ThinkPad -- Recommendations Please

[Nigellus]

I have been charged with acquiring a laptop for an older relative. This will be his first laptop and I of course, have recommended a ThinkPad. However, I am partial to the 600 series and its successors, the T series, and my recommendations will be along those lines, not having had any hands-on experience with any of the other models.

Money is an issue. $200 is the maximum I can spend, so I'm thinking of getting a T-30 or a T-23. He wants it light, and it will be used primarily for typing and e-mail. He will be running Windows XP.

Any criticisms of my plan? Should I be considering another model?

Thanks.

[pianowizard]

$200 is the maximum I can spend, so I'm thinking of getting a T-30 or a T-23. He wants it light

It's hard to get a T30 in good condition for under $200. I lucked out last month and got an excellent T30 locally for $150, but deals like that are rare. Also, the T30 weighs around 5.6 pounds, almost half a pound heavier than the T23.

I think you should focus on getting a nice T23. Considering his age, I also recommend you to get one with 1024x768 (i.e. "XGA") resolution which is cheaper and easier on the eyes than 1400x1050.

[ArtShapiro]

I've owned both the T30 and the T23, the latter a fairly recent discretionary purchase. The T30 was my main laptop for several years until getting my current T42.

Despite minimal familiarity with the T23 to date, I think I'll vote in its favor. It seems adequately powerful for the typical non-power user. The max 1 Gig of Ram is OK for XP, and obviously fine for earlier OSes. It doesn't suffer from the dreaded memory slot failure that is a frequently reported problem on T30s, including mine. And it's a fairly light unit.

I don't think the resolution question is a big deal. My eyes are getting so bad that it's scary, and I do fine with the 1400x1050 T42. But most machines you'll find out there seem to be plain old 1024x768 anyway.

Art

[ajkula66]

I third the recommendation for T23. Perfect form factor, fast enough to run XP and generally pretty reliable. I've always thought that when measured "pound per pound" as the English would say, it is the best ThinkPad ever, although I have something very different in my signature...

There are plenty of them on the market, take your time and buy from a reliable seller, my advice would be to post a WTB ad in the Marketplace here...and before the cynics chime in: no, I don't have one for sale, but am sure that many other members do....

Good luck with your purchase.

[Nigellus]

Thanks for the comments, everyone.

[underclocker]

Occasionally you can find $200 R5x machines on eBay.

The benefits are huge, modern CPU (Pentium M), USB 2.0, internal wifi - usually G, strong battery, etc.

14" machines weigh approx. 5 3/4 lbs.

(FYI, a Celeron-based R5x can be upgraded to Pentium M for as little as $10.)

Tough to beat an R5x for $200.

[DrThinkpad]

Occasionally you can find $200 R5x machines on eBay.

The benefits are huge, modern CPU (Pentium M), USB 2.0, internal wifi - usually G, strong battery, etc.

14" machines weigh approx. 5 3/4 lbs.

(FYI, a Celeron-based R5x can be upgraded to Pentium M for as little as $10.)

Tough to beat an R5x for $200.

Yeah, it would be a good deal, but considering he wanted it light...

The R5X are very thick and somewhat heavy, I'd rather take one as a desktop replacement...

[underclocker]

Well...since the OP mentioned T23's and T30's, which range from 5.3 to 5.67 lbs., I figured another ounce wouldn't hurt - that's why I mentioned the 14" machines. The 15" machines are over 6lbs.

Thick, yes, but...T30 = 1.4" and R5x at thickest point is 1.46".

14" R5x's may be 30% thicker than 14" T4x's but they are only 10 to 15% heavier - with an identical width and depth.

Like I mentioned in another post today, R-series machines don't get much love, I think they deserve better.

If the OP wants light at $200, grab an X22 at 3.5 lbs. with a 12" LCD.