Using Lenovo Outlet

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MovingAverage · #1 Post by **MovingAverage** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 10:23 pm

Hi everyone,
Like most people, I really miss the 4:3 style screens and the only place I found that still sold them besides Ebay was Lenovo Outlet.
I never bought anything there before, but I did read the guide about it here. They are selling a few refurbished ones however so here is what I would like to do.

The specs are:
Processor
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7300 (2.0GHz 800MHz 4MBL2)
Operating System
Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic
Screen
14.1 SXGA+ TFT
Memory
1 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory
Hard Drive
160GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
Optical Storage
CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo 24X/24X/24X/8X Max, Ultrabay Slim
Wireless
ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless LAN Mini-PCIe US/EMEA/LA/ANZ
Warranty
1 Year Standard Depot Warranty
Battery
6 cell Li-Ion Battery
Features
Bluetooth
Bluetooth w/ antenna
Video Card

I just want to make sure that this is actually a 4:3 because it's SVGA right? also it doesn't say whether it's 1 DIMM or 2 DIMM, is this something I can call them and ask, or is this just a gamble with these outlet refurbishes? I also assume that since Video Card is empty, that it's just some integrated solution right?

#2 Post by **Harryc** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 10:33 pm

My guess for video is - NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M
My guess for RAM is 1 stick of PC2-5300
It is definitely a 4:3 aspect ratio LCD.

Call the outlet and ask for the machine type/model and we can confirm...or just ask them.

basketb · #3 Post by **basketb** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 12:44 am

Are you looking at this one:
http://stores.channeladvisor.com/Lenovo ... efurbished

If so, go here:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... -WARNTY#sw

type in "8891" as type and "L3A9839" as serial number. Click on continue.

On the next page, click on "View parts lookup results for this system".
This shows you the parts the machine shipped with originally. You'll see that the processor listed is " 41U5949 0000000 CORE 2 (PENRYN) DUAL CORE 800/2500MHZ-6M" indicating that you may get a better CPU than what the outlet page says.

Also look for "42X5033 42W7874 PLANAR FRU", then download the T61/p 14" hardware maintenance manual here ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pccbbs/mo ... 545_03.pdf
and in that PDF search for "42W7874". You'll find "System board assembly, nVIDIA NB8P-GL with AMT", which, if I'm not mistaken, indicates that the GPU is nVIDIA FX 570m with 128 MB. Thus, the system you are looking at is likely a T61p.

ajkula66 · #4 Post by **ajkula66** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 1:05 am

Unfortunately, it's not as simple as basketb suggests...

There's about six or seven different combinations of model and serial, and it's hard to determine which one is correct...and believe it or not, more than one machine have the same serial, but different model numbers...

Furthermore, the description doesn't always match reality in Outlet. I've ordered a T61 with WSXGA+ and received WXGA...

basketb · #5 Post by **basketb** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 1:27 am

Of course, you can use any other number (0,2-9) as the last digit for the type number as well. But if you do this, then you'll find that no other machine with that serial number is out of warranty. Only the one with 8891 is out of warranty. A strong indication that this is the one that is listed in the outlet.

If you want to be fairly certain what you are likely to get, lookup every FRU number from the parts web page in the hardware maintenance manual. If you don't find it there, google it and see what others are writing about it.

ajkula66 · #6 Post by **ajkula66** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 1:58 am

Once again, it's not that simple.

You're likely 99% right on this one, because the rest of the serials is all over the world.

However, I've checked machines on the Outlet in the past where all of them were in warranty, and three or four of them in this country. Then what?

You will also notice that some refurbished products carry "RF1/2/3/whatever" after the model number. Relying on description can be dangerous there, as my experience has proven.

Once and again, you've most likely nailed this one, and OP should grab it before someone else does at that price tag IMHO...

#7 Post by **Harryc** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 4:53 am

Why can't the OP call the Outlet and ask?

basketb · #8 Post by **basketb** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 12:14 pm

Calling is always an option and from my experience with them, the CSRs are always courteous and trying to help (though they are not always helpful). So, it never hurts giving them a call. However, it also helps to do some research beforehand.

MovingAverage · #9 Post by **MovingAverage** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 2:11 pm

I called them and it's not the discrete option

They told me about a Lenovo Channel vendor which I could call and it would maybe be new instead of refurbished, has anyone heard of that?

basketb · #10 Post by **basketb** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 3:37 pm

That's a bummer.

In my experiences with them, a CSR, even though trying to be helpful, may not be the most knowledgeable person. So, you could call again and see whether a second CSR confirms the non-descrete graphics.

ajkula66 · #11 Post by **ajkula66** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 4:34 pm

I find it difficult to believe, especially after running all the serials on these units.

Getting a SXGA+ LCD with integrated graphics was next to impossible while 4:3 LCDs were still in production.

hart22 · #12 Post by **hart22** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 6:23 pm

I'm going to have to concur that the type & serial, if correct (especially if the last digit in the type is known), is more accurate than listed specs, as well as Lenovo representatives.

I remember when I bought my ThinkCentre from the Outlet that every page clearly said "Windows XP Pro". Lo and behold when I received it it was Windows XP Home. I looked up the type and serial and indeed they referred to a system with XP Home. More relevantly, when I called a representative, he referred me to his manager, who in fact was not even willing to concede that I had bought the machine I bought for the price I paid, because he could not bring up the specific pages I referred too. Hence my practice from then on of making PDF's of all my Outlet transaction pages.

So I would argue that sometimes even a Lenovo manager won't have accurate information, even if they are eager and willing to help (which they usually are).

As for the reference to the Lenovo Channel vendor, does that perhaps mean ChannelAdvisor, which is the front-end Lenovo uses to run the Outlet?

And as an addendum, not once when I ordered from Lenovo Outlet has my final system differed from the type/serial lookup using the relevant codes from the bottom of the unit received. It's figuring out that information beforehand that's the tricky part. If this helps more people maybe I'll edit that Outlet ordering sticky to include the info after this post gets cleared up?

MovingAverage · #13 Post by **MovingAverage** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 6:52 pm

Hey guys,
The woman told me that I should call the people from http://itcomputersource.net because apparently they have the laptops on order... This seemed a little weird though?

agarza · #14 Post by **agarza** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 12:24 pm

So, did you get the machine you were looking for (a SXGA+).

I'm searching also to get a SXGA+, doesn't matter the GPU, as a matter of fact I'm looking to squeeze more battery life on my new laptop.

Joseph-N · #15 Post by **Joseph-N** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 7:51 pm

Guys, I've lurked here a lot, but never posted. However, if Lenovo Outlet has come up again, my last PITA dealing with them brings me out of the shadows.

I too wanted a 4:3 15" screen, so I ordered an R60 off the Lenovo Outlet. I know there is a risk of ordering a computer that already sold, but I assumed they'd notify me pretty quickly if they couldn't fill the order. I placed my order June 30th. I got my confirmation message the next morning. The model I ordered stayed on the web site for several more days, so I assumed it was not sold out.

Everyday, the Lenovo Order Status would change my expected ship date by one day. E.G.- July 8th it said ship date July 8; July 9th it said ship date July 9, etc. I tried to be patient, but over two weeks into this, I finally started calling Lenovo. I was assured my order was going to ship the next week.

It didn't ship. After I waited that additional week, a message showed up telling me that my order had been delayed because of "overwhelming demand," (yeah, right) and it would be cancelled unless I agreed to a further delay. I agreed.

On Aug. 1st, my sales rep. at Lenovo, who had been silent through 5 weeks of delays, sent me a note saying the warehouse had either lost my shipment, or damaged it (which is it?), and either way he had cancelled my order.

Five weeks to figure out that the warehouse damaged my order? Get real. When I demanded he find out just what the "damage" was, my rep. told me that he thought Lenovo never had my Thinkpad at all; that the warehouse had sent the wrong info to the Outlet. SOL.

O.k., but five weeks to figure out it never existed, and a nice, but useless CSR telling me it was about to ship in the meantime? I read this thread first (thanks hart22, for the great PDF info) but it didn't matter. An order with Lenovo is subject to delay or cancellation at any time, no matter what they tell you when you call.

Compare this to an almost identical situation I had in March with USAnotebook. I ordered a model from USAnotebook on Thursday, and Friday morning a message was waiting for me telling me it was out of stock. My credit card was refunded without an argument. What a difference.

IBM Certified Used may be a totally different outlet, so I don't claim this applies to them.

agarza · #16 Post by **agarza** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 9:13 pm

Interesting info Joseph, so did you ended up with no Thinkpad purchase?

I have no choice, I'm selling my current laptop and hopefully get my last every (maybe?) 4:3 laptop. As I can't change laptop that often. I fear the same would happen to my order on a T61 machine.

Last chance. I dont have nothing to lose, except the time I will be without laptop.

Thanks for the info. I'll take a look at the Outlet suggestions.

pico · #17 Post by **pico** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 2:16 pm

Curious as to others experiences with using the Outlet. My first experience so far has been placing an order for a "Redistributed" X61 on July 31, 2008, receiving the confirmation on August 2 with an estimated shipping date of 8/18. My CC hasn't been charged yet and I have a feeling it's not going to ship on Monday. I would think it wouldn't take up to two weeks to ship a unit that was "sitting on the shelf, fully assembled, waiting to be shipped." My calls to various CSRs have revealed actual ship date would be by 8/22 and then the week of 8/25. I would have taken advantage of the incredible deals going on right now except you can no longer order them with bluetooth. Weirdest thing is that the item disappeared a few minutes after I had "purchased" it from the website, sort of confirming that the website is real-time according to the inventory at the warehouse, per the CSR. We'll see what happens Monday.

basketb · #18 Post by **basketb** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 3:13 pm

People are reporting their experiences with the outlet here. Overall, my (so far first and only) experience was positive (see the other thread for details).

NathanA · #19 Post by **NathanA** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 7:01 am

Not sure why that other thread is now locked... (?)

Anyway, I was talking about a machine we found on the Outlet over here on this thread, so here are the details.

The machine that we discovered was a refurbished one (w/ 1-yr warranty listed), but it was a heck of a deal...a 14.1" SXGA+ non-WS fully decked out T61p!! Consider, if you will, a comparison between another somewhat similar one in the refurb section right now, and the one we purchased (our specs are on the right):

CPU: T7100 vs. T9300
OS: XP Pro vs. Vista Ultimate w/ XP Downgrade
LCD: 14" XGA vs. 14" SXGA+
RAM: 2GB vs. 4GB
HDD: 160GB 5400RPM vs. 200GB 7200RPM w/ encryption
Fingerprint: No vs. Yes
Bluetooth: No vs. Yes

(Both have Intel 11n, DVD+/-RW, 6-cell)

Price: $1,022.19 vs. $1,086.50 (!!!)

Think the difference in spec is worth the extra ~$65?! Not to mention that the price of both is about the same as a mid-range 14" WS T61 we priced out earlier...

There's also another refurbished 8891-machine-type 4:3 T61 that I found on there for $963.88 which has SXGA+, T7100, 3GB RAM, XP Pro, 100GB, DVD+/-RW, 11n, Fingerprint, and 9-cell; also seems like a good deal for someone looking for a standard-form 14" T61. Not sure I understand how Lenovo Outlet prices these things, because this one bests the other one that is still listed in every area (well, CPU is the same) except HDD capacity and yet it is $60 less.

I also found a couple of "New" 14" non-WS T61s listed but the specs and price was not as good (not to mention that they all came with Vista Premium and whatever machine ends up over here is going to be eventually running XP, so a downgrade on the "New" ones would be more costly because now XP would have to be licensed on top of the computer purchase...). But if anyone is interested, I think they're still there.

In any case, we bit the bullet and the refurbished T61p has been ordered. It disappeared off of the Outlet site immediately after that. I'll post updates here to let you know how this experience goes.

-- Nathan

#20 Post by **JaneL** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 9:14 am

NathanA wrote:Not sure why that other thread is now locked... (?)

Because it was moved up into the How-To's & FAQs section.

MovingAverage · #21 Post by **MovingAverage** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 12:24 am

I got the laptop I posted here, except it doesn't seem to have bluetooth as advertised so I have to call them and see what they have to say.

NathanA · #22 Post by **NathanA** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 10:51 am

How long did it take to arrive, MovingAverage, and how was their communication throughout the purchase process (when they billed you, when it shipped, tracking #s, etc.)?

-- Nathan

pico · #23 Post by **pico** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 1:55 pm

Oh well, just as I suspected in my inbox this morning, the date of the supposed "shipped by date":

"Dear Valued Lenovo customer,

Please note, that your Lenovo Order XXXXXX for part number 7675H7U TP X61 T8100 12"XGA FPR T
has been cancelled."

I guess it was too good of a deal. What's strange is that 2 of the 3 CSRs I spoke to last week told me that the ship date had first been pushed back a week, then two, after placing me on hold several times. Only 1 of them said he was 90% sure it would probably be cancelled. Luckily I still have my t41p and t61p to keep me occupied but still...kind of a disappointing ordering experience. It's so hit and miss.

MovingAverage · #24 Post by **MovingAverage** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 6:17 am

It took about 10 days after I ordered it. I didn't call them at all since I was out of the country and had it sent to my friend.

Edward Mendelson · #25 Post by **Edward Mendelson** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 4:01 pm

Many thanks to the contributors to this thread. Following the techniques listed here, I was able to figure out that a 4:3, 14.1-inch T61 which was listed on the outlet site as having a 1.6GHz processor actually had a Penryn 2.1GHz processor, and I was able to get exactly the machine I wanted.

First, the Outlet listing was suspicious because there never was a T61 with a 1.6GHz processor. Next, on Lenovo's parts lookup page, I tried all the possible combinations of machine type numbers (889x) and serial number - the combination of 8891 and the serial number showed a machine that was exactly the same as the description in the Outlet, but with a 2.1GHz processor instead of the 1.6GHz processor listed by the Outlet - the RAM, hard disk, screen, and other items were an exact match.

This machine was listed on the Outlet for more than a month before I finally looked it up and bought it. I think it's worth the trouble to spend some time checking out the listings for similar errors.

hart22 · #26 Post by **hart22** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 5:25 pm

Nice! Sometimes you don't even have to do the parts lookup to spot extra stuff you'll get. In my experience an ultraportable model listed with any form of CD/DVD drive usually comes with an ultrabase. I got my X61T with a DVDRW / Ultrabase for around the price of a barebones, base specs retail tablet, and that's not mentioning the other upgrades that came with it. That was back when the Outlet offered really really good bargains -- more recently it seems the great deals are rarer. And they haven't been posting huge updates of their inventory where a massive lot appears suddenly.

Now with the new model lines out though, I hope there'll be some bargains for the []61 series ThinkPads at the Outlet.

basketb · #27 Post by **basketb** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 6:43 pm

Edward Mendelson wrote:...
This machine was listed on the Outlet for more than a month before I finally looked it up and bought it. I think it's worth the trouble to spend some time checking out the listings for similar errors.

This means that the machine also went through a couple of price reductions, right?

Edward Mendelson · #28 Post by **Edward Mendelson** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 9:15 pm

I simply don't remember whether the price went down. I kept checking on that odd 1.6GHz machine, but didn't take notes on the price.

MovingAverage · #29 Post by **MovingAverage** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 7:42 pm

Sorry to bring back an old thread,
I am helping my friend buy a X61 from the Outlet. I was just wondering if there is any way of knowing whether the laptop includes a docking station or not? I tried the usual warranty lookup methods but couldn't find one. Or maybe they never come with the docking station?
Thanks for your help guys.

#30 Post by **JaneL** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 7:44 pm

Docking stations are purchased separately unless otherwise indicated.

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