how to differentiate a remanufactured from a "brand new

[efan]

I have been searching for thinkpads from ebay.....

there are many many "ibm sealed" remanufactured thinkpads. How do I separate those remanufactured seal thinkpads from the "true" sealed brand new ones??


many thx

[JHEM]

The absolute and final arbiter is the unit's serial number and IBM's database.

You either call IBM support and ask the unit's status, or input the unit's model and serial numbers on the warranty lookup webpage.

Regards,

James

[efan]

so far, I am hypothesizing that without the S/N number, if it is 3 yr IBM warranty, then it is very likely to be true brand new. If it is 1 yr warranty, then it is 'more likely' to be remanufactured.

it is just my very primitive guess....

[JHEM]

so far, I am hypothesizing that without the S/N number, if it is 3 yr IBM warranty, then it is very likely to be true brand new. If it is 1 yr warranty, then it is 'more likely' to be remanufactured.

Logical, but flawed. There are a great number of NEW Thinkpads that only come with a one year warranty.

For the record, IBM remanufactured units most often come with a 90 day warranty. Nor is the warranty usually upgradable other than through the purchase of a business only ServicePac for one additional year.

As this is IBM we're discussing however, there are excdeptions to these "rules" and you can sometimes find late model certified used Thinkpads with one and even two year warranties.

Regards,

James

[syhead]

yes, there are exceptions.

I ordered a "recertified" T42 from pc_and_camera and it comes with a 1-year warranty from IBM. I wonder if "recertified" is different from "remanufactored". I hope my machine looks brand new!