Buying a Certified Used T4X in 2008 Questions

[james2008]

I've read the various threads on the forum about buying a used T4X from IBM's Certified Used store. The reviews are a little mixed, but I think I'm going to go for it.

I just broke my T42, and need something reliable to replace it asap. I keep a lot of work product on the PC, and would like to get a new one. Unfortunately, I'm living on borrowed money (graduate student) and cannot afford a new one. Would it be better to go with a non-Thinkpad? I have a lot of TP hardware, like a spare battery, a dock, RAM, a keyboard, an ultranav, etc.

Also, are there any important features I should be looking at? To me, all of the T4Xs they're selling for between $300 and $400 are virtually the same product. The only difference I can make sense of is in RAM and processor speed.

Will the RAM from my T42 2379-DWU work with any of the T4Xs?

Will I be able to simply swap out hard drives when I get another T4X and not worry about reconfiguring software, and so on? Which models would I look at for that?

Thanks for any guidance, and sorry for the multiple long-winded posts. This is a devastating setback that's going to bust my budget and prevent me from getting a lot of stuff done this week.

[Brad]

A couple of things that can be different between the T4x's is the GPU and the LCD size/resolution.

In 14" T4x ThinkPads you would have the option of XGA (1024 X 768) or SXGA+ (1400 X 1050). In 15" T4x ThinkPads you would find both of those resolutions as well as UXGA (1600 X 1200). These 15" LCD's are Flexview LCD's. The nicest LCD's ever, so far, IMHO on any laptops.

Normally the higher resolution LCD equipped ThinkPads would have a better GPU. The GPU's range from integrated to 128mb's. There are 32mb, 64mb, and the 128mb GPU's.

Lastly the T40-T42 use DDR memory with a 400mhz FSB and the T43's use DDR2 memory running at 533mhz FSB. One advantage for the T43's memory is that right now it is much less expensive than DDR memory.

The batteries, docks and adapters are the same across the line.

Anyone else feel free to chime in as I am sure there are other similarites but they don't come to mind at the moment.

How did you break your T42?

Brad

[james2008]

Thanks very much for the detailed post! That helps a lot, and I think, based on your post, I'll look for a 15" T43.

I carried the T42 in a backpack. I banged the side of the backpack into a doorframe pretty hard. Some screws (two on the left corner labelled "1" on palmrest side) were missing, and I guess that allowed the motherboard/GPU to sustain damage. I made a thread about it here: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=67304

[schen]

Thanks very much for the detailed post! That helps a lot, and I think, based on your post, I'll look for a 15" T43.

I carried the T42 in a backpack. I banged the side of the backpack into a doorframe pretty hard. Some screws (two on the left corner labelled "1" on palmrest side) were missing, and I guess that allowed the motherboard/GPU to sustain damage. I made a thread about it here: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=67304

As you've stated, Brad's post is very thorough. I did see your post describing the damage to the machine and that's not particularly surprising in that the T4x machines (particularly the earlier ones T40, 41, 42) are somewhat more susceptible to GPU (mostly ATI vid-chipped) than other laptops. Although, this type of failure is by no means an IBM isolated issue (Apple PowerBook/iBooks are another common culprit). The later T43 tend to be somewhat less prone to this failure partially due to it being newer and that IBM's manufacturing compensated to some degree. Therefore, if they are within your budget, the T43 would make an excellent replacement especially with the price of DDR2 being lower and the commonality of parts between your old machine and the T43.

The only thing that you might want to consider though is that the PATA interface of HDDs that's used across the T4x line is being phased out slowly, but steadily. So if you do go that route, you might want to consider getting all the hard drive you want ASAP especially with the 250Gb HDDs in the sub $100 range on a regular basis through either Fry's or Micro Center (I believe that they both have stores in Austin). The only issue with that would be that you'd have to put up with the 2010 error of your machine not recognizing the HDD as one of the OK models on it's white list. However, you can set a switch in the BIOS to ignore that and just go on with the boot process.

[exTPfan]

Personally, I'd look for a T42 with similar specs to your current one that's selling without hard drive or memory on this forum's Market Place or eBay and swap the memory and hard drive over. You should be able to get a good one for around $300 (and spend the money you save on a padded sleeve. )
If the models are similar enough, you should have no trouble at all swapping the hard drives. At worst, you may have to update some drivers (which you can do most easily by downloading the latest Thinkvantage updater).

[goofyGAguy]

James, if weight isn't a big concern to you, I would suggest looking for a 15" R51. It's basically a T42 in a thicker case. A 15" model will have the legendary SXGA+ FlexView screen, and the price is very reasonable these days. Just my $.03 ( inflation adjusted ).

[ajkula66]

Certified used IBM machines carry only 3 or 6 months warranty that can't be extended. Not a good deal IMHO, given the price range.

You can source a similar unit, possibly with warranty remaining (especially if you're willing to go up to T43/p) at the Marketplace here on the forum for less...and get more.

T43 wouldn't be using the same RAM, but everything else could be made to work.

[schen]

James, if weight isn't a big concern to you, I would suggest looking for a 15" R51. It's basically a T42 in a thicker case. A 15" model will have the legendary SXGA+ FlexView screen, and the price is very reasonable these days. Just my $.03 ( inflation adjusted ).

I agree wholeheartedly with this assessment and am a big fan of the 15" R5x machine with the flexview screens. If you are not particularly weight sensitive, they really are very good machines and tend to be good deals, although that's mitigated by the fact that T Series machines often hit the market in waves as they come off lease in bunches.

In my household, I use a 14" T41 since I usually travel more with my machine than my wife who uses a 15" R52 almost exclusively in her recliner. I do ocassionally have screen envy though.... and the RAM upgrade to 2Gb cost twice that of her machine with DDR2.