Is this a good deal for a 15inch t42p

[postdiction]

A friend of a friendof mine is thinking about selling this thinkpad t42p here are the specs:

1.8GHz intel pentium M processor
1GB Memory RAM
80GB Hard Drive
CD-RW/DVD-ROM
15inch 1600x1200 screen
######## Does that mean it is a flexview screen right? #########

cosmetics 7.5/10

he is asking 349 for it?

######## Does this model have a high frequency of the GPU problem? ########

I don't have the money right now but will consider later on if this is bargain?
So is this hot medium or cold?

thanks

[ajkula66]

Bargain it's not.

T42p machines have a fairly high level of GPU failures and motherboard issues in general. They are very sweet units overall, especially 15" ones with FlexView LCDs.

If the machine in question has spent most of its life docked and turned on, and not carried around and turned on/off on a daily basis, it should be considered.

Hope this helps.

[postdiction]

[quote="ajkula66"]Bargain it's not.

T42p machines have a fairly high level of GPU failures and motherboard issues in general. They are very sweet units overall, especially 15" ones with FlexView LCDs.

If the machine in question has spent most of its life docked and turned on, and not carried around and turned on/off on a daily basis, it should be considered.

Hope this helps.[/quote]


Thank-you, yes it does help, I will keep looking for better deals.

[ssd_thinkpad]

You might look at T42 Flexview models, they use a cooler and slower gpu but as much as I know they have less problems regarding gpu. I'd say the price would be very okay for a model with good look and some kind of no-gpu-failure-warranty within the next year.

[dr_st]

I second that.

Either get a low-end T60, if you can land a good deal, or a T42. But stay away from the T42p's. They were hardly worth the premium price when they came out, and are definitely not worth it now.

[ajkula66]

Yes...T60 would definitely be my first choice as well...although I'd recommend T43 rather than a T42 as an alternative.

[dr_st]

Yes...T60 would definitely be my first choice as well...although I'd recommend T43 rather than a T42 as an alternative.

Yep... I really meant to say T42/T43.

[sktn77a]

Unless the T42p models have a documented significantly greater GPU failure rate than the non-p model T42, I'm surprized everyone's being so negative about the computer. $350 seems like a pretty good deal to me for a decent-spec T42p. Low level T40s -T42s are selling pretty well in my area (TigerDirect) for $300-$350, so I gotta believe the T42p is worth more. I'm not a fan of the UXGA resultion, personally, as my eyesight isn't what it used to be, but for most people it's a distinct plus!

[schen]

Unless the T42p models have a documented significantly greater GPU failure rate than the non-p model T42, I'm surprized everyone's being so negative about the computer. $350 seems like a pretty good deal to me for a decent-spec T42p. Low level T40s -T42s are selling pretty well in my area (TigerDirect) for $300-$350, so I gotta believe the T42p is worth more. I'm not a fan of the UXGA resultion, personally, as my eyesight isn't what it used to be, but for most people it's a distinct plus!

I agree whole-heartedly with this assessment. For what I do with my laptop, there is virtually no appreciably differences in their performance, while on the plus side, I like the cooler running machine that'll give me a bit more battery life. Additionally, the T42 will not give the 2010 error when fed the new/large HDDs such as the WD 250 and 320Gb drives. If someone were to offer me both at the same price, I'd choose the T43 simply due to the fact that it's newer and the cost of DDR2 is lower, but that's generally not the case.

So, yes; I'd definitely say that a T42p with the 15" Flexview screen (in good shape) would be an attractive machine at $350.

[ajkula66]

I guess I should've been more precise and detailed...

Having owned many T42p units in all shapes and sizes imaginable, at this day and age (these babies are pushing five-year mark now) the only ones I'd consider would be machines that have seen little or no use apart from being desktop replacements, or late models with warranty remaining in 9 out of 10 or better condition. For something like that, even $400-450 would be a fair price.

Given the fact that standard T42s can be found in the $200 range, I don't see the "p" designation as being deserving of close to double of that amount, unless the machine is an extremely clean, well-pedigreed example, in which case all bets are off...

As much as I love my T4x machines, fact of the matter is that T60 units with IPS LCDs can often be located for under $500, and their reliability along with the more modern features make them a lot more attractive proposal...