If you were in the market for a new X-Series ThinkPad ...

[Medicopter]

but were not in a hurry (between now and the next 12 months), which one would it be?

A brand new X61s like this one (what do you think about the price and options?);

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-IBM-Thinkpad-X6 ... 3357b04b36

a current X200s or X301, or would you wait for a next generation X-Series ThinkPad?

Thanks for your thoughts and opinions.

(My 600X will have its 10th Anniversary in March )

[Harryc]

That's a sweet little X61s there on that EBay link, but it's a tad overpriced. The X210s is due to come out in January. If I were in the market for a brand new X series I would wait until then to see what it has under the hood. It's only a month away ...

[AvalonXIII]

A tad overprice? Really, Harry? I think you're overvaluing that X61s just a tad
About 6 months back Lenovo has a sale where they sell X61s for $600. Granted it wasn't fully loaded as the one in the link, but considering that six months have passed, I think you're looking at a $600 laptop being sold for twice the price.

[Harryc]

sar·casm
Pronunciation: \ˈsär-ˌka-zəm\
Function: noun
1 : a sharp and often satirical or ironic utterance designed to cut or give pain
2 a : a mode of satirical wit depending for its effect on bitter, caustic, and often ironic language that is usually directed against an individual b : the use or language of sarcasm

[dr_st]

About 6 months back Lenovo has a sale where they sell X61s for $600. Granted it wasn't fully loaded as the one in the link, but considering that six months have passed, I think you're looking at a $600 laptop being sold for twice the price.

That's a pretty big granted, IMO. You cannot compare Lenovo's pathetic "starter" configurations with 80GB hard drives, 1GB RAM, low-end CPUs, no extras, and, most importantly, 1-year warranties (many of which are "fake" international, in the sense that they are only valid in Japan and the Americas) to a loaded machine, with a 3-yr warranty (granted only 2.5yr left), and a docking station.

I am not trying to claim this machine is worth 1200 dollars, and I am no trying to promote that particular eBay offer by any means, but comparing it to a $600 "on-sale" model is doing it injustice. Even used, on this forum, it could go for more than that.

[AvalonXIII]

Well, the CPU was the same as the one they're selling (L7500) and the default RAM configuration was 2GB, same as with the one in that ebay listing. Docking stations is around $150, bringing the total to $750. But the $600 Lenovo X61s has 8-cell battery, while this one has 4-cell battery (I assume that's what he means by 3-cell). I have doubts about the 3-year global warranty, which should be checked. Factor in depreciation in value, I think you're looking at $700 worth here. Still a far cry from the $1200 they're looking for. I'm giving a rough estimate, no need to use these approximations against me

@Harry: My sarcasm detector is broken late at night, so I don't know whether you're serious or not, sorry about that

[dr_st]

I have doubts about the 3-year global warranty, which should be checked.

Well, if you assume that the seller is lying about the warranty, that is a different issue. What leads you to think so?

Also, you cannot get fair market value by comparing to some fantastic one-time deal that was offered by someone at some point, and is no longer available. $600 was way way way below market value for a new X61s. Just because Lenovo was desperate to get rid of some old stock at a particular point in time, does not mean that all sellers should align themselves to that.

At this given point of time, for instance, Lenovo offers a refurbished X61s, with a far inferior configuration, and a non-extendable 1yr joke of a warranty, for $813:
http://outlet.lenovo.com/laptops/thinkp ... 67rf2.html

Depreciation of value is also a bit moot point, since ultimately, when it comes to second-hand market, the demand determines the value. Considering that X61s can no longer be obtained new, and that it has some characteristics which some deem important (4:3 screen), which are absent in the model that replaced it, someone looking for that combination of characteristics, may be willing to pay above fair value, if such a concept can even be determined.

Again, don't see it as an attempt to argue that the price is fair. I too think it is overpriced. But I also think it is unfair to compare every offer only to the lowest end of the spectrum, when trying to determine what is fair.

[AvalonXIII]

Points taken dr_st, Maybe I do underestimate the price by $100 to $200
I have doubts about the 3 years international warranty because the seller may not contact Lenovo yet to confirm that the warranty is indeed available worldwide. Just a little something I'm skeptical about, nothing too important though.

[dr_st]

I have doubts about the 3 years international warranty because the seller may not contact Lenovo yet to confirm that the warranty is indeed available worldwide.

Oh, this is simple to check. Lenovo's warranty eligibility is determined by the model number. You just type in the 4 digits on this site and it shows you the list of countries. In this case, the 7668 model number does list essentially everything.