SOLD: world's 1st 14" UXGA T42, has issues *pix*

[pianowizard]

Up for sale is the world's first 14.1" T42 with a 1600x1200 screen, and you can read about how I performed this mod in this thread. Look at how awesome this laptop is:



I have had this laptop for exactly 3 years and it is probably my all-time favorite Thinkpad. Indeed, among the 45 Thinkpads I have owned, I have had this T42 for the second longest duration (the longest was my first 600E, which I had for 3 years and 1 month). I am selling this T42 because yesterday it started to exhibit the very common loose GPU problem, which causes the machine to freeze. This guy on eBay fixes this for only $30. In addition, this machine has two other, smaller defects: the lid sensing switch doesn't work so you can't get the machine to automatically suspend when you close the lid, and there is a small crack near the modem (see the photo below). The overall cosmetic condition is about 7.5 out of 10. I will remove the RAM sticks, hard drive and AC adapter, and you will get the rest of the machine, including RAM cover, HDD cover and HDD caddy. Detailed specs:

Product code: 2373-B09

Pentium M 725 (1.6GHz Dothan)

two PC2700 RAM slots (I have two 1GHz PC2700 sticks that I can include for $30 each)

14.1 UXGA (1600x1200) TFT LCD (still bright and I don't notice any dead pixels)

64MB ATI Radeon 9600

24x24x24x/8x CD-RW/DVD

IBM 802.11a/b/g wireless

Modem

1Gb Ethernet

UltraNav

Secure Chip

6 cell Li-Ion Battery (25 cycles, full charge = 26.89 Wh, desgn capacity = 51.84 Wh)

WinXP Pro COA intact

I can include CD-R's of the recovery discs upon request


I am asking for $80 plus actual postage (Priority Mail would be $10.20). I accept PayPal, personal check, money order. If interested, please PM me.

[pianowizard]

I am surprised no one has expressed any interest yet, considering that so many people have remarked that this modded T42 is the best solution for those who need lots of real estate in a reasonably small and light package. I dropped the price from $100 to $92 yesterday. Today, I am dropping it further, to $88. As an extra incentive, I can throw in a weight-saving travel bezel for just $1 extra.

The loose GPU can be fixed for only $30 (see this eBay ad). Even if you don't want to repair it, you can use this T42 for parts. For example, I think you can use this UXGA LCD on a 14.1" T60/60p.

UPDATE: As of Aug 6th, price has been dropped to $80 + actual postage.

[indotoonster]

Hi there, I'm a resolution junkie whose 15" UXGA T42p just started exhibiting the same freezing behaviour, so this is right up my alley and worth a punt at $88+shipping.

Problem is... I'm in Indonesia, and we tend to fall into the "will not ship to the following countries" on Ebay... probably due to some unscrupulous fellow countrymen

Would you consider shipping to Indonesia, and if so, how much would it all cost?

Cheers,
indotoonster

PS: another idea would be for you to have the problem fixed first and then sell it -- you could probably increase the sale value considerably. I'd be happy with this, since I can't seem to find a reflowing/reballing(?) service around here.

[pianowizard]

Would you consider shipping to Indonesia

Yes, I am willing to ship overseas, as long as the buyer is willing to pay quite a bit for postage and customs.

PS: another idea would be for you to have the problem fixed first and then sell it -- you could probably increase the sale value considerably.

If I can't sell this T42 in its current condition, I might indeed go this route. This guy charges only $30 for this kind of repair, and after the repair I can sell this T42 for at least $50 more.

[crashnburn]

Get it fixed and I might get tempted... I am thinking Swap this 14" UXGA on my T61 and then give T42 to family member.

[pianowizard]

Price drop to $80 + actual postage.

Get it fixed and I might get tempted... I am thinking Swap this 14" UXGA on my T61 and then give T42 to family member.

Or just get this, use the 14.1" panel on your T61, and the rest for parts.

[dwilsonfl]

Okay, you got me interested. What would you say the unit weighs when everything is back in it?

[pianowizard]

Still available. Instead of a further price drop, I now offer to take a few bucks off if you don't need the following components:

1) battery, $5 off
2) CDRW/DVDROM drive, $8 off
3) wireless card, $8 off

In other words, if you want this T42 (from which I've already removed the HDD, RAM and AC adapter) without the battery, CDRW/DVD and wireless card, then your cost would be $59 plust actual postage. And I continue to offer the option of including the travel bezel for $1 extra. And of course, if you live nearby and can pick it up in person, then you won't have to pay any postage.

Okay, you got me interested. What would you say the unit weighs when everything is back in it?

The answer is in my signature: 5.41 lbs. With the travel bezel, 5.01 lbs.

[Raceboy]

What's the status at the moment, is it sold?

I'd be a buyer without optical, wireless etc...

[pianowizard]

I added a sheet of metal between the GPU and the keyboard to apply constant pressure and the machine has been working flawlessly so far, EXCEPT that last week the LCD suddenly became very dim. This probably indicates that the backlight or the inverter is dead, but I am not equipped to troubleshoot right now. So, I took out the top half and am using just the bottom half, outputting the image to an external monitor. When I have the proper equipment, I will figure out whether the LCD panel still works and if it does, I may sell just the LCD + lid for $20 or something.

[Raceboy]

I When I have the proper equipment, I will figure out whether the LCD panel still works and if it does, I may sell just the LCD + lid for $20 or something.

If you do that, you can count me in as a sure buyer! Of course, I wouldn't mind buying that defective Ati 9600 system board too

[PJs]

Is it still available? I mean complete T42, not just an LCD... I'm quite interested:)

Thanks

[crashnburn]

I added a sheet of metal between the GPU and the keyboard to apply constant pressure and the machine has been working flawlessly so far, EXCEPT that last week the LCD suddenly became very dim. This probably indicates that the backlight or the inverter is dead, but I am not equipped to troubleshoot right now. So, I took out the top half and am using just the bottom half, outputting the image to an external monitor. When I have the proper equipment, I will figure out whether the LCD panel still works and if it does, I may sell just the LCD + lid for $20 or something.

Hmm.. My precious... 14" UXGA T61... Precious.. . Do let me know how things go.

[Temetka]

Would you consider selling the battery if it would work in my T43?

The one I have now holds a charge for about 30 minutes.

[pianowizard]

Would you consider selling the battery if it would work in my T43?

Thanks for asking, but this T42 has been sold through Craigslist, for $33 (with the AC adapter, but without RAM, HDD and wireless card).