Nice deal on a rock solid computer, I have three T-series computers (T40 and T60 at work and a T60 at home) and recommend them to everyone. The 30-day warranty wouldn't really bother me personally based on my past experience, as long as it works when you get it you should be good for a while.
Beckles said: Nice deal on a rock solid computer, I have three T-series computers (T40 and T60 at work and a T60 at home) and recommend them to everyone. The 30-day warranty wouldn't really bother me personally based on my past experience, as long as it works when you get it you should be good for a while.I agree, Thinkpads have been rock solid for me as well. I had a T43 before I was upgraded to a T61 and was happy with it. I really appreciate the "solidness" of the ThinkPads over other laptops, especially the Dells.
My only concern would be with the battery - sometimes they can go after a while.
Let me first say I'm a huge ThinkPad fan (still own a few including a vintage 701C). That being said - at $400 this is only a warm deal on a nearly four-year-old computer platform.
Agreed, these were great machines in their day. Still have a T42 laying around as a backup. But now old technology.
Mechanical componets wear out after 3 years. Keyboards fail. Connectors fail, especially the power connector, DVD units fail, even display lighting is approaching its median lifetime. And you may or may not get a unit with a new battery.
So beware, unless you like good old things, like 1955 Chevys
yus9 said: Agreed, these were great machines in their day. Still have a T42 laying around as a backup. But now old technology.
Mechanical componets wear out after 3 years. Keyboards fail. Connectors fail, especially the power connector, DVD units fail, even display lighting is approaching its median lifetime. And you may or may not get a unit with a new battery.
So beware, unless you like good old things, like 1955 Chevys
Couldn't agree more. $400 is a heck of a lot for a 3-4 yr old refurb, especially with new models (albeit non-Lenovo/IBM) on sale now and probably even cheaper after BF. The real problem with spending this much is that you're betting that the keyboard, screen, and moving parts will hang in there for several MORE years. If they go after 30 days, you'll end up spending a lot more on top of your original $400.
yus9 said: Agreed, these were great machines in their day. Still have a T42 laying around as a backup. But now old technology.
Mechanical componets wear out after 3 years. Keyboards fail. Connectors fail, especially the power connector, DVD units fail, even display lighting is approaching its median lifetime. And you may or may not get a unit with a new battery.
So beware, unless you like good old things, like 1955 Chevys
I'm actually still driving my '55 Chevy. It's called a TP600, and I used it yesterday. Works just great!!
[I got the TP600 from a friend about two years ago locked. So who knows how much use it had seen. Had to build a device to go in and read the EEPROM and suck out the supervisor password. With that, unlocking was easy. The PI TP600 is a real oldie, but it's a goodie!]
joyhui
New Member
posted: Nov. 13, 2008 @ 2:27p
In for one. Good deal.
KaBaL
Ancient Member
posted: Nov. 13, 2008 @ 2:28p
guardian44 said: yus9 said: Agreed, these were great machines in their day. Still have a T42 laying around as a backup. But now old technology.
Mechanical componets wear out after 3 years. Keyboards fail. Connectors fail, especially the power connector, DVD units fail, even display lighting is approaching its median lifetime. And you may or may not get a unit with a new battery.
So beware, unless you like good old things, like 1955 Chevys
I'm actually still driving my '55 Chevy. It's called a TP600, and I used it yesterday. Works just great!!
[I got the TP600 from a friend about two years ago locked. So who knows how much use it had seen. Had to build a device to go in and read the EEPROM and suck out the supervisor password. With that, unlocking was easy. The PI TP600 is a real oldie, but it's a goodie!]
I'll have to agree - my T20 is still kicking strong and I use it everyday (its pretty much only a "net book" now) it made me such a believer in the Thinkpads I upgraded to a T61p earlier this year. Loving it
I still use a T30 as my primary laptop at home and it is a great unit (run Ubuntu just fine). However I knew its background and it saw very light coprorate use (was a secondary machine). The biggest problem with a 4 year old presumably off-lease laptop is that the battery is probably close to dead. Lithium-Ion batteries go bad even with age, but with use, especially corporate use where they sit in hot docking stations much of the day they are toast. This is may be a warm deal at best. You are honestly better looking for a deal on a new laptop. I love my ThinkPad but I wouldn't spend $400 on one that was 4 years old and I didn't know the history of.
These are likely USED 2-year old corporate lease returns.
From Buy description:
"Used notebooks includes some systems that have minor cosmetic flaws including minor nicks, cracks and scratches on the exterior and a few faded keys on the keyboard. "
I love my T43, but....I've had the MB die twice in the last year. That being said, I still would not hesitate to buy another Lenovo. Although I'd be looking in the deals section for a $400-$600 new or refurb T61/T400 and not this older machine for $400. But to each his own!
I have a T43, for the most part its been a tank... had to replace the touchpad 2 or 3 times as the buttons wore out, and the keyboard is due for a swap, but the hidden recovery partition is such a timesaver.
sk99
Member
posted: Nov. 13, 2008 @ 3:03p
My T43 has been functioning well for almost 4 years. However, be cautious when getting any refurbs from Buy.com. Three out of four HDDs in refurb Buffalo Station 2TB NAS unit from Buy.com died within 6 months plus a refurb PC MB died in 90 days..
AMEXplat
Happy Member
posted: Nov. 13, 2008 @ 3:18p
sk99 said: My T43 has been functioning well for almost 4 years. However, be cautious when getting any refurbs from Buy.com. Three out of four HDDs in refurb Buffalo Station 2TB NAS unit from Buy.com died within 6 months plus a refurb PC MB died in 90 days.. While I realize the risk w/ rufurbs (Buy.com/Buffalo/etc.), can't SquareTrade wrty be applied on these refurbs w/i 30days of purchase - I presume it can't be too much
FaceOff
Senior Member - 1K
posted: Nov. 13, 2008 @ 3:25p
Do you get extended warranty if you buy it with AMEX?
I am using my 5 years old T23 now. Slow but works for most of my purpose.
Its 30 GB HD died in 2006 but replaced it for free with AMEX card.
AMEXplat said: sk99 said: My T43 has been functioning well for almost 4 years. However, be cautious when getting any refurbs from Buy.com. Three out of four HDDs in refurb Buffalo Station 2TB NAS unit from Buy.com died within 6 months plus a refurb PC MB died in 90 days.. While I realize the risk w/ rufurbs (Buy.com/Buffalo/etc.), can't SquareTrade wrty be applied on these refurbs w/i 30days of purchase - I presume it can't be too much
FaceOff said: Do you get extended warranty if you buy it with AMEX?
I am using my 5 years old T23 now. Slow but works for most of my purpose.
Its 30 GB HD died in 2006 but replaced it for free with AMEX card.
AMEX and all other courtesy credit card externded warranties I have ever seen expliity exclude refurbished items.
skinet
New Member
posted: Nov. 13, 2008 @ 3:35p
There are a few more factors to consider. There is no indication of the condition of the case, keyboard or LCD. I have seen some refurbished Thinkpad with the space bar worn out or multiple scratches on the case. It would be helpful for the vendor to indicate Class A or Class B quality.
$400 is asking too much for it. I bought my R61 earlier this year with a built in BT, DVD/CDRW, 2GB RAM, 100GB 7200rpm, 1400x900 LCD, 9 cell battery, C2D cpu T8100 (2.1GHz x2) for $600-something.
xubin013
Member
posted: Nov. 13, 2008 @ 6:30p
thinkpad usually works fine for at least three years. i bought my x31 in 2003, and it's still strong. also this one is with xp pro.
MISTERCHEAP, You should know better by now then to post this utter CRAP.
These laptops are simply HEAVILY USED, stock from corporate companies that upgraded their users. "reconditioned" means this seller simply checked if they powered on.
$400 is asking too much for it. I bought my R61 earlier this year with a built in BT, DVD/CDRW, 2GB RAM, 100GB 7200rpm, 1400x900 LCD, 9 cell battery, C2D cpu T8100 (2.1GHz x2) for $600-something.
I have to agree. If it were brand spankin' new it might be something to think about but refurbed really pushing it and I'm a TP fanboy. A T22 is my personal laptop which only gets used once or twice a year on vacations but does the job. Had a T21 that looked like it got ran over by a car and still worked great until the screen went out recently after spending all summer in my car at 100+ degrees
MISTERCHEAP, You should know better by now then to post this utter CRAP.
These laptops are simply HEAVILY USED, stock from corporate companies that upgraded their users. "reconditioned" means this seller simply checked if they powered on.
Shame on you MISTERCHEAP....
how would I know that? I've posted other refurb deals and always put in CAPS REFURB in my title. Based on the feedback I've read/learned today, I'll avoid refurb Laptop deals at Buy.com, but some people seemed to think it was an "OK" deal if not hot.
NameChanged001
Senior Member
posted: Nov. 13, 2008 @ 7:38p
MISTERCHEAP...we don't hold you responsible. you do nothing but simply copy and paste deals you find from other sites. this is not a good deal. i know first hand the failure rate of these laptops. negative for you op.
The way I would do this, if someone really wants one, is to buy several, cherry pick the best parts, put together the Frankenstein and return the rest. You would have to pay the return shipping. But, even for someone who has the time and skills, the $400 price is really too high. There is no guarantee that this method works and you are banking on luck/safety by numbers.
Thanks, but ended up returning it. Was able to get a like new T60 with more features (and 1.5 year IBM warranty!) for ~$75 more after CashBack on eBay. Cost to upgrade the T43 wouldn't have made it worth it
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