Need your opinion's on used Thinkpad's

[kingman99]

Hi

I decided to retire my 600x because l have replaced my hard drive twice already and l'm fed up with it.

I bought on ebay a T-40 loaded but l have to return it because the LCD had too many bright spots for my liking. I also didn't notice a big difference between the pent 3 & 4 as far as speed but again it's dial up.

All that l use my laptop for is the internet and e-mailing and would like WIFI with a burner. My 600x when running was ok but again no WIFI and burner.

When l use my laptop l only use dial up if this helps.

The T-40 has a 14 inch LCD but l would like a smaller one if possible.

Budget $400

Thanks

Alan

[rkawakami]

A T2x system would probably fit your budget and computing needs. At almost double the speed of your 600X (450-650Mhz), an 850Mhz T21 or 1.2Ghz T23 will seem slightly faster. You can get either one with a 13.3" LCD, but I'd suggest you stick with the 14.1" screen. There are two different resolutions in the 14.1" LCD (XGA at 1024x768 and SXGA+ at 1400x1050) available so depending upon your eyesight, you might consider the XGA if it's harder to read smaller type, or the SXGA+ if you like more screen real estate. However, the SXGA+ usually has a $50-$100 premium attached. If you go with the T21, you should be able to use the memory from your 600X (both take PC100 modules). The T23 requires PC133 and your 600X may be using those modules.

That said, you can always install WiFi and a CDRW burner into the 600X (see my .sig). WiFi can be done with simple PCMCIA cards or if you are the tinkering type, an internal card with internal or external antennas. Genuine IBM-labeled CDRW/DVD combo drives can be had for $50 or so; cheaper if you go with "generic" drives and swap the drive caddy and interface from your existing 600X optical drive. The Ultrabays are different between the 600X and T2x systems so you could not swap them around without also changing the caddies.

Not sure if your problems with the hard drives is due to the 600X (problem with the motherboard, for example), the way you are handling the machine (hard physical shocks to the system when the disk is spinning) or the past history of the disk drives (bought new or used). If you can spend some time and run some diagnostics on it, that may tell you if really need to junk it.

PC Doctor for 600X

[kingman99]

Hi

My wife will download the program in her office and when she gets home l will try it.

Thanks

Alan

PS there are a lot of T-23's out there loaded for approx $350-$375 on ebay from top sellers. The T-40 loaded is approx $400-$425.

[kingman99]

Hey

I just ordered a new hard drive (IBM) 20g l don't even need half that much and when l get it up and running l will get a wireless adapter (external). cost del under $50. if this doesn't work then l will sell it for parts.

Any idea's?

thanks

Alan