At a crossroads... what do I do?

This laptop that I've got is dying. The LCD is totally screwed. It's dog slow. It's got cracks in the case. It verheat: Anyway, I need to replace it ASAP. Worse yet, I'm on a :budget:

Anyway, I was going to get a ThinkPad X32 2884-A2U, but it seems that the X32 is rapidly going away... 2884-A2U is no more, and 2672-A3U (the non-Express version of the same model) was discontinued in November. 2672-M2U and M3U, which could be upgraded to my needs on RAM, cost way too much.

I'm definitely going to :buyIBM: because of how good IBM has been to me, despite this laptop's problems. Oh, yeah, and I can't live without my TrackPoint.

So, I'm looking at the R series (sorry, but I don't want an X40. At all.)

I need a laptop with at least a 40GB HDD (preferably 5400 or 7200 RPM), 256MB RAM (I'll be upgrading THIS), a CD-RW/DVD combo, and a 1400x1050 LCD (14.1" preferred, but if 15" is cheaper, 15" it is). If I'm gonna lug around that much laptop, **** it, I want a nice LCD Also, XP Pro is HIGHLY preferred to Home. The CPU doesn't matter much - what I do doesn't tax the CPU, it's more of a RAM thing (again, I'll be upgrading my own RAM).

Again, I'm on a budget. So, someone with an EPP code, could you please get the price on the model that meets all that the best?

Edit: Oh, and WiFi is a must.

 

If you can't find a X32 on budget you may look after one of the lastest X31 models then, which are sold much cheaper. The same applies here for T-series models, you can still buy some T41/T42 models with 14" or 15" SXGA+ (1400x1050) TFTs, which are cheaper than T43 models (or select some previous R-series model). - You may look also after some refurbished Thinkpads of the above mentioned models.

 

Two questions...

Why not an X40/X41?
What about a Z60t?

Rumor has it an X60 being launched soon.

 

X40/X41: Don't want a 1.8" HDD.
Z60m/Z60t: Don't want a widescreen.

vkyr: I wouldn't be opposed to an X31, but I don't want a used or refurbished model. /me points to the hell that this old X21's put me through. Where could I get a *NEW* X31, or T41/2 or R50something with an SXGA+ display?

 

Just for the sake of it, what's your price range for this laptop purchase?

 

I think this depends partly on where you live/stay. In germany for example there are still Lenovo/IBM dealers which sell some new X31 models or some T41/42 models etc.

Some of those dealers even sell on Ebay...

http://cgi.ebay.de/IBM-X31-WLAN-1-6...ryZ40539QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.de/IBM-X31-WLAN-1-6...ryZ40539QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

You have to search the Net in your region of the world via the help of some search engines etc., maybe you will discover some dealer near the place where you live too!

 

Obviously, the lower the better

$1000 is my absolute maximum, including an UltraBase on the X3x, and a RAM upgrade to 768MB (that'll almost certainly be from Newegg.)

If I absolutely have to, I'll lower the HDD speed to 4200 RPM, and (obviously this part only applies to T and R series) go down to an XGA screen. XP Pro stays - I actually need it for work. (Yes, I do join domains from time to time ) Also, the 256MB RAM requirement is so that I've got an extra slot to drop a 512 MB module into.

Edit: vkyr: I have my own rule that says that cars and computers (some computer equipment's OK, though) are not to be purchased from eBay. There's far too many scammers there. However, I'll try to find a local dealer, and, heck, ask Bill at Thinkpads.com.

 

Well, in germany you even won't get just the new plain X3x (meaning one without UltraBase etc.) for just $1000, that would be an money illusion for europe Thinkpad prices.

Ebay was just an example to quickly show you, that you can still buy new X31 notebooks. I too wouldn't buy and also not recomment to buy something like a notebook or the like from Ebay, for the reason you already mentioned.

 

Even here in the US, getting an X3x system with RAM upgrade and the UltraBase for under $1000 is basicly impossible. You could get a R5x or T43 that meets your requirements for about $1200, but I can't see you getting a new unit direct from IBM/Lemovo for much less.

 

Well, I WAS interested in EPP pricing

Anyway, ditching the 5400 RPM and SXGA+ requirements, I came up with 1842-SRU, for $879 normal prices (- $100 MIR on Express models) or $834 or thereabouts CC prices (again, - $100 MIR).

What is the EPP price on it, and do the MIRs count on EPP items?

Again, the lower the better, so hitting the $600 area is nice (and from EPP prices that I've seen, that's what I'm ballparking for an 1842-SRU.)

Still, the SXGA+ screen would be VERY nice. If push REALLY comes to shove, I've got a good 40GB 5400 RPM drive in this laptop, that I could clone the IBM factory partitions onto or something, if need be.

And, I was afraid that my requirements were too high...

 

Okay,

While I don't have access to the EPP Site, I did find something of interest on the government and education pages. Model 1843-35U is available for $692.34 plus tax and shipping. It's an R51e with slightly better specs than the R50e you were looking at. (see tabook for more info)

AFAIK, MIRs are on the ThinkExpress notebooks only and are not applicable on EPP or government/education site purchases.

 

T23, 1.13GHz, Intel® Pentium® III, 14.1", 256MB, 30GB, CD-RW/DVD Combo, IBM 11b Wi-Fi wireless LAN
~$519

Only thing not as desired by you is the harddrive!!

Its availabele in used IBM webpage

 

Which government/education site are you going through? I'm going through the generic Students/Alumni site, which gives me about zero discounts (shows that model at $891.65), BUT gives me the $100 rebate on Express models...

krishna: As I said, no used or refurb. This laptop right here is an example of why I don't want a used, and refurbs aren't that much better - this thing passed the tests, and the only thing that would've been fixed would've been the battery in a refurb.

 

Having looked over the specs of that model, it looks like it's got DEP support (from the 360J over the 360), a Radeon Xpress 200M over IEG2, and a 14.1" screen over a 15" (read: less weight )

 

Anyone here with an EPP code, to check the price on 1843-35U?

 

bhtooefr: check your PMs.