Buyers Guide - Revision history

Connor Behan: Adding link to new article.

2014-09-01T22:01:17Z

Adding link to new article.

Synapsis: /* Buying on eBay */ Added small note about customer reviews

2010-06-20T15:04:47Z

‎Buying on eBay: Added small note about customer reviews

Tonko: /* Where to buy Linux preinstalled thinkpad */

2010-06-11T08:27:44Z

‎Where to buy Linux preinstalled thinkpad

Tonko: Reverted edits by Synapsis (Talk) to last version by Demonoid724

2010-06-11T08:27:13Z

Reverted edits by Synapsis (Talk) to last version by Demonoid724

Synapsis: /* Build it yourself and save money */ alternative money saving tip: use price comparison tools

2010-06-09T20:28:25Z

‎Build it yourself and save money: alternative money saving tip: use price comparison tools

Demonoid724: /* Common Long-time Weaknesses of Some Thinkpad Models */

2009-09-09T15:57:21Z

‎Common Long-time Weaknesses of Some Thinkpad Models

Demonoid724: /* Common Long-time Weaknesses of Ccertain Thinkpad Models */

2009-09-09T15:53:45Z

‎Common Long-time Weaknesses of Ccertain Thinkpad Models

Demonoid724: /* Long-time Weaknesses of certain models */

2009-09-09T15:53:21Z

‎Long-time Weaknesses of certain models

Demonoid724 at 15:45, 9 September 2009

2009-09-09T15:45:53Z

Demonoid724 at 15:40, 9 September 2009

2009-09-09T15:40:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:01, 1 September 2014
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	\| {{T43}} \|\| A number of laptops from the T-line are very thin (everything since {{T40}}?), which was to some degree possible by using the newer [[UltraBay\|UltraBay Slim]], which is used in almost all Thinkpads now, instead of the old [[UltraBay\|UltraBay Plus]]. This limits the available alternatives for optical drives, as they are not compatible with the industrial standard slimline drives, which are to thick. Some {{T43}}s have Matshita UJ-822S drives, and Matshita is infamous for striving extra to enforce the DVD regional codes. Purchasing such a laptop would effectively mean being locked to one DVD region, unless you can buy a compatible replacement DVD drive. The {{T43}} family is also notorious for its [[problem with fan noise]] and has a [[problem with non-ThinkPad hard disks]]; its predecessor, the {{T42}} family, had none of these problems and offered better battery life.		\| {{T43}} \|\| A number of laptops from the T-line are very thin (everything since {{T40}}?), which was to some degree possible by using the newer [[UltraBay\|UltraBay Slim]], which is used in almost all Thinkpads now, instead of the old [[UltraBay\|UltraBay Plus]]. This limits the available alternatives for optical drives, as they are not compatible with the industrial standard slimline drives, which are to thick. Some {{T43}}s have Matshita UJ-822S drives, and Matshita is infamous for striving extra to enforce the DVD regional codes. Purchasing such a laptop would effectively mean being locked to one DVD region, unless you can buy a compatible replacement DVD drive. The {{T43}} family is also notorious for its [[problem with fan noise]] and has a [[problem with non-ThinkPad hard disks]]; its predecessor, the {{T42}} family, had none of these problems and offered better battery life.
	\|}		\|}
		+
		+	==Perceived Weaknesses of Newer Models==
		+	The original keyboards, large ThinkPad screens and some other things have been phased out. If using these features is worth a performance hit, a used ThinkPad from eBay is probably the best option. [[Old ThinkPad Niches]] has a list of features that are missed today.

@@ Line 99: / Line 99: @@
 * If the unit doesn't come with a hard drive, know whether it has the caddy and cover. Make sure that the three passwords are NOT set or that you know the right passwords before you install your hard drive! If you don't: A password can be set into your hard disk automatically, making it a brick - useful for door stopping only!
 * Anything with a PIII or later most likely came with a Windows Certificate of Authenticity. Find out whether the listed machine does. Even if you don't want it, it may help resale value when you '''sell''' the machine.
-* Read the feedback of the seller on items he has sold, especially electronics, computers and laptops. If meangranny is suddenly selling T43's after three years of lace, stay away.
+* Read the feedback of the seller on items he has sold, especially electronics, computers and laptops and check out any [http://customervideoreviews.co.uk customer reviews] when deciding on a model. If meangranny is suddenly selling T43's after three years of lace, stay away.
 * If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. There's a reason no one else is bidding on it.
 ||
 <thinkwiki>5</thinkwiki>
 |}
 ==Common Long-time Weaknesses of Some Thinkpad Models==
 {| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:27, 11 June 2010
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	* [http://laclinux.com/en/Laptop Los Alamos Computers] Custom Linux Thinkpads - T Series, Z Series, X Series 23 Apr 2007		* [http://laclinux.com/en/Laptop Los Alamos Computers] Custom Linux Thinkpads - T Series, Z Series, X Series 23 Apr 2007
−	~~[http://www.example.com link title]~~

	== Buying on eBay ==		== Buying on eBay ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:27, 11 June 2010
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	Response to update: I did not need to con anyone. I just ordered the CTO chassis and the parts I needed from their website. I placed the order on August 18, 2005 and received all the shipments by August 26, 2005.		Response to update: I did not need to con anyone. I just ordered the CTO chassis and the parts I needed from their website. I placed the order on August 18, 2005 and received all the shipments by August 26, 2005.
−
−	An alternative tip to save money: [http://www.superstoresearch.com/ Compare prices] to find the best prices on [http://www.superstoresearch.com/shopping/categories/4473-1/computers/laptops-notebooks.html laptops] to get the biggest savings.

	Comment from visitor: [https://www-03.ibm.com/lenovo/shop/personalpages/public/public/products/dsp_feature_product.cfm?display=main&cat_id=24 Try this page]. You can at least get a Z60 with the titanium cover in a more stripped down model than is otherwise available.		Comment from visitor: [https://www-03.ibm.com/lenovo/shop/personalpages/public/public/products/dsp_feature_product.cfm?display=main&cat_id=24 Try this page]. You can at least get a Z60 with the titanium cover in a more stripped down model than is otherwise available.

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:28, 9 June 2010
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	Response to update: I did not need to con anyone. I just ordered the CTO chassis and the parts I needed from their website. I placed the order on August 18, 2005 and received all the shipments by August 26, 2005.		Response to update: I did not need to con anyone. I just ordered the CTO chassis and the parts I needed from their website. I placed the order on August 18, 2005 and received all the shipments by August 26, 2005.
		+
		+	An alternative tip to save money: [http://www.superstoresearch.com/ Compare prices] to find the best prices on [http://www.superstoresearch.com/shopping/categories/4473-1/computers/laptops-notebooks.html laptops] to get the biggest savings.

	Comment from visitor: [https://www-03.ibm.com/lenovo/shop/personalpages/public/public/products/dsp_feature_product.cfm?display=main&cat_id=24 Try this page]. You can at least get a Z60 with the titanium cover in a more stripped down model than is otherwise available.		Comment from visitor: [https://www-03.ibm.com/lenovo/shop/personalpages/public/public/products/dsp_feature_product.cfm?display=main&cat_id=24 Try this page]. You can at least get a Z60 with the titanium cover in a more stripped down model than is otherwise available.

@@ Line 125: / Line 125: @@
 | {{X40}}, {{X41}} || Your 1.8" hard drive will die after about a year. [[Talk:Harddisk_Drives]]
 |-
-| {{T40}}, {{T41}}, {{T42}},  || Video problems caused by ATI Graphic Chipset failure due to board flexing.
+| {{T40}}, {{T41}}, {{T42}},  || GPU failure on some models that have ATI Graphic Controller due to board flexing.
 |-
 | {{X61_Tablet}}|| The screen bezel unglues away the LCD screen, leaving an ugly gap. See the [http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=47509 forum discussion].

@@ Line 105: / Line 105: @@
 <thinkwiki>5</thinkwiki>
 |}
-==Long-time Weaknesses of certain models==
+==Common Long-time Weaknesses of Ccertain Thinkpad Models==
 {| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"
 ! Model !! Issues

@@ Line 121: / Line 121: @@
 | {{T30}} || *had a problem with memory sockets detaching from the system board. IBM replaced these free of charge even after warranties expired.
 |-
-| {{T20}}, {{T21}}, {{T22}} || Many models have a problem of gradually dying. Attempting to turn on will only cause a blinking light, and many attempts must be made in order to start the machine. Eventually, the machine is no longer bootable. This problem is also known as Blink-Of-Death caused by faulty ATMEL power regulator chip.
+| {{T20}}, {{T21}}, {{T22}} || Many models have a problem of gradually dying. Attempting to turn on will only cause a blinking light, and many attempts must be made in order to start the machine. Eventually, the machine is no longer bootable. This problem is also known as Blink-Of-Death caused by failing ATMEL power regulator chip.
 |-
-| {{X40}} || Your 1.8" hard drive will die after about a year. [[Talk:Harddisk_Drives]]
+| {{X40}}, {{X41}} || Your 1.8" hard drive will die after about a year. [[Talk:Harddisk_Drives]]
 |-
 | {{X61_Tablet}}|| The screen bezel unglues away the LCD screen, leaving an ugly gap. See the [http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=47509 forum discussion].

@@ Line 113: / Line 113: @@
 | {{600X}} || Battery problems.
 |-
-||{{A20p}}, {{390}}, {{390E}}, {{390X}} || *Base cover corners are prone to crack, root cause stiff display hinges
+||{{A20p}}, {{R50}}, {{R50e}}, {{R40}}, {{R40e}}, {{390}}, {{390E}}, {{390X}} || *Base cover and its corners are prone to crack, root cause stiff display hinges that tend to weaken those area over time.
 |-
 ||{{A31}} || Several reports of [[Problem with garbled screen]] independent on Operating System
@@ Line 121: / Line 121: @@
 | {{T30}} || *had a problem with memory sockets detaching from the system board. IBM replaced these free of charge even after warranties expired.
 |-
-| {{T20}} || Many models have a problem of gradually dying. Attempting to turn on will only cause a blinking light, and many attempts must be made in order to start the machine. Eventually, the machine is no longer bootable.
+| {{T20}}, {{T21}}, {{T22}} || Many models have a problem of gradually dying. Attempting to turn on will only cause a blinking light, and many attempts must be made in order to start the machine. Eventually, the machine is no longer bootable. This problem is also known as Blink-Of-Death caused by faulty ATMEL power regulator chip.
 |-
 | {{X40}} || Your 1.8" hard drive will die after about a year. [[Talk:Harddisk_Drives]]