Some T43's I found for sale

I have found 3 T43's over at thinkpad forums (I have the same user name for anyone who cares) that are for sale.

T43 Number 1
Product: ThinkPad T43 2687-D3U
Original description: P M 750(1.8GHz), 512MB RAMUpgraded to 1GB RAM, 60GB 5400rpm HDD, 14.1in 1400x1050 LCD, 64MB ATI Radeon X300, CD-RW/DVD-R Multi-Burner, Intel 802.11abg wireless(MPCI), Modem(CDC), Upgraded to Bluetooth/Modem added along with the clearplates 1Gb Ethernet(LOM), UltraNav, Secure Chip, Fingerprint Reader, 9 cell Li-Ion batt, WinXP Pro

Description: This laptop is in good condition, with some wear as it traveled with me virtually everywhere. The upper left of the lid has some scratches from my cat and the corner of the battery has a chip in the plastic case.

The laptop has been upgraded with an original IBM Bluetooth/Modem card and I have also replaced the original status indicators with the appropriate bluetooth ones. The original modem and status plates are also included. The computer also has 1GB of system RAM, rather than the stock 512.

The screen has two bright pixels, which is as I received it new. Unfortunately, IBM's dead pixel policy only covered replacements if there were 3 or more dead or bright pixels. The computer had been sent in to IBM for planar card issues, but since coming back, the computer has been fine. Also, last August, I receceived a replacement DVD drive as the original stopped working for some reason.

The package includes the original box and all the original manuals and paperwork. The system has been restored with its original factory pre-install. $300 shipped

T43 Number 2
Original description: P M 750, 512MB RAM, 40GB HDD, 14.1in 1024x768 LCD, 64MB ATI Radeon X300, DVD, Intel 802.11bg wireless, Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure Chip, 6c Li-Ion batt

No OS. Apparently this is from a stockpile of 25 T43's from a company.
$275 shipped

T43 Number 3
ThinkPad T43p 2668-P2U

Original description:
P M 780(2.26GHz)
1GB RAM........................now 2GB
100GB 7200rpm HD.....................now 120GB/5400rpm Fujitsu, no 2010 error
14.1in 1400x1050 LCD
128MB ATI FireGL V3200
CD-RW/DVD-R Multi-Burner
Intel 802.11abg wireless(MPCI)
Bluetooth/Modem(CDC)
1Gb Ethernet(LOM)
UltraNav
Secure Chip
Fingerprint Reader
9c Li-Ion............................in green
WinXP Pro..........................COA intact, recovery media included

The machine is in very nice condition with some wear on the lid and slight keyboard shine with no worn keys. If you're looking for the ultimate 14" T4x series machine, this would likely be the one. IBM logos on lid and palmrest. Absolutely no disappointments here if you're interested in a ThinkPad of this vintage. LCD is clear and bright with no defects that I can see, and this laptop runs like a deer during the hunting season.

There is no external (outside of Lenovo) warranty on this unit, but I will guarantee it against DOA and any GPU issues.

Keep in mind, battery and hard drive are not included.
$350 shipped.

Which one should I get?

And if anyone is wondering, these are all available at the thinkpad forums.

 

Also, I don't care much for what hard drive comes with the computer. I have a 7200 320 gb waiting for it. Also ram doesn't matter either, neither does battery (I have one laying around somewheres).

 

So number 3 doesn't come with any hard drive or battery? Probably that one or number one (higher res screen ftw).

What are you going to be using the computer for? or do you just want a Thinkpad?

edit: missed your second post..
still the third or first one depending on your uses for it..

 

general business/school use. No games, or anything really intensive. Just internet, word, powerpoint, one note, excel etc.

I guess the resolution difference is fairly large. 1074x768 vs 1400x1050...pretty big.

 

Probably just number one unless you want to indulge yourself with the fastest Pentium M, 2GB of RAM and the graphics card (unnecessary though)...

 

The T43 uses PATA drives. I hope it's a PATA drive you've got laying around. T43s are also very finicky about which drives they'll accept. You may get the 2010 error if the drive is not supported if you care.

If you're willing to consider a XGA screen, you might wish to look for a T43 with the Intel GPU, provided you're not gaming. You'd have no GPUs with it and they run cooler. Some T43s can have heat and noise issues.

 

It is not a PATA

I guess #1 is the best option then.

But my concern is that he had planar card issues, which is the motherboard. That doesn't sound too good...what do you think?

 

If you want a ThinkPad without the GPU issues, get the T43 with the Intel card, but that means you can only get a XGA screen. As far as I know any attempts to upgrade them to SXGA+ have failed. The Z60t might be an option though they are not as plentiful as the T4x units. It does have the Intel card and is a bit lighter than the T4x machines. The T60 and R60 are also options, though probably a bit more expensive. I personally wouldn't pay $300 for a notebook with two stuck pixels.

 

Well I decided to think about it. I mean, I've heard great things about thinkpads and with all the quality issues I've read about the T400, the T4x series seems to be the bomb.

But then I hear about planar card issues, GPU issues and I start to have second thoughts.

I know for sure I'm going to have a thinkpad in the next few months, I just don't know which one.

 

I'll give Zaz a plug because he didn't seem willing to do it himself.

He is selling his 14" SXGA+ R60 for $399 ( link) and that would be a good alternative to the T4x if you are concerned about GPU Planar issues (I had a T40 for 5 years, but had the mobo replaced after 2.5 years due to a GPU issue myself). The R60 is a bit thicker and less polished than the T4x, but it's a solid option and a very classically built ThinkPad.

 

Hm.... I'd second the above post... the R60 has slightly newer tech(Core Duo versus Pentium M), and IIRC it doesn't have the 'loose GPU' problems that the T4x series have.

That said, I love my T41, and am about to snag two T42s in short order. I like the lighter weight and decent battery life... and it's a very good compliment to my M1730. As far as the ones you listed, it would be a hard sell between the first and third. The second doesn't make my personal cut as I just plain dislike XGA on a screen this size... I just bumped up to an SXGA+ panel on my T41 and love it. The third machine has far better specs, but I'm wondering why the seller is listing the battery and hard drive if they're not being included. For $350, by the time you purchase a new battery and hard drive, you'd be spending more than the advertised price of that R60.

Unless you're really the T4x chassis(which I admit I am), I'd just get the R60. It'd be a more powerful machine with less in the way of issues... just a little heavier.

 

Canada and I have had some discussions about my R60. If he wants to go there, he knows where I am. Besides I think it's impolite to push your notebook in someone else's thread, but thanks for the bump.

As for the R60, it's definitely a little heavier and thicker than the T series, but I would not say it's less polished. They actually share many parts. It does lack the mag-alloy lid, which may a concern for a notebook that travels heavily. The extra thickness does have it's advantages, it runs cooler and has less fan noise.

 

GPU failures on T4x are likely to happen if you pick the laptop one-handed, one way to avoid it is carrying as if it were a dish plate, I've had a T42p for more than 2 years, I bought it in 2006 and sell it last year, being actually paranoid about the GPU failure, so I got a T61 with Intel graphics that way I can abuse the TP. But I'd say if you don't move the laptop too much there should be a no instant concern about the GPU loose failure.

 

There's always going to be issues with every laptop model ever made, it just comes down to what matters most to you.

To me, the T/R60 would be a better choice, as it runs cooler, has a strong internal frame, has more powerful components, and has better screen selections.