Two refurbished IBM's, which one is best??

Hello, I'm moving shortly and need to pick up a cheap notebook computer. My budget is around $500-$600, because I'm still a student. The notebook will be used mainly for word processing, the internet, watching dvd's, etc... (no video editing or anything). My desktop will be in storage for awhile, and this laptop will be my computer "lifeline". I visted a local store yesterday and they have two nice reburbished models of the IBM Thinkpad, I'll cut to the chase and list their specs...

1) Thinkpad T21 - Pentium III 800MHz, 20GB Hard drive, 256Mb RAM, 8x DVD-ROM, 1024 x 768 XGA screen, 8Mb video memory, 100MHz bus speed
Cost $625.00

2) Thinkpad T23 - Pentium III 1.13GHz, 48GB Hard drive, 128Mb RAM, 8x DVD-ROM, 1400 x 1050 SXGA screen, 16Mb video, 133MHz bus speed
Cost $855.00

Besides the screen resolution and video memory differences, will I notice a major difference in speed/performance between the 800MHz and 1.13GHz? Hard drive space is not really a concern since I have an external cd-writer. The T21 is right in my price range, whereas the T23 will be a big stretch ($230.00 more). I know it doesn't sound like much, but right now for me it is... I just don't want to be kicking myself in three months if I buy the slower model and it stinks. It only has to last be about a year-and-a-half, until I go to college. Thanks for your advice.

 

I use the T23 for work stuff and love it, but with that configuration your paying more for the SXGA screen (non-standard on a T23 I believe) and the large Hard Drive which you say is no big deal. The 128MB of RAM is terrible, you'd end up having to upgrade that if it's running any version of XP...128MB is the minimum XP will even accept I believe and it'll hate you for having that amount.

I'd go for the T21 to save $200, the specs aren't thrilling that's for sure, but if the only thing you need it for is basic word processing and internet.

I might suggest shopping around before absolutely going with these offers though. I love ThinkPads, but you end up paying a bit of a premium for the brand and model with them, you can get a new Compaq Notebook with a 2.4MHz Mobile Celeron processor for $699 after rebates:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?j=1&id=1063225034905&skuId=6028755&type=product&productCategoryId=cat01174 (go to http://www.bestbuy.com and search on "6028755" if that link doesn't work)

If your set on the ThinkPad I understand though, they're so nice.

 

Given your situation, you simply cannot buy #2 because as Andrew says, you'll have to drop more money on a memory upgrade, which your budget will not allow. There's little doubt though, that the second machine is well worth the extra money. The screen upgrade alone would be nice, as well as the extra video memory.

I too would suggest moving away from IBM though. You'll get much more for your money by going with another brand. I'd even consider some of the eMachine models which can be had in your price range, perhaps a few more dollars.

Brian

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

 

I just picked up this IBM from here:

http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=PROFRAME&PROD_ID=736739&TID=elestore20041013&IID=PRO:736739

Super clean for a refurb. Not a mark on it.
$2.95 for shipping. $49.99 for 2yr warranty. Total less than $750!![8D]

Good Luck !!