what should I do: sell my x200 or keep?

Hi,
I have a 2 year old X200 that I bought halfway through college. A few months ago I bought another laptop that is much smaller and lighter but significantly less powerful (but still runs windows 7).

This fall I go to grad school for a masters program in a math/statistics field and I was thinking about taking just the small new laptop + a keyboard for heavy typing. I feel it will be powerful enough to handle all of my work related tasks (word documents/internet browsing/programming software) and be easier to carry around. In addition, I simply like the laptop and (illuminated) keyboard more than the X200.

My questions is this: what should I do with the X200? I can keep it at home as a backup computer, but universities have tons of computers for students to use. If something happens, I can always order a new laptop and get by on the school computers for a week or two (i am not a heavy computer user). Meanwhile, the computer will be collecting dust and losing value.

Is it wise to sell the computer now or hold on to it for another year and then decide what to do?


Specs: Lenovo X200 , purchased Oct 2008
2.26 C2D P8400
3GB ram
80 GB
Windows 7 Pro (came with vista pro)
3 year thinkpad protection

 

If you could use the cash I would sell the X200 while there's still warranty left on it, buyers like to see that a warranty is in place still and it definitely adds value. ThinkPads hold their value better than most for sure but the warranty is peace of mind for anyone buying. Of course, the condition of the X200 and your reputation as a seller and how you conduct any auction count for a lot on resale amount so checkout this guide How To Sell Your Old Notebook

Of course, this is all said assuming you're sure the "other" smaller lighter laptop you have can truly see you through school. If it's cheaply constructed and breaks you may be able to get by on campus computers but it will be a pia.

 

So basically you are using a Netbook.... what softwares are you going to use in your grad program?

I think you can fetch a good percentage of your initial outlay, since you got the Thinkpad protection warranty.

 

The other computer is a Sony Vaio X, which is considered by everyone except sony as a netbook. It has a 2ghz atom/2gb ram/128gb SSD. Based on my undergraduate experience I think it will be quite adequate for work, although I wont have much fun playing games on it.

I dont know what software I will need. Chances are, I will use programs that work like calculators (input data, calculate solution) as oppose to software like photoshop or autocad that manipulates large amounts of information. Type of software I might use: Eclipse, GAMS, Mathematica, MATLab. All should be ok on a netbook, and if I need more power I can go to a computer lab (I will be living on campus).

I do have a good reputation on Ebay and some irrelevant forums (edcforums, bladeforums) but I am worried about the prices I saw on the Lenovo Outlet. It looks like you can buy a better computer for around $800, without warranty or external drive. The computer is worth more than $500 to me, so I definitely dont want to sell it for less than that.

I paid around $1700 for my computer (with external DVD reader/cd burner and warranty) and was hoping to get around $1000. It is still in great condition, just some wear on the corners. I could definitely use the money, since I will have to pay back a $40k loan once I finish.

Thanks for your replies and link!

 

i think you will be hard pressed to sell the laptop for 1000 USD, given how much a new one costs. You will be lucky to sell it for around 650 dollars.

 

Dang... that is disappointing but makes sense. If that is the best I can do, I think it will be better to keep it. It is a perfectly good and up-to-date computer.

If only I could know the consequences of selling or keeping in advance

thanks again.

 

Or you could just sell your netbook and use the X200 as your daily laptop.

 

I second that. While the Vaio X is very sleek and attractive, the X200 is much more rugged and a true reliable workhorse in comparison.

With the ThinkPad you will not be needing the external keyboard for heavy typing, as the X200 keyboard is excellent and full size.

If you want to reduce weight on the X200, you could get a 4 cell battery (assuming you currently have a 6 cell or 9 cell). Just keep in mind that battery life is not great with the 4 cell, but that is even more the case with the small standard battery of the Vaio X.

You'd probably get a bigger bang for your bucks selling the Vaio. From an efficiency perspective it makes the most sense to sell the Vaio and keep the ThinkPad. But if you care more about the looks and nimbleness, then it is of course a different story. Not many, if any ultraportables/netbooks come close to the nimbleness of the Vaio X.

I've had a few Vaio ultraportables in the past - recently a TT. They are just so fragile compared to the ThinkPad X-series. I can understand if people like them because of the feel and design - but for serious work they don't come remotely close to the X-series, past or present.

 

To the OP: How much do you think you could sell the Viao X for (and since you say you just boughtit a few months back, it is still under warranty, which would help with the selling price, I assume)?

And, just curious, does it (the Viao X) get warm/ hot?

Though I have never used a X Series machine (it was only the other day that I saw one for the first time!), I'll join those who refer to the build-quality of the ThinkPad. That plus the warranty (3-year) should see you through your timeframe. My personal experience with a a Viao (though not the X) has not been good; nor has my experience with their AFS been any better).

As for weight considerations, after a certain point, the weight difference between the X Series and the Viao X would be far less than say between the X Series and a T Series ThinkPad.

Personally, I'd keep the X Series (but then again, on a forum dedicated to ThinkPad, you are generally going to get ringing endorsements of ThinkPads! That is to be expected no? )

 

you guys have really hit the nail on the head--as much as I enjoy the appearance and weight of the vaio x, I dont think it competes with the X200 as a work machine.

As soon as I got it, I debated returning the vaio. The only reason I didnt return it was because I bought it as a graduation present to myself...and you dont question the necessity of presents . My biggest problem with the vaio (and favorite feature of the X200) is the keyboard.

Regarding heat: It will get hot after 30+ minutes of moderate use but you dont feel the heat if you use the large battery, which creates a space under the computer.


As much as I hate to admit it, perhaps I shouldnt have bought the vaio x in the first place and the best thing to do would be to sell it. I suppose they will continue to make laptops thinner and lighter.

Id be happy if I could sell it for $1250, which would be a $250 loss. Selling it for $1000 or less would be $500+ loss, which is kind of extreme for just two months of ownership. I guess the lowest Id go is around $1100.

Thanks for your thoughts

 

Sure, the loss sucks, but the longer you wait to sell it, the more it drops in price. Sometimes it's just best to cut your losses. I'm curious, you paid $1,500 for the X200 or the Vaio X?

 

@ Zaz... I think the OP paid "around $1700 for my computer (with external DVD reader/cd burner and warranty) and was hoping to get around $1000. It is still in great condition, just some wear on the corners." (from post #4 in this thread).

 

Top price paid on eBay for a X200 in the last month was $850. That one had a dock with a burner. Plus it was brand new, which people like better. It didn't have the TPP, but I see this going for $700 or less on eBay. A lot would depend on who buys it. A local buyer may pay more.

 

OP is referring to the Vaio X as he mentions having it for just 2 months (see highlighted text above). The X200 is 2 years old according to the OP.

 

@JabbaJabba...so two years ago the cost of the X200 was approx. US$1700 (with those accessories)???? I am assuming this is in the US, which ThinkPads are supposed to be relatively less expensive than, say, in Asia.

 

You guys are masters of persuasion. You guys managed to get the OP to consider selling the Vaio when he started this thread to sell the Thinkpad.

 

I can be very charming when I want something.

 

It is, after all, a ThinkPad forum! That and practical considerations comprised the argument. Of course, it helps that the arguments were logical and empirically verifiable!

 

i think some of us could start a company selling ice to the Eskimos.

 

sell the thinkpad and keep the sony. You bought it because you like the way it looks - and you still do prefer it enough that you would sacrifice productivity for the design.

I think the sony looks better too. It doesn't work better but if I had both I'd probably want that one more. You will regret it if you sold the sony (and lose more money).

You won't be able to sell the x200 for 1000. How much do you need the money? Do you want $600 or do you want a second laptop as backup?

 

so look is more important than productivity? Vaio X is an overpriced Netbook....

 

The last two years, I had been walking to my classes (about 2.5 miles) and sometimes back home. Some days I might walk 10 miles. I like to travel light so that I can enjoy the walk, but I often thought it would be nice if I had a really light laptop to carry for work/email/web surfing. Call me puny if you want, but the 3lbs of the X200 and power cords felt heavy by the end of the day.

If the Vaio X wasnt so light (1.6 lbs) I wouldnt have bought it--all the other netbooks are 2.5+ pounds, basically the same as the X200. IMO, the only reason to decrease power is to decrease weight and volume (as oppose to just the footprint). It is for this reason the Vaio X is valuable to me and not overpriced. For aesthetics, I like both computers equally; the sony is what I would want in a woman and the thinkpad is what I would want in myself

Anyway, I reconsider selling either computer because the extra $500-1000 will not make a big difference for such a large loan (I will only have about 15k of the 40k covered once I finish). I will have to get a job or some other source of money anyway and the money I get out of either laptop may be outweighed by the utility + convenience of keeping both (or the time + cost of getting a replacement if the one I keep breaks).

I hate the idea of leaving a computer (or anything, for that matter) in the closet unused, which is what I was planning to do and why I started the thread. However, in moments of uncertainty, I supposed it is best just to wait.

Thanks for the replies!

 

Purchased direct from lenovo. Actual price:
Computer + warranty: ~1507
External cd burner/dvd reader: ~ 160
tax: 100
shipping: 10
total: ~ 1777

I dont think the cd drive was worth it, but everything else was. I should have placed the order over the phone and asked for a student discount.

 

I think it's pretty simple, if the Vaio gives you a better user experience while still doing everything you need, then you should keep using it.

I would keep the x200 for back up though, the Vaio isn't a proven brand when it comes to reliability and toughness. Plus, you never know when the extra power of the x200 will come in handy.

 

While not wishing to belabor the point, the question then arises, why did you buy yourself a second computer (the Sony X) which you said was a present from yourself to yourself? You surely would have known that at least one of the machines would be on standby!

 

Thanks for the pricing break up. I need to remind myself that this was 2 years ago when the X200 was a 'new' machine! The numbers would obviously reflect that!

You like many others on this forum are lucky that you even have the chance of using the possibility of a student discount. When I live, there is no such option!

 

I wouldnt demand a discount (even though I am a student), and I think I got my money's worth even at full price. But it is worth a shot.

heh indeed. Thinking with cold logic on a basis of necessity, it was a mistake, but at the time there were lots of justifications floating around in my head. I thought of the x200 as a "work" computer and the vaio as a "mobile" computer, and that one could serve as a backup, or that my brother would take the x200 since he needs a good laptop, or that my parents would buy the X200 to use for their small business. I also wanted to celebrate my graduation and acceptance into grad school.

Assuming it was a mistake, it may be an even bigger mistake to sell it at a loss when I am not desperate for money. As economists say, sunk costs are sunk.

 

I completely empathize! I have been struggling with myself about getting a second "mobile" computer (specifically, the X200 - there is a recent thread on this here someplace). But cold rational thinking tells me that my already-somewhat mobile R400 is doing its job well...which I have fitted out with a dock and external monitor...so the question for me was: Do I really need the X200? While going out to buy it and setting it up would be exciting, I can't justify it and I have long since ceased to be an impulsive buyer (well, almost, that is!).

 

I suppose the spectrum and definition of necessity make it so difficult to decide. You dont need a second laptop as much as the first computer, but buying it could make your life easier. Two less pounds carried over a mile + 5 minutes gained from not needing to re-dock and reconnect a computer + extra bag space + other factors added up daily for a few years might be worth $1000.

In my case, I did a similar "calculation" and found the $1500 for the vaio would be worth it (even though I claim it as a present to myself). My biggest problem afterwards was a contradictory desire to be a minimalist. Thats some real food for thought right there...

(I have been typing this response for over an hour and a half )

 

I wish the matter was as simple as that (for me, that is). As things stand, I have 3 functional laptops at home and one (which happens to be an ancient ThinkPad) which is...well...not working since I have not used it since 2000!!! I need to see if it can be fixed but even before that, I need to work out if it is worth fixing.

Now, compared to my current and brand new ThinkPad, the other two laptops (a Sony Viao + an Acer Gemstone 5920) are the 15.4" models, which were a pain to carry around (both also ran quite hot/ warm). The novelty factor of the Viao wore off very quickly and it died on me severely shaking my confidence. I have since had it fixed. The Acer died due to a voltage fluctuation (common in my parts), but which I got fixed (though I need to replace the battery, which I am postponing doing). The R400 is, compared to these machines, mobile-worthy (perhaps not to the extend of the X200). So, the question I ask myself: X200 worth it? Or, not?

Do I move around? Yes. Does the R400 (mobility-wise) convenient - not really, unless I am flying business class, which is only for international travel. Domestic travel is always in economy, which makes using the R400 a pain sometimes. Thus the consideration for the X200. I even thought of buying the X100 and even one of the netbooks (Acer, Samsung, Asus etc.). But then, the marginal convenience seemed, well...marginal!

I am now tending to see whether my work/ productivity can be enhanced using a e-Reader (again, here a fully-functional tablet - ThinkPad or Apple would be an overkill). I use flights to catch up on my work-related reading. So, now I am thinking of the Sony PRS 900 reader.

Cost? Cheaper than the X200
Utility? Probably quite restricted but eminently suited for my purposes
Mobility? Very convenient.
Synching with my R400? Almost seamless with the appropriate software.

So, this is how I am thinking of my current situation now.

In your case, you already have a sunk cost (regardless of whether you look at the Sony or the X200). In money terms the value of the X200 has fallen (though you paid a higher price than what it is currently available on the seconds market in the US). But consider the cost amortized over the 2 years that you have had it. The Sony is still relatively now and early into the warranty.

A perfunctory C/B analysis would probably yield that selling the Sony would fetch you more cash on hand. Offset that against the points that you made regarding the handling of the X200 and it is likely that you will still be in the black as opposed to the red. So, logically, selling the Sony would make sense.

Keeping either of the two machines in the closet unused would result in the Sony probably losing its value faster than the X200 over a comparative timeframe. So, the question for you is: Do you want to lose some money now OR more money later?

As you said earlier someplace: It is a difficult spot to be in!

But good luck with your decision!

 

Don't think too much about it..... just use what you have... i don't think you would get much money back from selling the x200, nor are you going to get everything back from the Vaio X (i just seen one in store, it is pretty small).

Spare a thought for people whom carry their 17 inch laptops around university for couple of years in addition to 3 or 4 textbooks.

 

That is one way to see it. If I manage to use both computers constructively though, I'll consider it money well spent rather than lost.

But my last post made me realize that my desire for minimalism should be applied before purchases, not after.

The ones I interrogated all claimed to be getting good exercise, so I say let them exercise

 

you should think like a miser before purchase, and after purchase you should live like a king.....

can the Vaio X handle blue-ray movie? The integrated GPU on that model seems that it would struggle with HD movies.

Maybe setup the X200 in your dorm as your main desk bound computer, and use it as such.

 

I would have to agree with those saying to sell the Vaio X. The x200 is built better, faster, has a better keyboard, has a larger screen, dockable. The Vaio X is just an overpriced netbook. Assuming you sold the Vaio and got a decent amount. If you needed to get a netbook you could easily get a good one for ~$400 or whatever the market price of netbooks are these days. There shouldn't be a huge difference in weight between the Vaio X and x200. Is 1.5 lbs really that significant? Maybe I just don't carry that many books with me and my laptop haha.

 

I dont know how well the Vaio would handle blu ray and I dont expect to watch any movies on it. I do expect I'll end up with a setup like the one you describe though.

Would you notice if your laptop suddenly weighed 1.5 lbs less?

To be clear, I started the thread with one set of ideas but since realized the flaw in my thinking: I bought a computer I didnt need and then wanted to get rid of my older computer to make the new one necessary. This is the opposite of what lead_org was talking about when he said:

Good advice for us all--buy carefully and enjoy what you buy.

 

I used an EEE PC for a year of undergrad comp sci. While I was glad to upgrade to a real laptop the next year, it was definitely powerful enough to handle most work.

My undergrad and grad math classes were taken after I sold my EEE PC, so I can't tell you about those.

My guess is that you would be fine selling your x200, but if you feel uncomfortable doing this then I wouldn't sell it.

 

Use your X200 for a crash test.

 

Judging by this post and a few others you have made in other threads, it is evident that you are a valuable contributor to this forum.

 

thank you, I am honored.

 

But your signature undermines that fact that you practice what you are suggesting...