DEAD: IBM ThinkPad T23 for $999

[mrVW]

Kenja:

Crucial - I believe you are wrong. If you study the details on Crucial, they do say that 1024MB is max.

If you research on usenet (Google Groups), you will find that there was a 512MB module a couple years ago when the T23 came out - but that people had compatibility problems. Kingston / Samsung / Kingmax seems to work fine. The chipset in the T23 is really picky... don't assume that just any old SODIMM will work.

 

[hwz8b]

The reason why I compare the vpr matrix 175B4 to the t23 is that it is actually a rebadged Samsung P10, which according to its users offers exceptional build quality. By only reading the specs, the 175B4 sounds like a T30 sans the built-in wireless adapter, -10GB hdd, 4200 instead of 5400rpm, and 1yr instead of 3yr of warranty. In exchange, it has CDRW/DVD and is a bit lighter than T30 but heavier than T23. I don't have the benchmarks to compare those machines side by side, but the T23 has the better/faster hdd. From past experience, the hdd is a greater bottleneck to laptop performance compared to either the CPU or memory speed. This is especially true for program loading and unloading.

Too bad PCConnections is not a BM store like BB. Otherwise I could do an AB comparison of the two units.

 

[Soybomb]

Anyone that has one, is the ram on one stick or two? Having it on one and a space still free would be great. Battery life reports? How's the wireless working? Any complaints?

I have a feeling one of these may be on its way to me soon

 

[IgoByte]

Originally posted by: Soybomb
Anyone that has one, is the ram on one stick or two? Having it on one and a space still free would be great. Battery life reports? How's the wireless working? Any complaints?

I have a feeling one of these may be on its way to me soon

The 256MB should be in a single dimm. It's usually that way in IBM notebooks.

The battery is good for a DVD. ~2 hours. The wireless is good; much like a PCMCIA card.

 

[Beandog]

The description on the site says its one module of 256 and the other slot is empty
Just scroll down to where it says "Memory Notes" in Bold.

 

[kenja]

mrVW: good point about memory, laptops are much more picky than desktops. I was looking at the type 2648 crucial page which is indeed erroneous.

 

[Lark888]

I've been very pleased with the IBM ThinkPads I've used for work. Still have a PIII-333 that has been running without fail for years - I forget the model number. And the 486-100 version I had before that is still 'loaned' out for trips.

I had purchased a Inspiron 1100 for about the same money and was very disappointed in the quality and the service Dell offerred when I had an initial problem. Returned it within the magic 30 days and am very happy to put the money back here..

THANKS

 

[geoffkin]

Does everyone agree that another stick of 256 would be PLENTY for this laptop to do all the basic computing tasks? I think watching DVD's is going to be the most I will tax it. I have my LOADED DELL 4550 for burning CD's and gaming on. So have to look around and find the cheapest stick that will WORK in this baby! I would also like to pick up an extra battery on the CHEAP, for long plane rides..
HUH, PC Connection left me a message this morning. I called them back and they were just doing a random check that indeed I did place a laptop order. Laptops are the most stolen thing, guess they are just being careful. So I'll be getting mine next week!! I chose the free, slow boat shipping. We'll see how long it'll take. Promising that they are working on Saturday!!

From PC's page...
256MB 133MHz SDRAM, expandable to 1024MB
There are two (2) SO-DIMM slots. One contains a removable 256MB module and the other is available. To achieve maximum memory, the original chip MUST be replaced.

PC is selling this 512MB for $150 and the 256MB for $70, I'm sure we can beat that!!

Mfr. Part# 19K4656 - PCC Item# 244836 - 512MB PC133 SDRAM SO-DIMM
PCC Item# 252293 - 512MB PC133 SODIMM (Edge)
Mfr. Part# 19K4654 - PCC Item# 244835 - 256MB PC133 SDRAM SO-DIMM
PCC Item# 278216 - 256MB PC133 SODIMM (Edge)
Mfr. Part# 19K4652 - PCC Item# 244787 - 128MB PC133 SDRAM SO-DIMM
PCC Item# 256034 - 128MB PC133 SODIMM (Edge)

Well the battery is $90 DELIVERED at WWW.POWER-DEPOT.COM

 

[IgoByte]

Originally posted by: geoffkin
Does everyone agree that another stick of 256 would be PLENTY for this laptop to do all the basic computing tasks? I think watching DVD's is going to be the most I will tax it. I have my LOADED DELL 4550 for burning CD's and gaming on. So have to look around and find the cheapest stick that will WORK in this baby! I would also like to pick up an extra battery on the CHEAP, for long plane rides..
HUH, PC Connection left me a message this morning. I called them back and they were just doing a random check that indeed I did place a laptop order. Laptops are the most stolen thing, guess they are just being careful. So I'll be getting mine next week!! I chose the free, slow boat shipping. We'll see how long it'll take. Promising that they are working on Saturday!!

From PC's page...
256MB 133MHz SDRAM, expandable to 1024MB
There are two (2) SO-DIMM slots. One contains a removable 256MB module and the other is available. To achieve maximum memory, the original chip MUST be replaced.

PC is selling this 512MB for $150 and the 256MB for $70, I'm sure we can beat that!!

Mfr. Part# 19K4656 - PCC Item# 244836 - 512MB PC133 SDRAM SO-DIMM
PCC Item# 252293 - 512MB PC133 SODIMM (Edge)
Mfr. Part# 19K4654 - PCC Item# 244835 - 256MB PC133 SDRAM SO-DIMM
PCC Item# 278216 - 256MB PC133 SODIMM (Edge)
Mfr. Part# 19K4652 - PCC Item# 244787 - 128MB PC133 SDRAM SO-DIMM
PCC Item# 256034 - 128MB PC133 SODIMM (Edge)

512MB total will be just fine. I posted a link to a 256MB dimm at newegg (just above).

 

[geoffkin]

Didn't see your link, I'll look again.
IBM's website is GREAT! Easy to find all the exact info. you need on your exact computer!
Looks like installing RAM is a snap...
RAM install instructions

Cool, so $45 delivered for Kingston 256 RAM. I have Kingston in the desktop, good stuff.

 

[geoffkin]

Here's the INFO homepage for this model T23 on IBM's site...

T23

Igobyte - how does it play DVD's with the included software? Good idea to install a better program maybe?

 

[weovpac]

For someone that wants 512mb. Dell Small Business has Kingston KTM-TP133/512 for $94. That's with 15% off and free shipping.

 

[IgoByte]

Originally posted by: geoffkin


Igobyte - how does it play DVD's with the included software? Good idea to install a better program maybe?

I don't know what's included, but I doubt you'd need anything better. The software that came with the T40 is fine.

 

[jbwhite99]

A few comments:
- Memory is PC133 - it is the 19Kxxxx part numbers listed above. Please don't buy anyone else's memory - the IBM memory is tested (and is covered under the same warranty as the computer). I don't care about desktop memory, but paid extra to get more memory for my Thinkpad - bought it directly from IBM to know I get their quality (they test the ^#&# out of it). It's not much more expensive to get piece of mind
- Don't swap T20 and T30 batteries as someone suggested. Different connectors (I have both a T20 and a T30)
- In terms of the pricing, PC Connection is ahead of the gun
- Don't believe anyone when they sell you a battery for $90 shipped. IBM doesn't sell batteries to anyone for that price except in weird circumstances. Ask this company where the battery came from - I can guarantee it is gray market.

I loved my T20 - beat the snot out of it for 3 years, and the only reason I traded it in was that 12GB HDD wasn't enough. I love the T30, but the T20 is lighter, and the T23 has great performance. You won't go wrong on these deals.

 

[genjy]

Originally posted by: mrVW
I just ordered one. thanks for posting this.

I got the T21 on eBay 18 months ago (via Anandtech). it is 800Mhz and just too slow for XP.

ehehe I run XP Pro on a PII 300mhz Thinkpad 600E and a PII 366mhz Thinkpad 570. Rock-solid stable and very usable; I use them to browse web and to chat while I am playing games on the desktop tower. I even have an Apache webserver and a Filezilla FTP server running on the Thinkpad 570. They are maxed out on ram, though.

800mhz should run XP fast enough for most people. Just get lots of ram.

 

[Pennstate]

I have a X22 P3 800 running XP with a 5400rpm HD and 640MB of ram. Very zippy machine.

 

[jedimastereLmo]

I hate you guys... checking out cart now

j/k I don't really hate you guys. This is gonna be my first laptop, been waiting for an IBM laptop deal with similar specs THANKS!!!

 

[RDaneel]

I jumped on this deal too. PCConnection has always seemed relaible, and they had over 400 in stock on Friday. Pretty good deal for a good machine. If you configure a Dell Inspiron 1100 with about the same specs (Dell has 15" screen and Celeron 2.0) you end up at over $1050 with a three year warranty. The IBM has built in wireless, etc. for $999 shipped? No contest!

My GF will love it as a replacement for her aging Dell Inspiron 7500.

Thanks!
RDaneel

 

[KingofBladez]

Just picked one up

 

[hp660c]

Just jumped in on this deal too. It's my first laptop, so hopefully it is a good one Only thing i would have liked would have been a cdrw/dvd instead of just the dvd. But, i'll just hook it up to a desktop that has a burner to burn stuff. With the 40gb hd, i can put lots of stuff on it before i have to burn anything

Anyone have any input on a nice carrying bag for this laptop? Like i said, i'm a newbie when it comes to laptop, so now sure if there are crappy carrying bags or what. Not looking to spend TOO much on it though

 

[IgoByte]

Originally posted by: hp660c
Just jumped in on this deal too. It's my first laptop, so hopefully it is a good one Only thing i would have liked would have been a cdrw/dvd instead of just the dvd. But, i'll just hook it up to a desktop that has a burner to burn stuff. With the 40gb hd, i can put lots of stuff on it before i have to burn anything

Anyone have any input on a nice carrying bag for this laptop? Like i said, i'm a newbie when it comes to laptop, so now sure if there are crappy carrying bags or what. Not looking to spend TOO much on it though

I'm glad that so many of you got in on this deal. This is an excellent notebook, whether it's your first or tenth.

You can purchase an ultrabay CDRW Drive cheaply, like I did.

How much are you looking to spend on a bag? Do you want a classic, bookbag or messenger-style bag?

 

[hp660c]

Originally posted by: IgoByte

Originally posted by: hp660c
Just jumped in on this deal too. It's my first laptop, so hopefully it is a good one Only thing i would have liked would have been a cdrw/dvd instead of just the dvd. But, i'll just hook it up to a desktop that has a burner to burn stuff. With the 40gb hd, i can put lots of stuff on it before i have to burn anything

Anyone have any input on a nice carrying bag for this laptop? Like i said, i'm a newbie when it comes to laptop, so now sure if there are crappy carrying bags or what. Not looking to spend TOO much on it though

I'm glad that so many of you got in on this deal. This is an excellent notebook, whether it's your first or tenth.

You can purchase an ultrabay CDRW Drive cheaply, like I did.

How much are you looking to spend on a bag? Do you want a classic, bookbag or messenger-style bag?

I'll have to look on eBay for an ultrabay cdrw. Not sure how much they cost (yet).
Not really sure which style of bag i want Probably a classic one. Not sure what the messenger one looks like though. Got a good place that you could suggest to get the bag?

Thanks

 

[Yzzyx]

It is a 4200RPM HD...

Here are some links...

Datasheet (Page 11):
ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pcicrse/psref/tabook.pdf

Main page for T23 stuff:
http://www-3.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-4YTKB8

Main page for the 26478SU:
http://www5.pc.ibm.com/us/products.nsf/$wwwPartNumLookup/_26478SU

Hardware Maintenance Manual:
ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pccbbs/mobiles_pdf/62p9631.pdf

Service & Troubleshooting Guide:
ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pccbbs/mobiles_pdf/t23tsguiden.pdf

Setup Guide:
ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pccbbs/mobiles_pdf/t23setupen.pdf

A review in Russian, with nice pictures...

http://www.3dnews.ru/reviews/mainsystem/thinkpad_t23/

And a big picture...

http://www.3dnews.ru/documents/3068/ibm-t23-big.jpg

I ordered mine Friday afternoon... It shipped out Friday night... I expect to get it Monday...

Be aware PC Connection charges tax in Massachusetts, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee...

For a lot of good Thinkpad info, visit here:

http://zurich.ai.mit.edu/hypermail/thinkpad/

 

[geoffkin]

What HD you talking bout? The 40 Gig this T23 comes with, according to the IBM site...
Combines speedy 5400 rpm and ATA-100 technology for industry-leading performance

 

[lukatmyshu]

I got mine on Friday .... unfortunately in my quest to install Linux on it I accidentally ate the partition that contains the recovery information. I called them tonight and they're going to send me a recovery CD by Tuesday.