DEAD: IBM ThinkPad T23 for $999

[dascud]

i finally caved in and ordered one. Now to figure out a way to classify it as justifiable expense.

 

[Yzzyx]

In the start menu there is a link called "IBM Update Connector"... Run it and you will get around 35MB of IBM-specific updates... I ran this after doing the whole windowsupdate thing...

To turn off SpeedStep go to Start Menu -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Power Options -> Advanced Settings...

There is a cool CD-ROM speed utility there too... You can verify the frequency, in real time, with WCPUID...

I am on the wireless right now... It works very well...

I tested the restore process today after installing 2003 Server (Which ran great, although I didn't spend any time setting up the wireless) and the restore process ended up being fairly quick and painless as far as restore deals go... You had to switch the CD 1/2 way through but that was about it...

 

[DerProfi]

I just ordered one yesterday, but then this morning I came across this shareholder deal. Oh well, I just have to keep telling myself that I can't spare the extra $600...

 

[IgoByte]

OK, looks like the seller has a few additional CDRW Drives (Ultrabay). If you want one, now is the time to post.

First come first served.

Keep in mind I haven't received mine yet. I will wait until I'm able to check it out before ordering more.

 

[hp660c]

IgoByte:
How much? What speed? Is it a CDRW/DVD?

 

[IgoByte]

Originally posted by: hp660c
IgoByte:
How much? What speed? Is it a CDRW/DVD?

For those of you who don't read previous posts the drives are just CDRW drives (not combo drives), they are for the ultrabay and are compatible with the T23, and cost $60 shipped. They are 8X drives.

 

[IgoByte]

My CDRW Drive came in today; looks and works great!

He has three more drives available on hand and four others listed on eBay, I think. Those of you who want in on this and can pay him via PayPal, please contact me for his info. The drive is a CDRW Drive (not a combo drive) and costs $60 shipped.

LMK

 

[gabegarwick]

Okay, I broke down and ordered one of these around 10pm CST last night w/ overnight shipping.
Airborne tracking says it was delivered to my house by 9am this morning! (this would be a first from Airborne as everything shipped to my house via Airborne in the past has overshot the shipping time by at least one day, more often two...)

So, I'm excited But, I won't believe it until I see it when I get home after work...
FYI- My work issued laptop is also a T23 (same specs as this one, minus wifi)

Thanks to original poster for a good deal!
Cheers,
Gabe

Edit: Laptop actually did ship overnight and was at my house as promised. (Still haven't unpacked it yet though)

 

[BigEdMuustaffa]

For those who aren't using this laptop on the road or taking it to work, ie just using it around the house with the wifi, do you think this is a better deal or the one to get rather than the IBM site deal on the T40? I know the T40 is $600 or so more, but it has a video card with 32 mb rather than the 16 in the T23.....any thoughts?

 

[geoffkin]

WOOOHOOOOOOOOOO
Airborne's site says they picked it up from PC CONNECTION around 5pm Monday and my roomate signed for it around lunch time today!!!
That's FAST, FREE SHIPPING to California! 2 day ground baby!

 

[KAMAZON]

Originally posted by: vohwink1
I have this exact machine, and it has been the best laptop I've ever used. It is built VERY well, compact, light, and looks great Although, this deal isn't too hot for me, considering I got mine for only 400 dollars about 8 months ago (government auction). But if you need a laptop and don't need every little bell and whistle the new machines have, I'd pick this up in a second.

Excuse me, but how can I find out about government/police auctions?

 

[geoffkin]

What software came with your T23 from this deal?

 

[Yzzyx]

Some temp measurements:

(Too bad there isn't a code or image tag here!)

Looking at the top:
Hinge left: 36.2C
Hinge middle: 32.2C
Hinge right: 29.8C
Middle left: 35.2C
Middle middle: 33.0C
Middle right: 29.6C
Lower left: 32.6C
Lower middle: 30.2C
Lower right: 26.6C

Looking at the bottom:
Hinge left: 30.8C
Hingemiddle: 39.8C
Hinge right: 44.0C
Middle left: 30.2C
Middle middle: 41.6C
Middle right: 47.2C
Lower left: 26.8C
Lower middle: 35.6C
Lower right: 39.8C

Notes: The ambient temp is 24.4C, the laptop's frequency is 1.2GHz and all measurements were taken with a Raytek non-contact thermometer... I basically divide the laptop into 9 areas, like a big tic-tac-toe board, then scan each area for the highest temp... For this test the laptop was in safe mode, totally idle, for 30 minutes prior to taking the readings...

I have some full-load numbers for the iBook and 12" PowerBook here...

I'll try to post some full-load numbers for the T23 later on...

 

[hp660c]

Got my laptop today, am loving it so far. Just some questions:

1) When i plug an SVIDEO cable into it and my tv, the picture on the tv from the computer is HUGE, it doesnt "fit to screen". So i have to scroll the mouse (watching the tv) and the screen will move as i move the mouse cursor. Is there anyway to make the tv image "fit to screen"? Watching DVD's is a little hard with it zoomed in so much

2) Hibernation: When in hibernation, is the computer actually off? Or just in an advanced standby mode? It comes on lickety split when coming out of hibernation mode, so would like to use that instead of tottally shutting it down. But I'm guessing it is just an advanced standby mode.

3) With the lid closed, you see those two latches on each side that opens it? In the middle, there is a cover or something, what is it?

I'm sure i will have more questions later

Thanks,
HP

 

[kenja]

I'll take question # 3:

IBM sells a camera that fits into the slot on the top edge of the lid (for videoconferencing).

 

[Yzzyx]

That is called an UltraPort... There are (IIRC) 4 devices that fit it...

- Camera
- CF card reader
- Digital microphone
- Bluetooth module

I'm personally interested in the Bluetooth module... The only things this laptop lacks that I wanted was Bluetooth and USB2.0... I'll probably buy a USB2.0 PCMCIA card for it...

Here is IBM's version:

http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/s...fnbr=1&partNumber=33L3245&storeId=1&cntry=840

PS - Both PCMCIA slots on the T23 are 32-bit CardBus...

 

[IgoByte]

Originally posted by: Yzzyx
That is called an UltraPort... There are (IIRC) 4 devices that fit it...

- Camera
- CF card reader
- Digital microphone
- Bluetooth module

I'm personally interested in the Bluetooth module... The only things this laptop lacks that I wanted was Bluetooth and USB2.0... I'll probably buy a USB2.0 PCMCIA card for it...

Here is IBM's version:

http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?lang=en_US&catalogId=-840&langId=-1&prmenbr=1&cntrfnbr=1&partNumber=33L3245&storeId=1&cntry=840

PS - Both PCMCIA slots on the T23 are 32-bit CardBus...

You can get an USB2.0 PC card for much less. Just so you know.

 

[hp660c]

OK, continuation from previous questions:

4) Can a surge happen using the AC -> DC adapter? Someone told me that a surge can't go from AC -> DC.

5) I'm still not sure about plugging the battery in at any given time. If i have the battery running (no AC), and take it down to say 85%, then plug in, it charges up, then let it go down to 56% or sumthin, then charge up. There is no way for the battery to lose some of its lifetime from not draining it totally before charging? I guess I just come from the old school of draining the battery before giving it a charge. Someone please easy my worries a little more

Take it easy on the Laptop newbie )

 

[iamme]

Originally posted by: hp660c
OK, continuation from previous questions:

4) Can a surge happen using the AC -> DC adapter? Someone told me that a surge can't go from AC -> DC.

5) I'm still not sure about plugging the battery in at any given time. If i have the battery running (no AC), and take it down to say 85%, then plug in, it charges up, then let it go down to 56% or sumthin, then charge up. There is no way for the battery to lose some of its lifetime from not draining it totally before charging? I guess I just come from the old school of draining the battery before giving it a charge. Someone please easy my worries a little more

Take it easy on the Laptop newbie )

Li-ION batteries are much more resistant to the "memory effect" of older NiCad and NiMH batteries. You shouldn't worry. After time (years), the battery life won't last as long as when you first got your laptop, and that'll be normal. If you check out used laptops on eBay, almost none of them will guarantee battery life. That's also why batteries are usually warrantied for 1 year, while the rest laptop will be 3 years.

I'd say keep it plugged in and charged up as much as you can, but don't be afraid to drain it down a bit before recharging.

Hope that helps

 

[windsor]

Mine arrived today. Brand new, manufactured and packed June 6, 2003. Gonna wait for some new RAM deal to up it to 756.

 

[Yzzyx]

Also, the charging controller won't kick in until you have burned off some juice...

For example, say you unplug the laptop and move it to another room or something... The battery might drop to 97% or whatever, but the charging circuit will not kick on...

I deal with incredibly expensive batteries daily, and I have been told the #1 killer is charging cycles, followed by charging with too much current... Since the charging circuit is fixed we don't have to worry about the second part, just the first...

If you get bored, go into the battery monitor app... It lists battery temp, # of cycles and all sorts of cool things...

Some links:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=24
http://www.rcbatteryclinic.com/

 

[geoffkin]

AWESOME!! USB 2.0 won't cost that much! How much cheaper than $99 can they be found for?!

 

[Yzzyx]

I've seen no-name cards go for 22 bux locally... But they are the ones that stick out from the side... I prefer the ones with the dongle cable...

 

[Jombo]

Originally posted by: hp660c
Got my laptop today, am loving it so far. Just some questions: 1) When i plug an SVIDEO cable into it and my tv, the picture on the tv from the computer is HUGE, it doesnt "fit to screen". So i have to scroll the mouse (watching the tv) and the screen will move as i move the mouse cursor. Is there anyway to make the tv image "fit to screen"? Watching DVD's is a little hard with it zoomed in so much 2) Hibernation: When in hibernation, is the computer actually off? Or just in an advanced standby mode? It comes on lickety split when coming out of hibernation mode, so would like to use that instead of tottally shutting it down. But I'm guessing it is just an advanced standby mode. Thanks, HP

Let's see 2 first, Hibernate mode is the quickest way to boot up into windows xp. it saves all the data on the ram to the hd before shutting off and is as good as turning it off, that is you can remove the battery, unplug it, and when you turn your comp back on w/ the power source, you'll be back to right before hibernation. i use it all the time on my lappies, this was esp helpful in win2k laptops. but its also good to do a traditional shutdown/start up once in a while to clear the ram and such.

#1, the resolution is huge on your tv, because while your laptop is displaying at 1024 x 768, the tv can only display the resolution upto 640 x 480. maybe you can set the tv to be your secondary monitor (display properties, settings tab, monitor #2, and set the resolution to 640 x 480 and go from there. (this is in theory anyway) good luck

 

[fbx]

Got my T23 this morning and it is perfect. Brand new, IBM sealed, no bad pixels or stuck pixels, immaculate. I'm very pleased with it. I had returned a T40 with a few bad pixels.

Wireless working fine after an easy setup. Have not put my pre-owned CDRW drive in yet.

The thing is VERY light, feels more like my X20 than my A21m.

Could use more screen--1280x1024 would be ideal for me.

Now comes this new T40 offer and I have to think about that. It'll be a lot faster, I imagine (that Banias chip and the larger cache make a difference), and better battery life. Still, it comes out another $600 or more by the time you get taxes and everything. I already have a CDRW so that's not anything I have to worry over.

I like the idea of having a great computer for under a grand!

I also don't want to wait two weeks for the T40 to be built.

What to do, what to do. I have a friend ready to buy this one off my desk, so must decide soon.

Anybody want to make the argument for keeping the T23 or opting for the T40?

Thanks.