On Mon, April 7, 2008 12:52 pm, Christopher Sawtell wrote: >> Perhaps a reasonable spec second hand >> one might be better value, but I'm just unsure >> of ex lease laptops >> (battery life?? and limited guarantees cf desktops which I can fix >> myself) > > I have had a couple of s/h IBM ThinkPads. An R40 & now a T41. > They have both run Gentoo Linux very well, if not exactly faultlessly. > Be sure to have a CPU speed controller module installed , > the latest X-11 server and enable "DynamicClocks" in xorg.conf > so the machine runs as cool as possible. > > Battery life is reduced. I get about an hour's use out of the T41, > whereas a new battery is supposed to give about 3 hours. The battery > is replaceable from 3rd. party vendors if that's what you desire. >
Hard to know if its worn out or if power saving in linux is to blame, often a combination of both. A replacement battery can significantly add to the price. > The firm Computer Future guarantee their ex-lease laptops for 3 > months. They honour the guarantee too. The first T41 was replaced just > before the end of the 3 months because the keyboard stopped working > properly. Similar recommendation. The hinge broke on mine and although they took ages to locate and obtain a part, they did honour the warranty and fix it.. > > The T41 cost approximately $700. > > The usual HTH & YMMV apply to the above. > > > On 4/7/08, stringer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> Hi guys 'n gals, >> >> I've got a little money spare at the moment so am looking at a cheap >> laptop. >> >> Is there anything I should steer clear of? >> >> Mostly I do word processing and a little spreadsheeting (Open Office >> will >> do) as well as email and browsing. >> >> I'm not sure whether to go wholly linux, or keep the Vista licence for >> sundrys (like the multifuncion in the office which might not work under >> linux). Can one still get a refund on an unused MS licence? >> >> Dick SMith advertised an Acer Aspire AS5315 for $798 less $149 cashback, >> but none left at Riccarton yesterday (Celeron processor, 512 MB ram, 80 >> Gig >> HDD, 15.4" display, DVD multi drive Visto Home licence) >> The guy tried to sell me the next model up for $1099 less $99 which had >> 1 >> gig ram, twice the hard drive and a dual core processor. >> They also had an Asus Z99LE at $999. Dual core 1 gig etc etc >> >> Dell have an Inspiron 1525 for $999 Dual core, 1 gig etc etc >> >> I don't need it for gaming or watching videos (though that would be nice >> :-|) >> >> Perhaps a reasonable spec second hand one might be better value, but I'm >> just unsure of ex lease laptops (battery life?? and limited guarantees >> cf >> desktops which I can fix myself) >> >> Thoughts anyone? >> D J H STRINGER >> Barrister >> >> For all your legal work; >> >> P O Box 1386 >> CHRISTCHURCH >> NEW ZEALAND >> >> Phone 64 - 3 - 366 1152 >> FAX 64 - 3 - 366 1151 >> >> > > > -- > Sincerely etc. > Christopher Sawtell > -- Nick Rout
