Got this offered, is this a good deal?

[simms]

Specs:
IBM I
P3 - 650,
RAM - 64mb built in (removed ram module so there is one open slot) -
20 GB HD
13.3" screen
CD rom
Wireless 802.11 pcmcia card - ethernet, modem, 2 usb - 1 ps/2, monitor and printer ports, microphone, speaker out,

The battery doesn't hold a full charge, I don't remember how long it lasts for. I don't see any dead pixels.

$230, but I could get him down to $210 abouts.

Should I take it?

 

[BadMonkey130U]

No! You'll kick yourself in the ass when you try to use this old, slow POS. Spend a few hundred more and buy a new laptop from Dell or someone else. You'll get a warranty, a bigger screen, and you won't tear your ligaments out trying to kick yourself in the ass.

 

[Thomasio]

Really it depends on what you want to do with it, if you just want to write the occasional email, surf the net etc. then that'd be fine (though mobility will probably be pretty limited due to the battery failing) you'd probably be better off getting a new cheap laptop as BadM says, unless you really can't afford better.

 

[simms]

Well, really, for all that I'm using it for... plus I'm on a tight budget and would rather save, and I already have a desktop. Plus I don't game so I don't know if I can justify a $750 increase to get a Dell...

I am using it for 4 reasons:

1) internet/email
2) downloading for BT/dc++ (that's why I want a big hdd)
3) word
4) video playback/mp3 playback

that's IT, totally. This is not going to be a desktop replacement or ANYthing, just something I can use to download files with/play back from.

 

[simms]

Originally posted by: Thomasio
Really it depends on what you want to do with it, if you just want to write the occasional email, surf the net etc. then that'd be fine (though mobility will probably be pretty limited due to the battery failing) you'd probably be better off getting a new cheap laptop as BadM says, unless you really can't afford better.

Battery lasts 30 minutes. Only reason why I would need a laptop is cos I need to move it to the school so I can get a signal (but I can plug in there)

and the van, on road trips (but again, I can plug in thru the car adapter).

 

[simms]

Originally posted by: Thomasio
Really it depends on what you want to do with it, if you just want to write the occasional email, surf the net etc. then that'd be fine (though mobility will probably be pretty limited due to the battery failing) you'd probably be better off getting a new cheap laptop as BadM says, unless you really can't afford better.

BTW I'm honoured that you signed up just now to post that to me.

 

[Mike01]

That laptop is powerful enough to play almost any video file (no hd stuff), but the CPU isn't capable of streaming video from your local network.

In other words, no sitting on the bowl, watching some divx movie you just downloaded unless it's on the lappy's hard drive.

I have an old PIII 850Mhz with a wireless G card...no dice. Can't stream anything worth watching.

 

[railer]

<shrug> It's not bad. Check ebay for completed auctions with the same specs to see for sure if it's good...but off the top of my head that seems fair. A new Dell lappy could be had for around $550 btw....

 

[simms]

Originally posted by: Mike01
That laptop is powerful enough to play almost any video file (no hd stuff), but the CPU isn't capable of streaming video from your local network.

In other words, no sitting on the bowl, watching some divx movie you just downloaded unless it's on the lappy's hard drive.

I have an old PIII 850Mhz with a wireless G card...no dice. Can't stream anything worth watching.

No streaming.. I'd be downloading directly from the network and onto HDD (hence why 20GB is good). Then I xfer over to desktop.

Originally posted by: railer
<shrug> It's not bad. Check ebay for completed auctions with the same specs to see for sure if it's good...but off the top of my head that seems fair. A new Dell lappy could be had for around $550 btw....

Good idea. Yea, $550 for a Inspriion 1200. Then it's just $750 AR for a 700m, and why not go $50 more to hit $800 for a 9300....

Which is almost 3-4x what I would pay for this.... but I don't need all that, I believe.

Thank you very much for your ideas though, they're really helpful. Maybe in 2 years when I have a full job and money, I'll definetely splurge.

But I think the idea of cheap laptop + 17-19" LCD + 1GB DDR400 is starting to appeal to me

 

[fbrdphreak]

That's not a bad system; IBM does have certified used notebooks that start w/like ~700MHz P3's and default 3-month warranty (1 year max)

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