From: Benjamin Koh (benkoh_at_leland.Stanford.EDU)
Date: Tue Jun 01 1999 - 13:33:11 EDT
If you want to try out Linux, I would vote for buying a CD-ROM equipped
thinkpad, either the old 760 series or a 600. The reason is that 3rd
party CD-ROM drives are usually not bootable, and Linux support is iffy.
My Panasonic KXL-810A is not supported, and it was a pain downloading
everything. This can be avoided if your network card is supported (mine
wasn't at that time, it is now) since you can then install via FTP.
I just checked the completed auctions on eBay, and you can get a P2 TP
600 with 13.3in TFT for about $1500, including CD-ROM. These models are
relatively recent (less than a year old), and will still have the
remainder of IBM's 3 year warranty. Alternatively you can buy the HPA
P233MMX model for about $1000, which also carried a 3 year warranty.
Personally I would buy the P2/13.3TFT models if it's your primary
machine, but since it's a secondary/backup machine the P233MMX/HPA may
suffice.
Processor speed is not as important as RAM. Get lots of RAM. Only time
you'll see processor-induced slowdown is in games and mathematical
simulations, and MP3 playback - my 560X stutters sometimes when the hard
drive is accessed during MP3 playback. Otherwise for wordprocessing and
the like, no big deal. With Linux, speed should not be an issue at all.
Benjamin
Warren Tan Wing Wah wrote:
>
> Hi! :)
>
> I'm thinking of getting a Thinkpad 560, preferably Pentium 233MMX, 64MB,
> 4GB, 12.1" TFT. My budget is around US$ 1250, I don't mind paying a little
> more, but money is of concern here, so if it's less, all the better!
>
> Now to my question : I've seen quite a few machines of these specs on eBay
> for the price I'm looking at, but I wonder if there's somewhere else I
> should look at? Anywhere I should look for refurbs or particularly good
> deals? I'm just concerned that the used ones on eBay may come to me in a
> less-than-perfect condition :)
>
> I also noticed that Bill Morrow at thinkpads.com sells Thinkpads - happen to
> have any of these for sale, Bill? I'd anytime purchase from someone I know
> on this list than a complete stranger on eBay!
>
> Lastly, is there any other thing I should consider? I'm basically just
> looking for a cheap (allright, "reasonably-priced", since Thinkpads are
> never cheap!) ultra-portable that I would:
>
> a) use as a backup system in case power goes out on my desktop
> b) tote around now and then when I travel (I hardly ever do)
> c) use as a simple mail / web server at times, on my home network
> d) try out Linux without having to mess up my desktop system
>
> That's why I need the minimum of 4GB, since I plan to have both 98 and Linux
> on it.
>
> I would consider going up to $1500 should it be necessary, but if I can get
> away with something below a grand, all the better!
>
> I've seen those P166MMX models with 2.1GB and 32MB going for below a grand -
> is it worth it to get this instead and upgrade the RAM and HDD? I won't
> notice much on the processor, would I?
>
> Any suggestions? :)
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Warren.
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