Buying used ThinkPads in New Zealand

[m137]

I'm thinking about purchasing a used ThinkPad for school and was wondering if anyone knew of any reputable sellers in NZ?

I like the T480, but can only find refurbished ones for $350-450USD and the product descriptions don't say much about the actual condition of the laptops, so I'm hesitant to buy at that price.

[ZaZ]

You can always question the seller and ask for the model number, which you can google for specs. The cost of buying used or refurbed for a better price is you never know what you're getting until it arrives. I've bought laptops over the years described as in good condition, but when it came it looked like it had been used in a digital sweatshop where the used smoked the entire time while using it. Another looked new with two and half years warranty remaining, including accidental coverage.

If you buy on eBay and it shows up looking worse than described, and you dispute it, the chances of a favorable ruling for the seller are almost statistically insignificant. As always, if you can pay with a credit card, eBay or otherwise, that'll give you more recourse should a problem arise. Posting here in the Marketplace Forum here you may yield a ThinkPad to you liking. Good luck my friend and welcome.

[m137]

Thank you Zaz

Yes, I wouldn't mind buying off eBay, but if I get sent a lemon, I won't be able to return it very easily due to the insane cost of shipping.

Maybe it would be safer to buy a "new" T-series from the Lenovo Outlet. My main concern there is ending up with something that was returned due to overheating issues.

[ZaZ]

You're welcome. Since I don't know your finances, I guess you'll have to decde whether a new ThinkPad is worth the cost. Perhap it's different in New Zealand, but when you get a lemon here in the US and you dispute it as not as described, if you win, the seller typically pays the return shipping, so that may be worth checking out as a way to save money.

[RealBlackStuff]

Google for:
- where to buy used laptops in new zealand
- where to buy used laptops in australia

[m137]

Google for:
- where to buy used laptops in new zealand
- where to buy used laptops in australia

I did, but I don't have much experience buying used laptops, so was hoping another NZ-based user on this forum would be able to recommend a seller or two that they know to be trustworthy.

[BillMorrow]

what are you looking for..?
i am about to list a few of my own thinkpds..
two X1 extreme gen 1, 4k touch screen, a very collectible S30 US model supposedly sent to the IBM CEO thus the "DEMO" tag and two X300's and a few other antiques..

[m137]

Cheers Bill, I'm looking for a T480 that I can use for school. I'll just be using it for word processing, web browsing, programming and running some VMs, so I don't need anything fancy.

I'm currently using an ex-lease L460 that a relative got from work. The trackpad and some of the keys have sadly stopped working, but I enjoy using it.

The S30 has a really interesting design - awesome keyboard, no wasted real estate, but where's the touchpad? Are you just supposed to use the trackpoint? Also, I wish they still made laptops with beveled keys. I really dislike the ultralight stuff.

[rumbero]

The S30 has a really interesting design - awesome keyboard, no wasted real estate, but where's the touchpad? Are you just supposed to use the trackpoint?

As someone who only stays with Lenovo Thinkpads because they do feature a useable trackpoint i found this remark rather funny.

I guess i am not the only Thinkpad user who since the last 25 years always permanently turns off the touchpad in the BIOS and exclusively uses the trackpoint.

So yes, it is perfectly feasible to just use the trackpoint. And many people even much prefer it over any kind of touchpad.

[TPFanatic]

I disable touchpad on my P71 and T470 because it's too big and I hit it accidentally. On my older laptops where it's appropriately small, I am content to leave it enabled and use it when convenient. TrackPoint and Keyboard are my preferred methods of navigation.

[m137]

The S30 has a really interesting design - awesome keyboard, no wasted real estate, but where's the touchpad? Are you just supposed to use the trackpoint?

I guess i am not the only Thinkpad user who since the last 25 years always permanently turns off the touchpad in the BIOS and exclusively uses the trackpoint.

Whoa! I could only will myself to try it for a couple of days before giving up lol.

[ZaZ]

eBay offers a pretty good, in my experience, help board. If you're interested in saving some money buying here and having it shipped over, which some eBay sellers offer, you might want to post over there to see what the rules are for international returns and what the outcome might be if you get a lemon.

[m137]

Thanks Zaz, I'll check it out.

[BillMorrow]

remember there are duties and VAT in NZ..
i ALWAYS disable the touchpad..
the S30 was a japan only thinkpad thus most ALL have japanese keyboards..
there are MANY really talented thinkpads for cheap, just be careful where you get it from, a private seller can understate the value for VAT/taxes but that gets trivial when buying a $250 ro $350 used thinkpad..