IBM T23? What do you think?

[Txiasaeia]

I've been offered a T23 with the following specs:

P3-M 1.13GHz
256MB RAM
XGA TFT w/S3 Savage (16MB VRAM)
DVD-ROM
30GB HD
802.11B wireless

The guy wants $750 USD for it. It's used but in good condition. I know it's a little thicker, little bigger than the T4x series, but how do the two compare? I'm looking for a word processor, but I want something to last for the next five years or so and I want to make sure that I'm not buying a lemon. Has anybody had any experience with the T23 and can tell me about how rugged it is? Thanks!

[Zeitgeist]

It is an excellent notebook, I just bought two. The price is ok since it has wlan.

The T23 has almost the same size as the t40 model, the processor of course is slower but it is more than enough for office, internet etc.. The pentium III processor is more suitable for a notebook since its successor p IV consumes much more energy. The fan is almost always off, the battery lasts between 2h and 3n (depending on its age).

Further advantages: all recent IBM software like Rapid Restore 4.0, access conncetion etc. can be installed. T21,21,22 models don't support these programs

Check the serial number to see how long the IBM warranty lasts.

[csv96]

Depends on the condition and where it came from. If it's from the original owner and it has all the original box, packaging, accessories, manuals, etc., and some warranty then it's probably okay. Be careful with refurbs or bare units or corporate "off-lease" units. They might be okay but they can be pretty beat up. Find out what else is included, the unit's history, its serial number, and if possible ask for some pictures.

[lilserenity]

This is a reply I sent to another list, but shop around...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... eName=WDVW

That to me is a good price. Pretty much top of the range, but wireless is not built in.

The T23 is IMO one of the best Thinkpads ever made, and I love mine, but have upgraded to a T41 (if the other matters are resolved and I receive it

The reply I sent to another list...

Thought I would give you the low down on the T23, since I presently own one (have done for about 6 months now, though I am soon upgrading to a T41).

Personally I think the T23 was one of the finest ThinkPads ever made, it has enough improvements over the older T20/21/22 machines as well to make it stand out. I also prefer it to the T30 since it is slimmer and runs cooler.

The big advantages of the T23 over older T2x machines is:

- 1024MB (1GB) of memory maximum (instead of 512MB)
- 16MB S3 SuperSavage IXC (instead of 8MB Savage IX)
- 133MHZ bus speed (vs. 100MHz)
- 2 x USB sockets (instead of one)
- Tualatin Pentium III processors (somewhat fast, 512KB L2 cache vs. 256KB and 133MHz bus again)

You can get the T23 in XGA and SXGA 14.1" TFT versions, and they ar about 1.3" thick, very robust and most have some warranty left (mine does till November 2005).

You can pick up a very nice T23, PIII 1.2GHz, with SXGA+ (1400x1050 resolution), DVD/CDRW Combo unit, 512MB, 48GB Disk and Windows XP Professional for a good price these days.

To give you a quick run down:

- T20: 650/700/750MHz. No SXGA Option. 512MB Max.
- T21: 750/800/850MHz. SXGA an option. 512MB Max.
- T22: 800/900/1000MHz. SXGA an option. 512MB Max.
- T23: 866/1000/1133/1200MHz. SXGA an option. 1GB Max.
- T30: Pentium 4m 1.6-2.4GHz. SXGA an option. 1GB Max.

Remember th Tualatin PIII in the T23 is a fast chip, and will keep up with most of the tasks a T30 with a lower end P4m chip can. T30 comes with 16MB ATI Radeon 7500 as well.

However I'd still choose the T23 over the T30. After all the Savage chip actually rather good, I get on fine with it in Photoshop with dual display, the XGA display for the XP desktop and a 1280x1024 SXGA display on my 17" CRT which I tend to browse the web and use Photoshop on when at home. It could do with some more memory and a bigger hard disk in my case (512MB/20GB HD in my T23) but I have always found the T23 always can take what I throw at it and throw it back hard. It can play ball very well indeed.

So why sell it for a T41? I feel in love with the T41's aesthetics even more than those of the T23! If it doesn't feel a good enough improvement, I will stick with the T23 and return the T41.

As for whether you will notice a difference from your 770X. YES. Not least the huge size difference (2" vs. 1.3"!), and generally faster and smoother operation. For day to day things like Word and Email, their won't be a massive speed up, but it can do more of those things at once fluidly and also expands the potential of what you could do on your thinkpad, such as image editing, DTP, music editing/sequencing, playing DVD movies etc.

All in all, a recommended buy, hope this helps you out.

Hope this helps.

Vicky

[Daniel]

I'm looking for a word processor, but I want something to last for the next five years or so and I want to make sure that I'm not buying a lemon.

That should be great as a word processor, however I think asking for 5 years is pushing the boundaries of computing components, especially in a mobile device.

[jdhurst]

Most of the replies here are telling you the T23 is a good machine, and I agree. I owned one, sold it to a colleague and he continues to use it without problem.

It is the same weight as my T41, roughly the same thickness, and otherwise smaller. From this perspective, it is a gem, and a very good design.

The one I had came with XP Pro and it ran Office Pro and everything else I run including VMware and several virtual machines just fine.

So long as it is in verifiably good condition, you should be fine. ... jdhurst