I am still looking to purchase a refurbed W500 and there are two models that come available from time to time, seemingly identical except for the processor and an extra $40 for the T9600.

What is the consensus, my use is fairly basic but I do use Adobe Elements and Lightroom.

The T9400 is the 4061B13 and the T9600 is the 4061A51.

Thanks for any advice...

Identical they're not. The major difference is the screen resolution:

ThinkPad W500 (4061-B13)
Based 4061-2ZU: T9400(2.53GHz), 2GB RAM, 160GB 7200rpm HD, 15.4in 1680x1050 LCD, 512MB ATI FireGL V5700, CDRW/DVDRW, Intel 802.11agn wireless, WWAN option, Bluetooth, Modem, 1Gb Ether, UltraNav, Sec Chip, Camera, 9c Li-Ion, WinXP Pro

vs.

ThinkPad W500 (4061-A51)
Based on 4061-2ZU: T9600(2.8GHz), 2GB RAM, 160GB 7200rpm HD, 15.4in 1920x1200 LCD, 512MB ATI FireGL V5700, CDRW/DVDRW, Intel 802.11agn wireless, Bluetooth, Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, Camera, 6c Li-Ion, WinVista Business 32

I've used an extremely similar unit to the latter, and hated the LCD. My pick would be the first one, for the screen alone if for nothing else.

You are *extremely* unlikely to be able to feel the difference in performance between T9400 and T9600. Put the $40 towards a SSD or a RAM upgrade....

Happy shopping.

stuartfm, this links to benchmarks showing the difference in performance between those processors:

http://www.buy-a-thon.com/reviews/W700- ... mpare-proc

And this post talks about the 1920x1200 display that came with that machine:

viewtopic.php?p=465705#p465705

I am quite the dunderhead, I recall you stating your displeasure with that screen in another thread, I think I am just too anxious to dump the T43 before the USB connection totally gives up (again, this time not under warranty.)

Thanks for all the patience with me.