Used ThinkPad Buyer's Guide

New, live technology Q&A weekly on YouTube! Email your questions to [email protected], and join live or view the archive for the answers!Use CTRL/CMD+F to search the page for specific models or topics!Welcome to the redesign!Trying to maintain accurate prices on every model <2016 was a little nuts. Now, there are ranges of reasonable estimates. More information has been added, including suggestions, resources, and education on the naming conventions for the modern models.The eBay Guide has been here for some time, but it is hands-down the best way I have found to 'teach you how to fish'. This way, the prices are always accurate to your situation. If you appreciate the effort, a tip with the link above is very much appreciated!OverviewGuide updated November 2019.This Buyers Guide covers ThinkPads new enough to fully support Windows 10 with all updates - with models available from $50 on up!Used ThinkPads are cheap because they are business-grade computers - and business-grade equipment is purchased new typically every 3-4 years. This is fantastic for the smart or thrifty, as software requirements haven't changed much since mid 2011. Even better, business-grade PC's tend to last far longer, and function far more consistently than consumer or even 'prosumer'-grade technology. This is a freely offered guide on technology that I, and many others, consider to be the best of the best. That said, your mileage may vary - I can't promise how much you will like it. :)Price estimates are in blue+bold. If you’re patient, you can get one for even less!This Guide is NOT an exhaustive list of all models available. Rather, it focuses on models in the used market. Many of the naming conventions, features, and advantages listed on this page for buying a ThinkPad are still valid for new models, however. The reports of the death of the ThinkPad brand have been greatly exaggerated.Why ThinkPad?They’re incredibly cheap when you buy a used one.Splash-proof keyboard thanks to drainage holes.Keyboards feel excellent while typing - yes, even the new ones.Great durability: your data is what it protects most, if it happens to be thrown out of a tall building or run over by a truck. The casing will deal with daily wear and tear like it’s nothing.On older models - Utilitarian design, indicator LEDs, great keyboard key layout. (That's why some older models are actually worth more, for those used to the older keyboard, build, and aspect ratio. )Docking solutions that easily turns your laptop into a desktop (some models, old and new, can even use external GPUs!) just by setting it down.Easy to repair, upgrade, and maintain thanks to readily available Hardware Maintenance Manuals for almost every model, and spare parts are easy and cheap to obtain.Very good Linux compatibility. Fed up with Windows? Lenovo certifies Linux compatibility on many models in cooperation with Red Hat and Canonical. Just don't expect great tech support - they're outsourced like everybody else. That's what Reddit and search engines are for. ;)Want to get started with Linux? I recommend Pop!_OS LTS for ease of use, performance, and battery life.TrackPoint (that red thing on the middle of the keyboard), is great for those who type a lot or hate swiping their fingers all over a touchpad. They work very well for games and other tasks requiring fine movement, such as artwork/design. It may seem archaic or outdated to some, but for others - it's why they use ThinkPads. There are very good reasons to learn & use it! Click here to read the story of the TrackPoint. eBay Deal-Finding Quick GuideFinding a good deal really comes down to understanding eBay sorting. Basically,pick a modelpick specs (IPS screen unless you plan on replacing it yourself)search eBaysort search by low to high, potentially use Offers categorymake sure seller is highly rated with at least a hundred salesREAD THE DESCRIPTION OF THE LISTING (it may not be functional, and you are only warrantied by eBay for it matching the description!)READ IT AGAINAnd now you have a ThinkPad xx70 or older for under $250 USD!That's really all there is to it. It's really hard to go wrong with those steps, as eBay almost always sides with the buyer in disputes. Even if it doesn't make sense. I should know. I'm both a seller and a buyer.I've purchased several ThinkPads this way with no unresolvable issues. You're going to find the best deals on units from refurbisher/recycling companies that do not include the HDD/SSD/OS. That's not a problem at all. SSD's are affordable and easy to install, and Windows 10 Pro downloaded from Microsoft's site will activate itself on any hardware xx40+ automatically, and on any earlier model with the included 7/8 key on the sticker post install.Alternatively - use Linux. It is 100% viable as a mainstream OS now since everything is done in the browser anyway, Steam support even for Windows games is great, and Linux is typically more stable and consistent than Windows. Pop!_OS or Linux Mint Cinnamon is the way to go for beginners, Solus if you're looking for rolling release, and Arch if you're looking for nerd cred+lack of free time in addition to rolling release.RecommendationsIf it has a traditional hard drive, replace it with a solid state drive ASAP. This goes for all computers - not just ThinkPads. Check out this guide on how to do a clean Windows install. If there's one thing ThinkPads have variance of quality on, it is the screen. Some models practically guarantee a 'good' screen - others are a mixed bag. If you care in particular about screen quality, get either an IPS or a touchscreen model. Even better, install an IPS screen after purchase. They are typically not difficult to install, but you should see if you are comfortable with the process by looking up '<model> screen replacement' in YouTube. Note, when looking for a model with IPS or touchscreen - you can expect to pay $100+ more than the prices listed in this guide. This is normal, and in my opinion, often worth the expense.Click on the 'x Series' headings for specs on models in that series.With the findings regarding Spectre and Meltdown vulnerabilities, we still don't know which processors will be patched. It's possible that none of those in this list will be. I doubt that however, as the world essentially runs on legacy hardware - but something to keep in mind. Spectre and Meltdown in 2 minutes here.Scroll to the end of the Guide for benchmark comparisons and other buying tips.Want even more tips and tricks? Check out this other Buying Guide from ThinkWiki.ResourcesThe first thing you should do when you get your ThinkPad is to format it and install a fresh copy of Windows (downloadable here if you have a 7/8 key, or the unit came with 8 or above) or your favorite flavor of Linux to make it run as efficiently as possible. It gets rid of any risk of viruses and unneeded bloatware that the last owner left over or preinstalled for you. To install drivers and firmware updates quickly (In Windows), use Lenovo System Update. Windows 8 or 10? - use Lenovo Vantage instead.Need some cool software to use on your new ThinkPad, or want to learn more about technology? Take a look at my Free Resource Directory.Looking for the 'exploded' wallpapers? Here you go. (Thanks to u/weedboi6969, u/mingxxie, and the rest from /r/thinkpad)xx50 series has a screen whitelist, meaning if you buy one of those cheaply with the intent to upgrade the screen to IPS, you may need to follow this guide (thanks metrotw!) to make screen brightness driver control work in Windows. This is a non-issue in Linux. Want to configure the TrackPoint speed in Linux? Here are two tools to do exactly that. Simple Sensitivity & TPConfig. TrackPad too sensitive or fast in Linux Mint? Here's how to fix that.Want to coreboot/mod xx30's? Use 1vyrain!Turkish your primary language? Mustafa Gokay's blog has a Turkish translation of some of this page.Understanding the Modern (2010-2019) ThinkPad Model Naming ConventionFormat: (letter)(number 1)(number 2)(number 3)(second letter)There are other formats, but this is the most common within the modern structure. LettersT - Thin-ish. Medium/standard sized laptop. 14" and 15" variants available.X - Ultraportable. Same thickness as the T series, but with a smaller screen (12" or 13') and less expansion options in favor of weight and a Yoga (2-1, touchscreen) option.W- The old workstation line, discontinued in 2015 in favor of the P series. Thicker and heavier than the other classes - but you gain workstation-class graphics and CPU power.P - Same as the W, but given that they are newer, they are relatively light and thin.X1 - Flagship mainstream ThinkPad line. They tend to be comparable to the MacBook Airs in weight and thickness. X1 Extreme - Compared to the other X1's, the Extreme is much more comparable to the MacBook Pro in terms of weight and power. The Extreme in particular is a near perfect blend of weight, power, and durability for the traveling worker/prosumer/gamer. Battery life pays a bit for that power tradeoff. The ThinkPad P1 is the same design, but with a Xeon and Quadro rather than an i9 and GTX. The X1 Extreme is the only ThinkPad that can be considered a 'Gaming ThinkPad' - unless you consider the PCMIA/ThunderBolt options (that can be paired with external GPUs) as well.Numbers/Second LettersThe first number, (example, T420s) represents the screen size. In this example, the screen size is 14".The second number, (example, T420s) represents the generation. In this example, the generation is the 2012 model.The third number is a iterative variant of the generation, or alternative. For instance, the T431 has a totally different body design than the T430. The T495 has an AMD Ryzen processor rather than the T490's Intel options.The second letters (examples: T420s, X380y, W700ds) represent specific features on that model. In these examples, the S in T420s represents Slim, the Y in X380y represents Yoga (2-1, touchscreen) and the