IBM laptop A31

[Bob W]

Wife never did buy a laptop, as discussed some time ago ( http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=491919&highlight=laptop ). So I've decided to buy her a used one for Christmas. Based on prices, reasonable shipping, recommendations, and 6 month warranty, I'd like to buy from www.usanotebook.com .

The model that really catches my eye is the IBM A31. Pentium 4 M processor, 15" screen, Windows XP. Anyone have one of these? Any reason why it won't be good enough for running simple office-type software titles like Word, Excell, or her grading program?

Need to order soon, in case there are any problems it can be exchanged in time for the holidays. And Wife is driving me crazy, always coming into the library to use my computer...

 

[beau5278]

I have one that I used up until August,I bought it over a year ago off ebay and it worked great for what I used it for,mostly storing for backup and surfing than actual work.This past August,the screen went black on me and being at a prosperous time of the year,I opted to upgrade to a new model.I still have the A31,it's sitting here running right now,I had turned it on a couple of weeks after it went black to see if it would come on so I could retrieve some files and it has worked ok every time that I've turned it on since.I've had a couple of older IBMs and didn't have much trouble with any of them,the little gizmo that controls the pointer can be hard on the end of your finger if your on the computer for awhile,but that's a simple fix with a regular mouse.I can tell you for sure that it's twice as heavy as the Acer that I have now and I would see about get an upgrade for the RAM to something that's more useable in todays world.

 

[Bob W]

Thanks for the info. I have a very old (Windows 95) IBM laptop that still runs like new, but I've had trouble with the durability of some Dell laptops. USAnotebook seems to specialize in IBM, or at least that's what they have the best selection of, plus the IBMs seem to have lower prices considering the specs.

and I would see about get an upgrade for the RAM to something that's more useable in todays world.

The A31 I'm looking at has 512MB of RAM. Should be plenty for the XP operating system and office applications. I only have 1GB on my high-end XP desktop, and it seems to be more than enough even when playing modern high-demand games.

the little gizmo that controls the pointer can be hard on the end of your finger if your on the computer for awhile,but that's a simple fix with a regular mouse

I agree, I hate that little eraser head pointer even more than I hate touch pads. So l'll also have to get a mouse regardless.

I can tell you for sure that it's twice as heavy as the Acer

I saw some brand new Acer laptops advertised that weren't too expensive during the Thanksgiving sales at the electronics stores, but they all came with Vista.

 

[beau5278]

Yes,I'm running Vista on this,it took some getting used to but for what I do with a computer and it wasn't that bad.There were a couple of software issues but they've pretty much taken care of those already.The only reason that I didn't go back to another used IBM was that it would have taken longer and for the price of this computer,I just couldn't see going used again.I didn't use everything that came with it,namely the Symantecs Virus scan,I installed AVG andthere were a few other things thatI got rid of but I really don't have any complaints.
512 mgs of Ram should be good,I only had 256 on mine and there were times that things would hang up if you tried to have to much going on.

 

[PerformanceFirst]

I'd stay away from a Pentium 4 in a laptop, especially if you really want to use this on the go. They generate lots of heat and won't have much battery life. Also I'd be extra careful to back up anything you don't want to lose with an old hard drive.

 

[Bob W]

Yes,I'm running Vista on this,it took some getting used to but for what I do with a computer and it wasn't that bad.There were a couple of software issues but they've pretty much taken care of those already.

The glitch is Wife's grading software that's mandated by the school district. Several teachers have been unsuccessful in getting to run on Vista computers. Haven't tried it myself though.

Plus, with XP on her laptop, she'll now have the same OS as the school's computers and as our new home computer.

I'd stay away from a Pentium 4 in a desktop, especially if you really want to use this on the go. They generate lots of heat and won't have much battery life.

The IBM in question actually has the Pentium 4 M processor. I believe the M processors are really just standard P4 that have been tuned down in order to use less energy and not get as hot.

I'd be extra careful to back up anything you don't want to lose with an old hard drive.

Absolutely. I don't trust brand new hard drives with data storage either. The IBM A31 has a CD-RW drive included.

 

[PerformanceFirst]

I don't know how much better a P4M will be. Intel made the Pentium M (totally different) for laptop lines alongside the P4 because the P4 was such a pig. A few people I know have P4 equipped laptops and they'll give between 1-2.5 hrs battery life. The battery might be something to consider too, since they don't last as long on a charge as they age, and have a finite number of charge-discharge cycles.

 

[Bob W]

Well, I pushed that button on that A31 a while ago. I'd post a link, but the product is no longer shown on the website. Maybe I bought the only one with those exact specs?

Windows XP Pro
512MB RAM
P4-M, 1.6Ghz
CDRW drive
15" screen
16MB graphics (should be fine for office-type work)
6-mo warranty (try that on eBay)

And a 5% discount 'cause Wife's a teacher.

I'll post a quick review after it arrives. Want to test it before gift-wrapping.

 

[SharpByCoop]

That's the computer I own, too. I opted for Win2000 Pro at the time I bought it (About three-four years ago) I tether it at home in my studio for viewing images direct from the camera. I also use it when I do a show for the same, and also to store the images.

I had to install a CD recording program. I couldn't figure out how Win2K records from the system software, if it does.

Funny that the monitor went bad on beau5278's laptop. Mine started up a month ago with four vertical lines running down the screen, top to bottom. It's permanent. I plugged in a 19" monitor and that is fine, so it's the display, not the internal card. Too bad too, because the TFT screen is what is (was) really great about this model.

I upgraded to 1GB or memory, and added a USB 2.0 PCIMCIA card which halved the time it took to load 13mb RAW files from my Canon.

Bottom line: It's quality. Beware of the screen problems in the future.

Coop

 

[Bob W]

I had to install a CD recording program. I couldn't figure out how Win2K records from the system software, if it does.

XP does, I don't know about 2000. I own different versions of Roxio/Adaptec and Nero too, which I'll probably install since XP doesn't include a packet-writing application (Direct CD or InCD). The most stable is an older version of Adaptec. Couldn't use it on my new computer because that old version doesn't burn DVDs, but it should work fine with the 'new' laptop.

Beware of the screen problems in the future.

I will. Thanks!