The IBM Thinkpad is the best selling laptop in the world. It has a well earned reputation for quality, reliability and performance. The construction / build quality of these laptops is exceptional. The ABS plastics are very hard wearing and the titanium chassis is both light and strong. Low-cost spares are always readily available, world wide.
Our T40, previously one of our best sellers, is very similar to the higher spec T42 that we’ve added to our stock and site, just lower spec. It is suitable for everyday use and is perfect for a student or first time buyer. The P4 mobile processor helps conserve battery life without effecting performance and it has a handy 512Mb of RAM which is easily upgradable at a later date. The 40Gb hard drive is large enough to store photo's, music and videos as well as college/Uni work. For broadband, just plug in your modem and off you go - it's easy to set up with XP. Alternatively, use the integrated hi-speed wireless adapter.
Our T40 package comes complete with a free full office suite with other essential software.
Please note that these items may ship separately. For details of the software suite please >>click here
Please read this independent review of the IBM T42 by notebookreview.com >>http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2136
Most important advice I have often been asked – what’s the best computer? In the past, for sure, some computers were clearly naff, whilst others were not. These days, all the computers you will see on this site will perform and run very well. You don’t need to be an expert as there is no such thing as “best computer”, just find the one that has the features and functionality you want – its that simple. ALL the Packard bell machines are well made and reliable and I would recommend them. Also, it’s very common for people to buy machines with specs and features they REALLY don’t need and never use. Just choose a machine with the features and functionality that you like NOW, not that you expect to possibly grow into. This guide gives straight to the point advice and tips, and I am sure will be enough to help you make your decision. If you are still unsure, just call one of our advisors and they will be sure to help. CPU (processor) There is SO MUCH confusion and nonsense surrounding which CPU to buy. It really makes very little difference these days as they are all quick. Some are just faster than others. Providing you have enough memory, ANY modern CPU will be nice and quick at running modern applications. My advice would be to disregard all the complicated spec – the simple explanation below sums up the key points. AMD Athlon processor or Intel Pentium? This is easy to answer – there’s no significant difference anymore. Disregard the manufacturer when making your decision. Traditional single CPU or Dual core CPU. The last batch of single core CPUs were reaching speeds or around 3.0 Ghz or so. Now we are seeing the arrival of dual core CPUs. This one is easy, if it has a dual core – it’s about twice as fast. So for instance a dual core 1.5Ghz CPU will run about the same speed as a single core 3.0Ghz cpu. So, if you can afford to, but a high speed dual core CPU, but don’t worry too much if you have to buy a slower one. CPU (Processor) Speed CPU speed of around 2.5 Ghz is fine (single core) or dual core of about ½ that (1.5 Ghz plus) . That’s pretty much about it, you can disregard all the other numbers and spec – mostly for techs and in my opinion are confusing and irrelevant for most users. Memory Hugely important. Don’t worry about the different types, but you do need to concern yourself with quantity. Generally, the newer the operating system (i.e. version of windows), the more memory you will need. I’ve popped together a quick table which at a glace tells you what to expect. Windows 98 (occasionally still on older refurbished laptops) 64mb OK, 128mb will run very well, 256mb is the absolute max Windows 2000 (still common on older refurbished laptops) 128 Mb is OK, 256 will run very fast and not much reason for using more than this Win XP / XP Pro 256mb is the absolute min and sometimes computer will run slow 512 is OK but will slow when heavily loaded or running many apps 1GB is ideal, perfect memory size for Win XP, not any real need for more – unless you running very greedy applications Windows Vista Minimum 1Gb Memory Mouse & Keyboard All the Packard bell computers come with a good quality mouse and keyboard. No need at all to change or upgrade this, BUT if there’s a replacement you particularly like the look of, go for it! Microsoft wireless mouse and keyboards are very well made, Logitech nice too. Computer Case and Power supply Just choose a design you like the look of, in reality one is just as good as the other. They will all have adequate cooling and power supplies – you won’t need to change anything. Operating system Win 98 / Millennium (refurb laptops only) Well dated now and can have compatibility issues, certainly not as easy to use or reliable as XP Win 2000 – stable, but dated. Not as easy to use as XP XP / XP Pro – very good operating system now, extremely user friendly and easy to use Win Vista – Exciting new OS with many new features, but needs updates as early versions are still buggy Graphics Cards The best way to discuss graphics cards is to split you guys in to 2 types of consumers – gamers and non gamers. Gamers will probably know what they want anyway, but a Geforce chip, preferably with 256mb memory will perform well. General users, if you want to dabble in the latest games, you’ll need a graphics chip that uses at least 128bm memory for reasonable performance. Apart from that there is no real difference, apart from the various extra connections they might have such as TV out, S Video out etc. All modern graphics chips have the required functionality for everyday users, specialist users should enquire further. Sound Cards There’s not a whole lot to know about sounds cards. These days even the basic ones have more than enough features! Most users wont need the 5.1 support that most cards offer (2 back speaks, 2 front speakers, centre speaker and a bass speaker) as they’ll just use the speakers built into the monitor or just a basic speaker configuration. More advanced speaker setups are likely to be of interest to gamers. As mentioned, most computers will support 5.1 sound, but if its not mentioned in he spec, you should call up/contact us to clarify – if that is a feature you need. Hard Drive These days all hard drives are HUGH and way bigger than you really need. A mere 20GB drive would actually be big enough for most users. The big ones on modern machines are great though for storing loads of DIVX films, videos from your digital camera, pics and MP3s. Even the lowest spec machine is likely to have more than enough hard drive space. Broadband / ADSL You’ll normally get the modem from your DSL supplier. Just plug it into the computer and off you go. Nothing complicated here Digital Cameras No specific PC requirement – should be fine with all modern PCs. Just go for a bigger hard drive if you think that you’ll be taking a huge quantity of movies. Monitor Most of systems don’t come with a monitor. My advice would be to get middle of the road (medium priced) widescreen 19” TFT, preferably from a known brand. This will be fantastic for both computer use and also really good for DVDs and games. All middle priced, branded monitors will have a good spec so no need to get etchnical. DVD Drive They are usually pretty much all the same, don’t worry too much about speeds DVD Drive : plays DVDs only, not record DVDRW : Can record your own DVDs All modern drives will be compatible with the various media for sale. Don’t worry about DVD+ and DVD-. If the drive has “dual layer” technology it means that you can use special dual layer DVD disks which will give you twice the capacity Ports and connectors Modern computers have loads of these, many are never used. Don’t worry about these on modern computers. If you require a specific port for a particular reason, just check/contact us to see that a particular machine has it. If the computer is for general use, odds are it’ll have more than enough ports and connectors to meet your requirements. Speakers 2.1 (2 speakers and a bass) are good for most users. You’ll get great sound, but you don’t need wires everywhere. Gamers might want to go for 4.1 or 5.1, but remember you really need to discretely hide those wires going to the back speakers.
I have often been asked – what’s the best computer? In the past, for sure, some computers were clearly naff, whilst others were not. These days, all the computers you will see on this site will perform and run very well. You don’t need to be an expert as there is no such thing as “best computer”, just find the one that has the features and functionality you want – its that simple. ALL the Packard bell machines are well made and reliable and I would recommend them. Also, it’s very common for people to buy machines with specs and features they REALLY don’t need and never use. Just choose a machine with the features and functionality that you like NOW, not that you expect to possibly grow into. This guide gives straight to the point advice and tips, and I am sure will be enough to help you make your decision. If you are still unsure, just call one of our advisors and they will be sure to help.
There is SO MUCH confusion and nonsense surrounding which CPU to buy. It really makes very little difference these days as they are all quick. Some are just faster than others. Providing you have enough memory, ANY modern CPU will be nice and quick at running modern applications. My advice would be to disregard all the complicated spec – the simple explanation below sums up the key points.
This is easy to answer – there’s no significant difference anymore. Disregard the manufacturer when making your decision.
The last batch of single core CPUs were reaching speeds or around 3.0 Ghz or so. Now we are seeing the arrival of dual core CPUs. This one is easy, if it has a dual core – it’s about twice as fast. So for instance a dual core 1.5Ghz CPU will run about the same speed as a single core 3.0Ghz cpu. So, if you can afford to, but a high speed dual core CPU, but don’t worry too much if you have to buy a slower one.
CPU speed of around 2.5 Ghz is fine (single core) or dual core of about ½ that (1.5 Ghz plus) . That’s pretty much about it, you can disregard all the other numbers and spec – mostly for techs and in my opinion are confusing and irrelevant for most users.
Hugely important. Don’t worry about the different types, but you do need to concern yourself with quantity. Generally, the newer the operating system (i.e. version of windows), the more memory you will need. I’ve popped together a quick table which at a glace tells you what to expect. Windows 98 (occasionally still on older refurbished laptops) 64mb OK, 128mb will run very well, 256mb is the absolute max Windows 2000 (still common on older refurbished laptops) 128 Mb is OK, 256 will run very fast and not much reason for using more than this Win XP / XP Pro 256mb is the absolute min and sometimes computer will run slow 512 is OK but will slow when heavily loaded or running many apps 1GB is ideal, perfect memory size for Win XP, not any real need for more – unless you running very greedy applications Windows Vista Minimum 1Gb Memory
All the Packard bell computers come with a good quality mouse and keyboard. No need at all to change or upgrade this, BUT if there’s a replacement you particularly like the look of, go for it! Microsoft wireless mouse and keyboards are very well made, Logitech nice too.
Just choose a design you like the look of, in reality one is just as good as the other. They will all have adequate cooling and power supplies – you won’t need to change anything.
Win 98 / Millennium (refurb laptops only) Well dated now and can have compatibility issues, certainly not as easy to use or reliable as XP Win 2000 – stable, but dated. Not as easy to use as XP XP / XP Pro – very good operating system now, extremely user friendly and easy to use Win Vista – Exciting new OS with many new features, but needs updates as early versions are still buggy
The best way to discuss graphics cards is to split you guys in to 2 types of consumers – gamers and non gamers. Gamers will probably know what they want anyway, but a Geforce chip, preferably with 256mb memory will perform well. General users, if you want to dabble in the latest games, you’ll need a graphics chip that uses at least 128bm memory for reasonable performance. Apart from that there is no real difference, apart from the various extra connections they might have such as TV out, S Video out etc. All modern graphics chips have the required functionality for everyday users, specialist users should enquire further.
There’s not a whole lot to know about sounds cards. These days even the basic ones have more than enough features! Most users wont need the 5.1 support that most cards offer (2 back speaks, 2 front speakers, centre speaker and a bass speaker) as they’ll just use the speakers built into the monitor or just a basic speaker configuration. More advanced speaker setups are likely to be of interest to gamers. As mentioned, most computers will support 5.1 sound, but if its not mentioned in he spec, you should call up/contact us to clarify – if that is a feature you need.
These days all hard drives are HUGH and way bigger than you really need. A mere 20GB drive would actually be big enough for most users. The big ones on modern machines are great though for storing loads of DIVX films, videos from your digital camera, pics and MP3s. Even the lowest spec machine is likely to have more than enough hard drive space.
You’ll normally get the modem from your DSL supplier. Just plug it into the computer and off you go. Nothing complicated here
No specific PC requirement – should be fine with all modern PCs. Just go for a bigger hard drive if you think that you’ll be taking a huge quantity of movies.
Most of systems don’t come with a monitor. My advice would be to get middle of the road (medium priced) widescreen 19” TFT, preferably from a known brand. This will be fantastic for both computer use and also really good for DVDs and games. All middle priced, branded monitors will have a good spec so no need to get etchnical.
All modern drives will be compatible with the various media for sale. Don’t worry about DVD+ and DVD-. If the drive has “dual layer” technology it means that you can use special dual layer DVD disks which will give you twice the capacity
Modern computers have loads of these, many are never used. Don’t worry about these on modern computers. If you require a specific port for a particular reason, just check/contact us to see that a particular machine has it. If the computer is for general use, odds are it’ll have more than enough ports and connectors to meet your requirements.
Our IBM T40's are genuine grade A machines that have been professionally refurbished and are of the best quality available - you've got no chance of finding one in better condition, but plenty of chance of getting a duffer if you go elsewhere! Each unit is put through a professional comprehensive testing and refurbishing procedure to ensure that it reaches you in top condition. There may be some light scratches or scuffs, and obviously some wear on the keyboard - but any defects will have been rectified during the refurbishment process. The operating system is loaded on a freshly formatted, data wiped harddrive. We also supply you with a windows license and a restore disk partioned on the hard drive - which will restore that laptop quickly and easily to it's original software configuarion, should you need to at some time during the future - no bother! We will always describe the quality of our machines as accurately as possible, without exaggeration and will never try and pass of goods that do not meet our highest grade A standard. You can and should expect a well presented, excellent condition machine with no hidden surprises and nothing more than light wear and tear. The battery is not warranted as this is classed as a consumable but you should expect a minimum of 30 minutes. One last consideration, there are many other suppliers that will offer "Grade A" goods, that are really grade B machines, so that they can clear some extra profit, or offer lower prices. As a high volume internet company, we understand that price is key and work to VERY tight margins - with this in mind it is of vital importance that we minimise returns or potential customer dissatisfaction. By being completely honest and accurate in our description of goods and our terms of trading, PRIOR to the sale, we avoid potential issues or misunderstandings when the goods arrive. In addition, if an issue does occur - you can expect us to deal with and efficiently, without any heel-dragging.
We’ve been selling computers since 1997. From 2002 onwards, we’ve specialized in selling ONLY the highest quality refurbished and clearance stock at the lowest prices anywhere in the UK – and we’ll guarantee it! After being in the biz for years, we always get the best deals and the best product. We also make the effort to provide you with high quality, personal customer service – no expensive phone numbers, no annoying menu systems and long waits, no idiots that forget to do what they promise you! Rest assured, our retail Manager, Stuart Pollington, will always go the extra mile to ensure all our customers receive great service, especially if there’s an issue that needs sorting. But don’t take out word for it, please >>check out a few testimonials , or >>visit the contact page to choose an advisor . So save yourself a headache, you’ve found by far the best deals and a responsible supplier that really does value your custom!
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