I'm looking to replace my tower PC with a mobile option (only strictly for work, no gaming or video editing).
And I've found an online shop that sells ThinkPads: they are selling this FHD (no HDR) i7-8650U, 16GB RAM, 512GB storage used laptop (X1 Gen 6) for 400 usd and I'm wondering if you guys would recommend it.
They offer a 3-month warranty.
They also have a 310usd i5-8350U, 8GB RAM, 256GB storage option, in case this sounds like a better deal (also used and no HDR); and a 345usd i5-8350U, 16GB RAM, 512GB one.
I've looked far and wide and it seems like all shops here sell these at the same price.
This is all in Vietnam and here I cannot use Amazon/eBay etc.
Thanks a lot but I have no idea as to where to even begin with the search for trusted international shipping options. Any advice on that?
I'm also not from the states so tough luck with relatives 😄
How can I use the serial number to verify? Where and what to look for? Should I ask the shop before buying to show me the serial number? It's an online-only store.
The Carbon X1 is great. Whether it's a good deal depends really on the price difference to a new one locally.
The i5 with 16GB + 512GB storage sounds alright as well. The other one not really, the price difference is too small. For 35 USD you can't double RAM and storage.
No new ThinkPads out here unfortunately.
There's another option: 14 inch T14 i7-10610U, 16GB RAM, 256GB storage for 400usd (also used, directly from the US). Would that be better than the Carbon?
Also not bad, but really the low storage puts me a bit off. I guess really depends how storage intensive your office work is. Windows itself would probably take up 70-90 GB already.
I think this one is a better option if you're concerned about performance but either this or the i5 16GB are both good. The T14 will just weigh a bit more and be a little thicker but it's not much a difference unless you're carrying it around all the time.
I can’t speak for your local market but this looks like about £100 north of the going rate in the UK.
Good machine though.
You are paying a premium for Carbon, you can get the same performance from T series - 480’i think.
There's another option: 14 inch T14 i7-10610U, 16GB RAM, 256GB storage for 400usd (also used, directly from the US). Would that be better than the Carbon?
I think it's an alright deal for the $345 one. More than Ebay prices but used Thinkpads are definitely worth it. I don't think it's worth going for the i7 for that much more if you're just doing office type work.
I teach online a lot (1on1) and I need it to handle recording my screen with OBS without stutters. Plus a good webcam. Does it still sound like a good option then?
I have one, and I have to say the webcam is not good at all. It's a fantastic machine though. The webcam and the speakers are terrible.
The laptop is excellent. I think that's a fair price. I use mine all day, every day. Years in now.
I've used OBS on desktop PCs with a 7th gen CPU without noticeable issues for work. I can't say for certain but you should be fine with that laptop for your needs.
