Dell Latitude CPx?

[linuxlover]

Some of you will probably remember a thread a while back about me buying a laptop, well, Since I bought my computer, I haven't had enough money to buy anything. Now, however, I have enough to buy this latitude CPx. On eBay of course. http://cgi.ebay.com/Dell-Latitude-CPX-H500GT-PIII-500MHz-6GB-256MB-14-2117_W0QQitemZ320108270060QQihZ011QQcategoryZ140080QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Here are the specs:
500MHz P3
256MB RAM
6GB HDD
Battery, and AC adapter
TFT screen etc, etc
seller rep. 99%
price $100 (budget $120-$130)
shipping $25

Please anyone who has had a latitude CPx, what is it like?\
I would've preferred a latitude c600, but those are $200 and up.

[GX1_Man]

I have a Latitude CPxJ very similar to what you are describing. I put in a 40 gig hard drive, and eventually had to replace the keyboard (which was simple) and have had absolutely NO problems for the last 5+ years. I run Windows 2000  and Linux as a dual boot with a wireless card and have had no issues with either.

That price is a bargain if it is fully functional. A new battery costs about $100 and gets me about 3 1/2 hours of use.

Any other questions?

[Raptor]

I'd get a Compaq Armada.

[linuxlover]

My only other question is, will it be ok to get this one As-Is, considering what price i'm getting it for.

[Raptor]

Shipping is 1/4 of the price. Can't you get it from someone where you can see it function first? It'd save money, it'd probably be more trustworthy and you know where the guy lives in case it needs to be returned to sender.

[linuxlover]

Doesn't matter, bidding has ended.
I'll look for another one...

[Raptor]

Like I said, I'd get a Compaq Armada and I'd pick it up from a nearby sales point.

[linuxlover]

how about this one? http://cgi.ebay.com/Dell-Inspiron-7000-laptop-notebook-computer_W0QQitemZ280108649511QQihZ018QQcategoryZ140080QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Raptor]

You really can't tell from just a picture. When I go shopping for a second hand Laptop I take note of the following:

1. Is the LCD monitor still viewable (No dead pixels)
2. Is the HDD still healthy (No dead zones)
3. Has the laptop suffered any damage (Falling damage, for example)

I really advise against shopping for a secondhand laptop on the Internet as it is very sensitive material unlike a Desktop PC and a lot of things can be wrong with it that you can't see until you turn it on..

But then again, if you insist, I'd still get a Compaq Armada. 

[linuxlover]

compaq armada got it
http://cgi.ebay.com/Compaq-Armada-7800-Pentium-II-400_W0QQitemZ300105367803QQihZ020QQcategoryZ140082QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[M1CH431]

This ones closing fast

http://cgi.ebay.com/COMPAQ-ARMADA-E500-P3-600MHz-128MB-12GB-Notebook_W0QQitemZ280108363067QQihZ018QQcategoryZ140082QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Raptor]

Well, it's at your own peril. Shipping costs are insane ... 35 dollars? Just 35 more and you've got a laptop!

I like the Compaq Armada, I've got one. It's quite rugged. The BIOS is on a hidden partition of the HDD so its BIOS is a little more complicated than usual which may be a good feature if you intent on working with Linux..

Unfortunately, mine seems to be broken and I can no longer enter the BIOS. (Actually, I was never able to.) someone once suggested the previous owner dropped the laptop. The irony..

Oh yeah, the power adapter is on-board so I don't have to haul a heavy wire with me. That's a pro! 

For reference, I have the 1750. Click here for more information.

[linuxlover]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Compaq-Armada-3500-Laptop_W0QQitemZ290109880967QQihZ019QQcategoryZ140082QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I will look at the local pawn shop to see if i can find one.

[GX1_Man]

You guys sure look a lot alike. 

[linuxlover]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Toshiba-Tecra-8000-Pll-400MHz-6GB-256MB-CD-ROM-FDD_W0QQitemZ260112607484QQihZ016QQcategoryZ140083QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
It looks like a good deal, even includes warranty this time.