Lab Top?

[W8JX]

These are not entry level Thinkpads.

Here are the specs on one model for example with the 9 cell battery.

http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/product-and-parts/detail.page?DocID=PD008795

Problem is the hardware wise these are well below NEW entry level systems today and a entry level Intel I-3 would smoke them. Then it also uses DDR2 ram than is about 3x cost of DDR3 now.  There has been a LOT of advancement in laptop hard ware last few years. Latest ones will not even "cook" you lap anymore either. Do not spend new money on old hardware.

[KE4DRN]

Sure if you are a software application developer,
database administrator or graphics designer,
you do need state of the art computing power and
the price tag that comes with that.

For amateur and  home use the IBM type systems
are a great solution as well as other name brand systems.

The IBM Thinkpads come with 3GB max or with
4GB max if you get the highest end unit.
Another feature is the information available on these
systems is on their website, manuals for repair and service,
all no cost to download in PDF.

The schools my kids attend use the same systems and
no they don't get rid of them after three years, they keep them
until they wear out or another grant pays for them.

If we are to apply your logic, we should all toss our existing systems
and 'upgrade' each year, but lets not stop there, why not our
radios, antenna and towers? 

73 james