I got my X230 for £168 a year or so ago (i5-3320M, 4GB, 320GB, I shortly added a 256GB mSATA SSD for ~£50), the same place is currently selling T430 and T520 fo

I got my X230 for £168 a year or so ago (i5-3320M, 4GB, 320GB, I shortly added a 256GB mSATA SSD for ~£50), the same place is currently selling T430 and T520 for the same price. I got an X61 a couple of years before that for £65. You just have to find a decent refurb or recycling shop (i.e. those that take and resell ex-corporate stock); I imagine you've got an even wider choice in the US.