Thinkpad or not?

[latches]

Hey everyone,

So I have a few questions. A friend of mine has been touting Thinkpads lately saying that they are the best and that I should invest in getting one. For a while I believed him and have been after one for some weeks now but now Im doubting.

I can get a T430 with an i5 3210M, 4GB RAM, nVidia 5400M, 720p webcam, 320GB HDD, and an HD+ 1600x900 14" screen for around $800. Im willing to pay that much but Im wondering if I cant get a better laptop and a better deal for that price or less. Here are a few questions:

- Are Thinkpads durable? What laptops compare?
- Are Thinkpads good performers? What laptops compare?
- Do Thinkpads have the best build quaility? What laptops compare or are better?

Let me know what you think! I figured I might as well ask the greater tech crowd and see what they think.

 

[pelov]

I just bought an X220. It's very rugged, very durable and the build quality is superb.

What are you going to use it for? If it's a gaming laptop I'd consider other alternatives but if it's going to be used on the go then I'd get a Thinkpad.

That price isn't particularly great either. You should subscribe to the B&N Lenovo page for better discounts then wait for a good deal on a T430 with the regular ecoupons that Lenovo offers. You can find a T430 with an i5 for under $700 new and that's with the 1600x900 screen. If you don't mind buying the refurbs then I'd consider that option as well. Their refurbs are indistinguishable from their new products

 

[latches]

Hmm okay, that helps. I wasnt sure if the price was good. Im already subscribed to the B&N offer. Thats how its at $800. I guess Ill just wait. I plan on using it for grad school so I just need something reliable and tough and well performing.

 

[kevinsbane]

Thinkpads are generally durable. Tough. I still wouldn't abuse them, but you probably could get away from abusing them for a few years and still have a working laptop. In general, not especially stylish laptops, but classic.

By far the best feature of Thinkpads is the Trackpoint, the little red nub in the middle of the keyboard. If you need to do a lot of typing, you'll find that thing invaluable. That, if nothing else, is worth a $100-$200 premium for me. A laptop without Trackpoint is one that I'll just be wasting money buying.

Are you set on a form factor? The screens on the T430 are... mediocre, to say the least, even if they are higher resolution. Like Pelov, I run an x220, and it's a great machine for portability. Compute performance is good, but graphics, well you're stuck with HD 3000 (HD 4000 on the X230). I'd consider this if you have a desktop already.

 

[weovpac]

Thinkpads are generally durable. Tough. I still wouldn't abuse them, but you probably could get away from abusing them for a few years and still have a working laptop.

Indeed, own several Thinkpads and all have worked great.

EDIT: I'm only speaking for the T and X series; never having owned the newer series, like the Edge.

 

[Randum]

Speaking only from personal experience. I have had three jobs with Thinkpads and they are solid - one was on a work site and we had no issues whatsover. I've dropped them before, spilled entire beers onto the keyboard (most of the models have "water resistant designs")

I first had an old T series, and it ran well, and the hardware stood up.

I bought my own thinkpad t61p, still have it - just installed a SSD, runs like a champ, still will run Starcraft2/Diablo. I also keep it clean with CCLeaner. I had a defect in the GPU but Lenovo had it replaced due to a recall. Bought in 06, still my machine now for school/ext. Only needed to replace the battery and the current one is only hold a charge for over an hour so its about time to replace again.

For work, I have a T410, and no complaints - good screen, good weight. Seems to hold up. Job I had before, I also had an older T model, again same, efficient, no problems, held up well.

I really will only buy Lenovo unless I run into a horror story. My wife had a dell, and it had some CPU power throttling issues...she has since sold it, got an HP envy, its built really well, I like it , but it had some serious heat/fan stuff going on...

I'm a lenovo thinkpad fan boy until I get burned.

 

[alkemyst]

Not really in your price point, but I was a long user of the thinkpads until I tried a MacBook Pro running both OSX and Windows 7 via Parallels. I think the build quality is better...some of the Lenovo products are no where near the old IBM build quality.

 

[Randum]

Not really in your price point, but I was a long user of the thinkpads until I tried a MacBook Pro running both OSX and Windows 7 via Parallels. I think the build quality is better...some of the Lenovo products are no where near the old IBM build quality.

I can agree with that...some of the "cheaper" models I see...really have the quality of your standard dell...I can only vouch for the T series.

Not to get off topic, but I am somewhat interested in ASUS machines considering I love their motherboards - anyone use ASUS laptops?

 

[Dkcode]

I contract for HSBC as a rollout engineer in the UK and 95% of laptops there are Thinkpads.

The majority I deploy are X200/X201's which hold up very well. Aesthetically the rubber coating on the lid wares down on the corners, probably due to them being forced into a bag. If you look after it then it should not be a problem.

The screen hinges on the X series are still stiff even on 3 year old models. The T series hold up pretty well also but the lids get a bit wobbly, obviously due to the weight of the bigger screen.

I will add that the screen quality seems to be pretty inconsistent though. Not that they are bad, just some of the older X200's come in different shades of yellow and pink

T420 has seemed pretty solid so far however all of them I have deployed have been in like new state.

 

[kevinsbane]

Thanks for reminding me...

The "L" or "E" series Thinkpads aren't as well built as the T, X or W series. If you're going to go Thinkpad, go for the T/X/W series (although in your case, the W series is probably overkill in power, weight, and cost).

 

[KompuKare]

I can get a T430 with an i5 3210M, 4GB RAM, nVidia 5400M, 720p webcam, 320GB HDD, and an HD+ 1600x900 14" screen for around $800. Im willing to pay that much but Im wondering if I cant get a better laptop and a better deal for that price or less. Here are a few questions:

Persoanlly I would just stick to the built-in IB Intel HD4000. THe 5400M is about the same speed and just adds heat. If you really want a large machine with DVD (as opposed to the X220 with a 12" screen and no optical), neither the 1600*900 or the 1366x768 screens are mean to be that good. With the lighter X's you can generally buy an IPS option.

One advantage of the bigger ones is that you can install two HDD/SSD if you're willing to leave the DVD out.

- Are Thinkpads durable? What laptops compare?
- Are Thinkpads good performers? What laptops compare?
- Do Thinkpads have the best build quaility? What laptops compare or are better?

Yes, the only thing more durable would probably be Panasonic Toughbooks or specialists stuff like Husky. Other well built laptops are HP Elitebooks (but their consumer stuff is awful!), some Dell business classs and maybe Apple MacBookPro's (but fancy looks = scuff marks).

And remember even with Lenovo Thinkpads, the good ones are only the T's, X's and W's not their consumer models.

 

[KompuKare]

For fun you could watch this video from Lenovo: "T400 goes storm chasing"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrRzGWNU77k

Although that kind of treatment probably voids the warranty.

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

For OSX its Apple Air for me.
For Windows my first thought will always be Thinkpads, unless Lenovo messed them up pretty bad, but so far I like what I see with regards to the business line of Thinkpads.

I've had the T40s, X30s and X40s back in the days and they all served me well. Very rugged and sturdy chassis. Quality is up there. I'd imagine there's still many Thinkpads in government agencies, though a bit long in the tooth now.

 

[MarkLuvsCS]

Persoanlly I would just stick to the built-in IB Intel HD4000. THe 5400M is about the same speed and just adds heat. If you really want a large machine with DVD (as opposed to the X220 with a 12" screen and no optical), neither the 1600*900 or the 1366x768 screens are mean to be that good. With the lighter X's you can generally buy an IPS option.

I have a T530 with the 5400m and 1080p screen. The 5400m is absolutely faster than the HD4000, and doesn't add heat when its unused. Optimus works pretty flawlessly for disabling itself when not needed, and nvidia's control panel gives you total control over the gpu usage.

GW2 -
Intel HD4000 - Low settings @ 1080p - ~14 fps
5400m - medium settings @ 1080p - ~40fps

If you don't plan on gaming get the HD4000, otherwise the 5400m is a $50 difference and definitely work it.

 

[KompuKare]

I have a T530 with the 5400m and 1080p screen. The 5400m is absolutely faster than the HD4000, and doesn't add heat when its unused. Optimus works pretty flawlessly for disabling itself when not needed, and nvidia's control panel gives you total control over the gpu usage.

GW2 -
Intel HD4000 - Low settings @ 1080p - ~14 fps
5400m - medium settings @ 1080p - ~40fps

If you don't plan on gaming get the HD4000, otherwise the 5400m is a $50 difference and definitely work it.

Oh, I did look up some notebook thread before saying "about the same speed", but it didn't include any benches - I stand corrected.

 

[paul878]

The LCD on the Thinkpad might be mediocre indoor, but if you take it outside you'll learn to love it immediately.

 

[latches]

You guys are awesome. I cant decide though. I want to get the laptop as soon as possible but just knowing that $800 isnt a great price frustrates me. I can get an X230 for around $710 but I can only get the lower resolution screen and HD4000 graphics. Its meant to be mainly a work laptop for grad school but do I really want such a small screen and keyboard? I like the T430 - happened to get some hands on with a friends - but if I get a T530 I can get a backlit keyboard for free. Sales tax also sucks. Assholes dont need to charge it.

As for gaming? Well I would probably do some minor stuff like Starcraft 2. Im a gamer for sure on my desktop and know what can and cannot run. Im wouldnt be trying to run Crysis or something. Just simple fun stuff...if I ever got the time.

Im just full of frustration today though...what would be the cons of the T530? How much bigger is it? I feel like the T430 is the middle ground on heat, performance and portability.

 

[Bonesdad]

You guys are awesome. I cant decide though. I want to get the laptop as soon as possible but just knowing that $800 isnt a great price frustrates me. I can get an X230 for around $710 but I can only get the lower resolution screen and HD4000 graphics. Its meant to be mainly a work laptop for grad school but do I really want such a small screen and keyboard? I like the T430 - happened to get some hands on with a friends - but if I get a T530 I can get a backlit keyboard for free. Sales tax also sucks. Assholes dont need to charge it.

As for gaming? Well I would probably do some minor stuff like Starcraft 2. Im a gamer for sure on my desktop and know what can and cannot run. Im wouldnt be trying to run Crysis or something. Just simple fun stuff...if I ever got the time.

Im just full of frustration today though...what would be the cons of the T530? How much bigger is it? I feel like the T430 is the middle ground on heat, performance and portability.

Right there with you...been keeping my eyes peeled for a new laptop for a couple months now. It's tough out there. I'm also leaning toward the T430, but as with any laptop, there are drawbacks. Try as I might, I never seen to find the prices the guys above are talking about. I must be missing those deals.

I don't plan to game on my laptop, other than simple online games. I've got a desktop and a PS3 for that. Never have been comfortable gaming on a laptop. Still, I'd like a nice screen, and the less than rave reviews about the 430's screen have always given me pause. For the last 3 years, I've been using a 15" HP HDX with a 1080p screen. It's been really nice, but probably overkill for me now. I have a nice plasma to watch movies on, and like I say, don't game on it.

I've been looking at the Lenovo, Asus Zenbooks, Samsung Series 7 and a couple of others. I want speed, dependability, nice resolution, and a few bells and whistles, all for about $800-900 bux. Is that too much to ask?

 

[RossMAN]

The two most important features in a laptop for me are the keyboard and display. Definitely get a backlit keyboard (even if it's $30 extra) and the highest resolution possible.

T430 - if you need portability, my laptop is home 99% of the time and I most my internet surfing from the couch so I prefer a larger "desktop" replacement laptop with higher than normal resolution.

T530 - if you're concerned about screen resolution, do a lot of spreadsheet/Word/web surfing and don't plan on carrying it around a lot.

Google Youtube videos there are dozens of detailed reviews discussing noise, heat issues, keyboard, backlit keyboard, screen resolution comparisons, weight, how to upgrade to SSD, and so forth.

 

[kevinsbane]

You guys are awesome. I cant decide though. I want to get the laptop as soon as possible but just knowing that $800 isnt a great price frustrates me. I can get an X230 for around $710 but I can only get the lower resolution screen and HD4000 graphics. Its meant to be mainly a work laptop for grad school but do I really want such a small screen and keyboard? I like the T430 - happened to get some hands on with a friends - but if I get a T530 I can get a backlit keyboard for free. Sales tax also sucks. Assholes dont need to charge it.

As for gaming? Well I would probably do some minor stuff like Starcraft 2. Im a gamer for sure on my desktop and know what can and cannot run. Im wouldnt be trying to run Crysis or something. Just simple fun stuff...if I ever got the time.

Im just full of frustration today though...what would be the cons of the T530? How much bigger is it? I feel like the T430 is the middle ground on heat, performance and portability.

Yes. The X220 keyboard is not smaller than the T430, it's actually the same size (amazingly enough). It's only the screen that's smaller. HD4000 is a limitation... but to be honest, I would not want to game on a laptop anyways, if I had such a desktop. Especially if you're doing school, it just gets distracting D: And if you wanted to game, you'd have to lug your power brick around with you. These laptops get enough juice nowadays that a 3.5 lbs laptop will last you an entire day at school. Non-gaming, that is.

 

[paul878]

You guys are awesome. I cant decide though. I want to get the laptop as soon as possible but just knowing that $800 isnt a great price frustrates me. I can get an X230 for around $710 but I can only get the lower resolution screen and HD4000 graphics. Its meant to be mainly a work laptop for grad school but do I really want such a small screen and keyboard? I like the T430 - happened to get some hands on with a friends - but if I get a T530 I can get a backlit keyboard for free. Sales tax also sucks. Assholes dont need to charge it.

As for gaming? Well I would probably do some minor stuff like Starcraft 2. Im a gamer for sure on my desktop and know what can and cannot run. Im wouldnt be trying to run Crysis or something. Just simple fun stuff...if I ever got the time.

Im just full of frustration today though...what would be the cons of the T530? How much bigger is it? I feel like the T430 is the middle ground on heat, performance and portability.

Are you going to be carrying the Thinkpad around everyday?
There is the X1 and T430S, if you think the x230 screen is too small.

 

[pelov]

Yes. The X220 keyboard is not smaller than the T430, it's actually the same size (amazingly enough). It's only the screen that's smaller. HD4000 is a limitation... but to be honest, I would not want to game on a laptop anyways, if I had such a desktop. Especially if you're doing school, it just gets distracting D: And if you wanted to game, you'd have to lug your power brick around with you. These laptops get enough juice nowadays that a 3.5 lbs laptop will last you an entire day at school. Non-gaming, that is.

The above is exactly why I bought my X220. It's a great littlle laptop. With a 9-cell and the IPS screen at 40% I squeeze out 12 hours of battery just browsing the web or doing some reading. The keyboard is fantastic, the weight is Ultrabook-like (3.5lbs) and it's very sturdy. If you're looking for a machine to use on the go then my recommendation would be an X220 or X230. You can still get new x220s from the outlet or you can buy a refurb one for cheap. I got mine for $640 with tax but they go for even cheaper.

 

[latches]

To answer a few questions:

- Yes I do plan on carrying it around every day and also planned on carrying the power cord around with me too.
- There are near to NO videos on the T530. I dont know why. Ive searched and searched. There arent many reviews either.
- If I got the T530 Id get the 1600x900 screen.
- If I get the T530 Id get the backlit keyboard
- If I get the T430 for cheaper Ill get the backlit keyboard as well. (lol).
- Both the X1 and T430s dont seem cost effective to me. Not that the current cost.Same goes for the X230

 

[pelov]

Here's a T530 review

And another

It's a great laptop but I'd be worried that perhaps it might be a bit too heavy to carry around every day.

 

[latches]

Here's a T530 review

And another

It's a great laptop but I'd be worried that perhaps it might be a bit too heavy to carry around every day.

Ya, I found both of those before and both are great and make me want to get the T530 but what I really want is a size comparison so I can understand what Im getting. I really dont mind carrying it around if its just 1.5 or so or less pounds than the T430. Since Im waiting for a price drop though and my budget is still $800 I think Id be okay with putting a backlit keyboard in the T430 and just getting that. Would be a nice size I think.