Longtime T series owner, just got the e420s

[YeOldeStonecat]

As a longtime T series owner since the T-20...had a few other 20 series, a couple of 40 series, and my recent T60p....I just got an e420s a few days ago. My T-60p was dying a slow death after a long and rough life.

Because I take my laptop with me everywhere....(I'm a small business network consultant)...I prefer the 14" size. Been getting a very bad lower back (ruptured disks)...so lightweight was a concern for me. Also due to getting a new house, motorcycle, business a tad slow during this economy, went with the new Edge series to keep the cost down.

I love the lighter weight.
I actually don't mind the glossy screen
Performance with the i5 is fine. I no longer game, so the base graphics are more than fine.
I took a liking to the chicklet keyboards of other newer "trendy" laptops...I actually do like the keyboard of the Edge.
I do prefer Intel wifi..pleased to see that, even if it's the base 1000 model.
The fact that the onboard NIC is a lowely realtek isn't an issue...will hardly ever use that.
Battery life seem fine...great compared to traditional big T series

I don't know if I'll mind the built in battery or not...wondering what will happen when it starts dying in 3+ years.

Somehow I overlooked...or it just didn't sink in, the lower resolution. Particularly the 768 vertical. Much of my use of the laptop is forums....so that means lots of scrolling. VMWare console. Remote desktop to servers. Outlook. Sure am wishing I could come across some registry edit or 3rd party utility to override the limits and bump that to x900.

I needed to go with light weight, so realize the chassis and screen won't be as robust as the typical T series....I've had those fall off of ladders onto floors as I ran wiring, fall off desks, deal with the vibrations of sitting in the saddlebag of my Harley, and my usual rough handling.

All in all, for under 700 bucks (actually under 500 bucks considering Lenovo reseller perks like a spiff on one per quarter)...it's a good little rig.

[underclocker]

Somehow I overlooked...or it just didn't sink in, the lower resolution. Particularly the 768 vertical.

Indeed, it's practically criminal that manufacturers are sticking people with XGA vertical resolution. On anything bigger than my X100e, this is a deal breaker and an absolute "no buy" for me. I actually would have preferred WXGA (1280 x 800) vs. HD (1366 x 768) on my X100e.

This will ultimately sink the X1 model, too! 1366 x 768 on 13" and 14" screens is preposterous! HD on 15" LCDs is downright irresponsible (Edge 15, T520, etc.)

[pianowizard]

This will ultimately sink the X1 model, too! 1366 x 768 on 13" and 14" screens is preposterous! HD on 15" LCDs is downright irresponsible (Edge 15, T520, etc.)

As much as I despise 1366x768, I think it's reasonable to use this resolution for virtually all entry-level laptops: average consumers want these laptops as cheap as possible and they don't mind 1366x768 anyway. On the other hand, what I passionately hate is calling this rock-bottom resolution "High Definition", which misleads many people into believing it's a high resolution -- just look at laptop reviews on walmart.com and bestbuy.com.

[ZaZ]

Much of my use of the laptop is forums....so that means lots of scrolling.

For Firefox, which I use, you can make text smaller. That has the same effect as bumping the resolution up. I would assume other browsers can do the same, but I don't have any firsthand knowledge.

[underclocker]

As much as I despise 1366x768, I think it's reasonable to use this resolution for virtually all entry-level laptops: average consumers want these laptops as cheap as possible and they don't mind 1366x768 anyway.

I respectfully disagree. I've heard complaints from people and I've been thanked profusely for saving people from making an HD resolution purchase. The just prior standard was 800 vertical lines, to shrink it down to 768 (yes only 32 lines less) and call the display high definition is morally bankrupt. People have grown accustomed to expecting more for less with technology purchases (for better or worse). When people realize they now have less than they did on their prior machines, they do mind. Especially, when they are expecting more - otherwise, it's not exactly an upgrade.

[pianowizard]

I respectfully disagree. I've heard complaints from people...When people realize they now have less than they did on their prior machines, they do mind.

Please reread what I wrote. Where did I say "no one minds"? I just said the average person doesn't mind. Of course I knew that there are people who mind. I know of at least 3: the OP, you, and me.

[underclocker]

I just said the average person doesn't mind.

And I say that the average person does mind, especially when they find out. We don't have to agree. That's just been my experience since HD displays have been introduced. People switching from pretty much any resolution display, other than XGA, are surprised by the extra scrolling required in most applications or are happy I pointed them toward an HD+ or FHD display.

And yes, I think we do agree that 900 and up is a practical usable minimum. I'd love an HD+ or WXGA+ on my X100e.

[pianowizard]

And I say that the average person does mind, especially when they find out. We don't have to agree. That's just been my experience since HD displays have been introduced. People switching from pretty much any resolution display, other than XGA, are surprised by the extra scrolling required in most applications or are happy I pointed them toward an HD+ or FHD display.

Now that I understand exactly what you "disagreed" with, I have to sort of agree with you. Yes, the average person does find 1366x768 too short, but doesn't mind enough to be willing to shell out several hundred dollars extra to go for a 1600x900 laptop. The cheapest 15.6" 1366x768 laptops are $250 to $400, whereas the cheapest 15.6" 1600x900 laptops are over $700.

And yes, I think we do agree that 900 and up is a practical usable minimum. I'd love an HD+ or WXGA+ on my X100e.

I believe I would be happy with 1600x900 but am actually not sure, because I have never used 1600x900 or 1440x900 for that matter. I have used 1024x768, 1280x800 and 1366x768 a lot and all these are way too short, and the next lowest res I have used is 1400x1050 and find it adequate. I guess 1600x900 should be okay but won't know until I have actually tried.

EDIT: I just remembered that I had owned a Z61t with 1440x900 very briefly, but too briefly to tell if 900p was tall enough.

[makaveli559m]

I miss 1680x1080 from my T500, I recently upgraded to a T510, mix feelings but better than the other brands out there.

[tbar2112]

I don't know if I'll mind the built in battery or not...wondering what will happen when it starts dying in 3+ years.

I am contemplating buying the E420s for my wife (I am using a T400s myself for 2years+ now and am very satisfied), this size & weight and performance (on paper) seem to fit her needs well. My biggest concern is the built-in battery, I had to replace my T60 battery a few years back. If replacement is needed, can it be handed in to a dealer to do it? Any thoughts on how big of a risk this is?

I haven't been able toi find out: does it have the usual keyboard light?
Are you still happy with the purchase?

Thanks!

[YeOldeStonecat]

I am contemplating buying the E420s for my wife (I am using a T400s myself for 2years+ now and am very satisfied), this size & weight and performance (on paper) seem to fit her needs well. My biggest concern is the built-in battery, I had to replace my T60 battery a few years back. If replacement is needed, can it be handed in to a dealer to do it? Any thoughts on how big of a risk this is?

I haven't been able toi find out: does it have the usual keyboard light?
Are you still happy with the purchase?

Thanks!

Sorry to not visit the forum earlier and reply...I'm sure it's too late now.
Still happy with mine. Performance is still strong. Despite initially appearing to not be as rugged as the classic T series....it has held up very well, and I beat the heck out of it every day on the job, being tossed around, traveling on the back of my Harley motorcycle,..overall it leads that typical life th featurat a Panasonic Toughbook should be used for, and it's still doing well. Keyboard has held up well too. As for the keyboard light, no backlit keyboard on mine...I don't think it's an option. It does still have the usual Thinkpad light up on the screen to shine down on the keyboard...but I will say that it is woefully inadequate...hardly enough light to be useful...unlike the nice bright light of all my prior Thinkpads. One final complaint is how they mucked up the Fn keys too...they're awkward now in how they flipped them with the enhancement keys like volume, brightness, and media keys.

I too am concerned about what I'll do when the battery gets weak...hoping that it's still able to be replaced.