Recommendation: Carbon or T430s

[ANDS]

Doesn't seem to be a recommendation thread (that I can find) so I figured I'd come here. Have only ever used Thinkpads, and am needing to update from my R61.

I am looking at two models - the Carbon and 430s. I like the look and weight of the Carbon, but not so sure how I feel about the lack of modability. Realistically this will be a research laptop (at best light simulation; anything heavier would be done on campus). The 430s seems to meet the modability concerns, but is of course not as sleek as the Carbon (though I like how rugged the 430s looks).

It would be nice if I could take a tour of these models in person, but no stores carry them in my area.

[lead_org]

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If you need to upgrade your laptop, why not get the T430 instead? You can upgrade the T430 to a quad core CPU, the T430s has a soldered on CPU.

[ANDS]

I went with the T430s; I haven't ever needed to update my CPU on any Thinkpads I've owned (they usually just die on me). Cheap on the outlet, though this thing doesn't have the keyboard backlight though it definitely said it came with it.

So far I am glad about my choice, and didn't go with the more expensive Carbon.

Last question - any links to upgrade guides for memory and SSD; I'd ideally like 8GIGS of memory and to move the HDD to the DVD drive and get an SSD in here. Just not sure which items I should be looking for.