Which ThinkPad for Me? (T430 vs E431)

[KtrainHurricane]

Hi, I have been researching around for quite some time now, but decided it's time for me to register and post here!

I am in search of a new laptop; something 14" with a lot of memory/capacity. I started my search comparing a few different makes/models that fit this criteria, and have finally narrowed it down to two ThinkPad options - a refurbished T430 and the E431.

I will primarily be using this as a "desktop," but will also be taking it to school with me 3-4 days per week. In addition, I will bring it on trips/airplane when I travel to watch movies as well, maybe 5-10 times per year. My main concerns are being able to run several programs at once, without the computer slowing down. Considering the OS and antivirus, I often also download music and movies through torrents or Frostwire, surf the web, talk on Skype, load songs into my Ipod through Itunes, all while watching a movie in the background.

Here are the specs for each of the two specific computers I am comparing:

E431
i7-3632QM (6M Cache, 2.20 GHz)
Windows 8
14W HD Antiglare Display (768 matte I believe, but not specified)
8 GB DDR3L – 1600MHz (2 DIMM)
Fingerprint Reader
720p HD Camera with Microphone
500GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
Micro Hard Drive: 24 GB NGFF SSD
6 cell Li-Ion Battery 62WH – 75+
$805.56

^And I can get the same configuration but with no SSD and 1 TB Hard Disk Drive @ 5400rpm instead for $847.56
*(HOW DO THEY COMPARE?)*


Refurbished T430:
i7-3520 (4M Cache, 2.9GHz w/ Turbo Boost to 3.60GHz)
1600x900 Resolution
720p HD Camera with Mic
UltraNav Keyboard (Backlit) w/ Fingerprint Reader
8 GB DDR3
500 GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
Bluetooth
9-cell battery
Full 1-year Lenovo warranty (until Aug 2014)
for $800

All opinions are encouraged and are greatly appreciated!!!

[KtrainHurricane]

And I know this is the ThinkPad forum so the opinions will be a little biased, but how does the ASUS Q400A compare to these? On paper, it seems to beat them in every category except screen resolution (better processor, larger HDD, cheaper price), especially the T430. Here are the specs on it:

ASUS Q400A
i7-3632QM (6M Cache, 2.2GHz w/ Turbo Boost to 3.2GHz)
768p Screen Resolution
720p HD Camera with Mic
Backlit Keyboard
8 GB DDR3
750 GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
$600

[BillMorrow]

i'm not going to get into the details here BUT i'll have to say i don't know what's UP with notebook makers these days..
the resolutions available seem to be working their way to wide and shallow..
1050x1400 would be a minimum for me..
and why is everyone trumpeting "FULL HD" when full HD seems to me to be less than 1600x1200.. full HD is not full anything... well it might be full of SOMETHING..

i would suggest seeking a screen resolution that is not too shallow.. something with at least 1050 vertical resolution and maybe more..

what are some of the new resolutions..? 1400x700..? or something similar..?

your own tastes and needs would be paramount, of course..

and welcome to the forum..

[ZaZ]

I'd vote for the T430 and picking up a mSATA SSD. A SSD is more likely to make your machine snappy than the i7. I'd probably look for a i3 or i5 if you can find one for less. 8GB is probably overkill, given the usage.

[KtrainHurricane]

I have also discovered the IdeaPad Y410P (the more research I do, the more options I discover!). It seems to have all the features I want (quad-core i7 processor, HD+ screen, 1 TB hard disk drive + 24 GB cache), and is in the same ballpark price as the other two...I can get this for $850 brand new.

Seems like I would just be sacrificing the "ThinkPad quality" for everything else...worth it?

I'd vote for the T430 and picking up a mSATA SSD. A SSD is more likely to make your machine snappy than the i7. I'd probably look for a i3 or i5 if you can find one for less. 8GB is probably overkill, given the usage.

Any particular size mSATA you recommend going with? Spending ~$50 on one for the T430 would put me at the same price point as buying the IdeaPad Y410P. I figure that can get me an mSATA in the 32GB range. If I did this, how would it compare performance-wise to the Y410P? Also, I can have this in addition to the 500GB HDD, right? Or would I have to swap one for the other? If I can have both, this sounds like a fantastic option...the only problem is that I am computer illiterate, and would not trust myself to install this (would lose everything including my OS), so I would end up having to pay someone else to do it for me.

[KtrainHurricane]

The ASUS consideration has been short-lived...I just can't get over how "mushy" the keyboard feels!

So I'm down to the refurbished ThinkPad T430, a ThinkPad Edge E431, and an IdeaPad Y410P.

After much consideration I think I am going to go with the ThinkPad Edge E431, because it seems to literally be a "happy medium" between the T-Series ThinkPad and the IdeaPad Y410P. The only real "negative" is the 768p screen resolution, but both of the ThinkPads I played around with in a local TigerDirect had this and it did not bother me at all.

Any last-minute thoughts, opinions, or suggestions before I pull the trigger?

[ZaZ]

Any particular size mSATA you recommend going with? Spending ~$50 on one for the T430 would put me at the same price point as buying the IdeaPad Y410P. I figure that can get me an mSATA in the 32GB range.

I'd get a larger mSATA like this. Then you can put the OS and applications on it, so it'll be fast. Depending on how many applications you have, you might want to go a little larger. Then you can put your files on the platter drive where speed is not as critical.

[KtrainHurricane]

I think I am going to go with the ThinkPad Edge E431, because it seems to literally be a "happy medium" between the T-Series ThinkPad and the IdeaPad Y410P.

Anyone else care to share last-minute thoughts, opinions, or suggestions before I pull the trigger?

[jdk]

Why on earth would you get a Thinkpad edge over a similarly priced T430?

Get the T430. You will be regretting your Thinkpad Edge purchase later. Even doubly so since the T430 would undoubtedly have a higher resale value when you decide to part ways.

[KtrainHurricane]

Why on earth would you get a Thinkpad edge over a similarly priced T430?

Get the T430. You will be regretting your Thinkpad Edge purchase later. Even doubly so since the T430 would undoubtedly have a higher resale value when you decide to part ways.

Because the E431 comes with twice the storage (1 TB vs 500 GB) AND a cache drive on top of it... The T430 I am looking at doesn't have a cache drive, and I am very interested in that option in order to keep the computer operating quickly. At the same time, I am computer illiterate and don't have the slightest clue on how to add a cache drive, or if that is even possible. If it is possible, then I probably would indeed go with the T430 and just have a computer shop to add the cache drive for me.

As far as resale - I don't plan on ever selling the computer. The only reason I am even shopping for one now is because my last one broke. I am banking on the assumption that either the T430 or E431 will last me as long as I need it to (several years).

[RealBlackStuff]

If you want durability, forget the Edge, get the T430.
Which also takes a 16GB cache drive.
See instructions here, understandable even for an illitterate: http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc ... 37214.pdf‎

[pianowizard]

If you want durability, forget the Edge, get the T430.

I agree. Edge Thinkpads are virtually identical to budget consumer-grade laptops, except that they are designed to look somewhat more professional. It's unfortunate that Lenovo has put the "Thinkpad" badge on so many fake business laptops. This is a smart thing to do from a money-making point of view, but it's false advertising IMO. Lenovo should have started an entirely different line for "laptops that look professional but really aren't", like Dell did with the Vostro line.

[KtrainHurricane]

If you want durability, forget the Edge, get the T430.
Which also takes a 16GB cache drive.
See instructions here, understandable even for an illitterate: http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc ... 37214.pdf‎

Thank you for the link. I am still confused with this though, because I don't know what it is I am looking at (no lables, just pictures; sorry for being slow with this).

My only real question is this: can I just add (not replace) a cache drive to a T430 that comes with a 500GB HDD? If so, is it just a pop-in-and-go procedure like how adding a stick of RAM is, or will it require me to backup files and programs and my OS and then re-load them into the computer?

Again, I am very sorry if this sounds "dumb" and repetitive, but a "yes" or "no" answer will help me more than anything here... (because if the answer is "yes" I know that at the very least I can take it to any local computer shop to have this done).

[RealBlackStuff]

Ever heard of Google?
http://blog.laptopmag.com/triple-your-s ... our-laptop
And stop wasting money at local computer shops where you usually get ripped off to no end!

[KtrainHurricane]

Ever heard of Google?
http://blog.laptopmag.com/triple-your-s ... our-laptop
And stop wasting money at local computer shops where you usually get ripped off to no end!

Yes I have, and I use it like a cheap hooker. I came across many threads and write-ups about HDDs and SSDs, but not the particular one you posted. You must be a pro Googl'er, while I am still a Rook. Anyway, thanks for the link...and in all seriousness, I really don't know how I didn't come across that one.

Anyway, I just placed my order for a T430 through the Lenovo Outlet. I was lucky enough that they had one with everything I was specifically looking for, and then some - i7, 8GB memory, 500GB hard drive with 16GB cache, 1600x900 screen - and it ended up costing just under $800 shipped, which was even less than what I was about to spend on the E431.

This ended up being the same price as the refurbished T430 I had previously found online, but the one I ordered through Lenovo Outlet had the Cache drive, while the other one did not. I am now just worried on the arrival date since I need this for school (read a few negative reviews about Lenovo taking forever to deliver the computer), but I am sure the patience will pay off in the end...I know I would have regretted going with any option other than this one.

Thanks to everyone for all the help!!!

[jdk]

Great deal, congrats on your Thinkpad purchase, and welcome to the club. None of us have a stake in what laptop you ultimately ended up getting, but I know you will be a lot happier in the long run with the real Thinkpad. Spend a couple of weeks with your T430, then go back and play with the Thinkpad Edge. The difference in build quality is night and day.