T series - which one to buy? Max RAM

[eismcsquare]

It's disappointing to see X2** and T4** series are limited to 8/12/16G RAM.

I am looking for a portable Thinkpad which can support 16GB or higher RAM. Being a developer with multiple VMs running, anything less than 16GB does not cut.

Any suggestion?

[wolfman]

I am a developer and run multiple VMs on my T420 with 16gb of RAM just fine. If you want a machine with 4 RAM slots and support for 32gb of RAM the machine you are looking for is the W series machine with quad core processor. I have a W520 from work. It's portable in that you can put it in a bag and carry it around. The power pack (170 watt) is large and heavy (weighs 1.2 pounds if I'm not mistaken). You put the laptop with extended life battery, power pack into a bag and throw it over your shoulder and you can really tell the difference vs. my T420. However, if you need it you need it.

I voted with my own pocket book and went with the T420 + 16gb of ram, etc as in my signature below. Good luck.

[eismcsquare]

Thanks wolfman.

I do have a T520, and after carrying it around in my backpack, I know that's not really portable at all.

I guess I will have to stick to a T440p or see if I can still get X220 from newegg or something.

Yes, 16G should be good enough with the VMs now - I was thinking about 32G to make sure the machine is good enough for next 3-5 years at least.

Again, thanks for the suggestions!

[eismcsquare]

I voted with my own pocket book and went with the T420 + 16gb of ram, etc as in my signature below

Thinkpad T420 | Core i-5 2520M | 16gb RAM | 120gb Intel 520 SSD + 750gb 7200 RPM | 6300 N | Ubuntu 12.04 x64

Oh wait - so T440 is capable of 16gb ram? So, this is 8gb onboard/soldered + 8gb on the 1 dimm, right?

BTW, I am looking for more or less same setup as yours - the plan is to get additional ram, an SSD (add on to the HDD - not a replacement) and booting Ubuntu from the SSD (while leaving the HDD with Windows untouched).

[ajkula66]

Oh wait - so T440 is capable of 16gb ram? So, this is 8gb onboard/soldered + 8 GB on the 1 dimm, right?

Nope. 12 GB max. 4 GB on-board + 1 DIMM. T420 and T430 will take 16 GB, though.

[Ibthink]

T420 and T430 will take 16GB, though.

As does the T440p...only T440(s) have the 12 GB maximum.

[ajkula66]

As does the T440p...only T440(s) have the 12 GB maximum.

I stand corrected, then.

[brchan]

Technically, the T430 should be able to support 32GB ram, since ivy bridge supports 2x16gb ram modules. Currently, there is one company that sells a single 16gb sodimm: http://www.intelligentmemory.com/dram-m ... 3-so-dimm/.

EDIT: seems like they won't work with most intel processors: http://www.anandtech.com/show/7742/im-i ... r3-modules

[eismcsquare]

Thank you all.

I got confused by wolfman's comment and thought t440 too supported 16gb RAM.

I guess for 16gb portable, in the current thinkpad lineup, my only option is T440p.

Edit: I have asked a more specific question to the specific forum here:http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=115408

[Temetka]

And here I am using a T410 maxed out with 8GB of RAM. I have a Dell E6520 sitting unused with 16GB of RAM that I can't install in my T410. I'd love a T420 so I could use the RAM, but then I would have a 16:9 LCD. I just don't know if I could live with a 14" screen of that size. Maybe if it was 1600x900. While I could use the extra RAM for more VM's, I only run 2 VM's at the moment for work purposes and I am testing a Windows 98 VM for older games.

In response to the OP's question: I'd get the best T series you can afford sans upgrades. Then when more money is available, get the upgrades (RAM, SSD). The only thing I wouldn't skimp on would be the screen.