Thinking of switching to an IBM/Lenovo Help

[aaroncm]

Hey guys,

My previous laptops have involved Macbooks running Windows and my current Dell XPS 9343. Nothing but driver issues/bugs/problems that are never solved by the manufacturer. Also lack of ports, replaceable batteries and upgradability. It's thin though... but I don't care about that anymore.

I've been thinking of a Thinkpad... but there's so many options. My only requirements is a 1080p IPS 16:9 LCD (13~15" is fine. 14" would be perfect but not necessary) + Heaps of ports, replaceable battery and upgradability. I'd also love to go cheap/used and mod it, I pretty much tear down laptops for a living so that won't be an issue. You guys mention mods a lot, I never would have thought there would be a lot of cross-compatibility with different models.

Would anyone have any suggestions on where I should start looking/researching? Or just model recommendations? I've seen others recommend certain models + track-pad replacement mods from other models, etc etc. Could I get a cheaper i3 unit and pull an i7 from another system? Are the CPUs still socketed?

My current XPS has an Intel Core i7-5500U. I probably don't /need/ that performance but it'd be cool. I'm a software dev so I spend most of my time typing.

Thanks for any help.

[theterminator93]

There are a few ThinkPad linups - if you can narrow down your preferences then you can usually narrow down the product line and eventually series to get you to the precise model to fit your needs.

A few preface items - the keyboard changed significantly in 2012 with the release of the 30 (Ivy Bridge CPUs) generation. 20 generation (Sandy Bridge CPUs) and older use a 7 row keyboard with standard keys - the newer models use a 6 row keyboard with chiclet keys. Everything 20 generation on is 16:9. 20 and 30 generation didn't have IPS screens as an option (except the X series tablets), however there is an FHD IPS mod for the T420s and T430s. 40 series saw IPS return as an option. X series will have soldered CPUs, T and W/P will be socketed (although I'm not certain on the newest models). There have been more frequent (not quite widespread, but more than we've been accustomed to with the brand) reports of lacking QC on Lenovo's part lately though.

A quick glance at the series -

X series - thinnest and lightest of the bunch, many include convertible tablet models. No optical drives.
T series - mainstream business models. Optical drives were integrated up through the 40 series, discontinued in 50 and 60 series. 14" machines are still very portable. 15" machines start getting bulky.
W and P series - workstation class models with the best performance available. Biggest and heaviest.

X series are usually 12" or 13" screens. T series is 14 or 15.6". W and P series is 15.6 or 17".

If you're comfortable with the new keyboard, 30 series should be fairly affordable and readily available on the used market. Newer is pricier (of course) but you get the newer CPUs. If you're not sure which keyboard you'll like, it really is best to just try the two out to see which you feel most at home on.

An example is me. I won't go newer than 20 generation since I greatly prefer the classic keyboard. I use the W520 for the heavy stuff when I'm too lazy to sit at my desktop. The T420 is my around the house machine, then the X220 goes on the road.

IMHO, I'd recommend starting with looking into T420s or T430s (depending on your keyboard preference). They still have the bulk of the features and design trends that made the brand noteworthy (for the most part), are very easily upgraded, and well built. Grab an FHD IPS mod kit and screen of your liking, then you're good to go. The 14" machines never officially supported quad core CPUs but they will run them if you swap one in. Any i7s from the factory were dual core. If you have the budget, 40 series and newer has factory FHD IPS options in both 14" and 15" flavors.

[aaroncm]

Thanks for the reply.

I do possibly have access to a T520.

But I believe they come with 2nd gen processors? I could stick in a 2960XM, AUO B156HW01 V.4 1080P IPS LCD and an SSD. But those CPU's are still expensive!

Thoughts? I'm not sure how much of a CPU hit it'll be (compared to my Dell XPS) in the real world (despite what benchmarks show).

Otherwise, maybe a more modern T series.

[ajkula66]

AUO B156HW01 V.4 1080P IPS LCD

That is not an IPS LCD.

While it's a very good TN panel, it's still just TN.

http://www.panelook.com/B156HW01%20V4_A ... w_686.html

[brchan]

A W530 will give a good boost over a W520. Stick in a classic keyboard and do a bios mod for key mapping, and you now have a laptop that will last many usable years.

[theterminator93]

The T520 and T530 (and W series counterparts, which have much more powerful GPUs) FHD screens are high gamut, but they are not IPS. I did a write up on an IPS mod for them but if you look up my writeup on the process, it's not very plug-and-play (IF you can find the screen). I think I may be the only one so far who's done (and documented) it.

The 20 series is indeed 2nd gen. IMHO, 2nd gen or newer is still very relevant from a performance standpoint. Where the newer CPUs really shine is performance from the integrated GPU as well as heat and power efficiency (and as a result, higher clockspeeds in some cases). Doing comparisons, the 6th gen CPUs are only about 10-15% faster clock-for-clock compared to the 2nd gen CPUs.

The T520 will do up to 16GB RAM. The W520 (quad core models) has a 32GB limit.

The 20 series have an mSATA port for SSD - in addiiton to the standard 2.5" SATA bay, and an optional ultrabay caddy adapter for a third hard disk. Many of us here with 20 series like to use the mSATA slot for an SSD to run the OS on, then we use platter hard disks in the 2.5" bay for "cheap" bulk storage.

Real life bttery life on these is up to 8 hours, on the big 9 cell battery. There is also a 9 cell slice that can be used simultaneously - so figure maximum single charge runtime with the huge (and weighty) batteries at 15-16 hours.

BTW - The i7-2860QM is practically just as fast as the 2960XM, but will be much cheaper and use less power and run cooler.

[aaroncm]

ajkula66 My bad, you're correct. Although everyone raves about how good of a TN panel it is, so I'd still consider it...

Thanks for the info theterminator93.

I'll find out how much I can get what models for and report back soon. If I can get a T520 and do a TN LCD mod + 2860QM do you think it'd be decent? I'd probably throw in 16GB Memory + SSD too. (And maybe swap the drive with an HDD).

Thanks for the help.

[bit_twiddler]

T420s and T430s have their CPUs soldered to their motherboards, so make sure that
you get the CPU that you want if you buy that type of machine.

[theterminator93]

My W520 with the 2860QM, mSATA SSD, 16GB and the Quadro 2000... it screams no matter what I make it do (although I'm no gamer ). I see no reason why this beast won't serve me for 5 or more good years - and it's already 5 years old. A T520 with a similar config (sans the Quadro) would be equally as impressive for someone who doesn't need the extra GPU power (I do occasional video editing work and light retro gaming, so the GPU comes in handy for me).

[aaroncm]

How did you replace the GPU?

What am I thinking. W520. I see.

[aaroncm]

So I'm thinking of trying to go for either a W520 or W530. Whatever I can get my hands on in good condition.

My two questions are once again CPU and LCD related.

Any IPS mods I can do? What's the best TN panel? And yeah, if I can go IPS I would... even if it involved soldering/extensions or whatever. (Just no cutting of visible plastic and stuff). I've seen someone try LG IPS panels but they didn't fit, and the PCB mod for the... 420s? But that wouldn't work for the W520 I don't think.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=118789

(LP156WF4(SL)(B5) + LVDS Extension. I could maybe use my 3D printer to help mount the panels. I can design parts)

And what would be the best CPU I could do? 2960XM? Or should I just stick to a 2860QM?

Thanks

[theterminator93]

Here is where I documented how I managed to stuff an IPS panel into the W520, same one you linked to. http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=118789

No LVDS extension cable is needed, just the screen itself and a Dremel, really. You run the existing cable through the left hinge, rather than the stock routing through the right hinge and it's long enough. The main issue to overcome is that the LCD itself isn't centered within the physical dimensions, so in order to keep the screen centered in the computer you need to shift it right - which means slicing the mounting bracket in half to make room. The other issue is the fact that the PCB mounts to the bottom - rather than being flush up behind - so making it fit in the small area above the LED/microphone PCB is also a squeeze. It works, yeah it's a little sloppy... but almost a year later I've had no complications, and I like the screen a lot. This procedure would work on T520, T530 and W520/W530.

W540 has a 3k IPS panel option from the factory. I like to use this site to look up info on models. http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:W_Series

2960XM has the highest frequency, by 100 MHz over the 2860QM. 2860QM has 45W TDP, 2960XM has 55W TDP. I use this site a lot to compare CPUs: cpubenchmark.net

If you don't care about sticking with the classic keyboard and want something a little newer - a W530 may be worth investigation as well. The fastest available mobile Ivy Bridge quad cores are clocked a fair bit higher than the fastest mobiles for Sandy Bridge, and the GPU is also notably quicker. All comes at an additional price premium though (of course).

[aaroncm]

Yeah, if I can get a W530 I will... I'll probably buy in the next week or so I think. The newer CPU's are more expensive too... yeah

I'll definitely do your mod. The hardest part will probably be finding the LCD panel. Maybe I can design and print some plastic parts to make it fit snugly.

Do you have Skype/Telegram/IRC I can talk to you on? Keep you updated on the mod.

Where did you find the LCD panel? (LP156WF4(SL)(B5))

Might be able to get it http://www.laptopscreenpanels.co.uk/lap ... top-screen here

If I go ahead it'll be a bit of a downgrade from my current laptop in terms of CPU performance, but I don't think it'll be noticeable. What I will gain though is tons more ram, disk space + ssd and a heap of ports. And a 1080P display! I currently have a QHD display and I'm so over the scaling problems.

Thanks again.

[theterminator93]

I got mine off eBay. I ended up having to buy 3 because panel 1 cracked when I was test-fitting some different mounting methods after having run it in a temporarily installed basis for a month or so, then #2 also cracked as I was tweaking the fit... Not to mention my blowing the LCD fuses at least twice because the cheap LCD extension cables I was (unknowingly using unnecessarily) were ... junk.

It's a hard game to play with LCDs though. I originally bought 1, then decided to get another but the seller (lcdtech) sent a knockoff without advertising that fact. So I emailed the seller I bought the first one from and he had more, despite them not being listed. So I bought two at the same time. In hindsight, it was a good idea! There are a few other part numbers of that panel that will work; I settled with SLB5 because it had the best brightness and contrast while still being matte. SLB1 through SLB7 are all compatible, some have 250 nits vs. the 300 the SLB5 has - and some may be glossy. There's also SLBA and SLC1, the latter of which is 800:1 contrast vs. all others' 400:1 - however it is glossy.

I don't use any IM or chat stuff (aside from Google Talk since I always have my email open). If you want my email you can PM me.

[aaroncm]

Alright, got a W530 with K2000M Graphics and 3720QM on the way! Next steps will be ordering the LCD as soon as it arrives.