ThinkPad recommendation [ExpressCard/USB 3.0/Socketed/Maximum battery life]

[daporob379]

Greetings Thinkpads Forums.

I'm looking for a recommendation for a ThinkPad with the following specifications:

• ExpressCard slot: For external GPU, if possible.
• Built-in USB 3.0 ports, at least one.
• Socketed processor.
• Compatability with maximum battery attachments.

The only possible combination is probably the T430, shame they dropped ExpressCard on the T530, but somehow is still on T430.
I would prefer the larger form factor if it means bigger screen and better thermals, alas, that is not a choice.
While it's possible to insert the UltraBay battery into the T430, too bad it isn't supported, only by the T430s.
T430 are plenty here.

These are the things I'm going to do/mod the T430:

• Probably 7-row keyboard (does the T420 7-row keyboard have different manufacturer and feel like the T450 trackpad situation?)
• BIOS mod for Wi-Fi whitelist (I know I need to pay for this) and EC patch for 7-row keyboard (if I ended getting it).
• ME clean.
• Replace the screen alongside the LVDS to eDP adapter.
• Get Broadcom Wi-Fi alongside a second Wi-Fi adapter that supports packet injection for use with aircrack-ng, also better Linux support, I guess?

While it seems pretty obvious my choice will fall to the T430, perhaps I missed something subtle the members of this forum are well acquianted with.
For example:

• How hard to get a replacement screen that doesn't flicker?
• Is it worth it to get the WQVGA upgrade screen instead of the FHD screen?
• Did someone actually managed to fit the MacBook-only i7 with Iris Pro graphics without throttling to hell?
• Do Corebooted ThinkPads have the same BIOS options/customizibility as BIOS-modded ThinkPads?
• Can I change the bootscreen for BIOS-modded (not Coreboot) ThinkPads?

Things like that I'm not necessary will understand even if after pouring hours and hours of research and probably better be answered with someone who have significant experience with different ThinkPad models.

While I don't really understand the fad behind classic 7-row keyboards and trackpad, I would like to try it for myself to see how it feels to live with it.

I don't have problems with disassembling things apart, but do anyone sells pre-modded ThinkPaads?

Thank you very much for the help.

[dr_st]

Welcome to the forum.

The only possible combination is probably the T430, shame they dropped ExpressCard on the T530

They didn't; it's still there (and on W530 as well).

While it's possible to insert the UltraBay battery into the T430, too bad it isn't supported, only by the T430s.

True, but the T430/530 support a standard 9-cell battery which is gives you more than T430s standard+ultrabay batteries combined. And they also support a slice battery.

does the T420 7-row keyboard have different manufacturer

There are 3 different manufacturers. I can't say which one (if there even is one) that is subjectively better or worse.

[daporob379]

Welcome to the forum.

The only possible combination is probably the T430, shame they dropped ExpressCard on the T530

They didn't; it's still there (and on W530 as well).

While it's possible to insert the UltraBay battery into the T430, too bad it isn't supported, only by the T430s.

True, but the T430/530 support a standard 9-cell battery which is gives you more than T430s standard+ultrabay batteries combined. And they also support a slice battery.

does the T420 7-row keyboard have different manufacturer

There are 3 different manufacturers. I can't say which one (if there even is one) that is subjectively better or worse.

1. Interesting. https://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:T530 shows there isn't any. Is T430 mods can be used with T530? Except of the screen, of course.
2. Yeah, I know, it's silly, but imagine if you can.
3. Interesting, what are those (the manufacturers)?

[dr_st]

Interesting. https://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:T530 shows there isn't any.

Looks like a few models were missing. Fixed that.

Interesting, what are those (the manufacturers)?

Same ones that have been used before, I imagine: Alps, Chicony, NMB.

[daporob379]

Interesting. https://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:T530 shows there isn't any.

Looks like a few models were missing. Fixed that.

Interesting, what are those (the manufacturers)?

Same ones that have been used before, I imagine: Alps, Chicony, NMB.

Sweet! Thank you for clarifying. 14 inch form factor always felt out of place in my opinion, as not many backpacks are made for 14 inchers. Also the added screen estate is always nice.

Maybe it takes time to reflect on the wiki, as it hasn't been updated in my end.

How do you identify between the different manufacturer in the same keyboard FRU?

[dr_st]

Every manufacturer has a different FRU.

[daporob379]

Apparently T530 can be equipped with color sensor, cool!

How do I find which FRU is from which manufacturer?

For example:
45N2071
45N2141
45N2211

I searched for listing on eBay and the same listing contains several different FRU, meaning if I bought one from that listing, I would get a random FRU from that listing, correct?

Let's see if I want to swap the US keyboard with something else, do I need to patch the EC as well?

[UMPC2024]

From the T420/T410/T510/T520 Keyboard comparisons and review post

45N2071 / 45N2036 Alps
45N2141 / 45N2106 Chicony
45N2211 / 45N2176 NMB

Can all be used in T410/T420/T510/T520/X220 and, after a BIOS-mod, also in T430/T530/X230

[yttriumtyclief]

[*]BIOS mod for Wi-Fi whitelist (I know I need to pay for this)

Just a heads up, this is no longer necessary with 1vyrain, which supports software BIOS flashing and, by default, flashes a BIOS with an unlocked whitelist.