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Advice on Thinkpad Upgrade

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SilverSolutions
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Joined: Tue Nov 22, 2022 1:16 am
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Advice on Thinkpad Upgrade

#1 Post by SilverSolutions » Tue Nov 22, 2022 1:25 am

I have been on the ThinkPad platform for a while now and not interested in changing, however I now need a machine that offers more power and real estate to handle a Project Management work scope, ideally with the following wish list, and your suggestions would be much appreciated;
  • 15-16” screen size
  • 32gb RAM
  • Touchscreen
  • Numeric Keypad
  • Consider used / refurbished to keep cost down
Thanks in advance.

MikalE
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Re: Advice on Thinkpad Upgrade

#2 Post by MikalE » Tue Nov 22, 2022 8:39 am

In spite of the BIOS problem I had with mine, I would still recommend the new T16. Just don't update the BIOS from within Windows. The T16 is fast with 32GB of memory and the 1260P i7 processor and SSD. It can be had (like mine) with the 16" touchscreen.

I hear mostly good things about the P series too, but if you are needing it for business, there are enough high-end options for the T16 at the slightly lower price point to get the job done.
A31p P-IV 2Ghz, 2MB, 2653-R6U
T500 T9600 2055-BE9
T510 i5 4384-DV7
T510 i7 4349-A64
T520 i7QM 4242-4UU Highly Modified
T16 i7 1260P 21BV000SUS

ZaZ
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Re: Advice on Thinkpad Upgrade

#3 Post by ZaZ » Tue Nov 22, 2022 10:16 am

What are you looking to spend and how much oomph do you need? A T15 or T16 series looks like a good bet. A newer version will get you a faster CPU and likely a better screen, but an older version will save you some cash and still be useful unless you need top performance. Seems kind of like a value judgment. I personally wouldn't go below a T580, which will come with a low watt quad core that will offer you much better performance than its dual core brethren, but your money, your call. Good luck my friend and welcome.
ThinkPad L14 - 2.1GHz Ryzen 4650U | 16GB | 256GB | 14" FHD | Win11P
ProBook 470 G5 - 1.6GHz Core i5 | 16GB | 2.2TB | 17" FHD | Mint

SilverSolutions
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Nov 22, 2022 1:16 am
Location: London, United Kingdom

Re: Advice on Thinkpad Upgrade

#4 Post by SilverSolutions » Tue Nov 22, 2022 1:22 pm

ZaZ wrote:
Tue Nov 22, 2022 10:16 am
What are you looking to spend and how much oomph do you need? A T15 or T16 series looks like a good bet. A newer version will get you a faster CPU and likely a better screen, but an older version will save you some cash and still be useful unless you need top performance. Seems kind of like a value judgment. I personally wouldn't go below a T580, which will come with a low watt quad core that will offer you much better performance than its dual core brethren, but your money, your call. Good luck my friend and welcome.
Thanks for your reply Zaz. T-15/16 is where my thoughts are currently and they could be within budget of say £1-1.5k. Does it matter which gen of either the above models to have the touchscreen option? Any recommendations for places to purchase reliable 2nd hand models?

Excuse my questions, I am still learning the ThinkPad range/models.

MikalE
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Re: Advice on Thinkpad Upgrade

#5 Post by MikalE » Tue Nov 22, 2022 4:03 pm

The Intel T16 has only been out since June so the second hand market is quite slim right now. You might appreciate the larger screen area. A .4 increase in area doesn't seem like much but it is a very noticeable difference.

The T15 is being discontinued in favor of the T16 so you might find some deals on that model. Pleanty of used models out there too.
A31p P-IV 2Ghz, 2MB, 2653-R6U
T500 T9600 2055-BE9
T510 i5 4384-DV7
T510 i7 4349-A64
T520 i7QM 4242-4UU Highly Modified
T16 i7 1260P 21BV000SUS

ZaZ
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Re: Advice on Thinkpad Upgrade

#6 Post by ZaZ » Tue Nov 22, 2022 4:45 pm

Right now the on the US site the AMD versions are selling for less and offer more processing power, so that's probably the way I'd lean. It's been my experience the best prices for a notebook with a warranty is usually in the manufacturer outlet where the item will look new, but have a warranty and they come with a nice discount, though I don't know if that's an option in the UK. Sometimes you can save a bit or quite a bit of money going used, but its always a more risky proposition as you don't know the provenance of the machine. Maybe they didn't use it much or found something else they liked better, but just as easily they could have dropped or spilled liquid on it and now want to make it your problem. I've bought a handful of products used over the years and they almost always were described as like new. Some were with with warranties too, but others looked like they were used in a digital sweatshops where the owner chain smoked the entire time while using the machine. You just never know what you're getting until it arrives. As always in life, perfect choices remain elusive. I hope you find a good fit.
ThinkPad L14 - 2.1GHz Ryzen 4650U | 16GB | 256GB | 14" FHD | Win11P
ProBook 470 G5 - 1.6GHz Core i5 | 16GB | 2.2TB | 17" FHD | Mint

SilverSolutions
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Re: Advice on Thinkpad Upgrade

#7 Post by SilverSolutions » Thu Nov 24, 2022 9:06 am

Thinking i do not need the latest models, and having done some further research, the P51/2 models look more than suitable for what i am looking for, are they good workhorse machines?

ZaZ
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Re: Advice on Thinkpad Upgrade

#8 Post by ZaZ » Thu Nov 24, 2022 8:09 pm

A P series usually gets you a better graphics card, which adds weight for the needed cooling apparatus, sometimes more noise too. If you don't need the GPU, that merits consideration.
ThinkPad L14 - 2.1GHz Ryzen 4650U | 16GB | 256GB | 14" FHD | Win11P
ProBook 470 G5 - 1.6GHz Core i5 | 16GB | 2.2TB | 17" FHD | Mint

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