I've been interested in picking up a Thinkpad for a while now, only it seems the more I look, the more models I find, to the point where it's difficult to weigh them all against each other. The fact that many of them also seem to vary in specs made the decision even more difficult. Basically, I'm looking for help picking/narrowing down which Thinkpad to buy.
As far as specs go, I'm not that picky. I just need to be able to play videos, listen to music, type papers, etc. It doesn't require much. Biggest thing hardware-wise for me is a good screen. It's more about color and viewing angle than resolution, though at least 720p is important, bonus if it's a more conventional aspect ratio. I'm fine with a heavier machine (I knew going in that Thinkpads tended to be a bit bulkier than average laptops), but since I'll be carrying it around quite a bit, I don't want anything super large or heavy. As a side note, I do tend to have more interest in the classic models (a sentiment that seems to be shared by a lot of enthusiasts), and don't really want anything much more expensive than $200 (though lower is always good) or anything extremely difficult to track down.
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Choosing a Thinkpad for school/general use
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Re: Choosing a Thinkpad for school/general use
For 14" and up to 16GB RAM, IMHO your best bet would probably be a T440p with Intel graphics, and IPS FHD.
It needs its clunkpad replaced with the touchpad+buttons from a T450.
The T440p is one of the last machines that is still quite upgradable.
If 12.5" and max. 8GB RAM is acceptable, look for the X240 with IPS FHD.
It too needs its clunkpad replaced with the touchpad+buttons from an X250.
X240 is light and has very good battery life.
Both the above can be found around your price range.
If the classic keyboard is a must, you can get the T420 and upgrade that to FHD.
A better option, with better CPU and GPU is the T430, upgraded with the T420 classic keyboard and also upgraded to FHD.
However, both T420 and T430 will need extensive upgrading, and with that will cost more than the T440p or X240 above.
It needs its clunkpad replaced with the touchpad+buttons from a T450.
The T440p is one of the last machines that is still quite upgradable.
If 12.5" and max. 8GB RAM is acceptable, look for the X240 with IPS FHD.
It too needs its clunkpad replaced with the touchpad+buttons from an X250.
X240 is light and has very good battery life.
Both the above can be found around your price range.
If the classic keyboard is a must, you can get the T420 and upgrade that to FHD.
A better option, with better CPU and GPU is the T430, upgraded with the T420 classic keyboard and also upgraded to FHD.
However, both T420 and T430 will need extensive upgrading, and with that will cost more than the T440p or X240 above.
Lovely day for a Guinness! (The Real Black Stuff)
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.
PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine.
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.
PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine.
Re: Choosing a Thinkpad for school/general use
Yes, if in US, T430 can get a FHD and KB upgrade. Here in AU things are tough.
Modified T470 to look like TP Anniversary Edition; TP 25; E550; T540p; wants a T420 or P1 to see what's good.
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Re: Choosing a Thinkpad for school/general use
I would go with a T420/T420s.
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