T400s, T410s, or T420? Which is best for Debian?

[angel4b]

Hello everyone. I'm looking to upgrade my IdeaPad U450p to a ThinkPad. I'm currently using LMDE for my OS. I tend to have a lot of programs running at the same time...some streaming video, though mostly surfing with lotsa tabs open at once. I've been checking out the IBM certified used site, and the Lenovo outlet and so I'm having a hard time making a decision. I'm considering the T400s models (256GB SSD!) and the T410s. Or maybe I should just keep checking the outlet for a deal on the T420...any advice or suggestions? I can get the ibmepp discount, and am looking to spend $500 ish. Thanks in advance.

http://www-304.ibm.com/shop/americas/we ... &langId=-1

[ThinkRob]

All three will work fine, but I highly recommend you avoid NVIDIA Optimus-equipped models. They're not worth the frustration that they will bring you.

The T420 will get the best battery life.

[wolfman]

T420 can go to 16gb of RAM - if that matters to you, then that would be the deciding factor to me.

[angel4b]

So then I should I should just hold out for a T430 and the backlit keyboard?

[ThinkRob]

So then I should I should just hold out for a T430 and the backlit keyboard?

IMHO unless the keyboard or Ivy Bridge are must-haves for you I'd go with the T420. You can get a great price on one now as some resellers are still clearing out their stock, and they're very capable machines. I absolutely love mine, and while Linux support was a little rough when it was first released, it's absolutely excellent now.

[waterloo]

T420 is probably good enough

T410 can't get more than 8GB of ram and the CPU is quiet old now