Thinkpads Forum

Hi folks,

I have a T510 right now which I love, but it's too heavy, and I don't use a lot of the features like graphics, etc. Looking for a decent, portable business machine.

Therefore, I know for a fact I want to sell this one and buy a T4XX series laptop, but I'm having trouble deciding between:

T420
T420s
T430
T430s

First of all, I've heard some bad things about the T430 which makes me think sticking with the T420 is a better bet. Is there a big difference between the Intel HD 3000 and Intel HD 4000?

Furthermore, how much does the "s" really give you? If I got the T420 or T430 with the solid state drive, would a T420s or T430s with a solid state drive really affect the weight that much more?

Thanks!

-Matt

If you are looking for lightweight, then the T420s is hard to beat.

Here is a list of differences between the T420 & the T420s. Most of these will be the same with T430 Vs. T430s

- The s models are lighter weight, just under 4lbs.
- The s models all have the higher resolution screen (1600x900), wheras the non-s models have a lower res screen option (1366x768 or 1600x900)
- The s models are slimmer in physical size
- The s models use BGA processors that can not be upgraded later
- The T420s has USB 3.0 and the T420 does not
- The s models have less USB 2.0 ports

jayton4 wrote:If you are looking for lightweight, then the T420s is hard to beat.

lightweight is definitely a priority, but I'd say battery life is kind of important too. If the T430s adds battery life at the expense of a little added weight, I can live with that.

I carry around my work with me all day. I'm always going from meeting to meeting. I can't keep carrying around my T510 anymore. With the 9-cell battery, it's just WAY too heavy and it's killing my back

jayton4 wrote:Here is a list of differences between the T420 & the T420s. Most of these will be the same with T430 Vs. T430s

I'd add that T430/s now both have USB3.0 ports (two), and in addition T430 has two USB2.0 ports, while the T430s only has one USB2.0.

The main difference between T420 and T430 series is the keyboard (new one is island-style, different layout and optionally backlit). Also DisplayPort was changed to mini-DisplayPort (or Thunderbolt on some T430s models).

Thanks for all the insight! Definitely going with the "s" model, now I just need to decide if I want the 420 or 430.

Does anyone knows if any future 14.1" Lenovo Thinkpad will feature a FHD display?