T420s Questions?

[bmstrong]

Anyone happen to use one still? I'm thinking it might be a good fit for my Dad: 1600X900 screen, decently powerful Sandy Bridge, one USB 3.0, good typing experience, easy to find parts. The T420s looks thin enough and light enough to work.

http://www.lenovo.com/shop/americas/con ... _specs.pdf
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:T420s

There should be enough chug in the T420s to run Windows 10 comfortably?

On the RAM: can go all of the way to 16 or am I maxed out at 8? (DDR3-1333 204-pin SODIMM) 8 Officially Supported. 1.35 or 1.5?

I see some issues with SSD's on Google. 7mm height, I have one of these laying:

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-250GB-2-5 ... ng+840+evo

Interesting MiniPCI Express Slot 2 (51mm Full). SATA 3?

http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/T400-T500-a ... d-p/990103

http://fortysomethinggeek.blogspot.com/ ... rives.html

I'd like to move him to dual band N. Is there a list of supported cards for the T420s?

Intel® Centrino® Ultimate-N 6300 3x3 AGN
Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N + WiMAX 6250 2x2 AGN
Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6205 2x2 AGN
Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 1000 1x2 BGN
ThinkPad BGN (RealTek) 1x1 BGN

Any discernible difference in performance over the T430s with the same specs? I know the T430s has the modern style keyboard but the aftermarket prices on the T420s is very favorable compared to the T430s. Both use the same HD+ screen?

forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo/677268-new-t420s-vs-t430s-need-order-weekend.html

I'm looking for a serviceable machine that will give him another couple years.

EDIT: Answering some of my own questions.

[ajkula66]

There should be enough chug in the T420s to run Windows 10 comfortably?

We don't know what the final version of W10 will look like, but my guess would be "yes".

On the RAM: can go all of the way to 16 or am I maxed out at 8? (DDR3-1333 204-pin SODIMM) 8 Officially Supported. 1.35 or 1.5?

16GB is the cap. I'd go with 1.5.

Any discernible difference in performance over the T430s with the same specs?

No.

I'm looking for a serviceable machine that will give him another couple years.

And you've likely found it...

[bmstrong]

Yep. I agree. Thanks for the replies.

[jayton4]

My T420s is definitely my favorite computer. I can see myself on this thing for another 5 or 6 years with where Lenovo is going.

The mSATA slot is SATA II spec on the T420s, not SATA III.

The difference in the T430s is SATA III on the mSATA slot, along with Ivy Bridge platform, USB 3.0 native from intel chipset instead of separate renasas, the ability to use USB 3.0 on a docking station, and that hacky keyboard.