Thinkpads Forum

I am looking for a new laptop and have heard good things about the T420 (please tell me if there are major issues!). I have loaded it with the following specs and with an affinity discount and coupon discount, the total price comes out to about $1,080. Is this a good deal or is anything not worth getting?

4177CTO ThinkPad T420 - 1 Yr Depot Topseller Warranty
Processor Intel Core i7-2620M Processor (2.70GHz, 4MB L3)
Operating system Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64
Operating system language Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64 US English
Windows XP Mode Microsoft Windows 7 XP Mode - English
Display type 14.0" HD (1366 x 768) LED Backlit Anti-Glare Display, Mobile
Broadband Ready
System graphics Intel HD Graphics 3000
Total memory 4 GB DDR3 - 1333MHz (1 DIMM)
Keyboard Keyboard US English
Camera 720p HD Camera
Hard drive 500 GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
Optical device DVD recordable multiburner
System expansion slots Express Card Slot & 4 in 1 Card Reader
Battery 6 cell Li-Ion Battery - 55+
Power cord Country Pack North America with Line cord & 65W AC adapter
PCI adapter IEEE 1394a port
Integrated WiFi Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1000
Integrated mobile broadband Integrated Mobile Broadband - Upgradable
Language pack Language Pack US English

Personally, I'd dump the i7 in favor of the T420i with the i3 CPU. Unless you've got a need to run processor intensive applications, most laptop uses do need this, the i7 will be of little benefit, but costs much more.

I'd say the 1600x900 screen is worth a look too. You'll get more stuff on the screen and do less scrolling.

Only thing I would consider is a SSD drive in place of the 500 GB. You can always add an additional drive for less than $100 total cost. Lenovo SSD prices are actually quite low compared to others...
Also, order a RAM upgrade online for about $40 and you got a screaming machine.

trezaei wrote:Only thing I would consider is a SSD drive in place of the 500 GB. You can always add an additional drive for less than $100 total cost. Lenovo SSD prices are actually quite low compared to others...
Also, order a RAM upgrade online for about $40 and you got a screaming machine.

But high compared to retail prices. You can save $50 or more by buying an Intel 160GB SSD from a retail store instead of from Lenovo.

I, too, would also suggest looking at the upgraded screen and a cheaper processor (unless you need the power). The Intel 6300 is a nice WiFi upgrade. Do you really need XP mode? Do you have to use some legacy software that only works on XP? A 9 cell battery would also give you a nice boost to battery life.

Thank you all for the responses. I did go with the cheaper processor... the XP mode was free and there's a couple programs I use that are only XP compatible.

I did upgrade the monitor, upgraded the RAM to 6gb, but kept the 500gb HD (I have an R51 right now with like 60gb and I haven't even filled that!). Got the whole system +3 yr basic warranty for $930