speccing a T420s

[niccolo]

I'm about to order a T420s. I could use advice on speccing it. I figured there'd be a few posts on this topic but not coming across them.

(I may get some flack those who saw me rant about the T400s and T410s, especially the poor screen. But my old T42 w/ IPS screen is about to give up the ghost, and I'm making peace with, or at least resigned to, the fact that my next laptop will have a significantly poorer screen. And while Apple sources far better TN screens than Lenovo does these days, I just can't bring myself to pay the almost double price premium and have never been crazy about the Mac keyboards.)

Processor: I'm not a power user (basically Word processing, web, occasional statistical software), so leaning i5-2520M. The i3 seems like a big step down, the i5-2540M is only $45 more but I'm not sure it's worth even that modest amount, the i7 is a good bit more expensive, presumably drains a little more power (although only when maxed out), and probably isn't necessary for my purposes.

Operation system: Pro 64 seems like the obvious choice; any downside to choosing the free XP compatibility mode?

Graphics: I think I only have the integrated option, but even if I had switchable I'm not a gamer/movie guy and it would presumably burn more power, so integrated is good for me.

Memory: Probably worth upgrading from 4BG but not via Lenovo?

Hard drive: 320 GB, don't feel the need for a small SSD at a price premium.

Expansion slot: Smart card reader in express slot, am I going to regret not getting this?

Wireless: Any reason to upgrade from Thinkpad b/g/n? I have no specifics needs, but if there's a biq quality difference I'm all ears.

Feedback very much appreciated! We're not about to get a T430s for which I should be waiting, right?

[niccolo]

I'd particularly welcome advice on processor and wireless card, and whether there's any downside to XP mode. Appreciated!

[sysiphus]

My viewpoint is based on the T520 that I just got, but the basic info stays the same...

There's no real downside to XP Mode, no. For basic use, the low-end i5 is more than sufficient. I'd get a cheap i5--that's the route I went for my T520, and my needs might be a bit more demanding than yours. No need to go all-out unless you know you need it, or have lots of money to burn.

Stick with the base amount of RAM, and upgrade yourself. I got a 4GB stick from Amazon for $25 shipped (I have 2+4; my upgrade from 2+0 to 4+0 would have cost $80 through Lenovo).

Integrated graphics is great so long as you're not doing heavy 3D rendering/gaming. A bit of casual 3D gaming is doable on the Intel graphics if necessary. Integrated keeps things cool, quiet, and power efficient.

The only common use for a smartcard reader is for enterprise security, but in that case, you'd likely be using a work-issued machine... for example, Boeing forces engineers with remote network access to use smartcards, but it doesn't mean your personal machine needs to be able to do it...in many cases, private machines would be unacceptable regardless. If you don't know you need it, you probably don't need it.

The 320GB drive is fine. Mine turned out to be a Scorpio Black, which was a nice surprise.

Upgraded wireless can give you better range/speed...I'd strongly consider going for the 6205 or 6300 if you can. (I got the 6205, my friend got the 6300 in otherwise matching T520 machines, and we've both really liked the results.) Retrofitting could be tough due to the antenna layouts; be sure to check on that if you think you might want to upgrade later. This is one of those components that might just be worth springing for at initial purchase to make life easier.

In short, upgraded wireless (and bluetooth if applicable) would be the only place I'd say is a gotta-do for your usage.

Finally: your T42 with IPS had an SXGA+ screen with a height of 1050 pixels. Ignoring screen quality, be sure you can live with the downgrade to 1600x900... Losing that screen height stinks. If you can stand it, you'll get a much higher quality screen in the FHD panel available in the T520, in addition to more usable space. That said, it does make for a significantly bigger machine.

Good luck!

[niccolo]

Really appreciate the response! A few comments and another question or two...

I'd love the better screen panel available on the 520, but I travel a lot and am hesitant to take the size and weight hit.

As for living with the aspect ratio change from my old T42, I'm not happy about it, but I don't think I have much choice. But I'd love a 4:3 IPS screen (and a pony, too . In the real world, I don't think I have much choice on the aspect ratio these days.

I thought some people put fast-access memory, as a sort of mini-SSD, in their smartcard readers? Even if that's true, not sure I have any need for it.

What do you use Bluetooth for? It's available, but I don't really see what I'd use it for.

[niccolo]

Also, anyone have experiences with ThinkPad Protection? It seems like a pretty good deal, I can get 3 years of coverage (accidental damage, spills, etc., only thing not covered is theft) plus warranty extended to 3 years for $175. That's more than covered by one significant issue (e.g. backlight, screen, hard drive, or motherboard failure), for someone who travels a lot it seems worthwhile. But it adds almost twenty percent to the price of the laptop so I could make an argument either way. Thoughts?

[Q-Ball]

1600 x 900 on a 14" isn't all that common AFAIK- I'd put it in between the 1600 x 900 and 1920 x 1080 15" panels simply by virtue of the 14" size (it will look sharper IIRC).

For the smart card reader... that's only really used for 'smart cards'- these cards look like ID cards you see certain government employees wear in movies and such. They slot in the reader and their only purpose is to log in. Just like they unlock doors- you don't need a password with one.

Finally, for Bluetooth...


Do you have a personal media device that supports it? Like, say, an iPhone, an iPod Touch, or a similar Android/WP7 device? If so, you can use the computer as a sort of 'extension' without having to plug the device in.

So if you want to play music on the ThinkPad's speakers, all you do is sync up. Then, you can just leave the device wherever on your person (or near it) and you can control the music on your computer that plays from the device. There are also other things you can do- if you want to take a call you can just do it on the PC instead- but I won't go into that (read the manual for your specific device).
I think that, if you had a Bluetooth headset, you could use that as wireless headphones.

You can also transfer files between devices this way- and also between computers like the Infrared ports of old (this technology is a part of their obsolescence).

[niccolo]

Appreciate all the advice. I'm going to bite the bullet tomorrow.

The only remaining question is whether to get the 6205 2-antenna wi-fi card or the 6300 3-antenna one. The latter is $18 more, which isn't a lot of money in the grand scheme of things. Any advice?

I'm also inclined to get 3 year warranty and Thinkpad Protection for $175, for someone who travels a lot and has had issues with his laptop over the years (e.g. backlight, motherboard), this seems like a reasonable investment. But I could be persuaded otherwise.

[underclocker]

If you can swing it, you should pick up this model, 4171-6WU

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/Lenovo ... %20Catalog

It has the Intel video, 2.5GHz cpu, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD, 6205 wifi, Gobi 3000 adapter, fingerprint, 3yr depot, etc. CDW has it for $1614.

(Alternately, the 4171-53U without Gobi 3000 or fingerprint, but with a faster 2.6GHZ cpu, is about $30 less.)

You should add the 4GB more of RAM and the upgraded onsite/TPP 3yr. from another vendor, as CDW's prices are high on those items.

You won't be sorry you spent the extra money on the SSD. The T420s is phenomenal with an SSD.

Good luck.

[niccolo]

To be honest, I hadn't really thought about an SSD, the price premium seems pretty big and I'm not sure how much I care about a little more speed. But I suspect it's the kind of thing that has to be used to be appreciated, and it would be hard to go back once you'd gotten used to it. Reasons why this should be in the must-have category?

The two solid state options seem to be 128 GB (no brand specified) and 160 GB (Intel), with the former commanding a $238 premium over the traditional hard drive and the latter a $306 premium. Criteria for choosing between them, aside from size?

[underclocker]

It's definitely hard to go back from SSD. I now own three machines with SSDs.

I just opened up a 4171-53U that arrived yesterday. The hard drive is a Toshiba THNSNC128GCSJ, more info below.

http://www.harddrivebenchmark.net/hdd.p ... SNC128GCSJ

On the other hand, the first 4171-53U that I purchased about six weeks ago came with a Samsung M27PA128HMCD, more info below (this one has a better benchmark).

http://www.harddrivebenchmark.net/hdd.p ... HMCD-010L1

The 160GB Intel is probably better for 1) size, 2) reliablity and 3) speed (my guess), but with cost being a factor, any SSD is better than no SSD.

FYI, the third antenna for the wifi is present (at least on a 4171-53U) in the event you want to upgrade a 6205 wifi to 6300.

[crashnburn]

1600 x 900 on a 14" isn't all that common AFAIK- I'd put it in between the 1600 x 900 and 1920 x 1080 15" panels simply by virtue of the 14" size (it will look sharper IIRC).

For the smart card reader... that's only really used for 'smart cards'- these cards look like ID cards you see certain government employees wear in movies and such. They slot in the reader and their only purpose is to log in. Just like they unlock doors- you don't need a password with one.

Finally, for Bluetooth...


Do you have a personal media device that supports it? Like, say, an iPhone, an iPod Touch, or a similar Android/WP7 device? If so, you can use the computer as a sort of 'extension' without having to plug the device in.

So if you want to play music on the ThinkPad's speakers, all you do is sync up. Then, you can just leave the device wherever on your person (or near it) and you can control the music on your computer that plays from the device. There are also other things you can do- if you want to take a call you can just do it on the PC instead- but I won't go into that (read the manual for your specific device).
I think that, if you had a Bluetooth headset, you could use that as wireless headphones.

You can also transfer files between devices this way- and also between computers like the Infrared ports of old (this technology is a part of their obsolescence).

How is this 1600 x 900 14" panel on the T420? Any reports / reviews?

[ljwobker]

To be honest, I hadn't really thought about an SSD, the price premium seems pretty big and I'm not sure how much I care about a little more speed. But I suspect it's the kind of thing that has to be used to be appreciated, and it would be hard to go back once you'd gotten used to it. Reasons why this should be in the must-have category?

The two solid state options seem to be 128 GB (no brand specified) and 160 GB (Intel), with the former commanding a $238 premium over the traditional hard drive and the latter a $306 premium. Criteria for choosing between them, aside from size?

The real-world difference between an SSD and a traditional hard drive is night and day. Nothing you can do to a machine makes it "seem" faster than going with a solid state drive. I put one into a T410 and it really is a completely different machine.

I will never, ever, ever run an operating system from a spinning disk again. They're fine and dandy for bulk file storage, but modern operating systems and applications hit the drive hundreds of times a second for little file fetches, and each one of those has a significant delay on a spinning disk, but near zero on an SSD.

YMMV of course, but to me this is the best money you can spend for a machine. You can either do the factory upgrade, or you can upgrade it yourself (swapping the disk is quite easy, and there are threads here discussing which drives are and are not compatible with a given machine)