Thinkpads Forum

Hi Guys,

I want to upgrade my OH's ThinkPad - she uses an old T43p. The T43p has a nice keyboard and a good LCD (1600 x 1200), but the machine is getting slower and slower with Win XP running. There is a T530 2394-5ZG for sale locally and I am thinking of replacing the old ThinkPad, but I don't want to be disappointed. I know there is no way of getting the same screen in any of the newer ThnkPads, however if any of you have an experience with using both models, I will appreciate your advice.

Or would you recommend any other ThinkPad instead? It will be used mainly for office work, photo editing, etc.

Another way would be to update the T43 with a new HD Drive and the operating system.

I will appreciate your help.

Upgrading the T43p is a possibility, but truth be told - the single core Pentium M is going to hold you back.

Coming from a T43p... you'll feel more "at home" on anything one generation older than the *30 series units, since the keyboard was changed fairly significantly starting with these. Also coming from an IPS panel, you may also find the display severely lacking in quality. If you can see and try out the T530 in person before you decide to buy and are comfortable with the new keyboard, I'd say go for it. If the new keyboard layout seems like more than you're willing to adapt to, look for a *20 or earlier. The keyboards that are the most similar to that on the T43p is what you'll find on the T60, T61 and T400/500. The T410/510 and T420/520 have a slightly different layout (with enlarged ESC and DEL keys).

If you are looking for the best available LCD... look for a T520/530 with the FHD panel. If you go a little older to the Core [2] Duo machines, the T60p got the same screen options as the T43p (IPS UXGA). T61 and T/W500 got WUXGA panels that were not IPS.

It's hard for me to make a clear-cut single recommendation. Since you say you are going to use this machine for photo editing, a good LCD would be assumed as practically a requirement - which effectively eliminates the *10/20/30 series (unless you do an aftermarket IPS panel mod). The Sharp WUXGA panel for the 15.4" T61(p) and T/W500 is widely regarded as the best TN panel available, so these may be a consideration as well. The T60 is the oldest of the bunch, but again - these were the last offered with factory IPS panels in 4:3 aspect you're familiar with - that have all of the classic ThinkPad design cues you're used to.

The FHD panels in the T510 - T530 and W series equivalents actually have slightly better contrast, significantly more color (95% adobe rgb colorspace) and brightness than the old flexview panels. However, they are still TN panels and are no match for the viewing angles found on the IPS displays (which may make color space a moot point). There is a mod available for fitting an LG IPS panel into these 15.6" models, but it requires some work and you loose a bit of the color space http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=117358.

Although I haven't seen a flexview panel, I can say that I am still impressed with the FHD display in my W530.

theterminator93 wrote:If you go a little older to the Core [2] Duo machines, the T60p got the same screen options as the T43p (IPS WUXGA). T61 and T/W500 got WUXGA panels that were not IPS.

T43p had Standard UXGA, not Widescreen-UXGA...

brchan wrote: Although I haven't seen a flexview panel, I can say that I am still impressed with the FHD display in my W530.

Once you get to see a well-kept FlexView, I bet you'll be a lot less impressed with the AUO FHD panel in that W530...

Back to the topic: if OP needs a system that would allow for serious photography editing, none of the machines discussed here will actually do.

The only ThinkPads that might fit the bill - remains to be seen in person - are the upcoming P50 and P70, but they sport the crippled 6-row keyboard layout that someone who spent a lot of time using a T4x system is likely to have major issues with...

HP EliteBooks with DreamColor IPS LCDs are likely the only existing machines whose screens - when properly calibrated - can be used for *real* work when it comes to images of any kind...but, once again, the keyboard layout is...ugh. Their Dell counterparts with PremierColor panels have better keyboards IMO, but I always felt that EliteBooks were better built, and had more of a "premium" feel than any other laptop I've ever encountered, ThinkPads included.

I'd strongly suggest testing a *30 series machine in person before actually spending money on one. Keyboard layout change - which some people are OK with while the others are not - is drastic enough to warrant such an approach.

Happy shopping.

RealBlackStuff wrote:T43p had Standard UXGA, not Widescreen-UXGA...

Fixed. That was an oops for sure!

Also - for further reading regarding the FHD IPS mod for the T/W520 - I posted details on the process I used as well as included a number of photos in this thread: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=118789

The FHD screens in the T/W 520 (same in the 530?) are awfully oversaturated. I normally don't undertake mods to personal equipment without a good how-to guide, but I just couldn't force myself to get used to that screen having gotten used to IPS panels in the last few months...

theterminator93 wrote:Upgrading the T43p is a possibility, but truth be told - the single core Pentium M is going to hold you back.

Coming from a T43p... you'll feel more "at home" on anything one generation older than the *30 series units, since the keyboard was changed fairly significantly starting with these. Also coming from an IPS panel, you may also find the display severely lacking in quality. If you can see and try out the T530 in person before you decide to buy and are comfortable with the new keyboard, I'd say go for it. If the new keyboard layout seems like more than you're willing to adapt to, look for a *20 or earlier. The keyboards that are the most similar to that on the T43p is what you'll find on the T60, T61 and T400/500. The T410/510 and T420/520 have a slightly different layout (with enlarged ESC and DEL keys).

If you are looking for the best available LCD... look for a T520/530 with the FHD panel. If you go a little older to the Core [2] Duo machines, the T60p got the same screen options as the T43p (IPS UXGA). T61 and T/W500 got WUXGA panels that were not IPS.

It's hard for me to make a clear-cut single recommendation. Since you say you are going to use this machine for photo editing, a good LCD would be assumed as practically a requirement - which effectively eliminates the *10/20/30 series (unless you do an aftermarket IPS panel mod). The Sharp WUXGA panel for the 15.4" T61(p) and T/W500 is widely regarded as the best TN panel available, so these may be a consideration as well. The T60 is the oldest of the bunch, but again - these were the last offered with factory IPS panels in 4:3 aspect you're familiar with - that have all of the classic ThinkPad design cues you're used to.

Thank you for all the posts, I appreciate the effort. I new this is not the easiest task, a bit of a puzzle really, so I will have to think again about the models and I would like to see one of the newer machines in the flesh to get the feeling what it is like.

Ideally, a good T60/T61(p) would be great, but it is hard to find anywhere where I am based and even harder with the right screen. The machine does not need to be the fastest available, it is just the XP on the old T43p is getting really tired and slows the machine down.

Anyway, I will read all the responses again, think about it and will ask more questions .

I could build you the FrankenPad of your dreams, consisting of:
15" T60 chassis
T61 new native Penryn motherboard with latest nVidia NVS140M from 2010
Penryn CPU (T9300 recommended)
up to 8GB RAM
SSD of your choice
15" UXGA (1600x1200) IPS with ex-factory LED backlight
I'm currently about 3,000 miles from Kilkenny, but shipping is available...
Interested?

RealBlackStuff wrote:I could build you the FrankenPad of your dreams...

Hmm, that sounds very interesting. I was considering that kind of solution some time ago, but never went any further with the idea. I would like to discuss this option .

Compared to a T43p, a properly built FrankenPad like what you can get from RBS will absolutely fly. If you go this route, you certainly won't be disappointed. And - it will be the most similar in terms of look, feel, and layout to your T43p out of any of the other possibilities.

theterminator93 wrote:Compared to a T43p, a properly built FrankenPad like what you can get from RBS will absolutely fly. If you go this route, you certainly won't be disappointed. And - it will be the most similar in terms of look, feel, and layout to your T43p out of any of the other possibilities.

Yeah, this option is growing on me. The only thing is I would like the machine to look aesthetically good with no cracked or damaged panels and a good case, the screws in the right places, all sound and solid. I hope it is possible when building a machine from various dismantled parts, etc. ?

The T60 machines will also be a bit sturdier because of the large magnesium alloy frame not found in previous models. However, 15" models have a weak spot near the vga port or left hinge where the frame can crack and cause dangerous flex at the area. This is avoidable by slowly opening/closing the lid and by not picking up the laptop by the lid. Other than slightly loose hinges, they are still great machines.

You'd get a perfectly good case with no cracks or broken parts and all screws and other parts properly in place.
Lately I also reinforce the top-left chassis corner to avoid the chassis breaking there.
I have built close to a hundred of these machines, believe me, I know what I'm doing!

RealBlackStuff wrote:You'd get a perfectly good case with no cracks or broken parts and all screws and other parts properly in place.
Lately I also reinforce the top-left chassis corner to avoid the chassis breaking there.
I have built close to a hundred of these machines, believe me, I know what I'm doing!

Thanks for the response RealBlackStuff. I am a picky example so that is why I am asking . I remember when I had an A31p years ago and replacing the bottom base with a new part just because it had a tiny crack somewhere .

theterminator93 wrote:Compared to a T43p, a properly built FrankenPad like what you can get from RBS will absolutely fly. If you go this route, you certainly won't be disappointed. And - it will be the most similar in terms of look, feel, and layout to your T43p out of any of the other possibilities.

+ 1

For those of us who got spoiled by FlexView-era-ThinkPads, this is by far the most viable solution.