Is a maxed out W530 the 16:9 solution for a FrankenPadder?

[coolcat37]

So, I have a relative maxed out T601 FrankenPad (T9500, 8gb, SSD, LED UXGA). I sometime feel it's limits nowadays (I don't need tips on how to make it faster, that's not the purpose of this post).

So looking for a new ThinkPad. It seems that the W530 has all the qualities I need (minus the 16:9 screen). RAM upgradeable up to 32gb, K2000M graca, Quad Core, Ultrabay Tray for HDD + 2 SSDs plugged in the motherboard.

+ the chiclet keyboard can be replaced with traditional KB

My question is if a maxed out W530 is the last +- ThinkPad a FrankenPadder would be satisfied with? It hasn't soldered in RAM, it's sturdy, the specs are quite good, UltraBay capabilities, TrackPoint is there, w/ some LED indicators still there, WiFi kill switch, physical volume buttons etc etc.

I read a lot of topics on what would be last real/classic/true ThinkPad... My choice would be a maxed out W530 with classic keyboard. But perhaps I am missing something? Maybe there are still better alternatives (aside from the 51nb guys)?

[Thinkpad4by3]

Why not just get a T70 board? It has 32GB of RAM, the quadcore i7(7th vs 3rd gen!), 2 SSD plus Ultrabay, and Intel GT620 graphics(which is about the same if not slightly faster than K2000M), and no modding for the keyboard.

You will be spending alot for a W530, the T70 will likely be cheaper when all is added up, plus you still get to keep the Frankenpad shell which is sturdier & 4:3.

Ok, say you REALLY don't want a T70 board.
I use a T520 every once in a while and I do like that machine alot. I go to my T500 with the extra vertical pixels and improved TN display w/ CCFL and I wonder why I use the T520. While this is a problem with my 1600x900 panel that I doubt would be a problem on the superior 1080p panel, I'd figure I would put it here.

I held on to 4:3 as long as I could, but the market changed and I switched. For programming stuff, I use my 1200p 16:10 monitors and a 16:9 for web-browsing.

No doubt you will enjoy a W530, but I think if you still REALLY WANT to hold on to 4:3, get the T70 instead of the W530. You will get used to it, it took me a few weeks but you will come to terms with it. It isn't all down the drain. 16:9 is quite superior for working with two windows side by side, you can work on two pages in Word at once, video & photo editing is nice with 16:10 or 3:2 photos, but I still feel more productive on 16:10. Before you switch, use a 16:10 or 16:9 laptop for a little bit before you go out and buy one, try one at a store or something.

[TPFanatic]

T70 is no longer produced.

The 15.6" Thinkpads can take some good FHD screens, I put a Chi Mei used by Dell in my T520, it's a shame IPS or QHD mods haven't happened yet on the old school ones. What I hate most about the 510-530 series is their hugeness. The T500 still tried to be thin. The hugeness makes sense for W510-530 but not for T510-530 which are supposed to be for traveling. However it means upgrading a T510-530 into a W510-530 is not hard, you only need to requisition the motherboard, appropriate heatsink, and PSU.

With the classic keyboard mod the W530 is the fastest Thinkpad with the classic keyboard and with a quad core probably faster than the T25. I don't know much about the K2000M except it is powerful. W530 will also get good battery life with Ivy Bridge.

[ajkula66]

The 15.6" Thinkpads can take some good FHD screens, I put a Chi Mei used by Dell in my T520, it's a shame IPS or QHD mods haven't happened yet on the old school ones.

Actually, the IPS mod with an LG Philips FHD panel has been performed by at least two members around here.

With the classic keyboard mod the W530 is the fastest Thinkpad with the classic keyboard and with a quad core probably faster than the T25. I don't know much about the K2000M except it is powerful. W530 will also get good battery life with Ivy Bridge.

I'd agree with this statement. Having said that, 16:9 ratio is something that I've never gotten used to, and likely never will.