T530 vs T550?

[marlinspike]

For a non-power user, which would be better in terms of things like reliability, repairability, compatibility (esp with Win 10), low temps and good battery life? And how big are the differences in these categories?

[elray]

The T550 crams a non-optional numeric pad into the same space the the T530 used to plant a non-optional chiclet keyboard.

The latter I can tolerate. The keypad, however, placed by some nameless, faceless, committee of cupertino-worshipping corporate
"design" nimrods, is truly the last straw.

Good thing I like small screens.

[dr_st]

The latter I can tolerate. The keypad, however, placed by some nameless, faceless, committee of cupertino-worshipping corporate
"design" nimrods, is truly the last straw.

Cupertino-worshipping?

Uhm... have you ever seen a single Macbook with a numeric keypad?

At least try to make some sense in your rants, people. The numeric keypad has its uses and advantages. The 6-row keyboard has no advantages.

[marlinspike]

It looks like the keys are the same size as the T530's, they just made room for the numpad by moving the speakers to the bottom right? And while normally speakers at the bottom are the worst, it seems from reviews like in this instance they actually got louder?

It is a shame they're all chiclet keyboards now, but unless you want to go back to pre-Win 10 compatible computers, you have no choice.

[Tasurinchi]

+1 for the T550, it has a more modern architecture, options to 3K screens and can take max 2x 16GB RAM vs 2x 8GB RAM of the T530. Though the latter has the advantage that you can mod the BIOS and install a 7-row keyboard from the xx20 generation.

[zephxiii]

T530 is a good ol machine but T550 would be nicer. I have found the T440/T550+ easier to work on as well (taking it apart).