Stuck at X220, T420s,W520 need advice on upgrade

[mpcook]

I have some X220's, a T420, a T420s (daily driver now), a couple of W520's and now find I need a faster more capable laptop for my work. I see some comments about not upgradable and poor QC on newer ThinkPads. I am looking for fast, light and powerful so need a capable i7, 16GB ram, the usual ports, possibly dedicated graphics, good screen (touch would be nice) and 500GB+ SSD with a slot for another SSD if possible. Most of my --20 gen ThinkPads have two SSD's installed.

In the olden times, I would find a lower spec laptop with the processor I want, and upgrade ram and drive. (After all, I have a bunch of parts laying around). Are any newer models of the X1 or T470s or higher upgradable, or will I have to buy exactly what I need?

Any opinions on the X1 vs. T470s or T480s? Yoga vs. Carbon?

Thanks for help! I am at the mercy of my software vendor's better/faster/power-hungry programs and I'm looking at spending some serious cash for a major upgrade.

[Screamer]

need a capable i7

A capable Core i7? Do you mean a quad-core Core i7, or a hexa-core Core i7?

16GB ram

16GB of DDR3 or DDR4 RAM? Some might need the extra memory bandwidth, but do you need that?

the usual ports

If you don't mind me asking, what are the 'usual ports' that you would need?

possibly dedicated graphics, good screen (touch would be nice) and 500GB+ SSD with a slot for another SSD if possible. Most of my --20 gen ThinkPads have two SSD's installed.

Vague requirements aside, I think I could recommend you some laptops with these requirements:

[1] Clevo P640RE (soldered processor, 1 M.2 2280 slot, 1 2.5" SATA slot)
[2] Clevo P640RF (soldered processor, 1 M.2 2280 slot, 1 2.5" SATA slot)
[3] Clevo N350DW (socketed processor, 1 M.2 2280 slot, 1 2.5" SATA slot)
[4] Clevo N950TP6 (socketed processor, 2 M.2 2280 slots, 1 2.5" SATA slot)
[5] Clevo P650SE (soldered processor, 2 M.2 2280 slots, 1 2.5" SATA slot)
[6] Clevo P650HS-G (soldered processor, 2 M.2 2280 slots, 2 2.5" SATA slots)

You can't have a laptop that is very fast and very light at the same time, so you would have to make some compromises.

Are any newer models of the X1 or T470s or higher upgradable, or will I have to buy exactly what I need?

How upgradable would you prefer it to be? Most of them should have an M.2 slot that can be used for an SSD upgrade, but is that considered upgradable to you?

[RealBlackStuff]

The last properly upgradable Thinkpad was the T440p.
- quadcore CPU (all with HD 4600 iGPU), some have a TDP of 37W, others 47W
- dGPU optional (nVidia GT730M)
- 16GB RAM
- IPS FHD
- backlit keyboard
- 2.5" drivebay for main SSD/HDD #1
- Ultrabay with caddy can be used for SSD/HDD #2
- WWAN slot can be used for M.2 SSD #3
- 7260-AC wifi with BT4.0
- must: replace clunkpad with T450 touchpad+buttons

[mpcook]

need a capable i7

A capable Core i7? Do you mean a quad-core Core i7, or a hexa-core Core i7?
.
.
.
You can't have a laptop that is very fast and very light at the same time, so you would have to make some compromises.

Are any newer models of the X1 or T470s or higher upgradable, or will I have to buy exactly what I need?

How upgradable would you prefer it to be? Most of them should have an M.2 slot that can be used for an SSD upgrade, but is that considered upgradable to you?

Thanks for the clarifications. Yes, Quadcore would be fine. Any type of ram (16GB) in a quadcore i7 would be fine. A couple of USB 3, ethernet, SD card slot, headphone jack, and a video out would be enough for my needs. Also, of course, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Webcam. I would prefer two slots for adding SSD but if I can get one with 1TB SSD that would do. Yes, an i7 with 16GB ram and an SSD can be light and fast - 4lb or less.

[Screamer]

No problem, and here are 3 laptops that suits your needs:
Aorus X3 Plus v7
MSI GS43VR 6RE Phantom Pro
Gigabyte P34W v5

Keep in mind that the X3 Plus v7 has two M.2 2280 slots, but the GS43VR 6RE Phantom Pro and the P34W v5 has only one M.2 2280 slot and a 2.5" SATA slot.

There aren't a lot of upgradable laptops that I can recommend you with a strict 4-pound weight limit, unfortunately. These are the best choices that I can find.

[mpcook]

Well, I did some research and decided to get an X1 - Yoga 3rd Gen, 16GB RAM (soldered) but the drive is upgradable. The convertible aspect is perfect for my use of this for work so I'm quite pleased with it. Is it an X1? Is it a Yoga? I guess both.

[Dragunov]

I have some X220's, a T420, a T420s (daily driver now), a couple of W520's and now find I need a faster more capable laptop for my work. I see some comments about not upgradable and poor QC on newer ThinkPads. I am looking for fast, light and powerful so need a capable i7, 16GB ram, the usual ports, possibly dedicated graphics, good screen (touch would be nice) and 500GB+ SSD with a slot for another SSD if possible. Most of my --20 gen ThinkPads have two SSD's installed.

In the olden times, I would find a lower spec laptop with the processor I want, and upgrade ram and drive. (After all, I have a bunch of parts laying around). Are any newer models of the X1 or T470s or higher upgradable, or will I have to buy exactly what I need?

Any opinions on the X1 vs. T470s or T480s? Yoga vs. Carbon?

Thanks for help! I am at the mercy of my software vendor's better/faster/power-hungry programs and I'm looking at spending some serious cash for a major upgrade.

W540. NOTHING wrong with the build quality. It's an Engineers machine. Get the one with nVidia Quadro K2100m graphics. Don't waste your money on the K1100m graphics model.... Spend the extra $50 for the K2100m model. There is a BIG difference .
It has a PCI Express port, so you can install an additional 2, USB3.0 ports. Most come with an i7-4800mq Quad Core CPU. You can have up to 32gb PC3 ram, and you can install an M.2 drive, as well as two more ADDITIONAL drives. Mine has the 1080p IPS display. Crystal clear. It also has Thunderbolt, and an SD card reader. They run a little warm, so you may want to re-paste the CPU/GPU. Easy enough. Use Arctic Silver 5, or Grizzly Kryonaut.

Mine has all these upgrades, and it's definitely a beast!.

Word of warning! IF you decide to replace the touchpad, with one out of the T450, keep in mind two things:
The drivers are a bit of a pain to get working properly, AND the little stipples on the middle button WILL contact your display with the lid closed, and ANY pressure is applied to it whatsoever, when closed. For that reason alone, I'm re-converting back to the original pad. There is a certain way to use the x40 pads. Learn it and it's not bad. Or do what I do.... Disable it, and carry a mouse in your case.

Mine?
W540 =$370
Two, 500gb, Samsung 860 EVO SSD's
"MyDigital" 240 gb M.2 drive (soon to be 480gb)
PCI Express USB 3.0 ports
1080p IPS display
nVidia K2100m Graphics
Backlit keyboard
Thunderbolt

The upgrades cost me $183
370 + 183 = $553 total.

[Dragunov]

The last properly upgradable Thinkpad was the T440p.
- quadcore CPU (all with HD 4600 iGPU), some have a TDP of 37W, others 47W
- dGPU optional (nVidia GT730M)
- 16GB RAM
- IPS FHD
- backlit keyboard
- 2.5" drivebay for main SSD/HDD #1
- Ultrabay with caddy can be used for SSD/HDD #2
- WWAN slot can be used for M.2 SSD #3
- 7260-AC wifi with BT4.0
- must: replace clunkpad with T450 touchpad+buttons

This is ALSO a valid choice.^^^^^ However, the W540 is a little more upgradable, and has much better video. The down side? It's roughly $125 more than the T440p. Worth the extra $$$ to me though.