Thinking of buying a used T420S and docking station

[Fusedbrain]

Hi,

I've been hanging around this forum for a few days reading up on Thinkpads before buying a used one.

I'm currently considering a used T420S with the following specs;

ThinkPad T420s (4171-52U)
15-2520M(2.50GHz) 4GB RAM 320GB 7200rpm HD 14in 1600x900 LCD Intel HD Graphics CDRW/DVDRW Bluetooth 1Gb Ethernet UltraNav Secure Chip Fingerprint reader Camera 6c Li-Ion Win7 Pro 64

Also included
Lenovo Recovery DVD's
Microsoft office 2010 Pro
Docking Station (Not sure which one)

I can get it for $600. Is there something I should be watching for with this machine? Is there some sort of application I can run on it when I go to check it out that would tell me if it's in tip top shape? Of course I will have it boot into Windows and all that good stuff.

I was looking for a cheap T410 or even T400 but I came across this one. It's more then I want to spend but I think it's a good value. I know the T420S is lighter and all that good stuff and not really to be compared to the T410 or T400.

Thanks

[Fusedbrain]

Hi again,

I'm meeting the seller tomorrow night. He says the laptop is in excellent condition and so is the docking station. I'm really looking forward to owning my first Thinkpad. I was seriously considering a X301 there for a while. I think this is going to be a good fit for me...

Wish me luck!

[emtee3511]

Sounds like a nice machine. When you get it, you can go on Lenovo's website and check to see if there is any warranty left. Once you get to know your new ThinkPad, you will probably find yourself 'hooked' -- Welcome to the Forum

[Fusedbrain]

Thank you for the welcome.

I'm looking forward to this laptop. I saw a T410 and T420 at work the other day and I was impressed with the build quality. I really wanted a X301 but I think this T420S is going to just as good or better. Planning on a mSata and a SSD install. I'm also pleased with what seems to be a good support community.

Cheers!

[emtee3511]

I used to have the X301, and I really liked it, but it was not nearly as snappy as my T410. The size difference between the two is not all that much, so your T420s should compare even more favorably.

[Fusedbrain]

I did read a couple posts on some forums where users were claiming that the T420S is sort of an updated X301. I understand that the X301 is a bit smaller then the T420S and it didn't have a optical drive. I think I can make myself quite the little performer with a mSata and a SSD drive. I'm also looking forward to trying this RapidBoot feature.

What I'm also curious about is how much battery life I would gain by moving from a mechanical drive to a SSD. I'm considering buying a cheap used SSD and run some comparative tests just to see what the difference would be. Has anyone compared this? I'm going to do a quick google search later to see what's data is out there.

[emtee3511]

The X301 did have the optical drive. That's what made it so interesting, as it weighs under 3 pounds and is just under an inch thin. It makes for a very good traveling machine. I used mine mostly on my desk, so it's footprint didn't 'feel' much different than my T60 14.1" machine. If I had traveled with it, it would have felt much lighter than my T60 (or my now T410, I'm sure.) It's downside is the slower processor and somewhat washed-out screen compared to T60 -- I haven't really kept up on how it's screen compares to the newer T machines, but my T410 screen 'seems' brighter than I remember my X301. I'm thinking you made a very good choice with the T420s over the X301, especially because your 's' model is built lighter for travel.

As far as your upgrading to SSD, you will get lots of extremely expert opinions and information on the Forum. I am definitely NOT an expert, so my opinions are just those of an average ThinkPad user. I have upgraded all my machines (which include my husband's X61s, and my son's T60, as well as my personal toys in my signature ) with SSD's. I have first and second generation SSD's in the machines in my signature, and they have all performed like I had hoped when I decided to upgrade. Each machine is quick and snappy when compared to the same machine with it's original HDD, and the Windows Experience Index raised on each machine I upgraded.

So here's a suggestion -- We are not allowed to 'cross-post' on the Forum, so I'm not suggesting you add this same post to any other Forum section. Your original question about your new T420s is posted in the T4x0/T5x0 section. You might want to first search the Forum about SSD info, and then if you still have questions, post an SSD specific question in the ThinkPad General Hardware/Software Questions section. I'm sure you will get LOTS of answers from our real Forum experts.

A good way to search the Forum (besides using the Search function above) is to google your specic question/info and add forum.thinkpads at the end. That way you will get not only general hits, but you will also get Forum hits on your topic/question.

Good luck with your new T420s -- it's a great machine (based on reviews and Forum comments.) If you read and use this Forum, you will have your machine flying

[AIX]

Pay attention, you need a 7mm (height) SSD for T420s, not a 9.5mm one. My recommendation: Samsung 470 (a little older but still a good performer), Samsung 830, Crucial M4.

[Fusedbrain]

Hey guys and gals

I just picked up my T420S a couple hours ago. It looks like it's in good shape, however it's not very clean. It has no scratches or dings but it has sticky bits and it looks like it has never really been cleaned or wiped down. Is there a good way to give this a good thorough cleaning? The keyboard especially. Can I use rubbing alcohol or something similar to disinfect it? Will alcohol affect the rubber coating?

@emtee3511

Yes my mistake the X301 had an optical drive, that's why I was considering it as a viable option. I was getting it mixed up with the X1, which I really like but it's out of my price range for the moment even used. And thank you for the advice on my SSD quest. I will also use the google tip you suggested.

Now off to try to clean up this thinkpad, I'm pretty sure that once cleaned up it will look brand new. The docking station is in mint shape, I don't think it was used at all. I think I might sell it to fund my SSD and mSata drives.

@AIX

I was aware that it used 7mm drives, I looked at the selection on newegg.com and I think I can live with it... well I have to now

Cheers!

[Neil]

Isopropyl alcohol make a good cleaner/disinfectant, but whatever you do, don't use "rubbing alcohol" as it contains oils that are hard to remove from surfaces it get on. Pure isopropyl evaporates very quickly and leaves no residue.

I also use compressed air to blow dust, crumbs and other stuff out of the CPU fan, keyboard, etc. And a soft bristle brush, like a paint brush, comes in handy to loosen stuff stuck under the keys (and elsewhere) too.

[Fusedbrain]

Thanks, I took a look at the Isopropyl Alcohol that I have and it's 99%USP so it should be ok.

I'm using some baby wipes as well as some alcohol and it's coming out just great. Looks like new. I'm very happy with my purchase.

As for the docking station the seller had told me it was a type 4337 but it came with the type 4338. So I think I got a good deal here.

I'm cleaning the dock now.