Looking for the cheapest Thinkpad with QHD resolution

[TarzanBoy]

Hello,

I have been working with my 15" Flexview T60 for a few years now, but I am itching for an upgrade.

If possible, I would like to go thinner with better battery life... as I have ultrabook and macbook envy (but don't want to abandon the awesomeness of thinkpads). Also, i would like 2560 x 14xx resolution if possible.

Is my only option the Lenovo X1?

[jdrou]

Only newer models I'm aware of with more than 1920x1080 are the T540p and the new W550s and W541 which have 3k resolution (2880x1620) screens available. These won't be cheap though.

[TarzanBoy]

Ah. I think the 2014 X1 has QHD resolution, but thanks for the information.

My next questions were going to be:
1. What is the highest resolution i can find for a T410/T420/T430?
(it seems that the answer is 1600x900)

2. Can i find IPS screens on a T410/T420/T430?
(the answer seems to be no)

I am a little bummed out. What I would really like is a Thinkpad with some of the aspects of a hi-res ultrabook. Does Lenovo not make anything like this at all (except for the X1 carbon) ?

[jdrou]

Yes, looks like current X1 Carbon has 2560x1440 IPS available.

Prior to 2013 Lenovo didn't really offer good screens on its 14" Thinkpads.
The T440p/s at least have FHD IPS options. (Pretty happy with the screen on my T440p.)

[Pokrzept]

Ah. I think the 2014 X1 has QHD resolution, but thanks for the information.

My next questions were going to be:
1. What is the highest resolution i can find for a T410/T420/T430?
(it seems that the answer is 1600x900)

2. Can i find IPS screens on a T410/T420/T430?
(the answer seems to be no)

I am a little bummed out. What I would really like is a Thinkpad with some of the aspects of a hi-res ultrabook. Does Lenovo not make anything like this at all (except for the X1 carbon) ?

Hello TarzanBoy,
to be honest all 14" Thinkpads that i can remember up to T430 had rubbish screens if you compare them to IPS Flexview. Situation has changed with T440 generation which - IMHO - for a change has rubbish input devices (complared to your T60). If i were you I'd try to check new-gen hardware personally before taking next step.

Meanwhile you can improve your T60s performance and build T601F Frankenpad with Penryn CPU and 8 GiG of RAM.

[Saucey]

Yeah... you have to put a pretty penny for it.
Checking out CES and the current line up, unless you can find a refurb/Used 2nd Gen X1C QHD, you're probably gonna have to shell out at least $1500.
The super thin Lenovo Yoga Pro 2 starts can be had at $1200, but it has a super battery saver Intel Core M, but well it ain't no ThinkPad, but you can get a 16:10 QHD+ screen.
That has a 13.3" display, but the ThinkPad Yogas are all 16:9 FHD IPS panels, and no 13" variant.

Next would be the Dell XPS 13 if you want something a bit thicker with more power and same screen ratio...
But the base X1C '3' comes equipped with an TN FHD panel instead of a HD+ since the original X1C.