Can any of T420 X220 or earlier be equipped with FHD or WUXGA IPS?

[Utwig]

I need another computer for playing with Linux virtualisation (Centos/KVM) and general consulting. (Go to customer site, look up data, RDP, look for solutions). Consulting laptop needs to be small, robust and inexpensive.

I need vtd, vtx and 8 or preferably 16GB max memory. Obviously I'd like to stay 420 or earlier for the keyboard.

I'm eyeing used T420 with 1600x900 LED screen but I'm thinking if X220 or T420 could be upgraded with aftermarket IPS FHD, I'd might go there. In this case, which model do I need to buy?

Another option is putting together a desktop for playing with Linux for about 250-300€ (I have PSU, videocard, DVD and HDD), so I just need CPU/MoBo/RAM and continue soldiering on with T540p. T540p is not a good consulting laptop for carrying around desks, racks, factory floor on hourly basis.

The T60p likely has a dead motherboard and the X61t works but has broken latch and I'd have to redo the monitor cable. Also I'd need a battery and redo the screen cable and 8GB DDR2 costs 250€ at Crucial or 130€ Samsung from ebay. I need about 300 to refurbish X61t

[ajkula66]

This is the route that you'd have to take:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=118070

[Utwig]

How much am I looking for a screen and a board?

[ajkula66]

How much am I looking for a screen and a board?

I'd say a total of $200 or so around here, but it might be a bit more where you are.

[theterminator93]

I got a decent deal on a new screen (paid about $80), so you can get away with the mod for under $150. I'd imagine you could find screens in the EU - getting the kit overseas might cost a bit more but it weighs next to nothing, so it shouldn't be too costly.

[Utwig]

This is very tempting. I get "retrothinkpad" now

For T420s I'd rather go for i7. What about graphic. I heard nVidia equipped T420s's run very hot and are very loud.

I did have a cooling problem with 14" T60p and had to arctic silver it and put a dop of oil in the fan about once a year.

Would you advise against nVidia T420s?

Also is there a cooling upgrade for T420s?

[ajkula66]

Would you advise against nVidia T420s?

Well, do you *really* need nVidia in that T420/s equation?

Also is there a cooling upgrade for T420s?

I'm fairly certain that anything that shipped with i7/nVidia combo will already have the strongest heatsink available.

[theterminator93]

The T420/T420s with the NVS 4200m doesn't really run hotter or louder in everyday use than its HD 3000 only counterpart unless you don't utilize Optimus to its full potential. For 90% of what I do, the HD 3000 is perfectly adequate, and as such I have the NVS 4200m turned off for better battery/heat/acoustic performance. When I DO need the extra performance of the NVS, 95% of the time I'll be plugged in and be in an environment where a little extra noise from the fan won't bother me any.

In short, it's there if you need it - if you don't, it conceals itself pretty well while it's off.

That said... the NVS 4200m is only about 20% faster than the HD 3000 and consumes a relatively significant amount of power, and puts out its own share of heat. I put the highest non-turbo clocked i7 in my T420 (the 2.8/3.5 2640m) and temps can easily sore into the upper 90s with full fan if you push the system to its limits. With the NVS turned off, upper 80s is about the hottest it will get.

[Utwig]

I ordered the screeen kit from rmsmajestic. Will order T420s and screen within a week.

Is there anything to look out for with T420s? Are there differences between early and late models. For example late X61s had n wireless.

I will go for the i7 as this CPU has most features and generally having a good CPU adds to longevity of the system.

[Hans Gruber]

The Nvidia GPU's look good on paper when you consider specs but they are as close to garbage as a discrete graphics card gets. I would say get the discrete graphics but never use it. I don't have a T420s but have many T410s models with the Nvidia graphics. This is only for the 410/420 models. I know very little about the T430 and newer with regards to discrete graphics. The Intel graphics on the T420s should have no problems with 1920x1080. I would suggest 8GB of ram if you are going for the hi-res display.

[Utwig]

T420s ordered, the special PCB is also on the way. I'll order screen after I receive notebook and PCB.