The T430s: More Rationale, Less Review

[schen]

In my previous post, I talked about the appropriateness of my returning to the "T Series" ThinkPad as I return to the Forum as well. And although, it's a 3-4 year-old machine these days, I'm going to spend a little time on what this is such an appropriate and important machine to me.

I'll start with where I was, which was using the X300/301 for some time before I picked up the X1. For somebody who started owned/used virtually every "T" model (even the T30 ) ever introduced, it would seem strange. However, if you go back before that, to my original 701c and then the 600/600e/600x, it makes some sense that I'd go to a smaller lighter 13" screen, despite the fact that they were pretty bad screens! My use scenario is that I don't use my ThinkPads every day like some people, but I carry them a high percentage of the time. So the X300 was a nice weight and space-savings for me. But I found the X1 to not save much (if any) space (when compared to the "s" spec T4x0) and not a lot of weight saving either. I'll have to admit that it's stylish, but at a cost of a number of features that I want and would use.

So, at the end of this summer, I sold the X1 (original version) and bought a T430s for about $50 less. Why did I get in the exchange? Although, the CPU was upgraded from the Sandy Bridge i5 to the Ivy Bridge generation, that was one of the least important reasons for the change. So..... what are the actual main reasons then?
* Screen resolution- I learned to detest the 1366 x 768 of the X1. To me the 1600 x 900 upgrade is a big difference, despite the fact that the T430 era screens are routinely denigrated by most people!
* Screen latch- This one isn't huge, but I prefer the traditional style of screen closure since I carry my TP around quite a bit.
* UltraBay- Now this one is a BIG deal to me. Not so much for the optical drive (although, it's nice to have), but the ability to put in an extra battery and even more importantly; HDD adapter. I often work on client computers and I've found that drives that have trouble mounting in an external USB enclosure will often work in an UltraBay adapter.
* Dock connector- I don't often use this feature, but I like having it.
* Removable main battery- I REALLY don't like having to open up the machine to replace the battery!
* 2 Memory sockets vs. 1- I'm not sure when, but at some point, I'm probably going to upgrade to 16Gb of RAM.
* Headphone socket accessibility- I can't begin to explain how much I detested having the headphone jack behind a rubber cover!

Although they range from fairly important to relatively trivial, this isn't an insubstantial list. What the return to the "T" in the form of the T430s allows me to do get back to my comfort zone. I didn't realize it until I put a couple of different clients into the machine that I realized that I really liked it better than my X1. Sure the T430s has some warts, but for me, it's a fit!

[ajkula66]

Well, your next step should be the BIOS hack and installing of *20 series keyboard... ...the off to an IPS upgrade...a *lot* can be done with these machines.

Good to see you back...

[schen]

Thanks George!

I'm not going to take it apart just to see, but the screen doesn't seem too bad, so maybe it's a Samsung unit vs. the AUO or Philips. I'd love to have an IPS but my eyes can no longer handle that kind of resolution on the smaller panels!

[bit_twiddler]

These will turn your 14.1" laptop into a 15.6" one:

http://www.carson.com/magnifiers/outdoor/1420-od-12

[schen]

These will turn your 14.1" laptop into a 15.6" one:

http://www.carson.com/magnifiers/outdoor/1420-od-12

Those look awesome! I could definitely use that while working on machines. My vision in general is pretty good (corrected). It's the near-sighted trying to read stuff through the little bi-focal section that's the issue. My work-around is having the vision place make me a pair of glasses that's just the reading prescription in an old frame. It's cheap and really great when I'm on the computer a lot.

[TonyJZX]

I'm one of those people who doesnt have a huge problem with the various T400-430 high res screens.

They clearly are not suitable for any graphics work and compared to any better screen from a more GFX oriented laptop they dont look good but they are good enough for what I do.

I do like the idea of the 420 kbd palmrest upgrade but where I am, the 430 is still a pretty expensive unit and from the spec, its not a quantum upgrade over a 420.

[schen]

I'm one of those people who doesnt have a huge problem with the various T400-430 high res screens.

They clearly are not suitable for any graphics work and compared to any better screen from a more GFX oriented laptop they dont look good but they are good enough for what I do.

I do like the idea of the 420 kbd palmrest upgrade but where I am, the 430 is still a pretty expensive unit and from the spec, its not a quantum upgrade over a 420.

Where are you located? Here around Dallas, they can be had quite inexpensively, often at a similar price to the T420 machines. I actually traded an Apple watch for my T430s.

[manas]

Hello,

This is my first post!
I found these forums through this thread: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=118070

I've had a T430s for a year or two now. I'd like to upgrade the screen, which is its main limitation now.
Does anyone have any pointers on acquiring the parts required for a screen upgrade?

I have a friend who is interested in getting a T430s and upgrading the screen, she'd like to use the laptop for graphic design

Thanks

[schen]

Hello,

This is my first post!
I found these forums through this thread: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=118070

I've had a T430s for a year or two now. I'd like to upgrade the screen, which is its main limitation now.
Does anyone have any pointers on acquiring the parts required for a screen upgrade?

I have a friend who is interested in getting a T430s and upgrading the screen, she'd like to use the laptop for graphic design

Thanks

I've read on this Forum about a number of people who have done a modification on the T4x0 screen from a kit that was put together by a member. However, that was during my hiatus these last couple of years and don't have direct knowledge of it. For my part; although I'd like to have a better screen on it, the Philips model I have in my machine seems "OK". I'll probably leave it alone unless something falls into my lap.

I have the same attitude about this machine that I didn't about the X300/301 I used to have. I'll enjoy it's benefits of it and live with the flaw(s) till it's time to move on.