T430s thoughts and opinion

[Hans Gruber]

I was going to comment on another T430s thread but didn't want to hijack the other T430s thread.

I just wanted to comment on the T430s with discrete graphics. I ran tests and sadly it seems the NVS 5200M is more gutless than the integrated Intel Graphics. Similar to the performance of the Nvidia NVS 3100M in the T410s.

So I tested the graphics again. You know the tests you don't want to do because integrated graphics is always inferior to a discrete graphics card. Both equally bad but the integrated graphics has outperformed the Nvidia NVS 5200M multiple times in redundant test runs.

I will say the T430s runs ice cold compared to the T420s. I miss the LED desk light that was a staple of thinkpads in the past. I read that the LED light is now an option.

the verdict is still out on the keyboard. Very easy to type on, comfortable but missing the 7th row of keys. It's mildly confusing but not too big of a deal.

Here are two separate test runs for my T430s with both integrated and discrete graphics.

http://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/3602266 integrated graphics
http://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/3601959 Nvidia Graphics

I like the T430s but find myself having a hard time deciding between a T420s and a T430s. Basically the same performance but the T430s is better on battery and runs cooler than a T420s.

[dr_st]

Get a T430s, and if you find out that you prefer the T420s keyboard - simply apply the EC mod. While at it, you can also apply the patch that eliminate the battery check, and then you can use and charge any T420s batteries in it.

[TankPad]

The 430s is a no-brainer just by running a little cooler, in my opinion. Either laptop is far from new at this stage so it makes little sense to go with the older one, given the relatively small price difference.

The batteries on either of them are pretty expensive compared to a lot of other ThinkPads and they generally don't feel as solid as say the regular 420 or 430. You also have a BGA type processor with the S models so you won't be able to upgrade it like you could with the non S models.

That said, I use the 430s as a daily driver and I love it. I'm hoping to add a FHD display and to do something about the asthmatic mouse cough-like speakers, so It'll probably be around for another 5 years service then.

[Hans Gruber]

Perhaps some forum members have misunderstood this thread. I have both a T420s and a T430s. Those are my benchmarks of performance for both laptops. I use bluetooth headphones in lieu of the abysmal speakers for any laptop let alone a thinkpad. So please click on the links from my original post of this thread to see the performance of both (T420s/T430s) of my thinkpads. My signature represents my entire inventory of models that I own.

[TankPad]

I like the T430s but find myself having a hard time deciding between a T420s and a T430s. Basically the same performance but the T430s is better on battery and runs cooler than a T420s.

Ah, I see. I took this to mean you were comparing them with a view to picking one. My bad.

[Hans Gruber]

I like the T430s but find myself having a hard time deciding between a T420s and a T430s. Basically the same performance but the T430s is better on battery and runs cooler than a T420s.

Ah, I see. I took this to mean you were comparing them with a view to picking one. My bad.

You are not the first person to misread this thread, no big deal. I just figured that I would clarify this thread.

[dr_st]

Yes, sorry. In retrospect, it was obvious since you posted benchmarks (as well as from your sig) that you own both of the systems in question. But the part where you said "find myself having a hard time deciding between a T420s and a T430s" confused me, as it suggested that you are perhaps debating which to buy (or which to keep).

[Hans Gruber]

Does anybody have a link to the battery chip removal bios mod for the T430s? On a side note I got the first of my generic batteries in the battery lottery. The 1st contestant had a bulge under the battery and I thought that it was because it uses inferior lithium ion cells. The standard T430s battery is 44wh while this one is 48wh hours. It says it's a 6 cell battery but I suspect that it's an 8 cell battery. Unless my research is incorrect are the T430s batteries not 6 cell batteries? The battery works without issues in my T420s but I need the battery mod for it to charge in the T430s.

[TankPad]

Does anybody have a link to the battery chip removal bios mod for the T430s? On a side note I got the first of my generic batteries in the battery lottery. The 1st contestant had a bulge under the battery and I thought that it was because it uses inferior lithium ion cells. The standard T430s battery is 44wh while this one is 48wh hours. It says it's a 6 cell battery but I suspect that it's an 8 cell battery. Unless my research is incorrect are the T430s batteries not 6 cell batteries? The battery works without issues in my T420s but I need the battery mod for it to charge in the T430s.

Here's the info you need.
https://github.com/hamishcoleman/thinkpad-ec