Need a thinkpad budget $500-700 max w/ taxes. X201 T is really appealing.

Things I need:

-portability, this laptop is going 2x a week to college probably and I hope to use it for Digital DJing in the future.

-serato itch/abelton and similar programs. - I know these systems are well underpowered to be serious contenders, but I will upgrade the ram and I hope to use the machine I buy for basic use, nothing to difficut. I need to learn the software first anyway I have run this software on a macbook air and it was alright.

- gaming, these cards are terrible for gaming I know. the 3000 will be much better, but I don't really care its not like Im going to be playing crysis on it.
I am looking forward to the expresscard slot for future use via the vidock.

- screen quality. a matte, bright display is important to me.

-MKV 4GB FILES - need to be able to watch an MKV with out flaw.

- itunes - needs to run flawlessly.

- fan noise, I don't tolerate loud fan noise. Audible is ok, but loud fans during web surfing is not happening for me. G575 Essential has been rather torturous so far.

-really leaning to the tablet. it would be cool cause of its small footprint and screen for class notes and drawing!

- optical drive is a big meh, I dont really care either way.

- 64 bit, I would like this for the ram or at least be able to upgrade to it in the future.

E420 - $500

Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E420 14" Notebook Computer 1141BTU B&H

X201 T - $670

Amazon.com: ThinkPad X201 3113X06 12.1" LED Tablet PC - Core i5 i5-520UM 1.06GHz - Black: Electronics


T410 - $660

Amazon.com: Thinkpad T410: Electronics

 

If you're open to refurbs then you may be surprised to hear that you could be able to stretch a Sandy Bridge ThinkPad system to the mix such as this refurbished T420. These systems are proven to perform well with eGPU and should easily cater your needs.

 

I went ahead and ordered a SL510 2847-D2U for $450 shipped new from amazon, got the last one!!! (dont want to jinx it but it was a great deal imo) express card, passable cpu, good build quality. perfect till the x220 tablet goes down in price or M11x gets a revison!

 

Hmm, that has a 15.6" screen and weighs close to 6lbs so it might not be as portable as you want. But if it's just a stop gap and you got it for $450, not bad. ThinkPads don't often drop to the $400 range unless you're looking at say the X100 series. Good luck with the new laptop!

 

Yeah Its not anything like the 12.1 thinkpads but I figured at this point for $450 its best, than I can save more money for a better x201/ think pad tablet with a decent cpu. I noticed it was this price on and off for a while but prices recently went up? probably cause of the HDD situation. I am going use the hell out of it, it looks like it could withstand a tornado compared to my old macbooks.

 

Hey guys just ran into a little extra cash is the 1.06 ghz i5 um in the x201 tablet capable of playing hd 1080p mkv files and running itunes flawlessly? having some second thoughts about the SL50 if I can just go straight to the X201. I will hold of opening the box when it arrives this friday. let me know :/


EDIT: just checked again and it seems all the reputable online stores have sold out of this config. still possible to buy but still not sure.

 

the X201 with the i5 UM can play HD movies and running itunes is no problem. But it will run into problem when doing more CPU intensive work, but you get good battery life with it.

 

SL510 order was canceled by amazon due to "shipping box damage" this process is getting absurd now. I have really bad luck buying laptops. found another x201 T from amazon marketplace new but its about $40 more at $730. I might just get a 120e and call it day. I have the amd 450 and its OK some hd movies stutter though. maybe its just my files

 

If you check the contractor/family+friends store, you can get a brand-new T_20i for $578.

 

eBay has T61p/T61 models going for under a hundred, maybe $200. Probably older than what you're looking for, but I figured I'd chime in. I'm on the hunt for a few T61p's.

But realistically, a T400/T500 might do the job, since the GMA 4500 can play back x264 MKVs with no problem. My old netbook/notbook had the 4500, and it could play my 1080p x264 files just fine.

A T410/T510 might also be a good fit.