Need some advises on purchasing my new T420

Hi, so I've been very happy with my R61 and after three years, I decided to give this up to my sister. My R61 has been solid and is nothing wrong, but my sister now need a laptop and I also want a new Thinkpad , but this time I decided it must be a T's instead of R's. So below is what I came up with:

CONFIGURED SYSTEM $589.05 $589.05
The above product code consists of the following component(s):
THINKPAD T420 - 1 YR $589.05
SBB 2NDG ICI5-2410M IHD G200 $0.00
VBB PC DOS LICENSE $0.00
SBB DOS 2000 FLYER - NO $0.00
SBB 14.0 HD+ (1600 X 900) LED $0.00
SBB INTEL HD GRAPHICS 3000 $0.00
VBB 2GBPC3-10600DDR3 1333SODMM $0.00
SBB KEYBOARDUS ENGLISH $0.00
SBB 720P HD CAMERA I MCR $0.00
SBB 320GB HDD7200RPM $0.00
SBB EXPRESS CRSLT4IN1CR $0.00
SBB 6CELLLI-ION BATTERY $0.00
SBB COUNTRY PACK NORTH AMERICA $0.00
SBB IEEE 1394A PORT $0.00
SBB IC ADVN 6205 2X2AGN $0.00
SBB INT WRLSSWDAREANTWRK UPGR $0.00
SBB LPUS ENGLISH $0.00

1. Is this good deal? After tax it would be around $640
2. I plan to add this 4GB RAM stick, would it work with the original 2GB stick comes from Lenovo?
Kingston KVR1333D3SO/4GR Laptop Memory Module - 4GB, PC3-10600, DDR3-1333MHz, Non-ECC, CL9, SODIMM at TigerDirect.com
3. I heard Intel HD Integrated 3000 is pretty decent and can even play Black Ops, is that right? The dedicated graphic will cost me around $200 on top of this so I think if Intel HD 3000 can be able to play Black Ops then its good enough for me
4. What's next after T420? I could not find any news about new lines of the T series but maybe you guys knew about it. I think its coming to September so there maybe a new T series laptop coming out (T430?) that is worth considering. Oh, my budget would be the same though

That's all of the questions I can think of at the moment. Thank you very much.

 

That looks like a very good deal, except, can you get a free copy of Windows 7 from a university or something? If you can't, then it might not be worth it. I believe the T430 is coming out, and probably next February or so.

 

Ivy Bridge wont be here until atleast the spring of 2012. That's quite a wait, in which case I would recommend the OP get the T420.
That is a very good deal, I'd get it.

 

Thank you.
Yeah, I have a copy of Win 7 so that wont be a problem. Im curious how much your system in the signature cost? It looks like a fully loaded laptop so probably excess $1k?

Thank you. Yeah, look like I'm getting it cause thats too long.



5. For a non-preloaded Window like mine, do you think it necessary to do Clean Install?

 

It is like almost the least loaded W520, it was $1091.30 before taxes.

Well, since you don't have a factory image, you sort of have to clean install.

 

Unless you like DOS, then yeah.

 

So Clean Install process will be any different from the Clean Install Guide out there? Or I just insert the disk and install as usual?

 

Oh, is the T420 noticeably lighter than R61?

 

Probably a little under a half pound give or take.

 

Thank you.

I got another question. Would 8GB RAM give better performance of Intel HD 3000 graphic than 6GB RAM?

 

Can you actually buy Thinkpad without Windows? If so, is that cheaper than buying it with OS preinstalled?

 

it's $100 cheaper.

 

that's superb. Sorry for offtopic, just seen DOS in above configuration and I was wondering if that's possbile.

Unfortunately, I tried to configure the system (only for test) on UK lenovo website and the only option was Windoze 7.

 

Hi guys, is it worth to consider x220 over this for around same price $640 but with lower specs? This price comes with i3 core, no IPS screen, intel wireless pro 1000.

 

good deal, go for it!

 

which one you're talking about?

 

This is a great t420 deal, can you tell me where you are buying it from and how? Because I am looking for a cheap one as well.

 

I got this thru Master Card Market place + 12% off on top of that.

Now I'm torn between this and a ~$710 x220 with similar specs