New Thinkpad... is it as good as it was?

After years of service, and upgrades, I decided to retire my venerable T61p.

The main reasons are its weight (it's really tyring to carry it around) and battery life (which is now ~1 hour/1 and a half top)

After a brief time with a Samsung Ultrabook (Ultra 7), and with a Dell (a Latitide, massive as the T61p), I decided that I want and need an Ultrabook.
And I want a ThinkPad, because I miss its keyboard and its solid feeling (dell: keyboard flex..? really? on a business laptop?) SOO badly!

I want something around 1.5 kgs, so I can bring it with me whenever I want.
I was considering the Yoga 2 (13 inches) but it seems to have a not-so-good keyboard.
Which brought me to the Thinkpad Yoga, which has the TP keyboard.. but it's only 12.5 inches.

Then I have seen the X1 carbon, but the first gen has an ugly display, and second gen an ugly keyboard (and 2nd gen is a tad expensive for my pockets!)
So... What about a T440s?

Is it light (1.5/6 kgs) as it seems? It seems the perfect combo to me but.. is it as good as it seems?
Coming from a T61p, will I be disapponted?

 

Have you looked at the X240? It is very light at only 1.36KG, it is a ThinkPad (Sturdy), and has a great keyboard. Has good screen options too - 1080p and/or IPS.

Before my X240, I used to have a T410.

 

If you're a stick user, most likely yes due to the new trackpoint setup.

 

In order not to get disappointed, there are two things that you can do:

a) Wait for the next generation of ThinkPads to be released, since they're supposed to get the "old" TrackPoint setup back.

b) If you can't wait, do everything in your power to test the T440s in person before making a purchase. The change in keyboard/TrackPoint setup is drastic enough - whether one likes it or hates it - to warrant such an approach.

Good luck.

 

Since I do not need the "yoga" hinge (I am a developer, I use the keyboard all the time) the X240 is surely better than the yoga (lighter, probably sturdier?)
It has the same 12.5" display (IIRC), which may be a little bit too tiny...

What I want is Thinkpad keyboard and sturdiness, the maximum screen real estate, for the minimum weight
I am not a stick user, and I am not a touchscreen user (even on the Surface, which is ridiculus I know but.. I just can't use it), but I am very picky with my keyboard so... I suppose there are no issues there?

If the T440s has a decent weight I will go for it, otherwise it will be the x240!
Last question: they are both Haskwell, right? Does it make sense to wait for Broadwell?

 

Lighter than the Yoga? Not sure, don't know the weight of the Yoga off the top of my head. But it feels quite sturdy.

I thought the display was small at first, but quickly got used to it. I use it as my road machine, at home I have a Y510p with an external monitor which I use almost all the time. So getting an external monitor might be an option. Keep in mind though that 12.5" form factor is still is unmatched in terms of portability, and weight. It will easily fit even onto the tiny tray tables on aircraft seats, if you fly often. The T440s weighs 1.63KG - which is reasonable IMO.

The keyboard is excellent, really no complaints there, and I also say this as a SW developer. The only downside of all current gen ThinkPads is the awful trackpad.

If you need a laptop NOW, then get a Haswell ThinkPad. If you can afford to wait and spend more $$$, I would wait.

 

The X240 is less sturdy than the higher quality Yoga. But it is indeed slightly lighter.

@TE

If you're coming from a T61p I would consider the T440s, simply because, as you have mentioned yourself, the Yoga is quite a step down in terms of screen size. The T440s is a slightly more balanced and traditional ThinkPad, which will most likely appeal to you more as a T61p owner. As others have mentioned, just keep in mind that the T440s has a different trackpoint setup with integrated buttons.

 

I do tend to rely on the touchpad on my T440s more so than the TrackPoint (the opposite was the case on my X120e and T500), but the inputs haven't been a problem for me. I adjusted quickly, and I actually really like the T440s' clickpad. It's very smooth and hasn't given me any issues with the latest set of drivers.

 

I'm surprised to hear that... I supposed that the "X" series was higher in the quality scale!
So, how do they compare, quality wise? X240, T440s, ThinkPad yoga?

I have used laptops with a smaller screen in the past (11", 13.3") but I think 14" is the sweet spot for me. I was a bit worried about weight (after all, I carry my samsung ultra 7 without even noticing it, while I really struggle with my T61p - which is double its weight!) But I suppose that 200 grams would not really make a big impact...?

Weight comparison:
Thinkpad Yoga: 1.6kg
x240: 1.5kg
Samsung Ultra 7 (my current ultrabook): 1.45kg
T440s: 1.63kg


I think I will go for the T440s
Thank you guys!

 

The Yoga is built in a very different way from the X240. The former is not unlike the X1, basically a full magnesium-alloy body with a magnesium palmrest and outer shell. Very study but also heavy. The X240 is made of a glassfiber-reinforced plastic, which is good, but feels softer and is lower in quality compared to the magnesium-alloy Yoga. The T440s is similar in quality to the Yoga thanks to its carbon fiber lid and magnesium-alloy bottom. Both, the T440s and Yoga feel similarly high in quality, though one may argue that the T440s is a tad above the Yoga because it is lighter relative to its size while remaining just as sturdy.