New changes from T-420 to T-430 after I dissemble my T430

Recently I upgrade my new thinkpad T430 with wiMax and 8GB Samsung ram and I had to dissemble the keyboard in order to do so. I found out many differences between T430 comparing to T420:

1. Keyboard is thinner, that Lenovo use thinner and softer metal alloy to align each key but with a layer of carbon fiber attach to the base, same strength resistant from twisting by my hands.

2. Aluminum-Magnesium alloy roll cage is NOT there anymore, instead I believe they transform the regular ABS-polymer case (T420) to Glass fiber case (original white color) with black color skin (T430). As the result, T430 feels slightly thinner and lighter.

3. Ultra Bay from T420 will not fit my T430, I have to buy a new one.

4. the half-mSATA slot under the keyboard will only work with Lenovo-Wifi/Intel-2200/Intel-6200/Intel-6300, any other wifi card will be blocked by the BIOS. But the regular mSATA on the bottom will still be open for any card.

5. Lenovo finally add a 3rd bass-sub-speaker under the touchpad, make the sound better.

6. The keyboard is waterproof include the F-function keys and the power button, also the 3+2 buttons around touchpad.

7. Side-speakers are NOT waterproof, I could not find any water slot under that speakers, except the 3rd bass speaker under the touchpad.

 

Odd. 'cause it's listed in the HMM...

 

You can open your T430/T530 you will see what I am saying here.

 

I don't have a T430. I was going by the HMM, which lists the frame along with instructions for removing the planar from said frame.

Do you have pictures of what you're talking about?

 

My T530 has a magnesium roll cage, easily visible when you take the keyboard off

 

So...what about the T430 is an "improvement" on the T420?

 

Here's this video again, where a Lenovo Rep says the T430s does have a magnesium roll cage, and also mentions some other improvements:

 

T430, #7 is the roll cage listed as magnesium.

System service parts and Recovery DVD part number - ThinkPad T430, T430i

There's no third speaker or subwoofer shown or listed.

 

I agree, the roll cage design appears to be unchanged.

 

It's worth noting that the T430s != T430 in terms of case materials/design...

 

2 and 5 are false, as others have pointed out, and the Thinkpad keyboards have always been water resistant (no such thing as a water*proof* keyboard on a Thinkpad).

 

Not always. The drainage channels were added with the T/X/R60 generation.

 

Well, at least for a better part of a decade