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    Should I buy the T420

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by capflam, May 12, 2011.

  1. capflam

    capflam Notebook Consultant

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    It's this time of the year again - and just the past 5 years I want to buy the latest Thinkpad.
    Every year I buy :eek: Sometimes I'm happy sometime I feel it really wasn't much of an improvement.

    This time I want to buy the new T420 to replace my T410, but I have a few concerns I'd like help with:
    1. Is the 6-cell battery really better? I was soooo disapointed with my T410.
    And I hate the stick-out-of-the-back 9-cell.

    2. Is the new sandy bridge really worth it? I use Photoshop here and there...

    3. Is there any noticeable improvement in performance or design? I read a few reviews but I'd like personal opinions if some want to help :)

    4. I want to go for 8GB of RAM for the first time..please tell me it's useless :p

    Thanks
     
    capflam, May 12, 2011
    #1
  2. Jesper Juul

    Jesper Juul Notebook Consultant

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    1. Yes , its much better than the T410 I almost get the double amount of time on the battery in my T420 compared to my T410.

    2. Mjaa, the dual core SB are faster than the old Arrandale, but if you really want to feel a huge difference you should look at the Quattro processors, but they can only be had in T520 and W520 series.

    3. The T420 is better build than my T410, but i'm not that happy about the new screen size but you get used to it.

    4. With the prices on ram these days, I say go for it, it neve hurts to have extra ram ;-)
     
    Jesper Juul, May 12, 2011
    #2
  3. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

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    Just keep in mind anything over 3GB requires a 64 bit OS.
     
    Thors.Hammer, May 12, 2011
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  4. niriven

    niriven Notebook Geek

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    Nope, PAE is supported on many versions of windows, and Linux supports address extension as well. I believew with PAE you can make use of all memory over 3GB, but a single process cannot exceed 4GB.

    Physical Address Extension (Windows)
     
    niriven, May 12, 2011
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  5. edit1754

    edit1754 Notebook Prophet

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    For Photoshop, you may not like the quality of the T420's screen. It's also generally hard to find spectacular screens on 14" laptops compared to 15".

    Screen makes more of a difference than processor when it comes to Photoshop. You may want to look at the T520 with the FHD 95% gamut screen depending on how much photoshop you do.
     
    edit1754, May 12, 2011
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  6. k2001

    k2001 Notebook Deity

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    The thing that you feel improve the most is the graphic and the battery life, other than that their are no reason to upgrade. I guess if 12.5in and HD isn't bothering you I would start looking at the X220 with the IPS screen.
     
    k2001, May 12, 2011
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  7. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well, you are right and wrong. Although some versions of linux and windows support PAE and can technically address up to 64GB of memory, let me know when you find a ThinkPad that supports that on the motherboard and other components.

    Let me re-phrase my statement.

    If you intend to buy 8GB of memory, be sure to use an operating system that can take advantage of it. Modern 64 bit versions of Linux and Windows certainly can.
     
    Thors.Hammer, May 12, 2011
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  8. capflam

    capflam Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks guys.
    And yes I use 64bit OS ever since they're available.

    The screen quality worries me though, is it that bad?
    True, I have better screen on my iPod nano than on my T410, is the T420 bad again?
     
    capflam, May 13, 2011
    #8
  9. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    Other than the FlexViews, the tablets and now the X220, most ThinkPad screens have never been that great.
     
    ZaZ, May 13, 2011
    #9
  10. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

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    The t410 and t420 screens are very similar in quality.
     
    Thors.Hammer, May 13, 2011
    #10
  11. capflam

    capflam Notebook Consultant

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    Ok, well I fell for it once again. I just bought my T420.
    The estimated ship date is killing me though 06/03/11 !
     
    capflam, May 15, 2011
    #11
  12. redevils89

    redevils89 Notebook Consultant

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    Nice, you won't regret it.
    I'm loving mine so far! Such a stable, cool machine... :eek:
     
    redevils89, May 15, 2011
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  13. mohdfaris

    mohdfaris Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yup. I also love mine so far. Very beautifully consructed.
     
    mohdfaris, May 15, 2011
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  14. BlueScholarz

    BlueScholarz Notebook Enthusiast

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    I ordered mine on 5/6 and the estimated ship date is still 5/31. I'm hoping it ships sooner than 5/31...
     
    BlueScholarz, May 15, 2011
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  15. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    Been stuck on 6/3 since 4/20.
     
    ZaZ, May 15, 2011
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  16. capflam

    capflam Notebook Consultant

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    :eek: You're scaring me!

    Here is what I got, planning on adding 8Gb an the Intel SSD 510:
    1 CONFIGURED SYSTEM 06/03/11 $1,010.33 $1,010.33
    SBB 2NDGICI5-2520M IHDGR200
    VBB GENUWIN7PROFES.64
    SBB GW7 PR64 US ENGLISH
    SBB 14.0 HD+ (1600 X 900) LED
    SBB NVIDIA N12P-GV OPGR1GB
    VBB 4GBPC3-10600DDR3 1333SODMM
    SBB KEYBOARDUS ENGLISH
    SBB FINGERPRINT RDR
    SBB 720P HD CAMERA I MCR
    SBB 500GB HDD7200RPM
    SBB DVD RC8XMXDLLRULT E ATA
    SBB EXPRESS CSL4IN1CR+SCR
    SBB 6CELLLI-ION BATTERY
    SBB COUNTRY PACK NORTH AMERICA
    SBB BLUETOOTH 3.0
    SBB IEEE 1394A PORT
    SBB IN.CENT.ULTIMATE-N 6300
    SBB INT WRLSSWDAREANTWRK UPGR
    SBB LPUS ENGLISH
    2YR Depot
     
    capflam, May 16, 2011
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  17. ThinkRob

    ThinkRob Notebook Deity

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    Uh... <raises hand>

    My T420 has 4GB and runs a 32-bit OS. All four gigs are addressable via PAE.

    What am I missing... ?
     
    ThinkRob, May 16, 2011
    #17
  18. BlueScholarz

    BlueScholarz Notebook Enthusiast

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    I just got a shipping notice in my email today!
     
    BlueScholarz, May 16, 2011
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  19. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    A little hiccup in the payment. Lenovo for some reason rejected my payment, which I just found out about a few days ago. I'm hoping it'll get cleared up soon and I'll have it next week. YaY!
     
    ZaZ, May 17, 2011
    #19