T410 vs. L412

Hi, I've been reading these forums for a while as part of my research into getting a thinkpad to last me 5 years through uni. I plan on buying off the AU Lenovo site but am trying to decide between the T410 and L412.

The T410 has an i5 2.66GHz @ $1314.70 AU
While the L412 with identical specs is $959 AU

Since I plan on traveling around a lot, portability and build quality is a priority. Apparently the T410 is superior in both aspects but is the build quality/ battery life of the L412 noticeably worse enough to justify an extra $355 for a T410?

 

If you want a ThinkPad that will serve you well throughout your university years and on your trips, the T410 is the better candidate.

How much is $355 over 60 months? $5.91 per month. A pint of beer, perhaps.

 

As I don't live in your country, nor do I follow prices of international countries, I would believe you could get the T410 for a little cheaper than that. Sandy Bridge is right around the corner and I'm sure Lenovo will have some deals around here and there. Again though, I'm not current on how Lenovo's are outside of the US.

I like how Kaso thinks. Eat Ramen Noodles once a week or something.

 

Hehe, it's not my money though. It's a gift from my grandparents. So I have to justify the extra cost to my parents before I get the go ahead.

 

Well...the T410 (as Kaso points out) is probably a bit more robust than the L412. So, since you say you are going to be moving around, the T410 may be more appropriate (all other things - except for the cost - remaining constant).

Also, what are the warranty conditions applicable to both machines? Generally (unless you buy from the Outlet), you the T410 would probably carry a better warranty (i.e., more than 1 year). This may be an important consideration given that you will be in school for 5 yrs (as you mentioned).

I am in a similar position as you are in that I have been given a budget and have been - for the longest time - trying to make up my mind about a X 201 or a refreshed T series that is scheduled for release early next year. My problem, of course, is how to justify another machine. I already have 3 floating around the house of which one can be retired or given away. But that still means I have two machines aside from my partner's machine!

 

if you are getting the L412, you might as well get the Edge 15. There is not much quality difference between them.

Lenovo - Laptops, notebooks, mobile computers - Australia (AU)

The Edge 15 is only 649 dollars at Lenovo.com.au. This is an actually a very good price for this class of machine given the specs.

Also, if you have wait till early next year, the price of thinkpads in general should drop a bit, as the new models get announced.

 

Both laptops only come with a 1 year warranty unfortunately. Actually, all the configurable options for both laptops are identical.

 

Oh...ok...then you certainly have hard decision. Often it is difficult to justify the increased costs based on intangibles like "robustness" (especially because with machines in general and laptops in particular) often it is the luck of the draw that applies. So, yeah, I can appreciate your dilemma.

Still, if it was me, I'd go with the T410.

So, compared to the L412, is the Edge a better machine? (leaving aside the cost factor)

 

I did say that 'there is not much quality differences between them', so they are pretty much the same. But at $649 dollars, i don't think you can expect anything more.

Also, robustness is not an intangible factor, it is very much something you can feel when you hold a thinkpads as compared to say an G560. The quality of hinge, minimal flex when hold the laptop by the corner, you can step on the top of Thinkpads with the screen closed (although not something i recommend you do if you are over 80 kg), these are all tangible quality factors.

 

I did consider the edge but it's more expensive for specs that aren't as good. Also, the online reviews arent as good. Edit: there's currently a 35% discount on the T410 (when over $2000) and a 10% one on the L412 so idk if it's worth the wait.

Yeah, I really wish I could compare them in real life but it's Lenovo and we're in Australia...

 

If i was given a choice of Edge 15 or L412, i would definitely take the former.

 

Hm, well if you put it that way, the T410 seems like a better choice.

I was looking around eBay for a T410 and I found some which seem to be really good deals. The feedback is good but I have no idea if they're genuine since I have no experience of buying through eBay. Can anyone with experience of buying thinkpads off ebay please confirm/dispute the authenticity of these listings?

NEW LENOVO THINKPAD x201, I5-560, 3gb , 160gb , 2.66Ghz (eBay item 140492472243 end time 19-Jan-11 12:35:27 AEDST) : Computers Networking

New IBM Lenovo T410 Core i5-520M 2.93Ghz turbo mode (eBay item 130466626565 end time 27-Dec-10 15:26:48 AEDST) : Computers

LENOVO THINKPAD X201 i5-540M, 2.53GHZ, 4GB, 320GB 7.2K (eBay item 190481941771 end time 27-Dec-10 19:50:28 AEDST) : Computers Networking

Lenovo Thinkpad T410 i5-540M 320GB HD 3 Yrs Warrnty Bag (eBay item 230560582544 end time 06-Jan-11 18:05:12 AEDST) : Computers Networking

Really appreciate all your opinions thus far.

 

Take your time and do your homework and see if you can get decently loaded X201, it has supposedly somewhat better build quality than T410, much lighter, with longer battery life.
If you can live with smaller screen and no internal dvd drive then go for X201 or wait a bit and see what refreshed X series look like, they should be announced probably in January during CES.
If, on the other hand you want to max out your laptop with high-res screen (1440x900 on current T410 or maybe even 1600x900 on next gen T420/whatever they call it if they go for 16:9 screen ratio) and secondary internal hard drive and want it to be your only computing machine and use it without external screen then go for T series 14"

As for ebay - make sure seller has listed all the details about laptop possible, check sellers feedback for how well rated he is as seller and be sure that laptop you buy is brand new factory sealed never opened. Ask seller when exactly warranty starts.
Make sure to check by machine model number that your laptop is eligible for service in your country since some of ThinkPad models have limited number of countries where they can be serviced.
Pay with paypal.
Dont be affraid to ask seller questions regarding item youre interested in, if hes a good seller he will answer all your questions in polite manner.

 

Thank you veer. I'm not really in a rush to buy this notebook as uni starts in feb/march but I'm not particularly fussed about obtaining the newest, top of the line models. I just need something with long staying power at a good price.

 

Then you can wait a bit and if new models dont spark any interest in you when they are released then at least some bigger discounts might appear at that time on previous generation ThinkPads