T420 and SSD options

I'm more or less set on getting a T420 (although I can't stop looking at the T420S!). The big question for me now is the hard drive. I would probably jump on the 160GB SSD, but I'm worried about how long it will delay my order (order page says at least 4 weeks). I really need this thing ASAP. The 120GB is available, but I'm worried that it's not enough space.

20GB for Windows 7 Professional
10.3GB Adobe CS5
3.5GB Office 2010

Not really sure what else (I'm sure there are some big ones that I'm not thinking about right now), but that's already only leaves me with less than 90GB.

Another option is to order the regular hard drive, and then order the Intel 80GB mSATA separately. That would be fine except for the fact that it appears to be in short supply and I have no idea when I would be able to get my hands on one (again, I need to start using this thing ASAP). Admittedly, I'm not very tech savvy so moving the OS over to the SSD is not something that I look forward to doing.

Anyone have any suggestions? Is SSD really worth it? Should I skip SSD altogether and stick with a regular HD? For reference, I will be using this for school (primarily Office stuff and web surfing, with some light design work). Thanks!

EDIT: On another note... if I just ordered a regular HD, started using my machine, and then got an SSD later on down the line, how difficult would it be to transfer the OS over while restoring all of my files and settings? Are there likely to be hiccups? I've read that it's best to do a clean install, so I'm a bit concerned about this.

 

The SSD is absolutely worth it - nothing else compared in making these things fly - and quietly. The SSD's from Lenovo are not the latest generation, but still unbelievably quick compared to a HDD. I knew they were not cutting edge, but ordered on installed anyway because of Lenovo-support, and when I changed from HDD to SSD (third-party) in my last Thinkpad (see my signature), it was not as straight-forward as just swapping HHD's...though in 2 years since I never had a problem. However, there are strong reasons for going third party- for example, choice, price, and installing afresh...If you buy with an HDD and buy a third-party SSD, the HHD becomes a handy backup external media.

Travel-wise, an SSD is much much "tougher" than a HDD. It is not a spinning machine.

Transfering the OS, software and data files later from an existing HDD to a replacement SSD is as easy/tricky as to a replacement HDD. Once the process is done, there are a few settings that need to be checked/changed to optimize the SSD - takes 10 minutes or so.

Hardware-wise, my experience was that my new SSD did not like the HDD rubber rails, so didn't use them - apparently there are SSD-compatible rails available..? I did find that issue a hassle...

 

I just bought a T420s last week, one of their express config deals (no choice on OS (win7 pro), processor or RAM, options of HD, WIFI, cam, batt, BT, etc.), ordered on Monday arrived on Friday. I opted for the 320 GB 7200 HD, and I have added a 64 GB MSATA built by MydigitalSSD (bought through their Amazon store for about $130). I am dual booting Fedora linux/windows 7 professional, I installed the MSATA SSD last night and so far seems to be working great. (MydigitalSSDdiscount.com has a direct storefront too).

Ike

 

antskip, thanks! I can't say I've ever had to replace a HD, so I don't really have a gauge. It's kind of a bummer that Lenovo uses the X25 instead of the newer 320.

Isaac-1, I can't say I've ever heard of MyDigitalSSD. To be honest, I'd prefer to stick with an Intel for its reliability. The T420s is incredibly tempting, but the battery life really concerns me. The Ultrabay Battery is an option, but for whatever reason I don't see it anywhere on the Canadian Lenovo site. Moreover, it's my understanding that it has a shorter lifespan than the regular batteries. I don't know... despite the battery, I can't stop thinking about the T420s!

 

I have an older generation ultrabay battery I picked up off ebay that fits the T420s, a little less capacity, but was about 1/5th the price of a new one. The software says it has 76% capacity left, built in 2008 with 90 power cycles and original rating was 29 watt hour vs the 32 watt hour of the current model, yet it will still run the computer playing netflix video for almost 2 hours before starting to drain the main battery. This should give about 5-6 hours playing video with wifi on using 1 ultra bay battery plus draining the main battery. I am getting another new 29 watt hour, so I will have 2 I can hot swap, plus the main battery for traveling, this keeps a lot of the weight in the notebook bag, and not in hand. As to the MydigitalSSD they use Toshiba brand flash chips and a fairly new to the market Psion brand controller chip, so brand name components, and the price for the 64GB is about 2/3 of the going price for the 80GB intel, if you can find them in stock.

 

Yeah, I have to admit that I'm worried about the battery lifespan. My previous laptop used to do 5 hours, but after a few years it would only last about 40 minutes! Heck, even my current MBP seems to only last 1.5 hours (although I can squeeze out more time by decreasing the brightness and shutting down programs) and its capacity is supposedly at 99%. My next laptop is for school and I absolutely can't have it dying on me. Unfortunately, it's unclear how many of my classes will have available power outlets.

 

Just get two 9-cells when you buy. You will be OK then! - always good to have a reserve battery, if away from mains a lot ...(smile)

 

Sorry, that post was in regards to the T420s that I'm still fawning over! I guess I'm not as set on the T420 as I thought I was.

 

I understand your point of view. if I were moving around a bit, the T420s looks the goods over the T420 - so much lighter - and the 14.0 HD+ (1600 x 900) LED screen (131PPI)
Review Lenovo Thinkpad T420 Notebook - Notebookcheck.net Reviews
http://shop.lenovo.com/us/ww/pdf/t420s_datasheet.pdf

 

I just can't get over that battery life! With that said, I think I'm sticking with the T420.

 

If I were you, I'd either go with the 128 GB pre-installed or buy a bigger SSD drive and install it right away. Alternatively you can do the mSata thing and keep the HDD.

I just bought this 160BG Intel 320 drive from NewEgg. This particular one is 7mm rather than 9.5mm, so you don't have to mess around with taking out the spacers and finding the right length of screws to -- should just fit right in. Comes bundled with Acronis True Image for another $20. Use Coupon code NEWCUSTOMER10 to get $10 off your order.

Ordered it along with an external enclosure for the old HDD.

Another nice alternative is a Renice mSata drive from B2CIT.com. They are having a special on 120 GB mSata drives for $250! That will fit in the spot where your WWAN card would otherwise go and you can have the SSD-HDD hybrid option that has many fans on the forum. As someone in another thread pointed out, at that price it's a great deal for GB/$. Renice drives use SANDISK flash memory and some other quality controller I don't remember now, which actually makes it faster than Intel.

Another nice things about the Intel drive is that it comes with software to help you make sure everything is properly aligned. Renice might come with that, not sure.

By the way, I also did not buy the 160GB option from Lenovo due to the 4 week waiting period. I wonder if they're updating to 320 drives from Intel?

I plan to install the drive right away, because it will be a bigger pain to do it later and also I would probably just never get around to do since I'm sure I'd be happy with the HDD speed.

There is lots of advice around the forum on how to do it. Seems pretty straightforward.

Have fun!

 

As of yesterday, I confirmed lenovo is still shipping the X25-M. It does not appear as if they have any plans to switch to the 320 series anytime soon.

I'm thinking whether to get the 320 series for my T420s. I'm worried that the installation process is too complicated since I've never done this before.

Could you comment on the steps you took to install and load windows on the 320 SSD?

Thanks.

 

Instead of waiting a month for the factory to put in an ssd, it would be faster if one just ordered their own separate ssd and create their own recovery disks.

 

I can't say how I did it because I haven't done it yet. But I've been reading the forum and pasting advice to a document so I have it all in one place. Here are some useful things I've found:

Here are very detailed instructions for an install. It's for the W520 but should work for the t420s. Also it discusses an mSata SSD installation so physically you'll be putting the 320 where the old HDD went. Also it might be a little over the top with all the memory tests, etc.

Here's a thread discussing mSata installation that has a lot of good advice:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo-ibm/574993-msata-faq-basic-primer.html

You can go here to learn about how to get to the drive by removing the necessary parts (like the keyboard and palm rest).

Here are some other useful links:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo-ibm/574678-thinkpad-t420s-owners-thread-30.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo-ibm/574678-thinkpad-t420s-owners-thread-32.html#post7562711

And then there's optimizing and aligning. The Intel drive comes with software to help with this, but check out this thread.

I won't be able to get my set up until mid-July...alas.

Good luck! Be sure to check back in and share any tips with us!

 

Thanks for all the info! I've pretty much decided that I will just order the standard HD and immediately purchase a 160GB SDD. Most likely, it will be an Intel 320 since I can pick it up locally. Renice is something that I will have to look into.

If you don't mind me asking, was battery life an issue for you when deciding on the T420s? I'm hoping I can find a good solution for it, but it seems like the only available option is tossing in an Ultrabay Battery. Unfortunately, I'm not a fan of the power management (i.e. drawing power from the Ultrabay Battery before the main), and I can't even track them down locally (I'm in Canada and it's not even on Lenovo Canada's site).

 

Do you mind posting a link to one of the batteries you're talking about? I ran a search on eBay and I see a lot of Ultrabay Batteries, but they still seem expensive (the cheaper ones do not appear to be genuine Lenovos).

 

There are some mixed in I just found a second one I paid about $40 for with shipping, it had 3 discharge cycles and was built in 2007, test out at 100% capacity we will see about that though, it is charging now.

Here are a couple of ebay links

first a new generation new #42 battery

New Lenovo Ultrabase 2nd Battery 51J0508 T410S T420S | eBay

and here is one of the older ones

LENOVO 43R9250 THINKPAD ADVANCED ULTRABAY 2 B | eBay

note ones with the IBM logo would be from before the Lenovo buyout in 2005

Of course buying used you take a chance if the seller is not offering money back, or claiming a certain quality.

Ike