T430 Owner's Thread

I thought we should start a new thread for T430 owners or who would be owners in few days. Please, start posting your questions and comments. I ordered my T430 with the following specs:

Intel Core i7-3520M Processor (4MB L3, 2.90GHz)
14.0" HD+ (1600 x 900) LED Backlit AntiGlare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready
Intel HD Graphics 4000
4 GB PC3-12800 DDR3 (1 DIMM) - Will upgrade to 8GB later
Keyboard Backlit - US English
UltraNav with Fingerprint Reader
720p HD Camera with Microphone
500GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
DVD Recordable
9 Cell Li-Ion TWL 70++
90W AC Adapter - US (2pin)
Bluetooth 4.0 with Antenna
Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 AGN
3YR Onsite NBD + 3YR Priority Support + 3YR TPP

 

I was wondering where this thread was


Intel Core i5-3320M Processor (3MB L3, 2.60GHz)
14.0" HD+ (1600 x 900) LED Backlit AntiGlare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready
Intel HD Graphics 4000 + NVIDIA N13P-NS1 Optimus Graphics with 2GB DDR3 Memory
4 GB PC3-12800 DDR3 (1 DIMM)
Keyboard Backlit - US English
UltraNav with Fingerprint Reader
720p HD Camera with Microphone
500GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm (yes, i paid the extra $10 for this lol)
DVD Recordable
9 Cell Li-Ion TWL 70++
90W AC Adapter - US (2pin)
Intel Centrino Wireless-N 2200 (2x2 BGN) (will throw in my 6300 from my old T420 when this arrives)
3YR Onsite NBD + 3YR Priority Support + 3YR TPP


Is anyone's order status different from "Order Received"?

 

Mine is in the same status which makes me worries especially that it changed from "order processed" to "order received'!! Please, keep us updated about orders.

May I ask you why did you choose th get the 500GB 5400rpm and did not get the free upgrade faster 7200rpm?

 

I have a 256GB SSD that I plan on putting into my T430 (see sig) and I wanted the power savings of 5400rpm when I drop that 500GB into an external enclosure

 

Oh, that makes sense now!

Guys, finally the Lenovo unboxing of T430 is live

Lenovo Unboxed: ThinkPad T430 laptop - YouTube

After watching it, really?! I am not sure if this was about T430 or about the history and manufacturing of Thinkpads in general!

 

all i'm interested in is whether they've used better panels this time, my t420's viewing angles are really horrible and i'd like to be able to replace it with something adequate

 

NVIDIA N13P-NS1 Optimus Graphics with 2GB DDR3 Memory

What exact is that, NVS 5400m (it have 1 Gb of memory)?

ymi i think screen will be the same... But we have to wait for some good reviews.

 

Processor

Intel Core i5-3210M Processor (3M Cache, 2.50GHz)

Operating system Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit)

Operating system language Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 - English

Display type 14.0" HD+ (1600 x 900) LED Backlit AntiGlare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready

System graphics Intel HD Graphics 4000

Total memory 4 GB PC3-12800 DDR3 (1 DIMM)

Keyboard Keyboard Backlit - US English

Pointing device UltraNav with Fingerprint Reader

Camera 720p HD Camera with Microphone

Hard drive 500GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm

Ultrabay DVD Recordable

System expansion slots Express Card Slot & 4-in-1 Card Reader

Battery 9 Cell Li-Ion TWL 70++

Power cord 90W AC Adapter - US (2pin)

Bluetooth Bluetooth 4.0 with Antenna

Integrated WiFi wireless LAN adapters Intel Centrino Wireless-N 2200 (2x2 BGN)

Integrated mobile broadband Mobile Broadband upgradable

Language pack Publication - US English

Just ordered mine. I am just wondering how big this machine is.

 

T420: 13.4" x 9.05" x [1.18" - 1.20"]
340mm x 229.8mm x [29.9mm – 30.4mm]

T430: 13.8” x 9.13” x 1.18”
350.5mm x 232mm x 29.9mm


So the T430 is a little bit lengthier and wider, but more uniform in thickness

 

Same type of screens being used, you could look into the X230 with IPS screen if you want great viewing angles.

 

Ordered Today:

Processor: Intel Core i7-3520M Processor (4MB L3, 2.90GHz)
Operating system: Genuine Windows 7 Professional (64 bit)
Display type: 14.0" HD+ (1600 x 900) LED Backlit AntiGlare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready
System graphics: NVIDIA N13P-NS1 Optimus Graphics with 2GB DDR3 Memory
Total memory: 4 GB PC3-12800 DDR3 (1 DIMM)
Keyboard: Keyboard Backlit - US English
Pointing device: UltraNav with Fingerprint Reader
Camera: 720p HD Camera with Microphone
Hard drive: 500GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
Ultrabay: DVD Recordable
System expansion slots: Express Card Slot & 4-in-1 Card Reader
Battery: 9 Cell Li-Ion TWL 70++
Power cord: 90W AC Adapter - US (2pin)
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.0 with Antenna
Integrated WiFi wireless LAN adapters: Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 AGN
3Yr Base Warranty Extension

Have an ADATA 60GB mSATA ready for the OS (User files to the platter drive) and another 4GB ram. Wish it was coming with a higher quality screen, but 1600x900 is a decent resolution for productivity. I think I'll manage the new Chiclet keyboard, GF has a MBP and I seem to do alright error wise, but I wish they had kept the layout closer to the OG keyboard (Lenovo, some of us touch type - including FN keys!).

Coming from an x220 which gave me major headaches (3 failed motherboards at the WORST possible times and some build quality issues, spent 3 of the past 10 months in non-usable condition - but I think I was in the minority). Going to miss the portable form factor, CLASSIC keyboard, and the IPS screen... ooooh the IPS screen how I love your viewing angles and brightness... NOT going to miss, besides the H/W failures, the short palm rest (F that tiny trackpad) and 1366x768 resolution (although maybe my eyes suck and I just need a bigger screen).

I thought about the T530 for the quadcore and FHD LCD, but split the difference with the T430 for size/weight. Before the x220 I had a work provided HP 8710W, similar to the W series w/17" screen. Loved the H/W, 1080P screen, Quadro GPU, FULL FULL size k/b... hated the weight/size/bulk/power supply. My only concern is the LCD, having come from two spectacular screens - but its called compromise for a reason.

I wish the T430U or X1C were released, but the T430 is priced well and available now with Ivy bridge. Based on other posters driver search, I'm confident the GPU is the NVS5400M - so SWTOR and D3 should play nicely. Unfortunately, probably won't see mine until after July 5th as I will be leaving town on Jun 22nd... maybe, just maybe it will arrive in time.

 

Can someone tell me what the Fingerprint reader for color sensor is?

Is it a fingerprint reader and a color sensor or is it only a color sensor.

 

I don't even recall seeing anything about a color sensor. are you on the Lenovo site(s) from the U.S. or somewhere else?

 

That is an option on the T530/W530, and I would assume it is for video/photo color calibration. forum.thinkpads.com • W520 colour sensor

 

It cost about 20 USD? is cheap like a calibrator... It is working fine? I cant belive it can replace xrite.

 

I guess we would not know till we receive them. For me, I do not have high expectations but I can live with it since I am always almost connected to an external monitor.

 

sadly my order status STILL shows up as "order received". I'm not trying to be a debbie downer, but i think if the estimated ship date shows to be in two days then something should have changed

 

I am in the same boat and I am very frustrated like you. The interesting thing is that whenever I chat with them and ask if the order was assigned to the warehouse, they say 'yes' though I know that this is not true since I have ordered before using the new order status system that uses the 10 digits and it has to say "sent to warehouse' if it is in production. Anyone else has the same status 'order received'?

I know this is a non-issue but I just wonder why Lenovo did not designate the USB 3.0 ports in the new model with the standard blue color from what I see in the gallery pictures?

 

That's a production model. The ones shipped to consumers will feature blue USB ports.

 

Oh, glad to know that. I like their blue color!

 

Are you sure and where did you got this information? All pictures show them with black USB 3.0 ports. I think they changed the colour to black.

 

Lenovo Thinkpad T430s

Search for USB and scroll down.

 

I just discovered that you are not right on this one. Look at the official T430 unboxing from Lenovo and you will find that the USB 3.0 ports are now black. Not sure why they did that but they are black.

 

Probably a pre-production model.

But, a minor issue, it doesn't matter what color the USB ports are - the 2.0 one is colored yellow anyway.

 

Last I checked, black plastic conducts better. USB 3.0 is definitely faster with black ports!

 

How much faster?!

 

At least 45% faster with black ports. The blacker the better.

 

Thanks God then that Lenovo did it!!

 

Just pulled the trigger on my new T430! Cost $794 with the Barnes & Nobel discount..... plus $56 for extended 3 year warrenty

Processor Intel Core i5-3210M Processor (3M Cache, 2.50GHz)
Operating system Genuine Windows 7 Professional (64 bit)
Display type 14.0" HD+ (1600 x 900) LED Backlit AntiGlare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready
System graphics Intel HD Graphics 4000
Total memory 4 GB PC3-12800 DDR3 (1 DIMM)
Keyboard Keyboard Backlit - US English
Camera 720p HD Camera with Microphone
Hard drive 500GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
Ultrabay DVD Recordable
System expansion slots Express Card Slot & 4-in-1 Card Reader & Smart Card Reader
Battery 6 Cell Li-Ion TWL 70+
Power cord 65W AC Adapter - US (2pin)
Integrated WiFi wireless LAN adapters Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 AGN
Integrated mobile broadband Mobile Broadband upgradable

 

I just hope that they might have changed the display quality they are using as this is my first T4x0 and I heard very bad things about the panel they are using even with the HD+.

 

^^^ Same terrible quality.

But, why should you care? You always have a large, presumably better display whenever you sit at a desk. (Dell sells 23" and 24" IPS panels at reasonable prices, sometimes with generous discounts.)

Alternatively, there's the T530 with FHD.

 

And the X230 with IPS.

 

I agree and I actually have a 26" HDTV monitor but it is also not nice to buy a brand new laptop and even pay to upgrade the display to HD+ then end up with terrible quality. Why would Lenovo not offer the FHD or IPS on this model?

The reason I did not get the T530 or W530 this time is that I try to avid the throttling on battery issue (I am not sure if it still happens with the W530 or I it was initially happening on the T520) since they have discrete graphics that is power consuming. I may be wrong on my theory but my experience and lenovo's statement is that dGPU is the major cause of battery throttling and I cannot lie with that anymore as my experience with W520 was terrible because of that.

 

I really wanted to get the X230 but my concern is about the low resolution and the very small bothering palm rest area

 

i got the T430 to replace my T420 mostly because im a who couldn't wait for something better last summer. With my Dell(s) I had integrated graphics and a desktop to do my gaming on and a backlit keyboard. After seeing the crazy decent NVS 5400m (and my desktop gaming situation changing a bunch) AND the backlit keyboard on the T430, i called the ball.

it was either going to be replacing the T420 system board for one with the NVS 4200m (and buying the appropriate replacement heatsink) for ~$500 or buy a new T430 with the backlit keyboard, even better graphics and sell the T420.

(I obviously chose the T430)

In other news - i chatted with Lenovo sales this morning, and the guy said my order had already been released to manufacturing :O

 

^^I'm coming from the x220 (same IPS display, palmrest length). I found editing documents side by side and researching on LexisNexis or WestLaw cumbersome on the resolution. For the palmrest, I have large hands and found the palmrest an issue - especially when I was forced to use the touchpad/trackpoint (my right wrist would eventually start to cramp). For these reasons, when I was given the option to upgrade to a x230 or T430 - I picked the T430

Question regarding specs, is it only the T430S that gets Thunderbolt w/I7 and RapidCharge? Or is RapidCharge a new standard feature and Thunderbolt a feature of I7 ivy bridge?

 

This confirms my concern for this one. I would get the T530 with quad core if I know for sure it would not throttle on battery but there is lack of information about this issue even for its ancestor the T520.

 

Not sure about RapidCharge, but the S430 and the T430s are the only Thinkpads that are getting Thunderbolt.

 

Ordered a T430 the morning they were released, did anyone else see the glitch where it was -50 off the price if you elected windows home and business 2010? I checked back the next day and it was +200 the next day. Guess I came at the right time! Order just left Hong Kong...they are coming woot

 

Yeah, I missed that. Could have saved an additional $50 on my T430s! Grr!

But whatever.

 

Yes, I found that and I ordered at 5:00 am on the release day but I did not chose it because you definitely know that this was a glitch and it is unethical to do such thing because of a glitch in the system. It is basically a theft but I am sure that most people can just see it as a saving opportunity!

 

Strange question for current owners: Has the trackpad changed at all from previous versions in terms of responsiveness, texture, button mechanism?

 

That is a very good question. It is just my personal assumption that nothing has changed in this new babies. I feel bad that lenovo just replaced the processor, keyboard, and some components without working on improving the quality of how these components work or addressing the previously well-known terrible issues.

I felt so sad about the windows-based machine industry today when I saw the launch of the new MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. I just wish I could adapt easily to Mac but unfortunately I cannot!.

 

I ordered through a representative and said nothing about it

 

The representative is not the stakeholder and he does not care like you as long as he does not have to do an exception. The rule of thumb when it comes to these judgements is to think if one of the stakeholders knew that people abused the system just because they found a glitch, will they be happy? I do not think so. I understand how desperate one can be sometimes to use a glitch or price error or something like that to get even $10 but you should know that it is unethical.

 

Even if you're right, condemning people on the internet who have already pulled the trigger is going to accomplish nothing.

 

Count me in! Looking forward to tearing this thing apart, dropping 16GB memory in and the old Intel 520 SSD....

Code:

 2342CTO	ThinkPad T430 - 1 Year Depot Topseller Warranty 
Estimated ship date: 6/17/12**	
 
 
Processor	
 
Intel Core i5-3360M Processor (3M Cache, 2.80GHz)

Operating system		Genuine Windows 7 Professional (64 bit)

Operating system language		Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64 - English

Display type		14.0" HD+ (1600 x 900) LED Backlit AntiGlare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready

System graphics		NVIDIA N13P-NS1 Optimus Graphics with 2GB DDR3 Memory

Total memory		4 GB PC3-12800 DDR3 (1 DIMM)

Keyboard		Keyboard Backlit - US English

Camera		720p HD Camera with Microphone

Hard drive		500GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm

Ultrabay		DVD Recordable

System expansion slots		Express Card Slot & 4-in-1 Card Reader & Smart Card Reader

Battery		9 Cell Li-Ion TWL 70++

Power cord		90W AC Adapter - US (2pin)

Bluetooth		Bluetooth 4.0 with Antenna

Integrated WiFi wireless LAN adapters		Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 AGN

Integrated mobile broadband		Mobile Broadband upgradable

Language pack		Publication - US English

45K5972	 3Yr Base Warranty Extension		
$56.43

Continue shopping:
	
 	

	Subtotal:	$2,169.00	

	Sale price:	$1,580.43	

	[USXJUNESAVINGS2012]	-$381.00	

	Shipping and handling:	$0.00	

	Estimated tax:	$71.44	

	Estimated total:	$1,270.87*	

	Total savings	$969.57	

 

Just looking for some clarification here. Can anyone confirm whether or not the mSATA port on the T430 is Sata III or II? In the T430s owner's thread they were saying they thought the port was Sata II and I am wondering if it is the same case here.

Also, how will the screen on the T430 compare with the HD+ screen on my current T510?

Where can you get an ultrabay adapter to put in a second hard drive? Is there an official one by Lenovo yet?

 

The mSATA specification has not changed much since it was introduced. Going from SATA II to SATA III will be a major revision of the specification. As it stands right now, there is no spec for SATA III in mSATA right now

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

@pchome: I thought of you when I came across this line about the new MacBook Pro with Retina Display:

The USB 3.0 ports aren't colored blue like they are on some Windows PCs, but since there aren't any USB 2.0 ports on these laptops, you won't need color coding to tell the difference.​