T430s owners'/would-be owners' thread.

I am trying to order one and the Lenovo US site shows blank options. Anybody else experiencing the same issues?
I just had a chat with Lenovo rep (while typing this) and was told that it will be fixed later today.

BTW, for what its worth, a T430s review is out at:

Lenovo Thinkpad T430s

 

Not much of a "review", but a ton of information! ... I'll pass

 

Holy cow, talk about spewing information onto the page! Wondering how that Wake Forest faculty or staff person got it on May 17th as that's the claimed publish date.

 

Got mine the day before yesterday - will post some pics and give a brief review probably this weekend. I didnt think I would be a fan of the keyboard, since I didnt really like it on the X1. However, I'm sold - the keyboard is awesome and I really enjoy typing on it.

 

Looking forward to it. I won't get mine until mid next week.

 

How do you check order status? My customer number and order number are too long for the checker to check.

 

Could you tell us what you think about the display on the T430s? Does it have better contrast than previous models? Does it suffer from the screen door effect?

I currently own a T400s and I love everything about it except for the poor contrast. While I don't have any screen door effect on my T400s, it was pretty obvious on a colleague's T420s.

I sooo hope for a better display on the T430s but it seems like it's the same as on the T420s. I guess I'll have to go with the bulkier T530 with FHD instead. :-(

 

You should get an E-mail from Lenovo within a day or so of ordering with subject: "Confirmation for order#XXXXXXXXX."

Inside is a link to check your order status.

 

I click on it, and it says:

Code: 404
Object not found

Guess it's because I ordered off of the B&N site.

 

try this link Search Index

 

Thanks! Apparently, my unit is shipping on the 12th, so I will likely get it by the 19th.

 

I want nvs5400m benchmarks )=
Couldnt find ANY other laptops with it. I really want to know if its kepler!

 

It's not Kepler. 28nm Fermi.

 

I've never owned a Thinkpad before but I'm pulling the trigger on a 430s soon, looking to get a base model with integrated graphics then upgrade to SSD and 16GB later.

Can someone help a thinkpad newbie out with the following questions -

1. What are the compatable SSD (main drive not mSATA) and memory specs that I need to shop for?
2. I'll be using Linux (Ubuntu) with a minidock, any known issues with this potential setup?

Thanks!

 

Any SATA SSD that is 7mm in height will work. I'd recommend the Samsung 830 Series 256GB - it's probably the fastest performing 7mm drive available today. If you don't need that much space, the 128GB version is just as fast. You can save a few bucks by getting the 7mm height version of the Crucial M4. It's a bit slower, but in real world usage is probably not noticeably slower. Do be sure to buy a SATA3 SSD, or you're going to miss out on a lot of performance.

For memory, you'll want to look for 8GB sticks (or a 2x8GB combo pack) of 204-pin DDR3 1600 (PC3-12800) SODIMMs. I bought these: Amazon.com - Corsair Vengeance Laptop Memory Kit 16 GB (2x8 GB) DDR3 1600MHz CL10 PC3 12800

 

On another topic, will somebody who already has their T430s please measure the horizontal and vertical circumference of the system? I need to order my customary laptop sleevecase from Waterfield Designs (best laptop sleevecases made, IMHO) and they've changed the way they size them, so I need exact measurements.

Many thanks!

 

Any idea how the 1600x900 screen would compare to the X220 High Quality (IPS) Panel?

 

The X220 screen is superior in every way, other than the resolution. Viewing angle, color reproduction, blacks, all are better on the IPS screen.

 

I was hoping to go from my X220 to the T430s, but the screen is a deal breaker for me. Not sure there's enough to upgrade to the X230. Sure would like a nice display in the T430s.

 

Hello all,

I am new to these forums, but I have just placed a purchase for a T430s and you can count on hearing from me with a few questions soon!

Until then though, does anyone know if adding a mSata drive to boot the OS on will be doable? the prices that lenovo charges to add a SSD seem a bit extravagent...

~H

 

Very doable.

 

Oh, and I'm planning to buy an Ultrabay battery. Are the older models compatible with the T430s, or has Lenovo released a newer model of Ultrabay battery?

 

One of the leaked channel partner PowerPoint presentations indicated that the new generation batteries have some kind of microchip in them. Older batteries will fit, but they won't charge in 2012 models. It is unclear whether this also applies to the Ultrabay batteries, though.

 

what is better HD 4000 or NVDIA 5400M 2GB ? thx

 

The T430s only gets the NVS 5200M, and with that being a $330 option, I think most people will be better served by the HD 4000.

 

No one knows? Or is there a website that has this information on it? (For instance, I don't think notebookreview has specs on the NVIDIA GPU yet)

 

Here are the Specs straight from Nvidia Tech Specs

 

Thanks, but I now realize I actually meant benchmarks. Oops. That's still a good reference to have anyway, so thanks again.

 

Is the ThinkPad Battery 28++ 9-cell Slice compatible with this laptop?

Any comments on the screen? Is it same as the T420s' screen?

 

Can you comment on the quality of the screen when you have a chance?

I'm a bit torn between the T430s, T430u, and the X1 Carbon. I'm leaning on the Carbon because it'll also work with the Thinkpad 3.0 dock.

 

So if I go with the i7 option, I can use the mini-dp port for Thunderbolt connections?

 

One final thing and does anyone here know if any of Intel or Micron's SSDs comes with a 7mm height?

 

If you have the nvs 5400m, please run 3dmark bench and post scores, for the hd4000 if you can aswell, and list specs if you can.

 

Both of these brands use a plastic "shim" to increase the height of their retail channel drives to 9mm; however, removing the shim will void your warranty. I removed the shim on my X25-M drive, and at the time I didn't have to destroy any stickers. My Crucial M4 drive has a sticker over one of the four screws that keeps this shim in place, and I have not removed it yet.

 

T430s has the NVS5200M, slower card.

 

My ship date has been moved to June 10th! I'll get it by the 15th, then.

 

Both are available. The Intel 320 is available in 7mm but with SATA II and the M4 is SATA III.

I have used one of the early Intel 320s in a T420s by removing the spacer. It does void the warranty and plus you need to get the metric screws which can be difficult to find. BUT that was then.

 

Anyone planning on using a mSATA drive in the T320s? Please can you share which drive you plan to use? I am looking at the mydigitalssd smart series (sandforce).

I am using a UltraBay HDD in my current T420s, but am wondering if I should go with an [mSATA + main HDD] or keep using the ultra bay and have [ main HDD + Ultrabay]. Any thoughts?

Lastly, any info on whether the mSATA on T430s is SATA II or III?
Thank you.

 

I used an Intel 310 40GB on my T420, and plan to put it into my T430s.

The mSATA port is SATA II speeds only, I believe.

In my opinion, it doesn't matter how you connect these drives - just make sure that they are linked to the motherboard, and you will be fine.

 

I have confirmed with two different Lenovo technical support reps that the mSATA port in the T430s is SATA III, although I am concerned that they don't know what they're talking about. The QM77 chipset only supports two SATAIII connections, which means either the Ultrabay is only SATA-II (unlikely), or they've included a third party controller to provide the SATAIII speeds to the mSATA port (also unlikely).

[EDIT] Just got off the phone with a third Lenovo technical support rep trying to clear this up. Apparently, most of the reps do not know the difference between SATA III and SATA II at 3.0 gbps. Unfortunately, the mSATA slot on the T430s is only SATA II (3.0 gbps). The Ultrabay supports SATA III (6.0 gbps).

 

How noticeable is the difference to an incoming college student who doesn't plan on doing any heavy gaming?? The laptop I ordered has the 500gb 7200rpm HDD and I'm planning on throwing in a 240gb mSATA so I can have the exra life afforded by the bay battery.

 

That is unfortunate to hear. Did this third rep sound like s/he knew what they were talking about?

If its true anyone know of a good mSATA II?

 

Blame Intel. If the chipset only supports two SATA III devices, there isn't much you can do about it.

Would you rather they made the Ultrabay SATA II? I wouldn't.

 

anyone know if a Crucial M4 9mm SSD would fit in the default hard drive slot in the T430?

 

It will still be incredibly fast. IMO, for most purposes, you'll only notice a difference between a SATA2 and 3 connection with a SATA3 SSD if you have them running right next to each other. You might notice a difference in the boot speed (again, only if you compare directly with an identical machine running SATA 3).

 

It will fit perfectly in the T430. To fit in the T430s, it requires some warranty-voiding modifications to reduce the height to the 430s' 7mm bay height.

 

Unfortunate as SATA 6G mSATA SSDs are starting to hit the market. Can't imagine the difference will be massive, and SATA II speeds will still blow disks away, but still unfortunate.

 

I ordered the a Mushkin Enhanced Atlas Series MKNSSDAT120GB-DX mSATA 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD). It is SATA III. I'm assuming its backward compatible with SATA II? The S3 version is actually cheaper than the OCZ S2 version.

Thanks!

 

Did anybody who has ordered received any emails from Lenovo Credit Card Services?
Today I got this email:

*****************
Thank you for....
However, we are currently unable to process your order with the information you provided.

Please reply back to this e-mail within four business days to resolve the issue(s) indicated below. If no response is received within this time, your order may be cancelled.

___ The shipping address does not verify with your credit card company.
Please contact your bank and verify that both addresses are on file.

************

I called the credit card company and they told me that the Lenovo charge was approved. So I don't understand what this email is about. I have purchased 4 ThinkPads before but never came across this issue.

Thank you for your input.

 

My first order was canceled due to an unknown CC issue (I just moved so its possible my billing and shipping addresses were incorrect) -- I used a master card. I called back and re-did the order with my AMEX....Seems to have worked fine.