T430s owners'/would-be owners' thread.

Hey guys,

If I buy the T430s for multimedia and gaming (only PES winning/ soccer game), will it be a waste of money? Does this make sense to T430s user like you (or you are using other Thinkpad)?

1. It's because I never own a Thinkpad so would like to have one. And I like its build quality, silent when both idle and full load, stays cool (temperature), light weight, easy-configure so I can add SSD when I want it faster, etc..

2. I will choose the 1600 x 900 res but will connect it to a 24" Dell IPS monitor so the screen quality will not be a big problem. It may only be a problem when I travel, but I will not expect a lot during middle of a trip.

3. Will the speakers a problem when watching youtube/ video streaming/ movies?

Thank a lot for comment!

 

It makes great sense to me if you consider the durability and light weight. It won't be a waste of money since you will definitely notice the difference between t430s and other brand like hp envy. t430s could handle your need pretty well. Speakers are not a problem to me at least.

 

Thank you Bestdy. Do you use your T430s for any demanded software and how's that go?

 

Any more thoughts???

 

I wonder if this because of the Stop 101 BSOD problem. If you're thinking about purchasing a T430s, you should should hold off until Lenovo and Intel can figure out what's causing these errors. Some people are severely affected, others like myself not so much and then are there those who have not yet experienced any BSODs.

 

eGPU can be connected by Express Card and TB that T430s have both if it is a i7.

But is Express card much faster that TB?

 

Hi,

About the warranty.
Did you activate it before or after receving your laptop?

I mean it looks like I can activate it without knowing the serial number. But I don't think that's a good idea ....

 

Just wanted to mention I've also been experiencing BSOD for some time now. I attributed it to this being a bit of a franken-T430s: I've swapped out the stock HD for an mSATA SSD, I've replaced the RAM with my own 16GB, I'm using a large external monitor, and I've erased the OS and clean-installed Windows 7. I figured that I must not be using an important driver or missed an key patch. Having checked to make sure I have all drivers and patches up-to-date, having checked each RAM stick independently, and having checked for errors on the SSD, I'm starting to think this thread is on to something: T430s-2352 Blue Screen and Stop Code 101 Issue - Lenovo Community

Lenovo may have a more widespread issue on their hands.

 

If I use the T430s for heaving gaming (meaning long hours gaming), will it be a problem??

I ask this question because I used to own a Dell Vostro for gaming and its motherboard burned down in a short time...

like would it using a ideapad Y/Z will have longer lifespan if use it for gaming?

 

Nearly all of the notebook computers on the planet are going to have a problem. If you do long hours of gaming, why don't you buy a proper desktop for the purpose?

 

How is it that I am only noticing this now... I am usually better at doing my own due diligence. I hope like hell these recent delays are due to this being resolved.

 

I only have one issue so far with my T430s: Sleep does not work correctly. Oftentimes, the computer will shut off on its own, even if it's sleeping on a full battery. I am using the Windows 8 RTM and have updated to the latest BIOS, but I am still running into this problem.

 

See more here: Lenovo ThinkPad T430s Problem and What it Means to You | IS Service Portal

and Multiple Lenovo T430s giving BSODs - Windows 7 Forums

This is not an isolated problem.

 

money and space at home is limited, can't and don't want to pay for both laptop and desktop...

my question is since the laptop is target for business, will it be a bit weak when i use it for long hours of gaming? maybe its motherboard or chipset or sth like that is not designed for gaming? I dont have that knowledge...

long hours only means 2 hours a day...

 

"A bit weak"?

ThinkPads are not designed for games. (Nor are Latitudes.) If you use them for games, I would call it "abuse" or "misuse."

There are notebooks designed expressly for gaming, like Alienware, Sager, Clevo... Their chassis, the thermal module (heatsink + fan), the motherboard, the dedicated graphics cards, the screen... are designed/selected/incorporated differently on gaming notebooks than on ThinkPads.

On the desktop side, some of the gaming desktop systems use water cooling system in conjunction with top-end graphics cards, together with 2~4 fans in front, behind and on the sides of the box.

Don't hurt your T430s.

Some "knowledge" for you.

 

I have this issue occassionaly in Windows 7 64 bit with my W510. It's not regular and I can't assign any cause as I always sleep the computer the same way.

I truly goofed on not noticing this earlier... I hope my use precludes me from this, if not I will be calling our rep with my dissatisfaction.

 

I only use it for light gaming... like pes winning 11

a laptop for me is really for all task ... both business and leisure...

especially when I dont really spend much time gaming, i play only 1 hour - 2 a day, if it will break because it is not designed for games... then I wouldn't pick thinkpad...

 

Now you are contradicting yourself. Earlier you said "long hours". I would lock down your needs and pick a machine accordingly. I would not buy a T430s for gaming, light or otherwise.

As Kaso indicated, most of the thinkpads aren't really designed for gaming.

 

Sorry guys, I tried searching through this forum thread but seem to not being able to find an answer about actual battery life on T430s. I'm curious how many hours do you get out of its standard 6-cell battery (no UB slice) @ max performance setting?

 

sorry for misleading...

but still I will buy the T430s, I got a deal it's i7/ 4Gb ram/ 500GB 7200/ Nvidia NVS 5200M/ backlit keyboard/ etc for US$1200 ... the deal should be only in Asia Uni program... is the price good?

 

The T430s is adequate at gaming, but isn't designed for it. The HD 4000 is quite a capable chip.

 

Thanks for posting these. I actually waited a while before purchasing this laptop so most of the bugs could be worked out. That turned out to be not a smart move this time since most of effected T430s were purchased in late July.

 

I've had that 101 BSOD issue twice early on (during the first two weeks), but fortunately they are gone now and my T430s has been running flawlessly for a couple of weeks now.

I don't know if it's a good thing or bad thing that many people are affected, hopefully it means that they will find a fix soon.

For what it's worth, I'm rarely using TurboBoost, so my CPU stays cool most of the time, could be one of the reasons I'm not getting BSODs anymore.

 

Depending on the game. I am certain the T430s can handle Angry Birds all day long.

I am not familiar with the game OP listed. I do play Medieval Total War II from time to time, the T430s can handle the highest setting with occasional hiccups. The temperature stays under 80 and the machine feels cool overall.

The T430s is not designed specific for games, but it's also not a Macbook Air. I think it can handle itself. Otherwise why get a T430s in the first place? The HD4000 is there to be used.

 

The feedback was provided in the context of this specific question:

Note "heavy gaming," "long hours," "motherboard burned down," ...

After all, do whatever you want.

 

Hi,
I bought this laptop yesterday,can i use this memory on this machine or not kingston GB 2Rx8 1G x 64-Bit PC3-12800 CL11 204-Pin SODIMM ( 8GB Module - DDR3 1600MHz Non-ECC, CL11, 1.5V, Unbuffered, SODIMM, 204-pin)I bought it originally asus ux32vd purpose, but i sent it back? it is, this memory Memory Search | Kingston

 

Yes, you can use that with your T430s.

 

I just spoke with the Wake Forest IT people, (the ones who posted Lenovo ThinkPad T430s Problem and What it Means to You | IS Service Portal) and they've confirmed it's a hardware problem with the Intel chip, and it's affecting T430s's worldwide. Lenovo/ Intel haven't figured it out completely, but the Wake Forest page should be updated if there's anything new to report.

In the meantime, I suggest getting in touch with Lenovo, telling them about the problem, and asking for a statement, if you're experiencing it.

 

thank you, do I buy another similar memory, there would be a total of 16Gb? Sorry my bad English.

 

Yes, if you do need a total of 16GB. (Adding that 8GB module to the existing 4GB module, bringing the total RAM to 12GB, should work, too. No problems.)

 

thanks for the help

 

The 8GB + 4GB setup will work, but performance won't be optimal, since dual channel won't be enabled. It'll be especially noticeable with the HD4000, which uses the system memory. Benchmarks indicate a 25% difference in some scenarios, so depending on your usage, you might want to ensure you're using two modules of identical specs.

 

I thought to put 8GB + 8GB

 

No. 4GB + 4GB will be operated in dual-channel mode in the 8GB + 4GB (or 4GB + 8GB) arrangement. In typical scenarios, the most "shared memory" for HD 4000 is around 640KB in low memory.

Sure.

 

Got a statement out of Lenovo:

T430s-2352 Blue Screen and Stop Code 101 Issue - Page 4 - Lenovo Community

 

Does anyone know if the T430s has a replaceable CPU?
(basically is the CPU soldiered down or in a socket )

The hardware maintenance manual did not have much to say about this...

the hope is that I could upgrade the CPU to an quad core version in 2 years.(When things get cheap )

 

T430s CPU is soldered.

 

Thanks Kaso. That helps alot!!!!

 

Made for gaming or not, properly designed machine should protect itself by either slowing down or by turning off in controlled manner. I could easily imagine running some heavy number-crunching simulations on my laptop that can spin CPU and memory big time. Should it survive that? I am sure it should.

 

COMSOL for instance could run for extended periods consuming all resources, and I would not accept that reasoning for my computer failing as a result and wouldn't expect anyone else to either...

 

which one to buy T430 or T430S? difficult to make a decision.

 

Three months ago I started choose my new laptop. I am choosing between T430/t430s/X230 so I know how difficult it is Take me know what will you choose!

Still I have not new laptop, really hard to find best way for me :-/

 

I'll make it easy for you... set your priorities relative to weight, quality of screen, resolution of screen, and size of screen. Once you have the choice will be obvious. For me 1600x900 was the absolute lowest resolution I could accept no matter how good the lower res screen were which eliminated the X230. I've had mobile work stations for the last decade 15", 15.1", 15.4", and 15.6" weighing at most 8 lbs I am now down to about 6 or 7 lbs with the W510. I wanted to drop down around the 3-4 lb threshold so I chose the T430s. Good luck hopefully that helps.

 

How does Lenovo's return policy work?

I'm afraid I'll buy a T430s and be totally frustrated by the trackpad. I'm currently using a 2008 MacBook Pro (a good trackpad) and there's no way to test the T430s trackpad without buying it.

And, no, don't just recommend I use Trackpoint haha.

 

Don't buy any ThinkPad with the expectation of a MBP trackpad. (And the T430s screen would "frustrate" you, as well.)

 

Sigh. I assumed as much.

However, I get the impression I wouldn't be frustrated (as much) with either the trackpad or the screen on the X1 Carbon, though.

 

I placed this order T430S I7-3520M/4/180S/14 "+ / 3G/W7P TS

 

i chose this T430s

 

I went with a similar config. I didn't order 3G or SSD as I will add my own SSD and mSATA in the WWAN slot. Good choice IMO.

 

this was a ready packet,i don't select components myself.