T520 or T420

Almost ready to pull the trigger. Just need some more advice between these two. Consider that there is a $170 difference between the T520 and T420, and factor in the screen quality, weight, and size, which would be a better buy in your opinion. I will use this laptop for university, I'm a software developer.

Thank you in advance for help.

 

Should read this thread on the T420 screen. It will touch on the T520 as well and my bet many will confirm that the T520 will be best for you.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo-ibm/572072-t420-screen-how.html

Here is another thread on the W520 screen if interested. They also touch on other ThinkPads as well

http://forum.notebookreview.com/len...en-quality-better-alternatives-out-there.html

 

I pulled the trigger on the W520 as the price difference was only $35 with the sale (compared to a T420), and it seemed like it'd be a real waste of the sale (30% off) to get the T420. I intend on using the laptop for at least 3 years.

But if there was no sale, I would've gotten the T420 over the T520 (they are the same price here) as it is more portable and has a longer battery life. If the T420 is $170 cheaper than the T520, I'd most definitely go for the T420 since even if the screen was as bad as some people say, it'd be perfectly usable for my purposes as a university student. I'd use that $170 to buy a replacement battery later when the one that ships with it dies.

 

Hi, (if you have not read them already) take a look at the 420\520 tests from noteboocheck. A good read, links are here http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo-ibm/570356-t420-t520-reviews-screen-differences.html

Am still wondering why they seemingly use close to substandard screens in the T 14's, and close to excellent ones in T 15's, have not seen any viable explanation yet.

 

If you travel frequently, the T420 will mostly likely serve you better. While the T520 isn't a very heavy notebook, it has heft, which would make frequent travel cumbersome. If you're only going to move it from the office to home, then the T520 will suit you fine.

I've had the T520 for just under a month and have been very pleased with how it has performed. On the 9 cell battery, with office applications and web surfing, I've come close to 8 hours. I do keep the brightness down to bare minimum (as it happens the bright screens really hurt my eyes). The FHD display is wonderful. If offers a lot of real estate and does not have glare/reflection (matte displays are wonderful). Watched Bluray movies without any issue. It also does not have that annoying CPU whine, which made the T510 infamous.

Upgrading the RAM or Hard Drive is very easy on the T520.

C.