T520 worth it over T420?

Is the 1.6" larger screen worth it? In terms of size/weight, price is the same. Is there any difference in design, upgrading, support, resale, etc?

I had been planning on getting a T420. I travel about 4 times a year but now that I'm thinking I'll be using the laptop more as a desktop replacement around home, that the larger screen might be nice.

I prefer the look of the T420 but if that larger screen makes a big difference I could look past that. Any thoughts?

 

Define worth, then we'll talk. I would say the 15" HD+ and FHD do offer a bit better quality if that makes a difference to you.

 

Make sure you don't get the 1366x768 screen. Especially in the T520. It makes things onscreen huge.

Upgrade to at least the 1600x900 display. It helps for multitasking because you can fit more onscreen at once, and in the case of the T520 it has MUCH better image quality than the 1366x768.

The T520's 1600x900 screen also gives you the "best" balance between text size and multitasking usefulness.

 

If you're very rarely going to be carrying the laptop around but will spend a large amount of time using the screen, then the T520's 1080p FHD screen would be a good boost over the T420's maximum HD+ screen.

In terms of the other qualities you listed: design is much the same; upgrade/support is pretty much identical. Resale may be easier with the T420 as there's a larger demand for it, but it's pretty insignificant of a difference.

 

Well here is my conundrum, I'm a desktop person but I need a laptop for when I travel. Do you think a T520 w/FHD is going to be nice enough but not too big/heavy that I'd actually use it when I have a 21.5" (1280 x 960) desktop sitting around. Do you think a T420 w/HD+ would compare given that it's smaller/lighter?

 

Those are personal preferences. The T520 with the FHD will get you a better screen, but is not as portable. I say if you want some portability, get the X220 for when you want it and the dock to plug it into when it's at your desk. Plus you can probably get a better monitor for when it's at your desk.

 

If you already have a desktop, I would suggest looking at either the X220 or the T420. The T520 gives up too much in terms of portability to be a great on-the-go machine, in my opinion (this is coming from someone who owns a T500 as well as an X120e).

 

Actually T520 weighs not that more compare to T420, but larger screen make it more comfortable (I'd recommend the FHD panel).

 

Eh. The W520 isn't too heavy without the optical device. I stuff it in my backpack and it's not noticeable with the other binders and textbooks.

 

I've owned both. T420 gone now. T520 is what I should have gotten from the getgo.

1) T520 not appreciably bigger or heavier
2) 9cell battery has larger capacity on T520
3) T420 with 1600x900 was the worst screen I used, format-wise. It was 3/4" shorter (in height) than the T410s with 1440x900. T520 with 1080 otoh, feels just right
4) I got a i7-2760 with the T520 and it does make a difference, sometimes by a lot, than with my T420 with i5-2520
5) everything else feels and is the same, so no negatives other than size, which is fine by me