Thinkpad T420 - NVIDIA® Quadro® NVS 4200M

Hi all,
there doesn't seem to be an option for getting the NVIDIA® Quadro® NVS 4200M graphics card on the Lenovo website when I'm trying to customize, but I'm aware that there is such a thing for the T420. How / where can I get it? Also, as I'm not too computer-savvy, what's the difference between the T420 and the T430? Thanks.

 

I wouldn't be surprised to see that the T420 has more and more limited configuration choices as inventory for the last generation dries up. I don't seem to see discrete GPU options either.

The T430 has a different (island-style) keyboard, has new Ivy Bridge CPUs, and has updated Nvidia discrete GPU options. Those are essentially the only differences.

 

I have one for sale. Send me a private message if interested.

 

They actually retired the dedicated graphics versions of the T420 and T520 from Lenovo.com last week, I'm on an email list that updates people on stock and availability for models and it indicated those models were end of life but the integrated graphics would be available still.

So, quick answer, you'll have to look at other online retailers (CDW, Newegg etc.) or private parties to buy with the Nvidia 4200M.

 

the quadro nvs 4200m is not much better that the intel hd 3000 (except of course that you want it to do some CUDA computing). I think that is not worth the upgrade.

In my case I have a T420 with Intel HD3000 graphics and I made an e-gpu configuration with a Nvidia Gforce GTX550 TI. So I can work and play without problems .

 

I had a T420 with the NVS 4200, and the above assertion is just wrong.

In certain games, the NVS 4200 can produce nearly twice the frames that the HD 3000 can, but it's still not as good as a mid-level discrete solution. It could worth it - but I recommend getting a laptop with the HD 4000 (which beats even the NVS 4200 in certain benchmarks) if you are into gaming.

Get the T430.

 

The best reason I can think of to get the T42x Optimus machines is if you need support for four external monitors using the Series 3 dock. The Optimus implementation works pretty well for that with Windows 7.

 

1. I'm not planning to do any heavy gaming, so do you guys know if I can play Steam games like Counter-Strike and Team Fortress 2 with the default T420 configuration (i3 / Intel HD 3000)? With the July Fourth Sale, I might be able to upgrade to an i5 for $50 if i3 is not sufficient, and if it's worth it, of course.
2. Also, I'm able to upgrade the wifi from ThinkPad 1x1 b/g/n to Intel WiFi Link 1000 for $0.00. Should I make the switch?
3. What's your experience with 1366 x 768 vs. 1600 x 900 display?
Thanks, guys.

 

1. Check out some benchmarks to make sure you can actually run the games. I personally think that the i5 is worth it, but your mileage may vary.

2. By all means, please do.

3. The 1600x900 display is bad, the 1366x768 one is likely even worse. The quality of the display is really pronounced when you put it next to a Dell Ultrasharp.