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    Thinkpad T430

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by bdemeyere, Jul 13, 2012.

  1. bdemeyere

    bdemeyere Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi,

    I'm considering to buy the new Thinkpad T430 but since I'm living in Europe, we don't have a BTO option. There are only three available models:

    - i5 low-end (HD screen, IG 4000, 500GB)
    - i5 (switchable graphics, HD+)
    - i7 high-end with 9-cell battery

    I'm hesitating between the last two models. Since I'm planning to buy a 9-cell battery anyway the i7 seems to be the most optimal solution (the i5 is only available with a 6 cell). Now I have two major questions:

    1. What's the (in real life) battery life for a 6-cell in combination with the i5
    2. What's the (in real life) speed difference between the i5 and i7, is it worth spending EUR 100 extra?

    Regards,

    Ben
     
    bdemeyere, Jul 13, 2012
    #1
  2. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    I got 8:45 minutes from the i5 equipped T430 with the nine-cell battery. I'd expect about 5.5-6 hours from the sic-cell.

    Unless you're pushing the CPU frequently, the i7 offers little value. I would not say it's worth $100. I'd get the HD+ LCD above all else.
     
    ZaZ, Jul 13, 2012
    #2
  3. Rezabrya

    Rezabrya Notebook Consultant

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    With moderate usage, I am seeing around 5 hours of battery life on my i5 3360 with optimus and 6 cell battery. The difference between the i5 and i7 will hardly be noticeable for most users.
     
    Rezabrya, Jul 13, 2012
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  4. ThinkRob

    ThinkRob Notebook Deity

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    The choice of CPU is easy. Do you write software, run benchmarks on a daily basis, or spend all day doing heavy mathematics or physics simulations? No? Get the i5 or (if available) the i3 -- both are fine for what you do..

    Next, GPU. Do you game? No? Great. Intel graphics it is.

    Simple, no? ;)
     
    ThinkRob, Jul 16, 2012
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  5. shang2

    shang2 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have a t430 coming with a i5-3210. If you do ratios between the 9 cell (94 kwh) and 6 cell (57 kwh), you get something around 8-9 hour battery. Can anyone verify this?
     
    shang2, Jul 16, 2012
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  6. Rezabrya

    Rezabrya Notebook Consultant

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    With the 6 cell with light computing, I am getting around 6 hours. Anything more than internet browsing will bring it down to 4.5-5 though. Usually around 11 brightness
     
    Rezabrya, Jul 16, 2012
    #6