Thinkpad Ultrabook T430u

Surely the old Thinkpads were not as thin or strong as t430s, so the U is hardly alone there.

 

T430s is definitely thin, but strong it is not. s version of the T430 isn't the most durable of the T series thinkpad range, the cracking palmrest issues indicated this (although T420s and T430s did overcome this with one piece kb bezel/palmrest design).

 

Hi,

I've been shopping for an upgrade on my 2 year old u450p. I've found that my laptop is quick enough with a Core2Duo 1.3GHz SU7300 processor, not a powerhouse, and the screen doesn't bother me that much, but my current battery barely lasts over 30 minutes anymore. I also would like to have lighting on my keyboard, but I don't have experience with the Thinklight. Is that a good alternative to keyboard backlighting? Would there be a significant performance boost with a 7200 rpm drive vs. my 5400? I've seen 256 GB drives on sale and have thought about upgrading that, too. What do you think of the upgradability of the T430u?

My main use is for Office, browsing, email, music, and watching movies in the browser. How are those performing?

Sorry for so many questions, but I got really excited when I saw the T430u on the Lenovo site. Thanks.

 

Well Thinklight is different to keyboard backlight, i would take some pictures for you and post it in my review when i get the machine on Monday. Performance between 7200 rpm and 5400 rpm drive is not that much, if you need performance get the SSD, also the T430u can accept a mSATA drive.

The T430u has 2 RAM slots, 2.5 inch 9.5 mm drive slot, mSATA/WWAN slot, so that is on par with X220 and T430s, more than most of the Ultrabook laptops on the market (unless you count the 3.1 kg Samsung 15.6 inch Ultrabook).

 

Thank you for the response. I read some posts on here about mSATA SSD and SSD installation, and I guess I'm wondering what you think would be the easiest, most affordable, and quickest performance upgrade in going the SSD route?

 

Installing mSATA SSD allows the "very fast" SSD (60GB, 64GB, 120GB, 128GB) to be used for boot/OS/programs, in conjunction with a "fast enough" stock HDD for file storage. Alternatively, a large (240GB, 250GB, 256GB, 500GB, 512GB) 2.5" SATA SSD can completely replace the stock HDD.

The mSATA approach is more affordable, yet provides speed where it counts while retaining large storage capacity.

 

Mistake, or has Lenovo finally seen the light and gave us back our 9.5mm drive capability?

 

Most likely 7mm. Especially, the T430u is supposed to be slim.

 

The T430u has a 9.5mm hard drive. You can configure it will a 1 TB hard drive. 7mm hard drives don't exist at that size.

 

I was speculating without actually holding a T430u in my hands. Thanks for the clarification.

Speaking of CTO options, the 1TB option exists not only for the T430u. So, the concerns regarding 7mm are for naught? To be honest, I did not pay attention to that detail as I usually order the "cheapest" drive option with the intention of swapping in a SSD myself.

 

The T430u comes with 2.5 inch 9.5 mm drives option... will take a picture when i get it on Monday.

 

The T430u has an integrated battery.. Isn't that a disadvantage? Is the another ultrabook similar and better than this?

 

is there a ultrabook that doesn't have integrated battery?

 

I brought it!
Will upload some photos as soon as finish all driver installations...

 

https://plus.google.com/photos/1137...ms/5809540423911795233?authkey=CK6HppCE6OGGLg

This is my configuration

 

i got a similar spec other than the 1 TB and WWAN card.

 

Love the Thai characters on the keys. How do you like the screen?

 

Thanks! sometimes, they are too many and annoying

I have to say, it's not as good as I expected. My last laptop is Dell Studio 1555, which has better resolution (1600x900) and glossy display. The colors don't "pop" out as I have been used to. The color change when move in more or less angle of eyes but not so bad. Its brightest point is very bright but the contrast ratio is low, I guess. I have never used ThinkPad before, so I cannot compare to ordinary ThinkPad displays. I know that there are many good reasons to use non-glossy display, hope to get used to it soon.





some more test: the GT 620M in my T430u is with 64bit memory bw. I played Civilization V with high-medium (AAx2) setting and got 30fps.

 

So, I went to the store to look at screens and evaluate keyboards. I must say that despite the average resolution, even the Lenovo Twist has a better screen than the HP, Dell, Toshiba, and Samsung laptops, so I think Lenovo must have pretty decent standards because I find the blacks and colors washed out on newer laptops even compared to my u450p. If the T430u is at least similar in quality to my current screen or to the Twist, then it should be perfectly fine and better than a lot of the competition.

 

The Twist has the same IPS panel as the X230T I believe. It's way above average for Thinkpad panels. Only one that comes close is the T520 FHD.

 

But according to Lenovo, the Twist display has 350nits, and the X230(t) IPS only 300nits.

 

anxiously waiting for the review and the pics hehehe

 

same here.

 

damn, it seems that if you order your ThinkPad with windows 8, Lenovo locks out the legacy booting (permanently) option in the BIOS menu.

 

now thats stupid, well you can install win 7 a linux distros using efi though

 

ok it isn't disabled, you have to go into RESTART -> disable OS optimised defaults -> then it would allow you to unselect the UEFI setting.

 

My speakers always have a high pitched low-volume sound coming. It's gone when mute speakers. Actually, it's gone when I finished driver installation too. I guess, driver acts to mute speakers if there is no sound signal. That's why I can hear the high pitched sound after other sound is played. Also on the bios screen, this sound can be heard clearly. I often use Linux and this sound is annoyed. (No driver, no auto mute) I can mute speakers but it's not a good solution, isn't it?

@lead_org Is this only my own machine's problem?

Sorry for my bad English. It's really hard to explain

 

the high pitched low volume sound could be either acoustic feedback (so mute your mic), or the dolby sound software issue try to disable the software to see whether that fixes the issue.

Edit: update

My T430u doesn't accept any ram upgrades, not even those from Lenovo.

@rottencolour, have you tried the ram upgrade?

 

Have no plan to upgrade soon, sorry for that ;/
When I brought this machine, a guy at Lenovo shop told me that it's possibly to upgrade by users (also seen in maintenance manual)

I will test about the sound this evening, it's raining so hard, hearing nothing.

 

okay. hum, i am having some issues with ram upgrade on my T430u, it is not recognising any ram other than the ram that was installed in the factory, not even exact same ram from my T430s.

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As you can see there is two ram slots, WWAN/mSATA slot, half height wireless card slot. Everything is pretty accessible.

Also, the ThinkPad T430u with Intel HD 4000 can support 2 external LCD (u2412m, u2410) + internal LCD. Those considering the T430u + Nvidia GPU option + windows 7, make sure get the Win 7 as factory installed option as Lenovo currently doesn't have the Win 7 Nvidia Optimus driver available on the web (and the Edge S430 doesn't work).

 

Hey guys. I'm thinking of buying this laptop, can someone give me their results on how the battery is with their config. i was hoping for at least 6 hours. tech spec says 7.1 hours, and it technically has a slightly bigger battery than the yoga by i think 5 Whr, so it should last at least as long as the yoga at 6-8 hours. particularly interested in how that graphic card does for battery life. thanks !

 

i get about 6 hours on average in Intel GPU mode with SSD.

 

I'm torn in between this, and the t430s. I like everything about the t430s more, but what's making me lean towards the t430u is the HDMI and the cheaper price point ($120 under my configurations). Since it's battery is non-removable, is there anyway to disable it via a program/software while the t430u is plugged in? I intend to use this for many years and I would hate to have a worn down battery when it'll primarily sit on my desk.

 

You can set the Power Manager to not charge the battery until it gets to a certain point. This way the battery isn't constantly charging and putting unnecessary cycles on the battery. If I remember correctly, most Thinkpads will run the CPU at the lowest settings if the battery is not installed. I know this is case for my X230.

 

you can unplug the T430u's battery very easily, i am currently running it unplugged since i am doing some upgrades and stuffs with it. It takes about 20 sec to unplug the T430u battery from its motherboard connector. I can make a video showing you how to do it (but remember Lenovo don't endorse it.. LOL). But Thinkvantage power manager can help you set the battery charge threshold.

The only thing that the T430s got over the T430u are its removable battery, 1600x900 option (but with this sort of image quality who really cares), optical drive, and one more USB port, optional backlight kb, oh and it uses full voltage CPU. Also it has the expresscard slot and the thunderbolt on i7 integrated.

But T430u have in its advantage are::

-build quality (amazing)
-large trackpad about 40% larger than T430s. I prefer this trackpad over X1C's rubberised trackpad (glass finish on the X1C would have worked much better).
-9.5 mm 2.5 inch drive slot (and its an ultrabook, while T430/T430s uses 7 mm drive??).
-great 1366x768 screen (very high quality for a TN, i am surprised AUO can produce this kind of screen)
-7 hours battery life under intel gpu mode with SSD is achievable, although 6 hours is the norm with screen at 40 to 50% brightness (you can't even get that with 6 cells on the T430s)
-it runs cool, which is a plus for a ultrabook laptop.
-Also the fan is hardly audible in integrated gpu mode when you are working with office programs and surf the net. It is totally silent (oh also because i am using a mSATA drive and removed the main hdd to save 100 g or 0.2 pounds of weight).

Finally, 130 dollars price difference for machines at this price point means nearly 10 to 20% of the total machine cost. Personally, getting the T430u is a no brainer, and most of my friends are also very impressed with the T430u and they want it (even those people with X1 Carbon and with no upgradeable parts, lol).

P.S. But i suggest you wait till Lenovo releases the next bios firmware upgrade before you jump to the T430u, since there is currently a bios glitch that prevents you upgrading your ram (yes and i am the first one to know about it). Lenovo is currently aware of the problem, and i have tested the new bios firmware to confirm the problem is fixed with the update.

I don't usually say this, but T430u really represents the best bang for the bucks out of all the Lenovo ThinkPad T series, it is like a marriage between Z61t + T4x laptops. T430u is really T430ultimate. I can not recommend this machine highly enough.

 

Thanks, that definitely makes me feel a lot better since I pulled the trigger on the t430u this afternoon. I'll see how the ThinkVantage power manager goes before I think about unplugging the battery.

Good to know that the t430u has amazing build quality, I was kinda worried about it since I figured at such a low price point, Lenovo must've cheaped out somewhere to price it so low, but it's good to hear such a positive recommendation for it!

 

I'm thinking "this is my my next". One thing I'm sort of scared about is that I would like to go SSD on my own, but I don't feel adequately knowledgeable about the install process despite having done minor upgrades (RAM, keyboard replacement) on a laptop. There are so many guides on how to do it on the internet, but I'm not sure which one is most accurate or easiest to follow. Any words of advice on how to swap a SSD and get your OS onto it, lead_org?

 

I will put a guide up on how to install the ram, hdd, msata, and battery unplugging process when i finish my in depth review for the T430u tomorrow.

Yes. I also was surprised that Lenovo priced it so low and delivered us with such a quality product. It even came with a protector sheet to prevent kb from scratching the LCD, non of my other ThinkPad. This is why i jumped on the chance of purchasing it, the moment it came out in OZ. i got to say this is the best purchase decision i made in a while now.

 

does the T430U have graphics switching? so can i switch between graphics cards easily. would you happen to know if the Nvidia 620M is good on battery life?

 

Hey lead_org, do you think this 1600x900 screen is legit? It says its specifically for the T430u.
IBM LENOVO THINKPAD T430U REPLACEMENT LAPTOP LCD SCREEN £49.95

 

@robthink,

the T430u can be ordered with Nvidia Optimus, which allows you to graphics switching (but in the bios menu you can't select discrete, only integrated or Nvidia Optimus like on ThinkPad edge).

The T430u with Nvidia on gives about 4 to 5 hours batt life with 40% screen brightness, battery saver mode, and SSD. If you push the CPU and GPU a bit, then the batt life drops to around 3 hours. Also, when the Nvidia GPU then fan does come on lot omore, which also affects the battery life.

The T430u with integrated only usually have the fan off in normal office and web surfing (with 10 tabs open).

@zkello, The T430u uses 3.2 mm thick LCD, while the T430s uses 3.6 mm thick LCD. If you can get that 1600x900 to the 3.2 mm thickness then it would probably fit into the T430u.

 

Helpful detail. I just want to add that such upgrade may require a different "flat cable" as in the case of T430/s. The T/W530, on the other hand, uses the same cable (with tiny 40-pin connector) for HD, HD+ and FHD screens.

 

Okay i took some photograph for you people to compare the T430s, X1 Carbon, X1, and the T430u

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This the thermograph of the ThinkPad T430u whilst been stress tested with Prime95. The image you are looking at is the T430u with the KB removed (you are seeing the RAM module, mSATA/WWAN (i have a mSATA in there), wireless card, and fan).

Basically this image,

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Is it even possible that there is no backlit keyboard for this unit? I cannot find any hard info. Thanks, Dave

 

there is no backlight for the T430u keyboard.

 

Wow it makes the t430s look really thick in comparison. The optical drive is certainly responsible for a lot of that difference.

 

In terms of CTO options. I suppose you can swap the backlit "Precision" keyboard for a non-backlit one if you're really desperate.

 

the ThinkPad Precision keyboard uses a different type of connector to the T430u (which is close to what the ThinkPad Edge and X1 C uses, where there are separate cables for the TrackPoint and Keyboard part).

Something really neat about the T430u is that the integrated battery can removed within about 2 minutes, basically you just pop off the bottom quick detachable panel, remove 5 screws and pop off the battery connector and off it comes the battery. To remove my X1 and X1 Carbon battery it takes about 10 to 20 minutes, and there is a good chance of breaking something if you are not careful.

Update: I plugged in my X1 kb which has backlight. And the fn + space key combo only toggles thinklight, so on the bios level there is no recognition for kb backlight.

 

Hi lead_org. How do you compare the screen quality on the T430s and T430u? The AUO screen on my recently purchased T430s is pretty bad, even when compared to the TN screen on my 5-year old T61 14''!! Yes, the new screen is brighter, but its shiny/grainy texture is quite harsh to my eyes. Also, have you been able to upgrade the RAM on your T430u? Thank you.

 

A more complete list of major T430s features is:
-Full-voltage CPU, upgradeable to i7
-Thunderbolt. Nuff said.
-Swappable ultrabay (limitless battery power)
-16gb DDR3 max memory
-1600x900 screen

These features are the best in their category.

The 'u' might be very competitive with the X1 Carbon, especially having replaceable parts and a lower price point, but that's the only machine it competes with. It does not and cannot compete with the 's'.