Thinkpad v Edge Series

My HP G60 just died after 2 1/2 years. I don't need much for performance (web browsing and word processing), but I would like my laptop to last longer so I'm thinking Lenovo and the Thinkpad series.

I'm thinking about the E520 or the T420 or T520 -- will paying the extra money for the T series help the laptop last an extra year or two or three over the E Series?

I do tend to be rough on my possessions.

Any suggestions?

Here's the trade off in prices and performance

for $549.00 - I'd get an E520 with an Intel Core i5-2450M Processor (3M Cache, 2.50GHz) and 4 GB DDR3 RAM

for $759.05 I'd get a T420 with Intel Core i3-2350M Processor (3M Cache, 2.30GHz) and

e series ---http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/special-offers.workflow:ShowPromo?LandingPage=/All/US/Landing_pages/Promos/thinkpad/ThinkPad-sale&ipromoID=hpfa01203&

T series --- http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...=7162ACCF009D2872F8BA28660C1EC3B5&action=init

Many thanks!

 

Here's the trade off in prices and performance

for $549.00 - I'd get an E520 with an Intel Core i5-2450M Processor (3M Cache, 2.50GHz) and 4 GB DDR3 RAM

for $759.05 I'd get a T420 with Intel Core i3-2350M Processor (3M Cache, 2.30GHz) and

e series ---http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/special-offers.workflow:ShowPromo?LandingPage=/All/US/Landing_pages/Promos/thinkpad/ThinkPad-sale&ipromoID=hpfa01203&

T series --- Laptop computers - ThinkPad T520

 

Perhaps the one benefit for getting a T series is the option for a higher resolution screen, which is not an option for the E series. If you don't need much performance, perhaps used might be an option. You might be able to find an older T500 or R500 still under warranty for the same price or less and those can do web and word processing without issue. My R60e certainly can.

 

I'd follow ZaZ's advice, and pick up a gently used T410 or T510. Many are still in warranty, and are overkill for your needs. Refurb ThinkPads are good BUT realize you cannot extend the normal 1 year warranty, you can only buy POST warranty upgrades which are significantly more.

 

You can get a new T420 with a 3 year warranty, i7, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD for $899.

See Lenovo Thinkpad T420 14" i7-2640M(2.80GHz) 4G RAM 500G 7200rpm HD NVIDIA Webcam | eBay

 

If you're getting the Thinkpad T420 like you mentioned, I would recommend that you upgrade to the 1600x900 display. The larger screen realestate makes a noticeable difference for multitasking. The only reason I would suggest not getting the 1600x900 display is if eyesight-related issues require larger text.

If you're getting the T520, you should defintely upgrade to the 1600x900 (or 1920x1080) display. Buying the T520 without one of the display upgrades is generally a very poor idea because 1366x768 resolution is a bit low for a 15.6" screen and because in this case the upgraded displays have significantly better contrast and image quality.

Other upgrades you might want to consider are:
- 9 Cell battery
- Intel WiFi card (The $0.00 upgrade if they still have it)
- WARRANTY upgrades

 

Thanks for all the help so far. Here's what I've narrowed my options down to:

(1) fixing my old computer. I just ordered a replacement hard disk, which I think was the problem. But no guarantee that works. Upside: cheaper short-term and prices may drop with Ivy Bridge impending release. Con: the G60 will die sometime.

(2) Buy now. I found a really good discount (24%) for new thinkpads through the B&N portal (is this common??? if so, I'd be more willing to wait and see if I can fix my old computer).

A concern - some recent reviews for Thinkpads state that the quality has dropped and the Dell Latitude series is now stronger and more rugged. Also, I'm more interested in the T420 (simply because of size/weight) which gets good reviews but the T520 gets better reviews.

Any take on quality difference between (a) 420 and 520 and (b) more recent Thinkpads?

What I've built
T420 for about $735 (plus $65 for a 3-year base warranty), less an additional 5% discount + hopefully calling a sales rep with this quote and trying to negotiate down lower

T520 for $782 (plus $65 for a 3-year base warranty) less an additional 5% discount + hopefully calling a sales rep with this quote and trying to negotiate down lower



T420 Specs:
Processor
Intel Core i5-2450M Processor (3M Cache, 2.50GHz)

Operating system Genuine Windows 7 Professional (64 bit)

Operating system language Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64 - English

Display type 14.0" HD+ (1600 x 900) LED Backlit AntiGlare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready

System graphics Intel HD Graphics 3000 processor graphics with dynamic frequency

Total memory 6 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)

Keyboard Keyboard - US English

Pointing device UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) with Fingerprint Reader

Camera No camera. Microphone.

Hard drive 320GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm

Optical device DVD Recordable

System expansion slots Express Card Slot, 4-in-1 Card Reader & Smart Card Reader

Battery 6 Cell 2.6Ah Li-Ion Battery

Power cord 65W AC Adapter - North America, Latin America (2pin)

Bluetooth Broadcom Bluetooth 3.0 with antenna

Integrated WiFi wireless LAN adapters ThinkPad 1x1 b/g/n

Integrated mobile broadband Mobile Broadband ready (no mobile broadband module)



T520 Specs:
Processor

Intel Core i5-2450M Processor (3M Cache, 2.50GHz)

Operating system Genuine Windows 7 Professional (64 bit)

Operating system language Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64 - English

Display type 15.6" HD+ (1600 x 900) LED Backlight AntiGlare display, with Wireless WAN Antenna

System graphics Intel HD Graphics 3000 processor graphics with dynamic frequency

Total memory 6 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)

Keyboard Keyboard - US English

Pointing device UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) Fingerprint Reader

Hard drive 320GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm

Optical device DVD Recordable

System expansion slots Express Card Slot, 4-in-1 Card Reader

Battery 6 Cell 2.6Ah Li-Ion Battery

Power cord 65W AC Adapter - North America, Latin America (2pin)

Bluetooth Broadcom Bluetooth 3.0 with antenna

Integrated WiFi wireless LAN adapters ThinkPad 1x1 b/g/n

Integrated mobile broadband Mobile Broadband ready (no mobile broadband module)

 

Are you selecting memory upgrades on the configuration page? Don't select any memory upgrades on the configuration page because Lenovo charges too much for them. It's considerably cheaper to upgrade the memory yourself, and you won't need to upgrade anyway if you don't have a particular need for more than 4GB.

 

The memory upgrade from 4 to 6 is free.

Most important question to me right now - any noticeable quality difference with new Thinkpads (2-3 March reviews have been bad, saying get a Dell Latitude). Also, T420 reviews tend to be slightly less positive, but still very good. What's up with that?

I did contemplate a HD upgrade from 320gb/7200rpm to 500gb but only 5400rpm for an extra $10. My old computer was 250gb/5400rpm and that seemed perfectly fine. I only have about 90gb of data that I pulled off old computer. So, I'm not sure about the $10 upgrade with a drop in speed (that I probably would not notice).

Upgrades I chose:
processor: Intel Core i3-2350M Processor (3M Cache, 2.30GHz) to Intel Core i5-2450M Processor (3M Cache, 2.50GHz) for $50.....would be $100 for an Intel Core i5-2520M Processor (3M Cache, 2.50GHz) and $295 upgrade for [add $295.00] Intel Core i7-2640M Processor (2.80GHz, 4M Cache with Turbo Boost up to 3.50GHz)...

$50 for windows 7 premium instead of home.

$50 for 14.0" HD+ (1600 x 900) LED Backlit AntiGlare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready

$20 for finger print reader...i think a bug in their system makes this a $70 increase for the T520, but only $20 for T420; advertised as $20

$10 for smart card reader (only available with T420)

$20 for bluetooth

forgot to add free upgrade to Intel Wifi card, but will

 

Dont you have Win7 on your old laptop that broke down? If you do you can simply use its serial number to upgrade Windows on your new laptop, thats of course if your old laptop has higher version of 7.

Do you really need finger print reader? I found it to be cool thing to use, but unless you require biometric authentification, its just a cool tool to play with for a while, it will add those seconds to boot time if you have fingerprint reader, Windows needs time to load all the software for it during boot process.
Do you NEED it or think that some day in distant future you MIGHT need it ?

Smart card reader - are you really going to use smart cards? Smart card reader is NOT multi media card reader such as universal SD card reader.
Smart card - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I had one on my previous T410 and I never used it, unless you require some super security ID tools you WONT need this, youll need this even less than finger print reader. Both of them are useless if youre only thinking about coolness factor+they add to driver list and system boot up, if used.
Only time I was contemplating using SC reader was when thinking about e-signature, but since its not that widespread over here, I dropped that thought.

Do you really need bluetooth? My 2 cents are that its faster for me to connect my phone to laptop with USB cable, only downside is you need to carry it with you always. Another solution is 2$ Ebay USB dongle, that way you can always remove it and once again it wont be there always and interfere with boot process. You can always disable/enable all your device in system BIOS, its quite simple, but its time consuming and not worth the hassle.

Overall the less devices there are in your laptop, the better - faster boot times, less clutter with drivers, less risks of getting BSODs and driver issues, less hassle of something breaking down and thus less risk of having to either bring your laptop into repair or pulling it apart yourself to replace things.

I have BT(bluetooth) and FPR(finger print reader) disabled on my current laptop, dont have SC reader and dont feel like I will need it in my next Windows laptop, its just too much of a hassle to configure them all and then use them once in a blue moon, but thats for me, for you it might be otherwise.
Id call it compulsive laptop gadgetry hoarding

Only upgrades I salute to are screen upgrade and possibly 3 year warranty upgrade if its cheap enough and even then some members here will try to convince you that laptops usually break during first year of ownership and after that should run pretty much flawless thus making extended warranty obsolete . I dont quite agree with them tho.

My 2 c.

 

Oh and as for ThinkPads quality - they vary from unit to unit, some get perfectly built machines, some get lemons, some have their expectation set too high for a common mass produced electronic appliance and expect to get rock solid unit that you can stand on or drop from multi story building and expect it will survive.

What worries me the most in post x00 series ThinkPads is the lack of Mg roll cover in lid, the rest IMO remained the same.
So if youre thinking about stuffing your laptop in tight spaces, bump on its lid, put heavy objects on its lid, then IMO current generation plastic ThinkPads are not for you and you should look elsewhere.
No one will convince me that lid that is made out of mixture of plastic and carbon fiber has better reistance to external force than the one that has Mg frame inside of it, even though someone from Lenovo at Lenovoblogs told me that their carbon fiber reinforced plastic lids are as tough as ever and that you could still stand on them.

 

And a very good 2 cents! 2 cents that save me $50 (less the 24% and 5% discounts) plus possible headaches/things to break in the future. Didn't think about the aggregate savings nor the fact that it's more things to slow down the computer / malfunction.

I had a bluetooth mouse for my Acer Ferrari laptop that recharged itself when connected via wiring (the Acer died in the weird electrical currents of Buffalo, NY -- I had several electronic devices die there but came back to life when I moved out of Buffalo, including the Ferrari for a temporary period). So I was thinking about a new bluebooth mouse, but i havent used a mice for my laptop in years.

 

Thanks everyone. All set to order today.

Final verdict T420...for 660.44 plus 5% discount for signing-up for Lenovo spam (have not received code yet) = $627.44

Plan on calling a sales rep to try knocking price down some more.
--free upgrade from 4gb RAM to 6gb RAM disappeared today;
--decided against $38 upgrade less 5% discount for Windows 7 Professional, will just stick with Win7 Home Prem
--got ride of the frill upgrades (fingerprint reader, bluetooth, smart card) that added cost (would have cost $38 total for all three, less 5% discount), would slow computer speed, and just more stuff that could break in the future
---haven't decided on warranty option, either 3 year base for $65.83 or the extensive warranty (spill/drop protection) for 3yrs at around $175; going to try negotiating a better deal with a sales rep on that.
----for an extra $7.6 less 5% discount, I could upgrade my HD from 320gb to 500gb but speed drops from 7200rpm to 5400rpm....not sure if the speed or size difference really matter to me

ThinkPad T420 - 1 Yr Depot Topseller Warranty
Edit
Estimated ship date: 4/27/12**
$1,435.00
$869.00

$1,435.00
$869.00


Intel Core i5-2450M Processor (3M Cache, 2.50GHz)
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit)
14.0" HD+ (1600 x 900) LED Backlit AntiGlare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready
Intel HD Graphics 3000 processor graphics with dynamic frequency
4 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) without Fingerprint Reader
320GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
DVD Recordable
6 Cell 2.6Ah Li-Ion Battery
None (no camera/mic)
Intel WiFi Link 1000
Mobile Broadband ready (no mobile broadband module)
1 Year Depot/Express Warranty