What previous model Thinkpad is right for me?

I've been toying with the idea of getting a t420i, but seeing as all i do is light programming I think a brand new laptop would be overkill. I want to go with thinkpads mainly because of the build quality and the design always appealed to me, but am at a loss at which ones I should be looking at. I figure going with an older model would be a better choice, which one would be right for me?

General Questions

1) What is your budget?

Under 700$, but ideally under 4-300$

2) What size notebook would you prefer?

14" screen

3) Where will you buying this notebook? You can select the flag of your country as an indicator.

USA

4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
a. Like: Thinkpad, asus
b. Dislike: acer

5) Would you consider laptops that are refurbished/redistributed?

Yes

6) What are the primary tasks will you be performing with this notebook?

Programming (Java code, nothing too intensive)

7) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places, leaving it on your desk or both?

Taking it with me. I'm a fairly small guy (5'6", 145 pounds) so lighter the better, but I don't want to go smaller than 14"

8) Will you be playing games on your notebook? If so, please state which games or types of games?

Nope

9) How many hours of battery life do you need?

Longer the better. At least 4 hours, but I am willing to spring for a bigger battery, aftermarket or otherwise

10) Would you prefer to see the notebooks you're considering before purchasing it or buying a notebook on-line without seeing it is OK?

If it has good reviews, then ok

11) What OS do you prefer? Windows (XP or Vista or Windows 7), Mac OS, Linux, etc.

Any, preferably windows but I have a license to use already

Screen Specifics

12) From the choices below, what screen resolution(s) would you prefer?

At least 1440 x 900, but more like 1600 x 900 or higher
13) Do you want a Glossy/reflective screen or a Matte/non-glossy screen?

No preference

Build Quality and Design

14) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?

No, but I would like a smaller form factor if possible, width wise

15) When are you buying this laptop?

as soon as possible, but i am willing to wait a month or so for a good deal

16) How long do you want this laptop to last?

quite a while, 2 years at least

Notebook Components

17) How much hard drive space do you need; 80GB to 640GB? Do you want a SSD drive?

only enough for a small win7 install and IDE's. I have a spare 2.5" hard drive I can use, and am willing to buy an SSD aftermarket.

18) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a CDRW/DVD-ROM, DVD Burner or Blu-Ray drive?

Would be nice, but not essential.

 

Current technologies do not have to be expensive. Even if you don't consider your tasks "intensive," the applications behind such tasks do perform better on a newer platform.

One requirements of yours is "longer battery life." While the LCD is a big consumer of energy, the efficiency of the CPU/GPU is a major contributor to better battery performance. This is an area where Sandy Bridge can help.

I suggest you not go back to a previous-generation ThinkPad, but instead consider a second-hand T420 (1600x900), or, if you live in the US, one from the Lenovo Outlet. Another model to consider is X220. Also, watch the Lenovo coupon offers carefully.

Welcome to the forum, and good luck!

 

thanks! after crawling around ebay, the t420 seems to be the only one that offers the resolution i'd like in that screen size.

 

I'd highly recommend the T61 if your on a budget. Their prices have dropped very low due to problems with the nVidia chips, but you can get a late date code with a good chip, or an Intel graphics model that isn't effected very cheap. The smaller 14.1 widescreens often sell in the 100-200usd range and they are great computers, but the T61p or T61 with 15.4 widescreen is the sweet one. They are the perfect size for a seldom travelling laptop. Same size as the T500 series, and even if you get one with the less reliable nVidia chip (date code before august 2008, your still most likely going to get at least a few years out of it and you can buy them under 200 if you find a seller that admits the chips have issues, but your best bet is to find a late date code with the good chip, spend 300-500 on one thats well equipped, or get one that has a docummented new motherboard from Lenovo, not some refurbished crap. Companies that reflow or bake the boards with the bad chips only prolong the agony and oftne create more problems.

 

This seems like a good fit. Looks like it needs a new keyboard, but that shouldn't be too expensive. It's got the Intel GPU too, which is a plus.

 

Thanks! (Out of rep for right now :}) Does lenovo do many deals during black friday?

 

They have deals all the time. Right now you can get a T420 for ~$700.

Lenovo - ThinkPad Anniversary Sale

 

Great! I'll see if this stacks with the new customer 10%

 

T61, T400s, T410s, T410 all seem to fit your needs quite well.

 

12.1" Lenovo X200s with a 1440x900 LCD would be perfect for you. Has the LV L9xxx CPU too for long battery life.

 

the x200's look sweet, but 12"s might be TOO small for me

 

I have relatively new T420 (14in screen - i5CPU) in mint condition that I purchased a couple of months ago (June). I plan to put it up on eBay and on the ThinkPad Forums Marketplace for $550

Why am I selling it? It is basically collecting dust. My plan was to use it as my primary computer (web surfing, downloads, torrents, etc.). However, I pretty much enjoy my old T60 that I have been using this past year. Also, I already have a powerful workstation that I use as a backup and for important tasks. I thus do not need a brand new laptop for either random web surfing or backup.

The same model laptop 4177-QKU (i5 CPU) is currently available at CompUSA. The only difference is that my laptop only has 280Gb instead of the 320Gb advertised in CompUSA. I also added 4G of memory for a total of 8G memory.

Let me know if you are interested in buying it off from me.

 

is the warranty transferable?

 

Lenovo warranties go with the machine, not the person. So yes.

 

Hmm...he's not set to be sent PM's, hopefully he comes back. Thanks ATF

 

Sorry about that. I just set up the registration. Anyway, I'll try to set up the IM.


I trust that ATF is correct in regards to the warranty (thanks). Thus the basic warranty is valid until June 2012

 

Cool. just sent you an email