X220 vs T420 (Work Computer)

Hey everyone,

My office is upgrading everyone's computers and we get a barebones stripped down spec sheet which really the only insight was that we get 160gb SSDs and i5's. The T420 seems to be listed at 4 lbs rather than the 4.8 the typical T420 starts at. The battery life for both has been listed at the same time as well, however with no indication of cell size, 8 hours.

I asked the IT department about a better spec sheet/resolution counts and what not, however haven't heard back.

Assuming stock model for both, minus the ssd, which is the better overall package (price doesn't matter so much in this case). All I could really tell was the weight difference, as the inside parts and possibly even screen resolution will probably be identical.

Thanks,

Phil

 

The potential advantage of the T420 is the HD+ display to give you have more screen real estate and hence more productivity. However, this isn't the default option. The T420 also includes an optical drive should that be something you want to have available. The headline weight of the T420 is most likely with the smallest battery and no optical drive.

If stuck with a 1366 x 768 screen as the only option I would tend to opt for the extra portability of the X220 although, which it may offer the same CPU, the cooling system will be less able to handle heavy usage than its big brother.

John

 

Thanks, I'll try and ask IT again, if they have any more information. That extra screen real estate might be worth lugging around the extra pound or so.

 

As far as productivity is concerned, the T410/T420 are far superior than the X220 because of the larger form factor (screen, keyboard, palmrest, etc.). The X220 is only an ultraportable and is not meant to be used comfortably all day long.

 

Same keyboard.

If it was the primary "work computer" used and looked at for hours every workday, I would recommend the T420 with HD+ 1600x900 display. (Those who own the X220 as the only computer might disagree with me. )

By the way, if I was to manage an IT budget for departmental deployment, I would not spend on SSDs right now.

 

I disagree. The keyboard on the 12in thinkpads is exactly the same as the 14in and 15in thinkpads. Sure the pamrests are a bit smaller on the 12in thinkpads, but I use a 12in thinkpad all day everyday for work (system administration/one man IT dept) and its comfortable.

Now I will admit that the 14in is a bit more comfortable, but being as I get the same resolution on the 12in I use that for work. Now if I were in the market for eeither the x220 or t420 I would take the t420 as the x220 doesnt offer the higher resolution screen anymore. Not to mention the power difference.

 

The palm rest is the key

The smaller screen, and lower resolution, also dramatically adds to strain to the eyes. Many on this forum have voiced out similar concerns.

 

The X220 palm rest is further smaller because of the wider screen. The 16:9 ratio is very detrimental to productivity too imho.

 

Get the X220 and then just plugin to a hi-res external monitor while at your desk if that's an option. If you don't have the option of having an external monitor, then as others have said the hi-res T420 screen is the way to go. I like the light weight, better battery life and IPS screen option on the X220 over the T420 but for an all day desk computer without a larger sized and higher res monitor to plug into you'll sacrifice productivity.

 

IMO it depends on whether or not you'll be getting a dock of some kind -- if so, then the X220 is the way to go (easier to carry, normal KB and monitor when docked), if not then the T420

 

Agree. The X220 has a small screen, but that is a side effect of the portability. The correct answer depends on 1) how much time the laptop would be used undocked, and 2) the extent to which the OP would engage in activities, during that time, where the resolution would be restrictive. (If the laptop would be used often undocked but only to check email, who cares? etc.)

 

They're keeping it very hush hush, however I managed to find an IT guy who might be able to give me more details. I'm currently on a 1440x900 desktop monitor which I would be allowed to keep, so maybe the smaller x220 with docking station could fit my needs better.

SSD's are definitely a luxury, and I would push for better screens in the laptops over it, but I'm certainly not high enough in my role within the company nor even close to an IT department to bring it up.

Thanks for the help guys.

*Edit* The laptop would probably take the place of my current Core2Duo Dell Workstation, however I would mainly use a real USB keyboard and mouse while at work. For the occasional meeting and crunch time team-work the laptop would be use independently.

 

While I agree about 16:9, all thinkpads are 16:9 now so they are all crippled in some way. Fortunately the t420 comes with an OK resolution. For me 900 vertical pixels is the bare minimum to work with.

 

I would go for a T420. Better palmrest, bigger screen.

However, it depends on what you guys do. Are you auditors or consultants and need to travel from place to place all the time? If so, the X220 would suffice. Otherwise, I would go for the T420 for comfort and better ergonomics.

 

If I knew I would not have to do any serious work for long periods without having a dock setup then I'd get the X220. But I do occasionally have to work only on the laptop for days at a time, which is why I chose the T420 with HD+ screen.

The X220 might be workable for long periods with an external USB keyboard (the skinny palm rest makes it hard to type on for long periods), but the screen resolution would probably drive me insane