Thinkpad T420 Owner's Thread

[dboss619]

Goodmorning everyone, last night I cracked my T420i's screen by accident. I am considering replacing it but does anyone know the cost? It is still somewhat usable because I'm using it right now. Also, will it get worse if I don't replace the lcd?

[Hearst]

Goodmorning everyone, last night I cracked my T420i's screen by accident. I am considering replacing it but does anyone know the cost? It is still somewhat usable because I'm using it right now. Also, will it get worse if I don't replace the lcd?

Have a look at this thread, someone was in a similar situation to you and managed to change his screen on the T420 with satisfactory results.

[dboss619]

^ I'll check it out thanks Hearst.

[dboss619]

Have a look at this thread, someone was in a similar situation to you and managed to change his screen on the T420 with satisfactory results.

Just ordered the screen. Will let you guys know how it goes when it comes in! Thanks!

[EZjijy]

Use BitLocker.

Not the type of security I meant.

[Hearst]

I recently bought a ultrabay and a SSD is on the way. Should I have the ssd in the main or ultrabay? I would like for it to be in the main, but I worry for my HDD in a less secure place.

If you're worried about having a HDD in the Ultrabay Caddy as in causing some undesired vibrations/movements then I don't think you should worry. I have such setup in my T420 and it has been fine, plus I tend to carry my T420 around a lot too. Of course we're not talking as if you're dancing with the T420 but if you treat it normally and with due care then the SSD/HDD combo you suggested shouldn't have any consequences.

[Thors.Hammer]

Not the type of security I meant.

I know that. But physical security and the replacement cost is trivial compared to the cost of having your private data in the hands of a nefarious individual.

[systemBuilder]

I have a new T420, and have had it for about 10 days. I too am exasperated with the crazy 1600x900 screen on this thing. Previously and even this week, I bought T42's for my family. I measured the two screens and the T42 has 100 square inches of space, the T420 is only 86 square inches of space. Not only that, in most applications because of the 16:9 aspect ratio, 25-40% of the screen is wasted !!

T42 : 11.5 x 8.625 = 100.625 sq inches
T420 : 12.375 x 7 = 86.625 sq inches

When I edit a powerpoint slide deck it's like editing on a 4x6 index card.
When I try to write code I can only see 36 lines of code - not a whole function!

BUT IT PLAYS GREAT MOVIES AND 3D GAMES !!

JUST THE THING FOR A *** BUSINESS ?!?! *** LAPTOP ????

So the screen on this laptop is exasperating, it should have been at least 100 square inches which means a 15.1" display, roughly. I am in my late 40's which means my eyes are less light sensitive and so focusing on tiny dots that are only 0.86 * (1440x1050 / 1600*900) = 90% as large is difficult. On some websites such as Yahoo finance, the title bar and firefox bar takes 1/3rd of the screen space !!! There seems to be plenty of space above (0.8") and below (1.2") and on both sides (0.5") for a bigger display.

This machine doesn't hibernate reliably (which means that sometimes I close the lid, put it away in my backpack, and when I get it back out again its SUPER HOT because it's been running full blast in my backpack.) Our IT services guy blames the SSD w/encryption and disabled hibernation.

Our IT tech did something "essential" to the scratchpad to make it less sensitive.

The CD player keeps popping open, i may glue it shut or use duct tape.

Other than that, it seems like a reasonable computer.

[Thors.Hammer]

Sounds like you would have been happier with the T520 or W520. The optical driver problem is getting reported all over. The most common fix is to remove it and insert a HDD adaptor and second drive instead.

[frisbeefreek]

Sounds like you would have been happier with the T520 or W520. The optical driver problem is getting reported all over. The most common fix is to remove it and insert a HDD adaptor and second drive instead.

Google search "Toddler Keys". It's a small app that will allow you to software lock your CD drive (as well as your keyboard). Works great for me.