Thinkpad T420 Owner's Thread

[YOTR]

This has been discussed a number of times, but if you've had a previous ThinkPad (e.g., T400, T61 or earlier), you'll probably like the T420 screen, as it's actually a considerable improvement. It's brighter than both of my previous ThinkPads and has better contrast. It's not an artist's display, and it could still be better than it is (viewing angle is average, contrast could still be higher), but I personally don't see it as bad as some say, and I think a portion of the people saying it haven't owned a T420 either. I like mine, and I use it several hours a day.

In another note to T420 owners, I just noticed that Lenovo has dropped the 250GB 5400rpm hard drive as an option; the 320GB 7200rpm drive is now the minimum.

Thanks for the response. That is good to know and I figured I was blowing it out of proportion. I suppose if you are coming form a macbook pro or similar laptop with a better screen, the T420 might be a downgrade (screen wise). I have only known thinkpads for the past few years so for me I doubt it will matter.

The only other option I was considering was a 15" macbook pro. I love their screens and the unibody design but they are so expensive. The base 15" would be $750 more with applecare (3 year warranty) compared to the T420 with a 3 year warranty that I purchased. That's quite a bit more but something I have thought about doing. I have heard quite a few apple users only going to a pc if it is a thinkpad and vice versa. They both seem to have their own niche of followers.

[LoneWolf15]

If you buy a Macbook Pro, buy certified refurbished from Apple. Same warranty as new, same option to purchase AppleCare, and the money you save will probably cover the cost of AppleCare. Speaking as a former Apple Certified Tech, I wouldn't buy a Macbook Pro without AppleCare.

Personally, I can't do without a Trackpoint, and I'm not a a huge fan of the Macbook Pro's trackpad, but that's a personal preference.

[YOTR]

If you buy a Macbook Pro, buy certified refurbished from Apple. Same warranty as new, same option to purchase AppleCare, and the money you save will probably cover the cost of AppleCare. Speaking as a former Apple Certified Tech, I wouldn't buy a Macbook Pro without AppleCare.

Personally, I can't do without a Trackpoint, and I'm not a a huge fan of the Macbook Pro's trackpad, but that's a personal preference.

I would definitely purchase applecare. I wanted a matte screen and noticed apple.com has last years 2010 15" model with the antiglare high resolution option for a good price (I guess for apple standards, lol). I normally don't buy refurbished products as they usually are beat up or scratched. I have heard really good things about apple's refurbished products though.


What has been your experience with the apple refurbished products? Any issues? Also, would a 2010 model be okay or should I just cough up the money and go for one of the 2011 models? The 2011 model would cost me about $300 more with applecare when it's all said and done (compared to the refurb with applecare option). I doubt I would use the power of the 2011 model but thought I would ask.

I also didn't mean to derail this lenovo thread so I apologize in advance. I most likely will just deal with the T420 screen as I don't really think it will be an issue. The cost difference even for a refurb apple is still a good deal more which is another negative for me. I have never owned a mac but have heard great things about them if you can swallow the cost initially.

Plus it's really hard for me to imagine owning anything other than a thinkpad .

[LoneWolf15]

Apple refurb products are indistinguishable from new. It's a big deal to them that everything be nice and shiny --it's part of the Apple Experience™. I've not seen issues with their refurb products, much like I haven't with Dell's Business Outlet either.

Buy the model you want based on the technology you want. Older isn't bad, but newer may get you a bit better battery life (Sandy Bridge = more advanced than Arrandale core CPUs), and will get you the Thunderbolt port if you go that route (for what it's worth).

Finally, the T420 is a great notebook. I'm of the opinion that that nice shiny aluminum scratches and scuffs with time, and that a ThinkPad doesn't have that issue, plus I like my Trackpoint, ThinkPad keyboard, and saving money over a Macbook Pro. Plus, while I have no problem using Mac OS X, I tend to like Windows 7 better than Snow Leopard. Finally, I think that the new mSATA slot in the ThinkPads (and Dell Latitude E-series for that matter) is one of the coolest features I've seen in quite awhile, and I like the fact that I can easily open a ThinkPad to change things around if I need to.

I hope I've answered at least as many questions as I've generated there.

[Munna2002]

Apple refurb products are indistinguishable from new. It's a big deal to them that everything be nice and shiny --it's part of the Apple Experience™. I've not seen issues with their refurb products, much like I haven't with Dell's Business Outlet either.

Buy the model you want based on the technology you want. Older isn't bad, but newer may get you a bit better battery life (Sandy Bridge = more advanced than Arrandale core CPUs), and will get you the Thunderbolt port if you go that route (for what it's worth).

Finally, the T420 is a great notebook. I'm of the opinion that that nice shiny aluminum scratches and scuffs with time, and that a ThinkPad doesn't have that issue, plus I like my Trackpoint, ThinkPad keyboard, and saving money over a Macbook Pro. Plus, while I have no problem using Mac OS X, I tend to like Windows 7 better than Snow Leopard. Finally, I think that the new mSATA slot in the ThinkPads (and Dell Latitude E-series for that matter) is one of the coolest features I've seen in quite awhile, and I like the fact that I can easily open a ThinkPad to change things around if I need to.

I hope I've answered at least as many questions as I've generated there.

I've not had a Thinkpad since the T40p series. Can you explain what you can do with the mSATA port that you mention? Where is this located? I've heard of SATA so I'm assuming you can add on hard drives? Do you need special equipment for this? My laptop is in the mail and I am definitely going to take it apart and explore every nook and cranny

[YOTR]

Apple refurb products are indistinguishable from new. It's a big deal to them that everything be nice and shiny --it's part of the Apple Experience™. I've not seen issues with their refurb products, much like I haven't with Dell's Business Outlet either.

Buy the model you want based on the technology you want. Older isn't bad, but newer may get you a bit better battery life (Sandy Bridge = more advanced than Arrandale core CPUs), and will get you the Thunderbolt port if you go that route (for what it's worth).

Finally, the T420 is a great notebook. I'm of the opinion that that nice shiny aluminum scratches and scuffs with time, and that a ThinkPad doesn't have that issue, plus I like my Trackpoint, ThinkPad keyboard, and saving money over a Macbook Pro. Plus, while I have no problem using Mac OS X, I tend to like Windows 7 better than Snow Leopard. Finally, I think that the new mSATA slot in the ThinkPads (and Dell Latitude E-series for that matter) is one of the coolest features I've seen in quite awhile, and I like the fact that I can easily open a ThinkPad to change things around if I need to.

I hope I've answered at least as many questions as I've generated there.

Thanks LoneWolf. You hit on plenty of good points but also reminded me why I also love the thinkpad line. My T420 just arrived so I am going to get it set up and report back.

I love the look of the macbook pro's but I honestly need a laptop that can take a beating, have juice spilled on it, take a drop, etc. and keep on working. That unfortunately is not something that the macbook pro's can do for the most part. That is honestly what sold me on another thinkpad. All of the things above that I mentioned have happened to my old R61. Sure the fan is loud and it is definitely on it's last leg but I got my $900 worth out of it after 3 years of reliable use.

[mohdfaris]

I own a refurbished Macbook white 2008 model and it still works flawlessly. I didn't even purchase apple care.

Are you comfortable working with Mac OS, because I find Mac OS is a bit difficult to do work effectively. Although MBP is a beautiful machine, it doesn't have many ports compared to a Thinkpad and you may have to bring adapter and port extensions etc.

But remember, the battery life on MBP when using Windows is very poor compared to OSX.

[Hearst]

I've not had a Thinkpad since the T40p series. Can you explain what you can do with the mSATA port that you mention? Where is this located? I've heard of SATA so I'm assuming you can add on hard drives? Do you need special equipment for this? My laptop is in the mail and I am definitely going to take it apart and explore every nook and cranny

It's not a mSATA port per se, its actually just a standard mini PCI express slot which is located underneath the system but its flexible in a way that you can add devices such as WWAN cards or mSATA SSDs. I would recommend having a read of the Hardware Maintenance Manual for the location of this slot, the link for the manual is stickied on the first post.

[mohdfaris]

I've not had a Thinkpad since the T40p series. Can you explain what you can do with the mSATA port that you mention? Where is this located? I've heard of SATA so I'm assuming you can add on hard drives? Do you need special equipment for this? My laptop is in the mail and I am definitely going to take it apart and explore every nook and cranny

With the mSATA port, you can put SSD or WWAN card. The mSATA port is located beside the ram slot. As far as I know only Intel 310 SSD used mSATA connector. If you put SSD in this port, you can add 2nd HDD or SSD in the primary HD bay. Plus if you buy an HD ULtra Bay, you can add a 3rd HDD. You don't certainly need extra equipment, just a phillips screwdriver.

[YOTR]

I own a refurbished Macbook white 2008 model and it still works flawlessly. I didn't even purchase apple care.

Are you comfortable working with Mac OS, because I find Mac OS is a bit difficult to do work effectively. Although MBP is a beautiful machine, it doesn't have many ports compared to a Thinkpad and you may have to bring adapter and port extensions etc.

But remember, the battery life on MBP when using Windows is very poor compared to OSX.

I honestly don't have much experience with OSX. I use my friends macbook pro (2010) from time to time at work and I am comfortable with it but again that is just every once in awhile. I am primarily a windows person. I work in IT (network side) so I wanted something to replace my aging R61 but also be a little smaller to be portable. I was originally going to go full OSX but a few people I know at work with macs stated that they eventually needed windows and boot camp for that matter. It kind of defeats the purpose (at least for me) if I still have to use windows on a machine that costs quite a bit more than a thinkpad.

I know that I really like OSX in the limited amount of time I have used it. I also think Windows 7 is really good and honestly does everything I need. I have never been able to pull the trigger on a mac mainly because of the price. It's really hard to justify the price difference no matter how pretty or functional it is. Maybe I feel that way because I never took the plunge though. Most of the people at work that have a mac stated that yes the sticker shock was hard to overcome but that they quickly forgot about it after using one for awhile.