Please Help. The T430s OR the X1 Carbon?

[Mr.Lovely]

After two weeks' careful comparison for kinds of notebooks, I finally focus on the two 14" laptops: T430s and X1 Carbon.

The Main Configuration:

(I don't consider other configuration for X1C because it's too expensive for me. And I won't choose the better I7 CPU version for T430s since I don't need such strong power. The following T430s is only $126 cheaper than the X1 Carbon. )
T430s:
CPU:i5-3320m
HDD:500G 7200rpm
RAM:4G DDR3 1600MHZ

X1 Carbon:
CPU:i5-3317U
SSD:128G
RAM:4G DDR3 1333MHZ

My Requirements:

I will mostly use the notebook for software development and document works for at least 2 or 3 years (when working for my Master's degree or working for a software company).

And my regular IDEs are Visual Studio 2010, Eclipse, Netbeans; the Database are MySQL, SQL Server or even Oracle. The design tools such as Photoshop or Blends(Well, I know it is an IDE.) are also used.

Now here comes to my key doubt:

Performance:

Is X1C powerful enough for my at least 2~3 years work? Will the compiling speed be slow? I've heard that I5-3320M is 50% stronger than I5-3317U. I've also heard that software development (for study purpose or regular work) doesn't require a very powerful CPU.

Heat:

It seems that T430s and X1C share almost the same the temperature when they are fully loaded. So why there were so many people complaining and emphasizing that X1C is (very) heat when loaded, while very few people said they felt uncomfortable heat from T430s on their lap?

Note that I get the temperature statistics from the following website:
Lenovo Thinkpad T430s
T430s review from Chinese website
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon: Performance

Very often, higher temperature leads to faster ageing on hardware. But I don't know if it works much for the more new "THINKPAD" X1 series instead of the more convesional T series.

Battery:

Will the Rapid-Charge technology cut down X1C's battery lifespan? For example, if two new battery last the same 5 hours, after years' use, will the Rapid-Charge battery last (much) less hours than the Normal-Charge battery? This may be an issue since X1C's battery can't be swapped or updated, not to mention the impossible expanded battery.

Some other words:

Although this T430s compulsively comes with a NVS5200 graphic card, it doesn't mean so much to me, because I would not plan to play games on either of them. Also, NVS5200 is a so-so card which nearly equals to the HD4000.

Besides, I don't care about the storage because I have a mobile HDD. And I can live with the poor ports on X1C.

Overall, the super light weight, the excellent touchpad and the impressive Rapid-Charge of X1C intensively keep me away from buying the wonderful T430s.

OMG, I just feel so hard to decide, the well designed X1C is so charming and the T430s is so practical! Please help me! thanks you all~

[Mr.Lovely]

And if you want to see my "What Should I Buy FORM", here it is.

1) What is your budget?
Enough to get the above T430s or X1C. But not over the cost of X1C.

2) What size notebook would you prefer?
c. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen

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

4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
I only consider a Thinkpad for my next laptop.

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

6) What are the primary tasks will you be performing with this notebook?
Software development, Business Analysis, Document Presentation, UI Design.

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

8) Will you be playing games on your notebook? If so, please state which games or types of games?
No.

9) How many hours of battery life do you need?
Longer than 4 hours.

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?
Both is OK.

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

Screen Specifics

12) From the choices below, what screen resolution(s) would you prefer? Keep in mind screen size in conjunction with resolution will play a large role in overall viewing comfort level. Everyone is different. Some like really small text, while others like their text big and easy to read. Click here for Screen resolution information.
1600*900

13) Do you want a Glossy/reflective screen or a Matte/non-glossy screen?
Matte one.

Build Quality and Design

14) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
No so much.

15) When are you buying this laptop?
At September, 2012.

16) How long do you want this laptop to last?
At least 2~3 years.

Notebook Components

17) How much hard drive space do you need; 80GB to 640GB? Do you want a SSD drive?
128~256SSD + 500GB HDD

18) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD Burner, Blu-ray Reader or Blu-Ray Burner?
Basically I don't need it. I found I seldom touched the optical drive on my current laptop.

[pepper_john]

I think it's a trade off between cpu power (T430s) and portablility and better screen (X1C), and likely there is no unique answer to your question. Probably the i5 in X1c is powerful enough for your purpose but I would suggest you to contact your school for cpu and screen requirements.

[Thecla]

All the new i5 cpu's are so fast that I doubt that should be a big factor unless you plan to use the laptop for really cpu-intensive tasks, which it doesn't sound like you do. Personally, I'd base the choice more on factors like gpu, ports, price vs. portability/"style" etc. Also, while the X1C looks great (I plan to buy one) it is a new model, so you don't know for sure how it'll work out until people get some experience with it in practice.

[Mr.Lovely]

I think it's a trade off between cpu power (T430s) and portablility and better screen (X1C), and likely there is no unique answer to your question. Probably the i5 in X1c is powerful enough for your purpose but I would suggest you to contact your school for cpu and screen requirements.

Well, actually, X230 meets me best, except for the very small screen, and I don't want to get an additional large display for some of my private reason. So,.......

[Mr.Lovely]

All the new i5 cpu's are so fast that I doubt that should be a big factor unless you plan to use the laptop for really cpu-intensive tasks, which it doesn't sound like you do. Personally, I'd base the choice more on factors like gpu, ports, price vs. portability/"style" etc. Also, while the X1C looks great (I plan to buy one) it is a new model, so you don't know for sure how it'll work out until people get some experience with it in practice.

Yes, X1 series is the new baby of Thinkpad, and the total experience about this X1 series is limited compared to the X, T and so on.
BTW, the I5 in X1C is a low voltage version, and it's performance isn't better than the normal voltage version SNB I3(the previous generation). So, is it still fast enough? I know the normal voltage version IVB I5 is very fast.
I don't think I will do lots of cpu-intensive tasks. Only mind if the compiling time will be long for some moderate large projects.

[ZaZ]

Well, actually, X230 meets me best, except for the very small screen(

If you're thinking about readability, text will actually be larger on the X230, though you won't get as much real estate.

[Thecla]

BTW, the I5 in X1C is a low voltage version, and it's performance isn't better than the normal voltage version SNB I3(the previous generation). So, is it still fast enough? I know the normal voltage version IVB I5 is very fast.
I don't think I will do lots of cpu-intensive tasks. Only mind if the compiling time will be long for some moderate large projects.

Just my opinion, but I think even the ULV IVB i5's are plenty fast enough for normal use. But it's hard to say how that will work for your needs (you don't want to be constantly frustrated waiting for some run to finish...).

If anyone you know has a laptop with an i5-3317U maybe you could try a test project on that to see how it goes, or failing that compare cpu benchmarks with what you currently use to get some idea of how the X1C would do. There are some rough cpu comparisons here for example

Mobile Processors - Benchmarklist - Notebookcheck.net Tech

[Mr.Lovely]

Thank you all!
Still quite a hard decision for me

Luckily, I am adding another buying preferance:
I plan to use this laptop for about 2 years, and then I will buy another one and let my parents use this one only for surfing/video/music. So I want lighter and thinner mainly for my parents, not for me.

For me, what I concern about most is the heat performance of X1 Carbon during regular software development or the rarely Warcraft 3 gaming(I will put the CPU-intensive work, not the gaming one, on desktop PC), and I wonder if the heat will affect the X1C's totally service life and its stability. I've read that X1C 's surface temperature and core temperature can reach as high as 54℃ and 95℃ respectively. (Reference from Temperature section of: Review Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Ultrabook - Notebookcheck.net Reviews) Well, I noticed that the X1 Carbon is super quiet even during hard work. The one reviewed is with a I7-3667u CPU, while the one I want to buy is with a I5-3317U, so it maybe a bit cooler.

Uh, currently I think I maybe need more psychological advice than technological advice. So, ...

[lovelaptops]

I'm hard pressed to disagree with most of Nando's ^ advice but I do have a couple of things to add/modify:

1) The OP said only a Thinkpad will do. Too bad, the other options mentioned have real merit
2) While we're on the subject of options the OP is not interested in, I was quite impressed by the price of a strong configuration of the Toshiba R940 (helped by current $200 direct discount). It essentially gets you the equivalent of the T430 with the screen of the X1C for $799:

(Pasted from Toshiba site - my ** notations of upgrades)
Intel® Core™ i5-3210M Processor, 2.5 GHz (3.1 GHz with Turbo Boost Technology 2.0), 3MB L3 Cache ** upgrade
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit, SP1
4GB DDR3 1600MHz (4GB X 1)
320GB HDD (5400rpm, Serial ATA)
Integrated Graphics
14.0" HD+ LED Backlit Display (1600x900) ** upgrade
Integrated 2MP Webcam and Microphone ** camera upgrade
Enhanced Lithium-Ion Battery (9-cell, 93Wh) ** upgrade - 9 hrs!
Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6235 (a/g/n)+ WiDi Capable* with Bluetooth® (v4.0) ** upgrade
Microsoft® Office 2010 Starter
1 Year Standard Limited Warranty (1 Year on Battery)
Notebook Price as Configured: $789.99

Note: this laptop without the upgrades sells today for $599!
We're talking a standard voltage IB core i5, user upgradeable RAM and HD. Swap the std HDD for a 256GB Samsung 830 for around $220, increase RAM to 8GB for $30 and you have a killer ultraportable for around $1,000. Also, as this laptop has a DVD drive standard, there is always the possibility to use the slot for a second HD/SSD.

Downside of the Toshiba: no reviews yet, though the Tecra series has nearly the same caliber reputation as Thinkpads.

OP: I'd look into this one