Hardware Considering a Newer Thinkpad T Series Laptop, I Want Your Opinion

[VinsCool]

Hello people, so I was browsing Lenovo's site, and I really am tempted to get a newer laptop.

So far, I currently own a Thinkpad T-61 (old model, I know), and I am very satisfied for its durability and capacity.

Of course, this is getting old, and as much as it works beautifully for everything I do on it, gaming is getting struggled by its outdated specs. I can play lighter games just fine, but still.

So, what's your opinion about the newer T series models? Is it worth the purchase? Or do you have any other recommendation? I want a durable laptop with decent specs, that is. My current laptop is solid, litterally a tank. If this is what I am going to buy, I will without asking.

 

[Blue]

Well what is your budget?

 

[HaloEffect17]

I'd say go for it. I took a look at the Lenovo site, too, and the newer T models look really durable, albeit pricey.

Edit: Oh, and I was looking more specifically at the T440p.

 

[VinsCool]

Well what is your budget?

Budget is the price it will cost.
Of course, I'm not going to get the most beefy model. But if I end paying 1000, I will.

I'd say go for it. I took a look at the Lenovo site, too, and the newer T models look really durable, albeit pricey.

Edit: Oh, and I was looking at the T440p.

Yeah, it's pricey. Considering that I've bought the T-61 for $150 3 years ago, I will not complain hahaha

 

[HaloEffect17]

Budget is the price it will cost.
Of course, I'm not going to get the most beefy model. But if I end paying 1000, I will.

Yeah, it's pricey. Considering that I've bought the T-61 for $150 3 years ago, I will not complain hahaha

Those T models just look like a boss. Or, as you phrased it: a tank.

 

[VinsCool]

Those T models just look like a boss. Or, as you phrased it: a tank.

Litterally! If you knew the number of drops this T-61 had to endure
Not even joking: I've dropped it on the ceramic floor multiple times (I tend to be very inattentive sometimes...), and it never broke.

My gf's laptop (Acer Aspire V5) was dropped ONCE, the touchscreen broke (as in, the touchscreen feature is not working anymore!), and there is a crack on it!

 

[HaloEffect17]

Litterally! If you knew the number of drops this T-61 had to endure
Not even joking: I've dropped it on the ceramic floor multiple times (I tend to be very inattentive sometimes...), and it never broke.

My gf's laptop (Acer Aspire V5) was dropped ONCE, the touchscreen broke (as in, the touchscreen feature is not working anymore!), and there is a crack on it!

Yeah, it's good to invest in a product you know is built to last. Even if it means forking out a couple more hundred, it's worth it in the long run.

 

[Blue]

JUST DO IT
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▂▄▅█████████▅▄▃▂
I███████████████████].
◥⊙▲⊙▲⊙▲⊙▲⊙▲⊙▲⊙◤...

 

[HaloEffect17]

JUST DO IT[SPOILER
]███████ ]▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▃
▂▄▅█████████▅▄▃▂
I███████████████████].
◥⊙▲⊙▲⊙▲⊙▲⊙▲⊙▲⊙◤...[/SPOILER]

Oh man, my freaking sides.

 

[VinsCool]

Yeah, it's good to invest in a product you know is built to last. Even if it means forking out a couple more hundred, it's worth it in the long run.

Definitely. I mean, if it wasn't from the outdated specs, I could keep it for a few more years. it's just that gaming on it is painfully laggy with heavier games. and with my 3gb of ram and 128mb video card, I am not going very far.

 

[nxwing]

I'd go for it. From what I can see, it's really good. My cousin uses a new one for both her work, personal stuff and some gaming.

 

[VinsCool]

I wonder. I was looking at the t-450p, and this one might be my choice.

I was thinking though. Is the videocard from it good enough? Or should I buy the model without the video card (integrated) and buy a video card stand alone?

If so, what card would you guys recommend me?

 

[Pluupy]

The parts inside are very substandard. Not sure why the others in this thread are actually recommending them, especially since even the reviews on Lenovo's actual website for these T-series products are poor. And for god's sake, if you want to play games using ANY computer device, don't get an integrated graphics card. I cannot stress this enough.

Anyway, since you say that the T-450p is the model which interests you

http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/t-series/t450/​

These specifications are for people who are not looking to do any kind of gaming on their laptop and if any, only with simple games. (like Sims 4 in Laptop mode or Mirror's Edge at lowest settings) The BEST possible CPU for this model as shown by Lenovo's customization process is the Intel i7-5600U, dual core 3.2GHz. This particular model of CPU includes an Intel HD 5500 integrated graphics card. You'd be lucky if you could play a 2009 game at medium settings. It's a good CPU by itself though.

http://ark.intel.com/products/85215/Intel-Core-i7-5600U-Processor-4M-Cache-up-to-3_20-GHz​

I don't like the massive amount of bloatware that Lenovo actually admits right in their specifications to installing on the laptop. Those will only slow down the PC and offer services you will likely not desire. The HDDs they allow you to customize into the laptop are subpar, but at least you have the option of SSDs. (even if the maximum capacity is 512GB)

So since you're interested in the T-450 model that has a (maximum) price of $680, I assume you're ok with any laptop within that range, yes?

Here's an Asus laptop that is actually lower priced than the Lenovo T-450p you're looking at. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834232753

Most top-of-the-line gaming laptops go for $1000-2000, but this one is very entry-level and yet is still quite powerful in comparison to the average laptop, such as the Lenovos you are looking at. The only downside is the CPU is the one which is low in power. It has an SSD, though, which is very good for PC speed in general. Load times with this laptop must be nice. It has an HDD and an SSD. That's an optimal setup for gamers since you can have games installed on the SSD and all of your other personal files stored on the HDD.

Should also note, this laptop support AC network types so you can use top-of-the-line routers with it for fast speeds if you want fast internet and online gaming.

The graphics card is three times as more powerful than the Lenovo T-450p's. At least, when pushed through a benchmark.
http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/compare.php?cmp[]=2908&cmp[]=3171

Here's an MSI laptop that's going up the gaming laptop ladder. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152949

This one is barely stronger than the ASUS and you'd have to pay more than usual. The screen is bigger, the CPU is strong, and it includes 8GB memory. It doesn't have an SSD, however, and it's HDD is a slow 5400RPM. It's also a bit heavy at 5.29lbs. Heavy for a small woman, pretty normal for a guy. It would be annoying to lug around for anyone, though. MSI also tends to include some annoying bloatware because of their "gaming community" garbage or whatever. It's... well, it's pretty looking.

Just throwing ideas around. The laptops you're looking are neat for the common consumer, but for gamers they barely fit the criteria. I just want you to be more open to other brands and laptops since you can find laptops more powerful easily within your range.

 

[VinsCool]

Woops, I made a typo. I meant the T-540p http://shop.lenovo.com/ca/en/laptops/thinkpad/t-series/t540p

This one seems good enough for my personal use. There is a choice for a graphic card on it, which is the NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M 1GB.
My previous question was to know if it was worth to not take the graphic card, and buy a better one apart
CPU side, I think I would get the Intel Core i7-4710MQ Processor (2.5GHz, 6MB, 47W).

Also, may I rephrase it: I do not specifically want this for gaming purpose! If games work, that's just fine.
Otherwise, I wouldn't even bother to get a laptop lol.

Also, I will repeat myself: I couldn't care less about graphics and 4k PC Master Race crap.
If the games work in fullspeed with minimal settings, I'll be happy.
I care for performances way over graphics.

 

[jDSX]

I bought a pair of lenovo X131 series netbooks but holy crap the i3 in them was more than enough for me with light gaming and browsing even though it had no gpu in it, still can't complain the X series is pretty nice next in line of the Y series and you know what those are like lol

 

[VinsCool]

I was looking a bit more today, and the Ideapad 500 may be even better? What do you think guys?

http://shop.lenovo.com/ca/en/laptops/ideapad/500-series/500-15-inch/#tab-customize

 

[HaloEffect17]

I was looking a bit more today, and the Ideapad 500 may be even better? What do you think guys?

http://shop.lenovo.com/ca/en/laptops/ideapad/500-series/500-15-inch/#tab-customize

Damn... that looks even better. It looks more slick and streamlined, not to mention still possessing that durability. I'd go for that one.

 

[Pluupy]

Also, may I rephrase it: I do not specifically want this for gaming purpose! If games work, that's just fine.
Otherwise, I wouldn't even bother to get a laptop lol.

Also, I will repeat myself: I couldn't care less about graphics and 4k PC Master Race crap.
If the games work in fullspeed with minimal settings, I'll be happy.
I care for performances way over graphics.

But you have the budget for a good pc. Why are you screwing yourself over with a mediocre computer when you obviously can go further? Gaming PCs aren't just good for games, they're good at all computing. For instance, the ASUS laptop I linked before

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834232753

This computer has a lot more RAM, SSD, and even has an AC-compatible network adapter for fast internet. Not only does this computer have a dedicated graphics card, but it will run the operating system MUCH faster and reliable than those Lenovos you're looking at. I don't understand why you would want to limit yourself to a poor brand when you can get more quality parts. Especially with Cyber Monday, where you can snag yourself a strong PC that will last for years in terms of computing and video games.

I understand people trust certain brands, but you need to understand your old laptop was of a different time. All laptops these days are of weaker quality on their exteriors. Different environment safety regulations and designers. You can't expect the same quality that Lenovo had for a laptop they made many years ago. Things are different now. When you hear people talking about quality laptops, you won't be hearing Lenovo's name.

But I digress. Not my money. Don't really care much if you want a weak PC.

 

[VinsCool]

But you have the budget for a good pc. Why are you screwing yourself over with a mediocre computer when you obviously can go further? Gaming PCs aren't just good for games, they're good at all computing. For instance, the ASUS laptop I linked before

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834232753

This computer has a lot more RAM, SSD, and even has an AC-compatible network adapter for fast internet. Not only does this computer have a dedicated graphics card, but it will run the operating system MUCH faster and reliable than those Lenovos you're looking at. I don't understand why you would want to limit yourself to a poor brand when you can get more quality parts. Especially with Cyber Monday, where you can snag yourself a strong PC that will last for years in terms of computing and video games.

I understand people trust certain brands, but you need to understand your old laptop was of a different time. All laptops these days are of weaker quality on their exteriors. Different environment safety regulations and designers. You can't expect the same quality that Lenovo had for a laptop they made many years ago. Things are different now. When you hear people talking about quality laptops, you won't be hearing Lenovo's name.

But I digress. Not my money. Don't really care much if you want a weak PC.

This laptop looks interesting indeed! It will be taken in consideration as well for sure.
I just want to know, Is there another brand/model that is solid? I mean, that it isn't going to break under a minimal impact?

I fear this the most, considering that my gf's laptop is already broken, and that she had it for less than 2 years.
It is slim, and the screen is fragile! But she paid over 600$ for it

 

[VinsCool]

I'm still looking for a laptop.
I actually am changing my mind. There is a lot of very good laptops over there for good prices.

I would like to know now: What would be the best value?
I mean, what would be powerful, solid, and not too pricey?

I was fooled by myself on the previous posts. I was assuming that a single brand was the best.

So, any suggestions? My budget is yours (of course, I'm not going over 1000$) here)