Thinkpad or EliteBook

[beginner99]

Need to buy a new laptop and it came down to the new SB versions of the above models. I will probably settle with the 14" screen variant.
(eg. Thinkpad T420 or Elitebook 8460p)

I want a matte screen with higher than the unusable 1360x768. Basically limits my choice to overpriced business stuff.

Both have basically the same hardware. only difference might be the screen quality. (in favor of HP?)


Which would you pick at same price?

 

[Broheim]

Thinkpad, no question about it.

best damn build quality you'll ever see in a laptop.

edit: btw, I think I read somewhere that the matte thinkpad screen is pretty damn good, but I might be mistaken.

 

[slugg]

If you step up just 1 more inch, you can get a 1080p screen in the Thinkpad T520. Either way, my vote is Thinkpad. The keyboard alone is worth it.

 

[beginner99]

If you step up just 1 more inch, you can get a 1080p screen in the Thinkpad T520. Either way, my vote is Thinkpad. The keyboard alone is worth it.

At least here the T520 has the same resolution screen as the T420. 1600x900 is fine. @work i have only 1280x1024 and I can manage but the normal 768 vertical is just not enough.

Also in general I don't get to choose from the whole palette of models. I would prefer the model with ssd but I doubt it will be available here anytime soon and also at a ridiculous price.

EDIT:

Is it easy to switch the HDD for an ssd in both of these systems?

 

[ultimatebob]

I really want the T420s, but the damn thing isn't out yet.

Hurry up, Lenovo. Your competitors had their Sandy Bridge laptops with discrete graphics out weeks ago!

 

[flensr]

Look at the thinkpad edge E420s... Sexy beast, not quite as cutting edge tech as the T series but it is more stylish.

Only thing about the Edge is that they're phasing in the options... The spec sheet says i7 and discreet graphics available, but right now they're only selling integrated graphics and i3 or i5 options. i7 and discreet graphics arrive sometime in April.

T420s supposedly arrives this week, maybe today even.

 

[WackyDan]

I really want the T420s, but the damn thing isn't out yet.

Hurry up, Lenovo. Your competitors had their Sandy Bridge laptops with discrete graphics out weeks ago!

But were they shipping?

 

[WackyDan]

Is it easy to switch the HDD for an ssd in both of these systems?

Yes.

 

[Joseph F]

Get the Thinkpad. As a previous owner of the A22 and R60 I can say they're the best damn laptops I've ever used. (Not that I've used many) I would still be using my R60 if it weren't for me getting drunk one night and leaving it sit on me while I slept on the couch... *bam! goodbye screen hinges.

 

[ultimatebob]

But were they shipping?

The T420 is, but the T420s isn't. At least, not yet. I think that it's scheduled to this week.

 

[beginner99]

The T420 is, but the T420s isn't. At least, not yet. I think that it's scheduled to this week.

Yeah, the T420s looks sweet but I would have to wait at least another month probably till it is available here. But I fear it will be rather 2-3 month.

I'm not really sure what the difference between the 420 and 420s is. 420s is just thinner and lighter and comes with ssd?

Anyone now what type of ssd lenovo and HP use? it's a 128 GB one so it sure isn't intel.

About replacing hdd with ssd, is there an easy way to copy the windows installation?

 

[Emulex]

8740w IPS 30bit - 8460p/8560p 32 hours runtime. No thinkvantage garbage software.

 

[Ben90]

The ThinkPad T61/X61 were the best laptops ever made. 16:9 should never have made its way into laptops.

 

[hans007]

Yeah, the T420s looks sweet but I would have to wait at least another month probably till it is available here. But I fear it will be rather 2-3 month.

I'm not really sure what the difference between the 420 and 420s is. 420s is just thinner and lighter and comes with ssd?

Anyone now what type of ssd lenovo and HP use? it's a 128 GB one so it sure isn't intel.

About replacing hdd with ssd, is there an easy way to copy the windows installation?

i think they both use samsung. i am sure HP does.

 

[WackyDan]

The T420 is, but the T420s isn't. At least, not yet. I think that it's scheduled to this week.

Then what is the problem?

Lenovo is launching product just like any other vendor. They all had to deal with Intel fixing the same problem... they all get allocated product on the same date. The 420s was probably originally planned for a staggered release from the beginning.

Patience grasshopper...

 

[McWatt]

8740w IPS 30bit - 8460p/8560p 32 hours runtime. No thinkvantage garbage software.

Great display, but expect more like 90-110 minutes of battery life from an 8740w, not 32 hours. Unless you mean the laptop will last 32 hours before breaking, which seems a bit pessimistic even for an HP.

 

[cever89]

I say go for the Thinkpad. I've owned 3 of them in the past, and if it wasn't for integrated graphics, I would have gone with another one this time as well.

 

[Brainonska511]

I say go for the Thinkpad. I've owned 3 of them in the past, and if it wasn't for integrated graphics, I would have gone with another one this time as well.

What's wrong with integrated graphics? The last generation or two of Intel's integrated graphics have been more than enough for most people and have vastly improved generation to generation (compared with older lines, such as the integrated graphics in the original Core Duo lineup).

Plus, there are usually Thinkpads with dedicated graphics options.

 

[gsaldivar]

Thinkpad.

 

[postaled]

Not sure if lenovo does this but I think that HP switches docking station connections more often than lenovo so that could be something to consider.

 

[cever89]

What's wrong with integrated graphics? The last generation or two of Intel's integrated graphics have been more than enough for most people and have vastly improved generation to generation (compared with older lines, such as the integrated graphics in the original Core Duo lineup).

Plus, there are usually Thinkpads with dedicated graphics options.

I just found that at the time, things like HD video was too choppy and video processing was much too slow with only integrated graphics. It also took system memory way from the CPU, so for my latest notebook, I wanted discrete graphics. I use my notebook as my work computer, and for my tasks, I do do some light video editing. For most people though, yes, integrated graphics are more than enough.

There are definitely Thinkpads with dedicated graphics, but they came out after I already bought my ASUS U35J last year which has NVIDIA Optimus. I do miss the Trackpoint, though.

 

[Joseph F]

If there's one thing more laptops need, it's the Trackpoint.

 

[beginner99]

Intel IGP would be enough. i have a desktop as gaming system. If it has a discrete it must be switchable or else a no go. I actually fear that elitebooks are not switchable?

Don't care about docking stations. Only reason for business notebook is the screen: matte and higher than the crappy standard resolution of 13xx.

 

[Emulex]

and 32hour runtime

 

[bluwing]

Hi,

I also vote for the THINKPAD!!! Still have my T43 and a R52!!! both are great!!! You can get switchable grapics in the thinkpads.

bluwing