Thinkpad E540 or S540

[lyubjmf]

Hello I'll be buying one of the models above but I can't decide which to buy. The main difference concerning me is the build. The S540 has a metal like case and perhaps a stronger hinge I think.
The confs are:
S540 - i7 4500U (2 cores, 1.8 - 3.0 GHz, 4 MB cache), no CD, AMD Radeon HD 8670M;
E540 - i7 4702MQ (4 cores, 2.2 -3.2 GHz, 6 MB cache), NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M;

Everything else seems the same to me.
I like better the S540 -better design, slimmer, longer battery life, fingerprint reader positioned at the right end below the keys.
On the other hand E540 has USB 2.0, CD, better CPU and better video card.
I don't know if the integrated video is the same.
The laptop is going to be used for Development (mostly WEB). Let's hope FHD display won't kill me . Won't be played games (to be exact games made in the last 10 years
I'm not sure if the slim will be powerful enough in the future. This will be a long term investment for at least 3-5 years. As long as it fits for the job and doesn't break.
The design and the build of the S540 wins me, but the more powerful CPU evens the score. (you know what they say about the condom. Better have and don't use than need it and not having it

Please give some advice. Thank you.

 

[epicoverclock]

E540 has a lot better cpu and better gpu. do you want to sacrifice some performance to get better looks? what will you use this laptop for?

 

[lyubjmf]

"The laptop is going to be used for Development (mostly WEB). Let's hope FHD display won't kill me . Won't be played games (to be exact games made in the last 10 years "
The looks is the least thing I care. I think S540 is better made. It looks more stable and the display is very stable too.. doesn't bend or something and is made from "aluminum and magnesium alloy for durability and lightness". This is what I think is better and I have touched them both. The s540 feels a lot differently and durable.

 

[epicoverclock]

"The laptop is going to be used for Development (mostly WEB). Let's hope FHD display won't kill me . Won't be played games (to be exact games made in the last 10 years "
The looks is the least thing I care. I think S540 is better made. It looks more stable and the display is very stable too.. doesn't bend or something and is made from "aluminum and magnesium alloy for durability and lightness". This is what I think is better and I have touched them both. The s540 feels a lot differently and durable.

what programs are you planning to use for development? I doubt that Dreamweaver will ever get close to maxing out the gpu on both laptops. It's not that cpu heavy either

 

[lyubjmf]

I can't make a straight line with a ruler Dreamweaver is far from me. Eclipse, Aptana and VS. And always Chrome and Firefox with 1000 tabs open. For now I use the PC for OpenGL and other stuff like some games. The thing is that I intend to use the laptop for a long time. I have Lenovo 3000 c200 XGA matrix ... no widescreen (they don't do of those good stuff anymore). Perfect till a year - year and half. Now I've decided to buy a new one which will be working for me. I'll use it whenever I don't want to sit in front of the PC but on the couch or in the bed. Don't know how good is the cooling of the S540 hope it wont be a problem.
BTW 1-1.5 year ago the hinges of the c200 gave up but still hold on. There is a 2 cm safe clearance (I think this is the word).
From time to time I may play a movie or a game but this is something I don't care if it fails!
Thank you.

 

[Subfusca]

Evening,

Did you make up your mind? If so, it would be nice hear your experiences since I'm currently struggling with the same question.

 

[lyubjmf]

Hello. I did made up my mind last week. I got the T440, i5, HD+. I just love it. It's smaller and is just perfect for me. If you're strugglin' with your choice. I liked the S540 better than the E540 just because I could sacrifice performance for better looking, more quiet and at least looking better (metal case is nice . So I would choose the S540. Actually I wanted to get it but there wasn't the gunmetal black model so i waited until now and finally I got the T440 .
P.S. If anyone is getting the T440s HD+ display I think its worse than the T440 HD+ display. The matte cover lookes different and from there the screen looked blurry for me.