Which Lenovo ThinkPad for Me? (E430 vs T430)

[ktrainhurricane]

After much research and thought, I have narrowed down my new laptop choice to one of these two models. I will primarily be using this as a "desktop," but will also be taking it to school with me 3-4 days per week. In addition, I will bring it on trips/airplane when I travel to watch movies as well, maybe 5-10 times per year.

My main concerns are being able to run several programs at once, without the computer slowing down. Considering the OS and antivirus, I often also download music and movies through torrents or Frostwire, surf the web, talk on Skype, load songs into my Ipod through Itunes, all while watching a movie in the background.

I have narrowed my choice down to the E431 and T430. Here are the configurations for each, and the price I can get them at:

E431
i7-3632QM (6M Cache, 2.20 GHz)
Windows 8
14W HD Antiglare Display (768 matte I believe, but not specified)
8 GB DDR3L – 1600MHz (2 DIMM)
Fingerprint Reader
720p HD Camera with Microphone
500GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
Micro Hard Drive: 24 GB NGFF SSD
6 cell Li-Ion Battery 62WH – 75+
$805.56

^And I can get the same configuration but with no SSD and 1 TB Hard Disk Drive @ 5400rpm instead for $847.56
*(HOW DO THEY COMPARE?)*


T430
i5-3320M Processor (3M Cache, up to 3.30 GHz)
Windows 8
HD+ (1600x900) LED Backlit AntiGlare Display
8 GB DDR3 – 1600MHz (2 DIMM)
Backlit Keyboard
UltraNav with Fingerprint Reader
720p HD Camera with Microphone
500GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
9 Cell Li-Ion TWL 70++
$824.25

^This one gets interesting because of the different processor and memory options I can choose from. For example, I can get the same thing, but with:
i5-3380M (3M Cache, up to 3.60GHz) for $60 more,
i7-3520M (4M Cache, up to 3.60GHz) for $160 more, and I can add
16GB mSATA Solid State Chache Drive to any option for $40 more.

^So, with 16GB mSATA for $864.25,
with i5-3380M for $884.25,
with i5-3380M and 16GB mSATA for $924.25,
with i7-3520M for $984.25,
with i7-3520M and 16GB mSATA for $1,024.25 (too expensive).
*(HOW DO THEY COMPARE?)*

 

[kirilmatthew]

Get the E431. Its the more powerful of the two and it has a quad core CPU. Not other that but it is cheaper. Since you multitask a lot the i7 quad will help you out a lot. Both configs will get the job done, but the first config is much better value and will probably suit you better. Hope this helps.

 

[ktrainhurricane]

I also plan to keep my media stored on the computer - all my songs (about 2500), all my movies (about 25), all my music videos/video clips that are <4 mins. in length (about 250), and all my pictures (a few hundred) - in addition to my schoolwork documents (Word, Ppt., etc). I will use an external drive for important files, but most of it will be left on the computer.

 

[ktrainhurricane]

Get the E431. Its the more powerful of the two and it has a quad core CPU. Not other that but it is cheaper. Since you multitask a lot the i7 quad will help you out a lot. Both configs will get the job done, but the first config is much better value and will probably suit you better. Hope this helps.

Yes it does help very much, thanks!

Isn't the T-Series supposed to be Lenovo's "flagship" line though? I do agree that the Edge looks better on paper, but I don't know how or why that is.

The one big drawback (that I see, at least) with the Edge is the screen resolution - I believe it only comes in 720p and does not have an option to upgrade to 900p like the T-Series does. Also, the T-Series has the option for a 9-cell battery, which I read provides much longer life than the regular 6-cell.

 

[kirilmatthew]

Get the E431. Its the more powerful of the two and it has a quad core CPU. Not other that but it is cheaper. Since you multitask a lot the i7 quad will help you out a lot. Both configs will get the job done, but the first config is much better value and will probably suit you better. Hope this helps.

Yes it does help very much, thanks!

Isn't the T-Series supposed to be Lenovo's "flagship" line though? I do agree that the Edge looks better on paper, but I don't know how or why that is.

The one big drawback (that I see, at least) with the Edge is the screen resolution - I believe it only comes in 720p and does not have an option to upgrade to 900p like the T-Series does. Also, the T-Series has the option for a 9-cell battery, which I read provides much longer life than the regular 6-cell.

The screen upgrade seems like a worthy choice to me, that will make a difference when you watch movies. As for the battery, it all depends on if you value performance or battery life. The first one is unquestionably faster, but battery life may suffer. I'd check the battery life ratings and see if both satisfy your needs.

 

[ktrainhurricane]

The screen upgrade seems like a worthy choice to me, that will make a difference when you watch movies. As for the battery, it all depends on if you value performance or battery life. The first one is unquestionably faster, but battery life may suffer. I'd check the battery life ratings and see if both satisfy your needs.

Ok, so now you think it's a better idea to go for the T430 because I can get the higher resolution screen? Is the quad-core processor of the E431 necessary for me, or would the dual-core of the T430 suffice? I'm confused! Haha

 

[kirilmatthew]

Ok, so now you think it's a better idea to go for the T430 because I can get the higher resolution screen? Is the quad-core processor of the E431 necessary for me, or would the dual-core of the T430 suffice? I'm confused! Haha

I thought you said you could upgrade the screen of the 431! Haha sorry for the confusion. The bottom line is that the i7 will be nice, but it is far from necessary. Both PCs will do what you want very well. If you think too many sacrifices are being made to other parts of the computer, then go with the T430. The i5s are still very powerful.

 

[ktrainhurricane]

Ok, so now you think it's a better idea to go for the T430 because I can get the higher resolution screen? Is the quad-core processor of the E431 necessary for me, or would the dual-core of the T430 suffice? I'm confused! Haha

I thought you said you could upgrade the screen of the 431! Haha sorry for the confusion. The bottom line is that the i7 will be nice, but it is far from necessary. Both PCs will do what you want very well. If you think too many sacrifices are being made to other parts of the computer, then go with the T430. The i5s are still very powerful.

Not a problem! I appreciate the help...

For what it's worth, I am also able to get a Refurbished T430 with the following specs:

i7-3520 (4M Cache, 2.9GHz w/ Turbo Boost to 3.60GHz)
1600x900 Resolution
720p HD Camera with Mic
UltraNav Keyboard (Backlit) w/ Fingerprint Reader
8 GB DDR3
500 GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
Bluetooth
9-cell battery
Full 1-year Lenovo warranty (until Aug 2014)
for $800


How do the dual-core i7 processors compare to the dual-core i5? There are too many options available for me to know what the differences are!!!

 

[kirilmatthew]

Ok, so now you think it's a better idea to go for the T430 because I can get the higher resolution screen? Is the quad-core processor of the E431 necessary for me, or would the dual-core of the T430 suffice? I'm confused! Haha

I thought you said you could upgrade the screen of the 431! Haha sorry for the confusion. The bottom line is that the i7 will be nice, but it is far from necessary. Both PCs will do what you want very well. If you think too many sacrifices are being made to other parts of the computer, then go with the T430. The i5s are still very powerful.

Not a problem! I appreciate the help...

For what it's worth, I am also able to get a Refurbished T430 with the following specs:

i7-3520 (4M Cache, 2.9GHz w/ Turbo Boost to 3.60GHz)
1600x900 Resolution
720p HD Camera with Mic
UltraNav Keyboard (Backlit) w/ Fingerprint Reader
8 GB DDR3
500 GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
Bluetooth
9-cell battery
Full 1-year Lenovo warranty (until Aug 2014)
for $800


How do the dual-core i7 processors compare to the dual-core i5? There are too many options available for me to know what the differences are!!!

Dual core i7 is only a little bit better then i5. That refreshed model looks like the best option to me and it still comes with a full one year warranty. That's what I'd go for!

 

[ktrainhurricane]

Dual core i7 is only a little bit better then i5. That refreshed model looks like the best option to me and it still comes with a full one year warranty. That's what I'd go for!

Would the lack of the 16GB mSATA Solid State Chache Drive make a big difference if I went with the Refurbished one? Or conversely, would opting to add it to any of the T430 variations (with i7 or either of the two i5 processors) yield a huge benefit in any way?

 

[kirilmatthew]

Dual core i7 is only a little bit better then i5. That refreshed model looks like the best option to me and it still comes with a full one year warranty. That's what I'd go for!

Would the lack of the 16GB mSATA Solid State Chache Drive make a big difference if I went with the Refurbished one? Or conversely, would opting to add it to any of the T430 variations (with i7 or either of the two i5 processors) yield a huge benefit in any way?

It would boot up a little faster and access files a bit faster and stuff like that, but I don't think its worth spending money on.

 

[ktrainhurricane]

+1 for the Lenovo Thinkpad Edge E431 62775GU http/www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CXVMMIC/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00CXVMMIC&linkCode=as2&tag=b0b929-20

Thanks!
_____________________________________________________
After doing some more research and thinking it over for awhile, I have narrowed down my search specifically to the Refurbished T430 and the E431. Here is a Pros vs. Cons list I made for the two:

Refurbished T430
+ "Real" ThinkPad construction quality
+ 900p screen
+ Backlit Keyboard
- Dual-core processor

E431
+ Quad-core processor
+ Brand new
- 768p screen


All opinions are encouraged and are greatly appreciated!!!