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    Best notebook for general use?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by zachf31, Jun 15, 2011.

  1. zachf31

    zachf31 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I need a new laptop and I have been looking a lot at Lenovos. I'll be using it for general purposes--surfing the web, music, and videos (no gaming). I'm looking for a i5 or i7 processor with a long battery life (5/6+ hrs). Which Lenovo fits this bill the most? I'm eying the Thinkpad Edge E520 or E420s because of their price, but the L520, T520, and X220s are also enticing for a higher cost. Thanks in advance.
     
    zachf31, Jun 15, 2011
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  2. thetoast

    thetoast Notebook Evangelist

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    You've listed quite a range of laptops. What's important to you in the topics of:

    -storage options
    -screen size
    -portability
    -performance
     
    thetoast, Jun 15, 2011
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  3. zachf31

    zachf31 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Storage - 320 GB HD is enough. I won't use anywhere near that.

    Screen size - Preferably above 13" (my main gripe against the X220), and 1366x768 resolution is fine with me.

    Portability - I don't need to carry it around that often

    Performance - Preferably very high performance numbers and very fast
     
    zachf31, Jun 15, 2011
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  4. LoneWolf15

    LoneWolf15 The Chairman

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    How important is durability? Do you have a preference between traditional or island/chiclet-style keyboards?
     
    LoneWolf15, Jun 15, 2011
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  5. zachf31

    zachf31 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'd like this laptop to last 2-3 years at the least, and keyboard style doesn't matter to me.
     
    zachf31, Jun 15, 2011
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  6. zachf31

    zachf31 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I've narrowed my search down to two options: the T520 and the Edge E520.

    Both would have a Core i5-2410M processor; Intel HD Graphics 3000; 320 GB hard disk drive; and 6-cell lithium ion batteries. Here are the prices and the unique specs for each:

    Thinkpad T520
    $710
    15.6" HD+ (1600 x 900) LED Backlit Anti-Glare Display
    2 GB DDR3 - 1333MHz (1 DIMM)
    DVD recordable multiburner
    Integrated Mobile Broadband

    Thinkpad Edge E520
    $569
    15.6 W HD (1366x768) Anti-Glare, Midnight Black
    4 GB DDR3 - 1333MHz (1 DIMM)
    Multi Recorder Optical Drive (12.7mm)
    No WWAN support

    (There are no options to upgrade the resolution of the E520.)

    Any opinions? Thanks!
     
    zachf31, Jun 16, 2011
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  7. Kaso

    Kaso Notebook Virtuoso

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    There you go!

    You'll be happier with a T520. :) (You can add a second 2GB or 4GB RAM stick yourself.)
     
    Kaso, Jun 16, 2011
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  8. bogatyr

    bogatyr Notebook Evangelist

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    The 15.4" is pretty big, I would consider the T420 over the T520. The T series is a very dependable set of laptops.

    And like Kaso said, add extra memory on your own - don't buy from Lenovo, they're overpriced.
     
    bogatyr, Jun 16, 2011
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  9. princealyy

    princealyy Notebook Evangelist

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    I second the T420 .... personally I feel the T520 is too large... If you are trying to slim it down, go for the T420s.....
     
    princealyy, Jun 16, 2011
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  10. Kaso

    Kaso Notebook Virtuoso

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    The OP wrote...

    So I don't think having a bit of less thickness and weight, or being "too large," applies in this case. :)
     
    Kaso, Jun 16, 2011
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  11. zachf31

    zachf31 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Seems like the final choice is between the T420 and the T520. I use a 15.4" laptop right now but I have a 14" laptop lying around, so I'll definitely be able to decide on which size to buy. Thanks guys.
     
    zachf31, Jun 16, 2011
    #11