Buying a Thinkpag t420 - need advice on config.

I am buying a Lenovo t420. I need some advice on which specifications to get.

Specifically:

1) Processor: Intel Core i3-2310M Processor (2.10GHz, 3MB L3) is included; or for an extra $50 I can get a Intel Core i5-2410M Processor (2.30GHz, 3MB L3)

2) RAM- 4G in Dimm or 6G in 2 Dimm. The 6 is an extra $80 dollars. If I buy the 4 does that mean there is only one RAM slot and I can never upgrade it to more?

If you have any other advice in config please post it. Thanks!!

 

If the configuration options on the T420 are like they are on the T420s then you can get RAM as either a pair of 2GB sticks, or a single 4 GB stick for the 4GB configuration option (price is the same either way). A pair of matched memory modules will perform slightly better than a single one, however a single one gives you the option of adding a second one in the second slot later without having to throw anything out. As to the processor I would vote the i5 if it is only $50, mine has the 2.5 GHz i5, and so far I am very happy with it, from memory I think both the i3 and i5 in this series consumes nearly the same amount of power when running at full speed so that would be a bonus reason to go with the i5 (you may want to double check me on that one, I know it is true of the 2.5 i5 and the i3 offered on the T420s, not really sure about this pair).

Ike

 

Unless you get the i5-2520 or higher, just stick with the i3. The 2520 adds extra features that the previous models don't have, but the higher end models all do.

Get the cheapest memory option and buy your own. For $80 you can get a pair of 4GB modules for a total of 8GB.

 

For $50 (under $20 a year over 3 years!), get the i5-2410M. 2.1GHz i3-2310M does not have turbo burst mode. 2.3GHZ i5-2410M can burst up to 2.9GHz. I think that is worth $2 a month.

Look at cost/worth over expected lifespan of the machine, and how much it is in use each day of that lifespan, not just cost/worth at time of purchase.

 

Quoted from my response to your other post (Cross-posting is against the forum rules by the way, just letting you know )

 

I haven't missed it yet. If they had offered the 957 or 2537 when I bought, I probably would have went that way. Unless you've got a specific need to run processor intensive applications frequently, the better CPU offers little marginal value.

 

I agree that the i5 is worth the 50 bucks more. i5 will outperform the i3 in single threaded applications. Also alot of the time people buy new computers it they deem it too slow. Maybe for 100, no the i5 wouldn't be worth it to the average user but for 50 it is a good deal.

And I would defintely go for the HD+ screen (1600x900).

 

Mirc,

You've told us nothing about your intended use for the laptop; without that, it's hard to give you as good of advice as we'd like.

How important is portability? Will you be running on battery a little or a lot, and how long at a stretch?

What kind of applications will you usually be running? Is it just typing and web surfing, or do you have other needs?

If you can give us more information, I think it would help us give you better suggestions.