The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Can T420s be opened single-handed like the T420?

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

  1. sklsy

    sklsy Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    51
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Hey Guys!
    I've spent some time with a T420 and I loved the firm feeling about its hinges and I can open it with a single finger up to 180 degree. Now I'm considering to buy a T420s, can anybody tell me that will the lighter T420s be opened the same way as the T420? Thank you so much!
     
    sklsy, Jun 15, 2011
    #1
  2. Kaso

    Kaso Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    744
    Messages:
    3,546
    Likes Received:
    33
    Trophy Points:
    116
    Same hinge quality. :)
     
    Kaso, Jun 15, 2011
    #2
  3. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    7,197
    Messages:
    28,842
    Likes Received:
    2,172
    Trophy Points:
    581
    It can be done but it's awkward. I find that because the release is near the right side, sliding it and lifting with one hand often leaves the left side still latched. The actual hinge friction is moderate and doesn't require two hands.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Jun 15, 2011
    #3
  4. sklsy

    sklsy Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    51
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Thanks for the reply John, I suggest what you mentioned about the latch problem is for both the T420 & T420s, is that true? What I'm concerned about is whether the T420s can be opened single-handed to 180 like the T420. Because I'm picking one of them.
    Thank you again!

    Edward
     
    sklsy, Jun 16, 2011
    #4
  5. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

    Reputations:
    1,571
    Messages:
    8,107
    Likes Received:
    126
    Trophy Points:
    231
    single handed opening of these T4x0s will eventually cause the LCD and display bezel to crack. The GFRP top is not stiff enough, and the torsional stress you put on it when you open up the T4x0s laptop can cause quite a lot of flexing in the screen.

    So with the T4x0s it is best that you open the screen with two hands rather than one.
     
    lead_org, Jun 16, 2011
    #5
  6. sklsy

    sklsy Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    51
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I understand, but I still like to have this kind of feature from time to time, you know, sometimes freeing up another hand just to open the lid will be awkward.
     
    sklsy, Jun 16, 2011
    #6
  7. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

    Reputations:
    1,571
    Messages:
    8,107
    Likes Received:
    126
    Trophy Points:
    231
    just do it slowly then it should be okay.
     
    lead_org, Jun 16, 2011
    #7
  8. sklsy

    sklsy Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    51
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Still need a clear answer,though.

    My point was not whether to open the lid with one hand or two, I'm actually concerned about whether I must press the body(palm set) with one hand and open the lid with another in case the hinge is too tight.
     
    sklsy, Jun 18, 2011
    #8
  9. Colonel O'Neill

    Colonel O'Neill Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    300
    Messages:
    935
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    There's no real way to easily quantify this. There's way too many dependent factors (temperature, amount of grease, stiction force, etc). Is there a particular reason for needing it to be that way?
     
    Colonel O'Neill, Jun 18, 2011
    #9
  10. kirayamato26

    kirayamato26 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    146
    Messages:
    972
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I'm not too sure about the T420(s), but I know that on my W520 I can open it with one hand. The base is plenty heavy enough. Though, after opening it once on the left hand side when I first got it and seeing how much flex that caused, I always open it holding the middle now. The latch is designed so that you can open it with one hand, too. Slide it to the very right, it'll lock in place with the latch unlocked, and you can just lift the lid up.
     
    kirayamato26, Jun 18, 2011
    #10