Going from a T61 to a T430

My 5-year old T61 has started to get sluggish. I spent hours running virus scan, spyware scan, defragmenter, clearing out the hard drive, etc. but it's still slow, so I think it's time to get a new laptop, especially since the battery on it died a little over the year ago and I've been using it strictly plugged in ever since.

I'm looking at getting a T430 with the highest features except for the RAM and the hard drive, which I'd pick the minimum and then buy 16GB of DDR3 RAM and a 512GB SSD from Crucial. Here's the set up I'm looking at getting through the Lenovo website:

• Intel Core i7-3520M Processor (4M Cache, up to 3.60 GHz)
• Windows 8 Pro 64
• Windows 8 Pro 64 English
• 14.0" HD+ (1600 x 900) LED Backlit AntiGlare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready
• NVIDIA NVS 5400M Graphics with Optimus Technology, 1GB DDR3 Memory
• 4 GB DDR3 - 1600MHz (1 DIMM)
• Keyboard (Backlit) US English
• UltraNav with Fingerprint Reader
• 720p HD Camera with Microphone
• 500GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
• DVD Recordable 8x Max, Dual Layer, Ultrabay Enhanced w/ SW Royalty for Windows 8
• Express Card Slot & 4-in-1 Card Reader & Smart Card Reader
• 9 Cell Li-Ion TWL 70++
• 90W AC Adapter - US (2pin)
• Bluetooth 4.0 with Antenna
• Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 AGN
• Mobile Broadband upgradable
• Language Pack Win8 US English

I'm a little behind with computer technology, but can anyone tell me how up to date this Intel processor is? Is it slated for replacement in the near future? How is the performance of this video card?

How is Windows 8 on the ThinkPad? I know many non-touch screen laptop users complain about the usability of Windows 8 with its many "touch screen like" features and functions.

Lastly, how comparable is the size and weight of the T430 with the T61?

Thanks for any feedback.

 

Not much wrong with the specs, the processor is leaps ahead of the Core 2 Duo's in the T61 and should serve you well for the next couple of years but I think that you could save a bit here. Yes it's an Core i7 but since this is a Dual Core processor you're not going to experience significant gains over the equivalent Core i5 Dual Core processors in real terms, especially with the money they charge over them anyway. I think you would be just as happy with a decent Core i5 processor along with your SSD combo in all honesty.

The NVS graphics card is primarily designed for graphical business applications such as CAD work but some people who have been able to play some recent games fluently as long you tone down the graphical detail.

Windows 8, well this is a tricky one - it's a matter of preference really. Personally I find it too "touch" orientated to be of any use on standard desktops and it hindered my productivity since I got used to all the locations and shortcuts on my Windows 7 setup. The lack of Start Menu on a Windows OS is quite alien to me after all these years. But there are those who do enjoy Windows 8 so really the best thing I could say is to try it out and see whether you like it or not.

Weight wise, given the T430 is similar to the T420 I found it to be much lighter and easier to carry around than the T61 (14 inch) without finding it much different in terms of size. While this is indeed welcoming I find that it lost... well how should I say it that "tank-like" feel which I found to be quite satisfying with my T61. But that's probably just me being weird ha ha.

 

performance-wise is fine, but the laptop itself I dont like.

 

Have you considered putting a good SSD in your T61?

You would be surprised how much life it will breathe into a trusty and faithful friend.

 

+1 and then some. A properly configured T61 is still a powerful enough machine for daily use...

 

+2. More than half my family is still using Core 2 Duo with SSD, and it's more than fast enough.

 

I too agree with the previous two regarding an ssd. However, you did mention a dead battery which is $159 (depending on where you are) which would get me to buy a new system.

 

You gotta know where to look...

There were NOS Panasonic 6-cells in TPF's Marketplace available for $50 not that long ago...from a very respected seller...

 

＋3， I am using T60p with standard HDD, it is fast enough for me, SDD will help more sure.

 

I'd recommend swapping out for a Core i5 and saving your money in that regard.

Unless you are doing any graphic intensive work, the integrated GPU should be fine.


Windows 8 is a bit different from Windows 7 but somehow I've managed to get used to it just fine.
PS: I would recommend trying out the T430 before getting it if at all possible.

 

If you are a touch typist, this is an *absolute must* and I can't stress enough how important it is to test the new keyboard layout - the one that upset most of the old-time users with its changes - especially given the fact that you're coming from a T61, and not from a non-ThinkPad unit...

 

I agree with others about putting a SSD in your T61, I had a HP Pavilion DV6 with P8600 CPU and a 120GB Vertex 2 SSD, the performance is very similar to a modern Core i5 laptop in everyday tasks (office, email, facebook, photos, music, movie, etc).
Regarding Win 8 I just don't think Metro works on non-touchscreen laptops, but it still retained the classic desktop interface, the lack of start button is an issue but there are apps out there that can easily add one for you.
If you want to get a new T430 I'd say you don't have to get the highest spec Core i7 since you will hardly notice the difference, especially since you are upgrading from a T9300. A good i5 CPU such as the i5-3320M will serve you very, very well. I've made the following configuration through Lenovo B&N Gold and it's only $835.

• Intel Core i5-3320M Processor (3M Cache, up to 3.30 GHz)
• Windows 8 Pro 64
• Windows 8 Pro 64 English
• 14.0" HD+ (1600 x 900) LED Backlit AntiGlare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready
• NVIDIA NVS 5400M Graphics with Optimus Technology, 1GB DDR3 Memory
• 4 GB DDR3 - 1600MHz (1 DIMM)
• Keyboard (Backlit) US English
• UltraNav with Fingerprint Reader
• 720p HD Camera with Microphone
• 320GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
• DVD Recordable 8x Max, Dual Layer, Ultrabay Enhanced w/ SW Royalty for Windows 8
• Express Card Slot & 4-in-1 Card Reader
• 6 Cell Li-Ion TWL 70+
• 90W AC Adapter - US (2pin)
• Bluetooth 4.0 with Antenna
• Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 AGN
• Mobile Broadband upgradable
• Language Pack Win8 US English

 

Put a Solid State HDD in the T61 and it will give it a real kick.

I use the T61 as a little server and normally use a T420. I dreaded losing the T61 Screen. But when I had to use the T61 the other day I was surprised how clunky that aspect ratio felt and how heavy it was.

You might want to consider a T430s though. Almost all the same options but you save some weight. And it cost almost the same.

I forget if they offer external graphics though and it is limited to 6 cell battery. My T420 does great on a 6 Cell. 5 hours easy even after a year.

Those external graphics chips eat battery for lunch too.

My wife has a T420s, very nice package.

 

Thanks for everyone's feedback. I've decided to hold off on getting a new ThinkPad, until at least the T440. I think my T61 slow down problems are software related specifically related to Firefox and will need to investigate why this suddenly happened. Using Google Chrome now and it's running smooth as silk.

As for putting an SSD in the T61, that's an option I've considered, although I'm not really bothered by the 7200RPM HDD I currently have in it, but my next laptop will definitely have an SSD.

Speaking of my battery situation for the T61, anyone have any recommended sites for getting a good reliable but cheap battery?

 

One possible option here:

forum.thinkpads.com • FS: OEM 6Cell batteries FRU 42T4677 $38 shipped

I'm not affiliated with the seller.