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    How to configure new T450s?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by jctl, Feb 17, 2015.

  1. jctl

    jctl Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm planning to get a new T450s to replace my aging X201, and I'm not sure how to configure it from the Lenovo site. I will probably get a 256GB drive and 4GB more of RAM from another source to upgrade the included drive and memory, but is there anything I should upgrade from the standard configuration? Screen? Processor? I use the computer for teaching, so reliability and portability are more important than sheer power -- the most difficult task I do is video encoding.

    Thanks for any help -- this is an important purchase for me, so I want to get it right.
     
    jctl, Feb 17, 2015
    #1
  2. oct

    oct Notebook Evangelist

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    My 1st thought is that video encoding and portability don't really go together... that said you could leverage Intel's Quick Sync thing, which I don't have experience with, but looks like it could help you with video encoding...

    Screen is a personal thing, RAM can be upgraded later too. If possible, I'd get SSD separately, since I don't trust provided by L or any other manufacturer, unless they tell you exactly what model it is.

    The excitement of portability will wear off after a while, however the power or the lack of it, will stay with you al the way...so I'd see if I can get more power from the beginning, otherwise you won't be able to upgrade CPU.
     
    oct, Feb 17, 2015
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  3. kevroc

    kevroc Notebook Evangelist

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    I would get the FHD screen, it's a little more but it's IPS which is more than worth it. Also, for ram and hard drive, make sure you will save enough money to skip them, sometimes I will go with Lenovo's options even though it's a few dollars more just so everything is under 1 warranty. Also, if you have to send it in, it's easier to not have to take your upgrades out or anything.

    I also highly recommend the upgraded warranty with Onsite Repair and Accidental Damage, especially for a traveling laptop that's more likely to take a spill.
     
    kevroc, Feb 17, 2015
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    ajkula66 likes this.
  4. JNavas

    JNavas Notebook Geek

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    Despite what some others are saying, the T450s is a respectable video encoding machine. It's slightly faster than my Sandy Bridge i7 T420s, which I use frequently for professional video encoding (including 4K Ultra HD). Recommendations:
    • i7 CPU is recommended for increased encoding speed
    • Definitely get Full HD (1080) IPS screen
    • With 8 GB you can run out of memory on complex video encoding, so 12 GB is recommended, Crucial a good choice.
    • Recommended SSD is Samsung 850 EVO. (I have 1 TB.) Recommend you get cheap Lenovo hard disk and upgrade yourself.
     
    JNavas, Feb 28, 2015
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