Lenovo ThinkPad for BSchool

Question

Hey GMAT Clubbers. So I've got a question out there for all you business professionals that have been slanging around a ThinkPad for the past couple years. What do people think about this brand of computer for Business School? What series, what size, what features, etc... They are obviously the standard for the "business professional" computer, but are they the standard for BSchool?

I see that there is also a pretty different look between the X series and T series, anyone seen both?

Interested what people think...

OptimisticApplicant · Answer

Sure, makes sense - Twist seems like a good option to consider as well. I may have to head over to Staples to test it out...

travisz · Answer

I bought the T430s today.

Will upgrade the harddrive and ram when I get it.

OptimisticApplicant · Answer

Ordered my X230 on Sunday. Got it for < $800 on lenovo.com - excited to play around with it!

Posted from my mobile device

travisz · Answer

I pulled the trigger on x230t a couple of days ago. I am excited to get it as well.

jbm2278 · Answer

Not a computer expert by any means here and looking for advice - do you guys think the Twist would be enough to have enough power to do everything that we'll need for school?

Also, what's you guys' opinion on the Lenovo Helix (not many are out yet, but it's suppose to become available to everyone in a couple weeks)? Would it have enough power if the Twist doesn't? I've read some great reviews on the Helix so far but it's more expensive than the Twist...

candayam · Answer

I have a latitude 6400 for work at the moment. I love the latitude docking system, but the computer is a little bulky for a laptop. The design of the x1 is awesome, but i dont know if it offers a docking system. I also question the overall system performance. It would be nice for a laptop to last for 3 - 4 years.

dropoutloser · Answer

may i know the configuration? also, did you use IBM/Lenovo employee discount or just the student discount + online coupon?

thank you!

kingfalcon · Answer

I can get this machine for <$800 right now with my employer's 27% discount through Lenovo (the EPP, if you've heard of it):

Lenovo ThinkPad X230
i5-3230
Windows 7
12.5" IPS Display
4GB DDR3
320GB HD (non-SSD)
9-cell battery

Hope that helps.

highwyre237 · Answer

The real question is... is the 180gb ssd worth the upgrade... hmmm... But yeah, I'm thinking similar build and upgrading the ram myself (just adding a second 4gb sick should be sufficiant, nice to know I can bump it up to 16 if needed)

kingfalcon · Answer

My thoughts exactly. I actually was able to grab a 4GB stick of extra RAM with the same timing for $31 from Newegg. And personally, I'm thinking about staying with the non-SSD, but I may consider upgrading it to an SSD myself over the summer.

OptimisticApplicant · Answer

Below are the exact specs. My only regret is going with Windows 8...

Purchased it directly off of Lenovo.com with only the online coupon for $791 pre-tax. Much cheaper than my 'student rate' offered through Babson.

Good luck!
OA

---

Processor 
Intel Core i5-3210M Processor (3M Cache, up to 3.10 GHz)

Operating System 
Windows 8 64

Operating System Language 
Windows 8 64 English

Display Type 
12.5" HD (1366x768) LED Backlit Display, Mobile Broadband Ready, 2x2 Antenna

System Graphics 
Intel HD 4000 Graphics in Intel Core i5-3210M Processor

Total Memory 
4 GB DDR3 - 1600MHz (1 DIMM)

Keyboard 
Keyboard (Backlit) US English

Fingerprint Reader
UltraNav without FingerPrint Reader

Camera 
720p HD Camera

Hard Drive
320GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm

Battery 
6 Cell ThinkPad Battery X44+

Power Cord 
65W AC Adapter - US (2pin)

Bluetooth 
Bluetooth 4.0 with Antenna

Integrated WiFi Wireless LAN Adapters 
ThinkPad 1x1 b/g/n

Integrated Mobile Broadband 
Mobile Broadband upgradable

Language Pack
Language Pack Win8 US English

dropoutloser · Answer

Thanks! i'll probably upgrade the memory and leave everything else th way you chose. i heard about the EPP but didn't know it's 27%! gonna call a friend in IBM :-)

dropoutloser · Answer

Thanks a lot! I'll upgrade the memory and get hte 9 cell battery. the 16hr battery life is really tempting :-)

canadianchamp · Answer

If anyone is still in the market for a ThinkPad for school - I've been eyeing a  T430U ultrabook  for a while. Its now on sale <$800.

Bring this one up because its the  cheapest  of the ThinkPad options with a solid state drive.

Not sure about the sale end date - but I've been waiting a while and plan to lock it in today.

dropoutloser · Answer

my friend has a t430u. he told me that its size makes it not very travel friendly. if you plan to travel a lot, i'd suggest something smaller.

candayam · Answer

Hi All,

I am by no means a computer expert, but for those of you who haven't purchased a laptop for school it might be worth holding out until Intel releases the new 'Haswell" chip architecture. According to Engadget, these chips will significantly improve battery life while slightly enhancing performance and 3d graphics. I am not a gamer, but from what I have read the basic intel graphics package isnt really anything to write home about. It looks like the Haswells should be released by late June / early July.

Here is a link to the article:

https://www.engadget.com/2013/05/11/ae-sub-1000-ub/

dropoutloser · Answer

anyone got his/her X230 yet? i got mine last week. the touchpad is just awful...

for anyone thinking about upgrading to SSD, it's much faster, but the necessary pre-installed programs (i deleted the others) take up 50GB, which is 1/3 of the space.

highwyre237 · Answer

has anyone hear anything in relation to haswell chipset and its rollout to the thinkpad x series?? I'm still undecided between the x230 and the carbon x1... although still leaning towards the x230. Anyway, I really want around a month or so to get acquainted with my new laptop (been on a T series, and the 12.5" monitor will take some time to adjust to).

kingfalcon · Answer

Yeah, I've been using mine for a few months now. Sure, the touch pad is not as good as one on a MacBook Pro (I'm coming from one), but I think it's perfectly serviceable. I'm getting used to the red nub and find that just fine for most situations.

Lenovo ThinkPad for BSchool

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