t420 or t420s with i5 or i7

[TSTE1982]

hi, i'm currently looking for a new notebook. i can't decide between the t420 and t420s. i read about the fan problems with the t420s. i had a t410s before, but this was ok. which one is more tough and doesn't care about beeing put in a bag with books and stuff. i think the t420 is more capable for this. the price with the same ssd and optimus is the same, so it is not a decision of price. and the other problem is the i5 vs i7 decision. i would prefer the i7 unless you can't feel the difference. i think the i7 is better for the future and more longer use. thanks

[tanujhanda Retired Partner]

Intel i7 is more advance and fast then i5.

I suggest you to go for i7 processor.

If you have some doubts and as per your requirement, you may try using the Intel tool which help in deciding the good processor.

http://www.intel.com/consumer/products/processors/comparison.htm

Best Regards,

Tanuj

[TSTE1982]

i decided to go with the i7, but don't know if i should take the t420 or t420s.

[lead_org Microsoft MVP Contributor]

T420 is tougher, but the T420s is also greatly improved over the T410s.

If you are getting the T420s i would go with the i5 CPU, if you are going with the T420 i would go with the i7.

[TSTE1982]

why would you go with the i5 on the T420s? you think the T420 is tougher, why? is this fan issue really an annoying problem?

[lead_org Microsoft MVP Contributor]

1) T420s has smaller heatsink/fan then the T420, as such running a slightly slower CPU would slightly reduce the system temperature.

2) T420 is tougher because it has a thicker internal chassis, whereas the T420s uses a lighter chassis to minimise weight. Furthermore, the bottom case of the T420 consist of an external composite polymer casing and an internal magnesium roll cage, whereas the T420s bottom case consists entirely of a magnesium casing.

3) Not sure about the fan issue.

[ReneW]

Hi TSTE1982,

T420s is very good piece of hardware but fan noise is really anoying on T420s so I would recommend you to test it before making a purchase. It depends on your working environment but I'm getting crazy when working evening/night and listening the fan rotating at max speed when writing a document in Word.

Unfortunately, Lenovo gave up and not willing to fix the issue either by software (BIOS update) or by replacing fan -- there is very very long thread about this...

Good luck!

R.