Lenovo ThinkPad T420s - mini review

re: Lenovo ThinkPad T420s - mini review

Keith Combs — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 13:53:52 GMT

@ngm, Correct. If you watch the video the Lenovo social media guys published on youtube, they detail the only reason for the 170W is for the high end W520 with the extreme quad using a two or three drive RAID configuration.

@KB, yes, you'll need shorter screws.

re: Lenovo ThinkPad T420s - mini review

KB — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 08:05:53 GMT

Hi,

I've just purchased an Intel 320 SSD / 160gb from newegg & would like to know if I need smaller /special screws for this SSD once i've removed the plastic spacer to make it in 7mm in height?

Thanks

re: Lenovo ThinkPad T420s - mini review

ngm — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 03:43:15 GMT

@Keith

Sorry for being in the wrong post, but you mentioned the dock here :)

I've got W520 with 433820U - 135W dock, I ordered it because I thought it's the same as 433830U - 170W just with 135W adapter, then I figure out the power plug in the dock is different and I cannot use my 170W in it.

So my question is, do you know what the limitation of 433820U is, since Lenovo states that the 433830U is only supported by W520.

I heard somewhere that 170W version is required only for RAID and Extreme processor configurations.

Take Care!

- ngm

re: Lenovo ThinkPad T420s - mini review

Keith Combs — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 02:15:01 GMT

@ngm,

I think you are in the wrong blog post, but let me answer what I think are the questions.

The W520 works fine in either the 135W or 170W dock because the docking connector on the bottom of the notebook is used, not the yellow power plug on the back of the notebook.

The 170W power cord barrel will not insert into the W510. However, the 135W cord barrel tip will go into the W520. It's hard to describe.

re: Lenovo ThinkPad T420s - mini review

ngm — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 18:49:06 GMT

Keith,

Following your blog for a while now.

Just briefly, how does 433820U docking - 135W work with W520. Since it cannot accept 170W because of different plug, what's the limitation of it?

Thanks!

- ngm

re: Lenovo ThinkPad T420s - mini review

Brad — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 11:11:01 GMT

@Tom: "does the Ultrabay caddy (43N3412) support SATA 3?"

No, the Ultrabay caddy does not support SATA 6Gb/s.

re: Lenovo ThinkPad T420s - mini review

Tom — Fri, 20 May 2011 11:42:13 GMT

Hi Keith,

does the Ultrabay caddy (43N3412) support SATA 3?

I want to install a new Sata 3 SSD instead of the DVD.

Thanks

re: Lenovo ThinkPad T420s - mini review

Keith Combs — Fri, 06 May 2011 22:47:36 GMT

@Phil - no, the 10 second boot is for demo purpose only. Typical boot times for the SSD based machines are about 30 seconds.

@Jen - I ran the test that way because it's the default config.

re: Lenovo ThinkPad T420s - mini review

Jen — Fri, 06 May 2011 22:27:59 GMT

Can I ask, why did you engage the Optimus for the duration of the test? I thought the utility of the switchable graphics was that it allowed one to maximize power by reserving CPU and energy demands for those programs that required it.

Did I misread or misunderstand?

re: Lenovo ThinkPad T420s - mini review

Phil — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 05:03:56 GMT

Isn't this thing supposed to boot in under 10 seconds if Enhanced Experience 2.0 is properly installed/configured?