Pick me out a new Laptop!

T

Tdbo

Joined
Aug 18, 2009
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Location
Ohio
I am presently typing this on the refurbished Lenovo T430 Thinkpad with a Core i5 processor that I had assistance from the group selecting back in 2017.

It has been a good eight years with it and it has reached the point that it is showing its age. It needs hinges, keyboard is wonky at times, battery is good for 4 minutes (on a good day.) and it is not Windows 11 friendly.

So, I am looking at a newer refurbished laptop. I'm so pleased with it that my first choice would probably be another Lenovo (although I might consider a comparable Dell.) No, I wouldn't consider a HP if given me free, provided with a bribe, or as the threat of a double dog dare bet.

My budget is $500. max (less if I can get away with it.) I want either an i5 or i7, with as much memory as I can get, and obviously Windows 11 compatible.

Presently I am contemplating this one:

https://us.refurb.io/collections/le...z-16-gb-512-gb-ssd-windows-10-pro-refurbished

I understand that there are options in regard to updating the functionally obsolete machines to Windows 11. Best case scenario would be a successful Windows cramdown on the old machine, and hand it down to Mrs. Tdbo to replace an older Toshiba that is better suited as a doorstop. She wants to have access to do things that she does not wish to do on her iphone.; however, not enough that she wants her own machine. The old Lenovo would be a considerable upgrade over the Toshiba, even with its maladies.

Looking forward to feedback on the machine linked, and open to suggestions on refurbished business grade machines that are either Lenovo or Dell.
Thanks in advance.
 
if you want a t series up the budget you dont want a 8th gen intel.. we are on gen 15.(I think)
 
Does the T430 have an SSD? Honestly, I might consider fixing the T430 and then saving up more than $500 to get something that is really a massive upgrade

I honestly believe a $500 laptop might end up being not really THAT much better than your T430
 
SupremePossum said:
Does the T430 have an SSD? Honestly, I might consider fixing the T430 and then saving up more than $500 to get something that is really a massive upgrade

I honestly believe a $500 laptop might end up being not really THAT much better than your T430
Click to expand...
A T430 it's not going to be supported with Windows 11, though. I know there are work arounds, but that's probably not going to be a great idea long term.

There are plenty of refurbished and off lease business class laptops available that will more than do the job for $500.

Here's one that will chew through office and web browsing quite well for a good while. I have no experience the ergonomics on this, but my wife likes her 3420 which is a similar vintage and model.

https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Latitud...2011|2289793011,p_72:1248879011&s=electronics
 
SupremePossum said:
Does the T430 have an SSD? Honestly, I might consider fixing the T430 and then saving up more than $500 to get something that is really a massive upgrade

I honestly believe a $500 laptop might end up being not really THAT much better than your T430
Click to expand...

My T430 has a SSD. I installed one in it.
For what I do, it really doesn't need to be much better. All I do with it is net surf, and some occasional word processing.
My machine in its current form does everything I need and then some.
The largest issue is that it is not W11 compatible, and the need to upgrade the second laptop on the cheap.
 
t430 is old I have a t530 from 2012 or so

A new t series will start around $700-$800 and those quite frankly are not great.. $1000 for a decent one.


Where are you in ohio? is there a microcenter nearby? (sharonville, columbus, mayfield heights)
They have some interesting Thinkpad T series, hp elitebook, or dell latitude refurbs but in store only.

For intel the dividing line is 12gen plus is a pretty good speed leap.. Amd is not so clearcut. I look those processors up individually.

These are in store only if you have a microcenter.
refurb 14" 11th gen intel 349
https://www.microcenter.com/product/690132/lenovo-thinkpad-t14-14-laptop-computer-(refurbished)

if you could do $749
they have a NEW 16" intel 13th gen.
https://www.microcenter.com/product...ad-t16-gen-2-16-laptop-computer-thunder-black

a few products in between as well as a boat load of hp elitebook, and dell latitude refurbs.
I would target 11th gen intel or later (12th gen or later highly preferred)
 
Last edited:
Lenovo T series laptops are generally built like tanks. The T490 is no exception. You need at least an 8th gen Intel to run Win11 officially.

The difference between an i5 and i7 isn't that great. The i7 is generally priced higher than an i5. Web browsing and some MS Office work you will not notice any difference.
 
Rand said:
t430 is old I have a t530 from 2012 or so

A new t series will start around $700-$800 and those quite frankly are not great.. $1000 for a decent one.


Where are you in ohio? is there a microcenter nearby? (sharonville, columbus, mayfield heights)
They have some interesting Thinkpad T series, hp elitebook, or dell latitude refurbs but in store only.

For intel the dividing line is 12gen plus is a pretty good speed leap.. Amd is not so clearcut. I look those processors up individually.

These are in store only if you have a microcenter.
refurb 14" 11th gen intel 349
https://www.microcenter.com/product/690132/lenovo-thinkpad-t14-14-laptop-computer-(refurbished)

if you could do $749
they have a NEW 16" intel 13th gen.
https://www.microcenter.com/product...ad-t16-gen-2-16-laptop-computer-thunder-black

a few products in between as well as a boat load of hp elitebook, and dell latitude refurbs.
I would target 11th gen intel or later (12th gen or later highly preferred)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the legwork, Rand.
Microcenter is not an issue for me. I live about 25 minutes North of Columbus.
I never really gave them a second thought because when I bought this machine, they were almost 2x the price of what I paid for this one.
Did some more searching on line last night, found a ton of i5 10's in a Lenovo, but only one 11 in a Dell.
The price delta on the 11 wasn't worth it for me (over $600.)
I could do the new one, but I really don't want to. The money isn't an issue.
I have had such a good experience with this one, and I appreciate the value and utility of the off lease business grade machines so much that I really don't think that I don't want to go back to buying new ones.
The 11th generation sounds good. I'll check again, but I think the web page noted that they were out of them.
I'm really locked into the intel processor. Of all the laptops that I have had, the best have had the i5. The two others both had AMD's, and they were absolute dogs.
Good to know that Gens 11-12 are the sweet spot for where to aim.
May need to head to Micro Center in the next few days.
 
Tdbo said:
Thanks for the legwork, Rand.
Click to expand...
here is the list of all lenovo in columbus sorted.
https://www.microcenter.com/search/...4294967288+4294820673&NTK=all&sortby=pricelow
seems pretty picked over?

You going to be in NE ohio anytime soon? There are quite a few more options at mayfield.

Also you could expand your search to dell latitude and hp elitebooks.. both are more business class. than the standard junk.

what size is preferred, 14", 15.7", or larger 16/17"

Elitebook for 329 6 in stock at columbus.
https://www.microcenter.com/product...40-g8-14-laptop-computer-(refurbished)-silver
 
Last edited:
Rand said:
here is the list of all lenovo in columbus sorted.
https://www.microcenter.com/search/...4294967288+4294820673&NTK=all&sortby=pricelow
seems pretty picked over?

You going to be in NE ohio anytime soon? There are quite a few more options at mayfield.

Also you could expand your search to dell latitude and hp elitebooks.. both are more business class. than the standard junk.

what size is preferred, 14", 15.7", or larger 16/17"

Elitebook for 329 6 in stock at columbus.
https://www.microcenter.com/product...40-g8-14-laptop-computer-(refurbished)-silver
Click to expand...

I'm up around Canton every month or two.
Maybe I can get up there and find my way over there.
I'm used to a 14".
I'm flexible in regard to the deal. If a good deal came across on a larger screen, I'd consider it.
I'd even consider the right Dell, even though I've become very partial to the durability of the Thinkpad.
In regards to HP, I'll never be any more flexible than a hard no.
 
Tdbo said:
I'm up around Canton every month or two.
Maybe I can get up there and find my way over there.
I'm used to a 14".
I'm flexible in regard to the deal. If a good deal came across on a larger screen, I'd consider it.
I'd even consider the right Dell, even though I've become very partial to the durability of the Thinkpad.
In regards to HP, I'll never be any more flexible than a hard no.
Click to expand...
Canton is still hour away from Mayfield. But might be worth it. Can always eat at cheesecake factory. It's a couple miles from Mayfield too.
 
LG Gram is the best laptop I've ever dealt with. And I have two critters at home fed on Apple products, and have dealt with pallets worth of company laptops.

They did the smart thing of NOT making it out of solid metal - I don't need to chop wood or drive nails with it - so it's feather light. Mine is a 17" in a 15" form factor, bought refurbished in 2017 and still going strong. Can't think of how light the smaller ones will be.
 
We have had great luck with refinished Dell Latitude laptops from Newegg. Currently we have a 5420 and a 5440 model, both run Windows 11 without issue.
 
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