If you’re in the market to purchase a Lenovo ThinkPad 14” screen laptop you’ve probably looked at both the Lenovo ThinkPad T430 and T430s and scratched your head thinking, what’s the difference between these two laptops? More specifically, why is the ThinkPad T430s more expensive than the T430 and is what your getting (or not getting) worth the extra price?
To start, here are links to the product pages for the models on Lenovo.com we are comparing:
Lenovo ThinkPad T430
Lenovo ThinkPad T430s
Lenovo has been offering a slim version of their popular T-series for a few years now. It started with the T400s back in 2009 and since then every release has included an “s” version of the regular T-series. The suffix of “s” stands for slim, as that’s the essential difference between the models, those that crave or need a thinner and lighter laptop but still want something with a fully fledged processor might look more closely at the T430s.
This years models vary nearly up to 1 pound in weight starting out. With the standard 6-cell battery on both models the T430 weighs a quoted 4.78lbs while the T430s weighs 3.90lbs. Now, that might not sound like a giant difference and you may be thinking to yourself “what’s an extra 1 pound of weight”, but in percentage terms the T430 weighs 22% more. In real world terms, you can definitely notice the weight difference when picking a notebook up with one hand, in my experience when a laptop goes over 4lbs of weight it becomes cumbersome to hold level with one hand while suspending it in the air.
Thickness wise, the T430s ranges between 0.83” and 1.02” from front to back as it’s slightly sloped. So at the front it’s almost Ultrabook thin while at the back it’s a reasonable 1-inch thick. The T430 regular meanwhile is 1.18” to 1.20” from front to back with the 6-cell battery. Again, that’s about a 20% increase in thickness and enough that you will notice it. We should also note (thanks to Gary’s comment) that the internal skeleton for the T430s appears to be different, it lacks a separate structural magnesium roll cage slab and the chassis looks more like the ThinkPad X230 internally.
We’ve stated the areas in which the T430s is better than the T430, so let’s switch gears here. Why would you want the T430 that’s thicker and heavier over the T430s? The biggest difference is cost, the T430s is anywhere from $100 – $150 more expensive for a similar configuration. If you’re on a budget, it’s tough to swallow paying that much more for something that performs the same. You also get more processor options with the T430, right now there are three processor choices for the T430 and just three for the T430s. Both top out with up to a Core i7-3520M 2.90GHz Intel Ivy Bridge processor, so you can configure them with the same processing performance. However, the Nvidia NVS 5400M available in the T430, is not available in the T430s, the max for that model is the Nvidia NVS 5200M. Given the expense of the graphics card upgrade at over $200, I think most people will be satisfied with the regular Intel HD 4000 graphics. The Nvidia NVS graphics aren’t that powerful anyway.
Outside of the performance differences, the T430 also offer a larger sized 9-cell battery whereas the T430s maxes out with a 6-cell. You can opt for a 3-cell battery in the Ultrabay for both models however. You also get one less USB 2.0 port in the T430s. I don’t think that’s a deal breaker, outside of that port difference everything else is the same and both come with two USB 3.0 ports which is what’s important.
So which is the better buy between the these two ThinkPad models? That’s up to you to decide based on your needs. If you value the thinner and lighter profile of the T430s I’d say it’s definitely worth the extra $130 or so. However, if you’ll be at a desk all day and not very mobile, you might as well save your money and go with the T430.
Below is a handy dandy table comparison of the T430 and T430s, the areas in which there’s a difference are marked by red row headers:
ThinkPad T430 ThinkPad T430s (Slim)
Processor Options
Intel Core i3-2370M Processor (3M Cache, 2.40GHz)
Intel Core i5-3210M Processor (3M Cache, 2.50GHz)
Intel Core i5-2520M Processor (3M Cache, 2.50GHz)
Intel Core i5-3320M Processor (3M Cache, 2.60GHz)
Intel Core i5-3360M Processor (3M Cache, 2.80GHz)
Intel Core i7-3520M Processor (4MB L3, 2.90GHz)
Intel Core i3-2370M Processor (3M Cache, 2.40GHz)
Intel Core i5-3320M Processor (3M Cache, 2.60GHz)
Intel Core i7-3520M Processor (4MB L3, 2.90GHz)
Screen
14.0″ HD (1366 x 768) LED Backlit AntiGlare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready
14.0″ HD+ (1600 x 900) LED Backlit Anti-Glare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready ($50 upgrade)
14.0″ HD (1366 x 768) LED Backlit AntiGlare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready
14.0″ HD+ (1600 x 900) LED Backlit Anti-Glare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready ($50 upgrade)
Graphics Options
Intel HD Graphics 4000
Nvidia NVS 5200M
Nvidia NVS 5400M
Intel HD Graphics 4000
Nvidia NVS 5200M
Memory Up to 16GB Up to 16GB
Keyboard Standard or Backlit option ($40) Standard or Backlit option ($40)
Ports 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0 (one always on), Mini DisplayPort, VGA, 4-in-1 card reader, optional smart card reader 2x USB 3.0, always-on USB 2.0, Mini DisplayPort, VGA, 4-in-1 card reader, optional smart card reader
Camera 720p HD camera option 720p HD camera option
Storage
320GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
500GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
500GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
128GB Solid State Drive, Serial ATA3
180GB Solid State Drive, Serial ATA3
320GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
500GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
500GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
128GB Solid State Drive, Serial ATA3
180GB Solid State Drive, Serial ATA3
Ultrabay Options
DVD Recordable
2nd HDD 500GB, 7200rpm w/adapter
1 TB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm with Bay Adapter
DVD Recordable
2nd HDD 500GB, 7200rpm w/adapter
1 TB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm with Bay Adapter
Battery Options
6 Cell Li-Ion TWL 70+
9 Cell Li-Ion TWL 70++
3-cell Ultrabay Battery Option
6 Cell Lithium Battery T81+
3-cell Ultrabay Battery Option
Wireless
ThinkPad 1×1 b/g/n
Intel Centrino Wireless-N 2200 (2×2 BGN)
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 AGN
Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 AGN
ThinkPad 1×1 b/g/n
Intel Centrino Wireless-N 2200 (2×2 BGN)
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 AGN
Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 AGN
Mobile
Mobile Broadband upgradable
Qualcomm Gobi 3000
Integrated Mobile Broadband (Sierra Wireless MC7700 – Gobi 4000 for AT&T)
Integrated Mobile Broadband (Sierra Wireless MC7750 – Gobi 4000 for Verizon)
Mobile Broadband upgradable
Qualcomm Gobi 3000
Integrated Mobile Broadband (Sierra Wireless MC7700 – Gobi 4000 for AT&T)
Integrated Mobile Broadband (Sierra Wireless MC7750 – Gobi 4000 for Verizon)
Weight 4.78lbs 3.90lbs
Thickness 1.18–1.20″ 0.83–1.02″
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