How I finalised e430?
So, I bought my first laptop last year. Why so late? Well, I know PCs are better than Laptops and I don't like wasting money. So I waited until I really needed a computer on the go. The time came finally and my father too agreed to buy me a laptop. I did extensive research and talked to so many people and shopkeepers, read tonnes of reviews on Internet, and messed up my mind, LOL! Though finally I made a decision and thought to buy a HP dv6.
My cousin lives abroad and told me he would buy me one and I can give him money when we meet since the laptops are quite cheaper in his country as compared to India. So I started more research to find something more durable and one that carries International Warranty. Sony was one that I immediately ruled out off the list of choices since the cheaper ones are not durable and durable ones are damn expensive! Toshiba is not too popular in India(even as yet), so I had to give up that also because not too popular implies, bad service(lack of service centres, contacts, etc.) Dell never seems appealing to me, I gave up on that idea way before Sony! :P Moreover, though popular, the reviews of dell(once the warranty expires) are worst! HP doesn't come with an international warranty, and I was thinking of buying a dv6. I gave up that idea too.
Now I was thinking about Lenovo IdeaPad. After much roaming around the city and getting reviews, my father suggested me to look for IBM. I thought oh yes, I never thought about it. I came to know it now sells by the name of Lenovo ThinkPad. I immediately started my research. Found that though Lenovo won't be giving me International warranty, and if I want it I'll have to pay extra. But it's Thinkpad people! their durability is unmatched. Even MacBook stand nowhere when we talk of the durability of a ThinkPad. I was confused between e430 and the tougher option T430, but I thought to go for the less expensive one and bought the e430.
Description of what I bought
| Processor | Intel Core i3-2350M Processor (3M Cache, 2.30GHz) |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit) |
| Operating system language | Windows 7 Home Premium 64 - English |
| Display type | 14.0" W HD (1366 x 768) LED AntiGlare, Midnight Black |
| System graphics | Intel HD Graphics (WWAN or mSATA capable) |
| Total memory | 4 GB DDR3 - 1600MHz (1 DIMM) |
| Keyboard | Keyboard - US English |
| Pointing device | UltraNav with FingerPrint Reader |
| Camera | 720p HD Camera |
| Hard drive | 500GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm |
| Optical device | DVD Recordable |
| Battery | 6 cell Li-Ion Battery 48WH - 75+ |
| Power cord | 65W AC Adapter - US (3pin) |
| Integrated WiFi wireless LAN adapters | Intel Centrino Wireless-N 2230 & Bluetooth 4.0 (2x2 BGN & BT4) |
| Language pack | Publication - US English |
| Warranty | 1 Year Express Depot |
Main Review
When talking about this laptop, the first thing that solves most queries related to durability and quality is to highlight the fact that it's a ThinkPad, the original IBM series. It's been over an year now since I have been using it(I bought it in October '12 end) and so it is perfect to review about it, and I can tell about most things.
Display
14" screen makes it an 'easy-enough' display which bundles the portability by being a bit smaller than the other Edge variant, e530. 14" sometimes sounds small, but when you'll use it you'll know it is the most sufficient one. 14" being lighter and smaller, are even more portable than the 15" ones.
Weight
Didn't weigh it on a scale as such, LOL! It is average when we talk about weight, I guess a little lighter than the corresponding Z series of IdeaPad, as their specs suggest. Though the difference is of few hundred gram, but you know when you have to carry more than just a laptop(as is the case most of the times), this difference even looks like a life saver! Or shall we say, shoulder saver? :D
Battery Backup
I have experienced battery backup ranging from 4 hours(at least) upto 7 hours. Don't think that the laptop would give a high backup from day one, it started giving a good backup after a couple of weeks passed. A good tip from my experience: Use power adapter more frequently than the battery for initial weeks, which I guess all laptop users already know.
Durability
With an experience of more than a year now, I'm in a good position to say a little about Durability(not too much though since I habdle things with care! :P), but it's a ThinkPad, "The Business Standard Laptop", ought to be durable and most reviews on the Internet suggest that. Though my ThinkPad looks as good as new, but as I said I handle things carefully, I won't say much about durability of an expensive thing. Though with my usage(I use it almost all day long) and handling, it seems to be quite durable. I have read many reviews on Internet as I told you all, and it is said that ThinkPad are more durable than MacBook!!! :D
Keyboard
It lacks the Numpad as any 14" laptop, but still the keyboard is amazing. The keys are silent and the keyboard formation is such that it feels quite comfortable while typing. The Trackpad is centre aligned rather than left aligned in most laptops. This makes the laptop surfce around the Trackpad become a good palmrest as I type! :D It has got dedicated media control buttons so no need to drag the pointer to the pause/play button, Volume Up/Down, Brightness, Wifi, Camera, Mic, or Mute! One thing it lacks is a Pause/Break button which I, as a programmer, feel quite sad about.
ThinkVantage Tools
These are a group of software that come bundled with your ThinkPad Laptop. They are great for maintenance purpose, keeping track of battery, etc. and some good utilities, such as added functionality for the Finger Print Reader. More about ThinVanatge Tools, you can find on the Internet, since talking about them is a different thing altogether.
Looks
Something I love! I don't like those glossy laptops, they look irritating. The matte look makes the user feel like using a classy thing, and not something that's common with everybody. So it seems like I have the classier thing as compared to most of my peers! :D To be specific, none of my friends own a Business Series, they all have that glossy consumer line ones! :P So I feel like the king! haha!! :D
Gamers
The only problem is that there is no room for a dedicated GPU in case you wish to upgrade at a later stage. You have to rely on the Intel HD Graphics alone. So gamers! e430 should not be anything in your wishlist. Well, when I bought it there was no option, so I am not sure if they now have a slot for GPU too :) This thing you gotta check on your own, I don't know. Maybe the new e431 supports it, but I am not sure!
Added Features
This Business line of Lenovo has certain unique features that most of the laptops don't have. These include:
- Linux Support - ThinkPad supports Linux OS. This means that it is configured to run Linux, which heats up most laptops excessively if not administered by a professional or someone with good knowledge of Linux.
- TrackPoint - Perhaps the oldest feature running from the IBM ThinkPad inherited by Lenovo too, makes it really easy to scroll and use pointer with keyboard at times, without the need of a mouse.
- Finger Print Reader - haha! It is amazing. I can store my passwords and attach them to one of the 10 digits of my hands. Thus the ThinkPad can record 10 fingerprints and for each finger I can assign a quick link to any of my favourite websites where I need to log in. So I just swipe my finger and the website logs in! No need to enter password again and again and worry about it's loss! :D
Ports
It has got 3 USB 3.0 ports, and one eSATA(that is a USB 2.0 port that can be used even when the laptop is powered off. It is used to charge devices from Laptop battery). Moreover e430 has both HDMI and VGA ports so that you can connect to all sorts of displays easily, so be happy those who worry about their laptop connectivities during presentations! :D One Ethernet port with a Gigabit Ethernet Card which means super fast speed on Wired LAN connections!
