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Lenovo ThinkPad T430 Series

Lenovo ThinkPad T430-N1RLTPBProcessor: Intel Core i3 3217U, Intel Core i5 3210M, Intel Core i5 3317U, Intel Core i5 3320M, Intel Core i7 3520M
Graphics Adapter: Intel HD Graphics 4000, NVIDIA GeForce GT 620M, NVIDIA NVS 5200M, NVIDIA NVS 5400M
Display: 14.00 inch
Weight: 1.79kg, 1.9kg, 2.1kg, 2.2kg, 2.33kg
Price: 0, 800, 950, 1200, 1600, 1750 euro
Average Score: 80.5% - good
Average of 16 scores (from 26 reviews)
price: 70%, performance: 77%, features: 68%, display: 61%, mobility: 74%, workmanship: 82%, ergonomy: 84%, emissions: 84%

 

Lenovo ThinkPad T430

Specifications

Lenovo ThinkPad T430Notebook: Lenovo ThinkPad T430
Processor: Intel Core i5 3320M
Graphics Adapter: Intel HD Graphics 4000
Display: 14.00 inch, 16:9, 1366 x 768 pixels
Weight: 2.1kg
Price: 1200 euro
Links: Lenovo homepage
 ThinkPad T430 (Series)

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Average Score: 75% - good

Average of 2 scores (from 4 reviews)

 

Reviews

80% Lenovo ThinkPad T430 Review
Source: Laptop Mag English Archive.org version
The Lenovo ThinkPad T430 has everything a business user could want--durability, performance, longevity and security in a well-designed package. The new Precision Keyboard is superb, making this notebook comfortable to use for long stretches. And, thanks to the 9-cell battery, you get more than 13 hours of endurance. While the matte screen on our configuration didn't wow, you can upgrade to a sharper and brighter 1600 x 900 display for $50.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/02/2012
Rating: Total score: 80%
70% Lenovo ThinkPad T430 Review: The Best Just Got Worse
Source: Notebookreview.com English Archive.org version
The ThinkPad T430 generally remains the king of 14-inch business notebooks though I have a few reservations. Bad news first: the base 1366x768 screen has too little resolution to get quality multitasking work done if you work with spreadsheets or multiple windows. The higher resolution 1600x900 upgrade is a must. Secondly is the keyboard. What?! A complaint about a ThinkPad keyboard? Lenovo 'upgraded' to a Chiclet-style model; it feels great and as a ThinkPad owner I'm not disappointed but the layout is not the same. The multi-colored keys are also gone. It's still a great keyboard but no longer true to its roots.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 06/25/2012
Rating: Total score: 70%

Foreign Reviews

A Lenovo ThinkPad T430 négy arca
Source: Prohardver.hu HU→EN Archive.org version
Positivve: Excellent design; quality material; durability.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 03/04/2013
レノボ ThinkPad T430の実機レビュー
Source: The Hikaku JA→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Extendibility with a mini dock.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 09/05/2012

 

Lenovo ThinkPad T430

Specifications

Lenovo ThinkPad T430Notebook: Lenovo ThinkPad T430
Processor: Intel Core i7 3520M
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA NVS 5400M 1024 MB
Display: 14.00 inch, 16:9, 1600 x 900 pixels
Weight: 2.33kg
Price: 1600 euro
Links: Lenovo homepage
 ThinkPad T430 (Series)

Pricecompare

 

Reviews

84% Review Lenovo ThinkPad T430 Notebook | Notebookcheck
Gentle evolution. Instead of taking a radical change, Lenovo steps gently in advancing their established ThinkPad series. The quick Ivy Bridge processors should increase the performance and innovations, such as USB 3.0, should demonstrate their will to improve. But how will adherents of the ThinkPad react to the first integrated Chiclet keyboard?

 

Lenovo ThinkPad T430s

Specifications

Lenovo ThinkPad T430sNotebook: Lenovo ThinkPad T430s
Processor: Intel Core i5 3320M
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA NVS 5200M 1024 MB
Display: 14.00 inch, 16:9, 1600 x 900 pixels
Weight: 1.79kg
Links: Lenovo homepage
 ThinkPad T430 (Series)
 ThinkPad T430s (Model)

Pricecompare

Average Score: 83.33% - good

Average of 6 scores (from 10 reviews)

 

Reviews

84% Review Lenovo ThinkPad T430s Notebook | Notebookcheck
Slimmer without the drawbacks. The T430s is sold as both a thinner, lighter variant of the standard-size T430 and as a successor to the T420s with an AccuType keyboard. We find out in this review what sacrifices, if any, had been made in order to offer the overall smaller package.
90% Lenovo ThinkPad T430s Review
Source: Computer Shopper English Archive.org version
The ThinkPad T Series didn't get to be the best-selling business-notebook nameplate of all time by accident, and the latest iteration makes clear how it won that distinction. Business users looking for a balance between power and portability can't do better than the T430s. A laundry list of durability, communications, and usability features adds to its appeal.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/23/2012
Rating: Total score: 90%
90% Lenovo ThinkPad T430s Review
Source: Computer Shopper English Archive.org version
The ThinkPad T Series didn't get to be the best-selling business-notebook nameplate of all time by accident, and the latest iteration makes clear how it won that distinction. Business users looking for a balance between power and portability can't do better than the T430s. A laundry list of durability, communications, and usability features adds to its appeal.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/23/2012
Rating: Total score: 90%
80% Lenovo ThinkPad T430s Review
Source: Laptop Mag English Archive.org version
With its high-res screen, speedy processor options, discrete graphics and best-in-class keyboard, Lenovo's ThinkPad T430s is a superb business notebook. Users who want longer battery life should consider the ThinkPad T430, which weighs 0.8 pounds more but lasts 13 hours on a charge. Those who want the ultimate in business portability should consider the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, which weighs just 3 pounds but has fewer ports and lacks discrete graphics.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/24/2012
Rating: Total score: 80%
80% Lenovo ThinkPad T430s Review
Source: Laptop Mag English Archive.org version
With its high-res screen, speedy processor options, discrete graphics and best-in-class keyboard, Lenovo's ThinkPad T430s is a superb business notebook. Users who want longer battery life should consider the ThinkPad T430, which weighs 0.8 pounds more but lasts 13 hours on a charge. Those who want the ultimate in business portability should consider the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, which weighs just 3 pounds but has fewer ports and lacks discrete graphics.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/24/2012
Rating: Total score: 80%
80% Lenovo ThinkPad T430s User Review
Source: Notebookreview.com English Archive.org version
Overall, the T430s is a rock solid business machine capable of handling some more demanding programs, despite its low weight and thinness. The easy upgradability is nice, especially as other manufacturers reduce the number of user-replaceable parts. While the battery life is not stellar, the low weight of the system makes it easy to travel with, even with the AC adapter. The screen continues to be a weak spot, but is sufficient for business uses. We would have perhaps preferred the classic ThinkPad keyboard over the new "Precision" keyboard with chiclet keys, but the keyboard remains an overall strong point. The laptop reviewed here is destined to be further upgraded with an mSATA SSD as the main drive, boosting the overall performance of the machine and freeing the included hard drive for use as file storage. In sum, the T430s is easy to recommend as portable but powerful business machine with a build quality which should allow it to last.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/16/2012
Rating: Total score: 80% price: 70% performance: 70% features: 80% mobility: 90% ergonomy: 90%
80% Lenovo ThinkPad T430s User Review
Source: Notebookreview.com English Archive.org version
Overall, the T430s is a rock solid business machine capable of handling some more demanding programs, despite its low weight and thinness. The easy upgradability is nice, especially as other manufacturers reduce the number of user-replaceable parts. While the battery life is not stellar, the low weight of the system makes it easy to travel with, even with the AC adapter. The screen continues to be a weak spot, but is sufficient for business uses. We would have perhaps preferred the classic ThinkPad keyboard over the new "Precision" keyboard with chiclet keys, but the keyboard remains an overall strong point. The laptop reviewed here is destined to be further upgraded with an mSATA SSD as the main drive, boosting the overall performance of the machine and freeing the included hard drive for use as file storage. In sum, the T430s is easy to recommend as portable but powerful business machine with a build quality which should allow it to last.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/16/2012
Rating: Total score: 80% price: 70% performance: 70% features: 80% mobility: 90% ergonomy: 90%

Foreign Reviews

レノボ ThinkPad T430sの実機レビュー
Source: The Hikaku JA→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Large and high resolution screen; good performance; removable optical drive. Negative: Slightly heavy.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 01/30/2013
レノボ ThinkPad T430sの実機レビュー
Source: The Hikaku JA→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Large and high resolution screen; good performance; removable optical drive. Negative: Slightly heavy.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 01/30/2013
レノボ ThinkPad T430sの実機レビュー
Source: The Hikaku JA→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Noise level is low; good keyboard and touchpad. Negative: Viewing angle is not good; battery life; the weight.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/10/2012
レノボ ThinkPad T430sの実機レビュー
Source: The Hikaku JA→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Noise level is low; good keyboard and touchpad. Negative: Viewing angle is not good; battery life; the weight.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/10/2012

 

Lenovo ThinkPad T430s

Specifications

Lenovo ThinkPad T430sNotebook: Lenovo ThinkPad T430s
Processor: Intel Core i7 3520M
Graphics Adapter: Intel HD Graphics 4000
Display: 14.00 inch, 16:9, 1600 x 900 pixels
Weight: 1.79kg
Price: 1750 euro
Links: Lenovo homepage
 ThinkPad T430 (Series)
 ThinkPad T430s (Model)

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Reviews

85% Review Update Lenovo ThinkPad T430s Notebook | Notebookcheck
More power! Having already taken a close look at the cheap US version of the ThinkPad T430s, we now turn to the high end configuration with a Core i7 processor and a 180 GB SSD. Can Lenovo justify a price of over 1700 Euros (~$2200) for its business athlete?

 

Lenovo ThinkPad T430u

Specifications

Lenovo ThinkPad T430uNotebook: Lenovo ThinkPad T430u
Processor: Intel Core i5 3317U
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce GT 620M 1024 MB
Display: 14.00 inch, 16:9, 1366 x 768 pixels
Weight: 1.9kg
Price: 950 euro
Links: Lenovo homepage
 ThinkPad T430 (Series)

Pricecompare

Average Score: 75% - good

Average of 4 scores (from 8 reviews)

 

Reviews

85% Review Lenovo ThinkPad T430u Ultrabook | Notebookcheck
New family member. Lenovo expands its T400 range with a mobile ultrabook that is to appeal to both business and private customers alike. Classic ThinkPad assets as well as high-performance, including a dedicated GPU, make the T430u an attractive total package.

Foreign Reviews

Thin Pad – Bewährte ThinkPad-Tugenden im Ultrabook-Format
Source: Notebookjournal German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 04/24/2013
Rating: performance: 70% features: 30% display: 30% mobility: 30% workmanship: 80% ergonomy: 70%
Thin Pad – Bewährte ThinkPad-Tugenden im Ultrabook-Format
Source: Notebookjournal German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 04/24/2013
Rating: performance: 70% features: 30% display: 30% mobility: 30% workmanship: 80% ergonomy: 70%
70% Review Lenovo T430u
Source: Computer Totaal Dutch NL→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 09/15/2013
Rating: Total score: 70%
70% Review Lenovo T430u
Source: Computer Totaal Dutch NL→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 09/15/2013
Rating: Total score: 70%
Lenovo ThinkPad T430u - Téčko jinak, než ho znáte
Source: Notebook.cz CZ→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Quiet cooling; trackpoint; long battery life. Negative: The front edge; substandard display; no docking, corporate and 3G technology.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 11/27/2012
Lenovo ThinkPad T430u - Téčko jinak, než ho znáte
Source: Notebook.cz CZ→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Quiet cooling; trackpoint; long battery life. Negative: The front edge; substandard display; no docking, corporate and 3G technology.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 11/27/2012
80% Đánh giá laptop Lenovo ThinkPad T430u
Source: Sohoa VN Express VN→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 01/01/2013
Rating: Total score: 80% display: 70% mobility: 80% workmanship: 80%
80% Đánh giá laptop Lenovo ThinkPad T430u
Source: Sohoa VN Express VN→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 01/01/2013
Rating: Total score: 80% display: 70% mobility: 80% workmanship: 80%

 

Lenovo ThinkPad T430u-N3U89PB

Specifications

Lenovo ThinkPad T430u-N3U89PBNotebook: Lenovo ThinkPad T430u-N3U89PB
Processor: Intel Core i3 3217U
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce GT 620M
Display: 14.00 inch, 16:9, 1366 x 768 pixels
Weight: 1.9kg
Links: Lenovo homepage
 ThinkPad T430 (Series)

Pricecompare

 

Foreign Reviews

Lenovo ThinkPad T430u — бизнес-ультрабук
Source: 3DNews.ru RU→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Good display; comfortable keyboard; "tactile" design; long battery life.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 03/25/2013

 

Lenovo ThinkPad T430-N1RLTPB

Specifications

Lenovo ThinkPad T430-N1RLTPBNotebook: Lenovo ThinkPad T430-N1RLTPB
Processor: Intel Core i5 3210M
Graphics Adapter: Intel HD Graphics 4000
Display: 14.00 inch, 16:9, 1366 x 768 pixels
Weight: 2.2kg
Price: 800 euro
Links: Lenovo homepage
 ThinkPad T430 (Series)

Pricecompare

 

Foreign Reviews

Lenovo ThinkPad T430
Source: Itsvet HR→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Superb build quality; good configuration; decent autonomy; decent price.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 03/29/2013

 

Comment

Lenovo: Lenovo ("Le" from English legend, novo (Latin) for new) was founded in 1984 as a Chinese computer trading company. As of 2004, the company was the largest laptop manufacturer in China and, after acquiring IBM's PC division in 2005, the fourth largest in the world. In addition to desktops and notebooks, the company manufactures monitors, projectors, servers, etc, and specializes in developing, manufacturing and marketing consumer electronics, personal computers, software, enterprise solutions and related services.

In 2016, the company ranked first in the world in computer sales. It still held it in 2023 with about 23% global market share. Important product lines are Thinkpad, Legion and Ideapad.

In 2011, it acquired a majority stake in Medion AG, a European computer hardware manufacturer. In 2014, Motorola Mobility was purchased, which gave Lenovo a boost in the smartphone market.


Non demanding games should be playable with these graphics cards.

Intel HD Graphics 4000: Processor graphics card in the high end Ivy Bridge models. Offers a different clock speed in the different CPU models (ULV to desktop quad core) and therefore a different performance.

NVIDIA NVS 5400M:

Business-oriented graphics card based on the 40nm GeForce GT 630M with slightly higher base clock speeds than a GeForce GT 435M.

NVIDIA NVS 5200M:

Business-oriented graphics card based on the Geforce GT 620M (most probably the new 28nm GF117 version) with slightly reduced clock rates.

NVIDIA GeForce GT 620M:

Based on either the older 40nm GF108 chip or the newer 28nm GF117 Fermi die shrink. In either case, the 620M is most similar to a GT 525M and comes without dedicated display ports. Consequently, the GPU can only be used in conjunction with Optimus. 

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.


Intel Core i5:

3320M: Fast Ivy-Bridge-based dual-core, includes HD 4000 Graphics, core clock 2.6 - 3.3 GHz

3317U: Ivy-Bridge-based ULV-CPU in Q2 2012. Offers a core clock of 1.7 - 2.6 GHz and an HD 4000 GPU (350 - 1050 MHz). The TDP is rated at 17 W.

3210M: Fast Ivy-Bridge-based dual-core, includes HD 4000 GPU, core clock 2.5 - 3.1 GHz

Intel Core i7: The Intel Core i7 for laptops is based on the LG1156 Core i5/i7 CPU for desktops. The base clock speed of the CPUs is relatively low, but because of a huge Turbo mode, the cores can dynamically overclock to up to 3.2 GHz (920XM). Therefore, the CPU can be as fast as high clocked dual-core CPUs (using single threaded applications) but still offer the advantage of 4 cores. Because of the large TDP of 45 W / 55 W, the CPU is only intended for large laptops.  

3520M: Fastest Ivy-Bridge-based Dual-Core, 2,9 - 3,6 GHz core clock

Intel Core i3:

3217U: Ivy-Bridge-based ULV-CPU in Q2 2012. Offers a core clock of 1.8 GHz (no Turbo Boost) and an HD 4000 GPU (350 - 1050 MHz). The TDP is rated at 17 W.

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.


14.00:

14 inch display size represents a middle ground between the small subnotebook formats and the screens of the standard 15 inch laptops.

The reason for the popularity of mid-sized displays is that this size is reasonably easy on the eyes, provides good resolutions with usable detail sizes, yet does not consume too much power and the devices can still be reasonably compact. 

In the past, 14-inch devices were very rare, but now they are the standard for laptops after the 15-inchers. 

» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.


No weight comment found (one expected)!


80.5%: This rating is slightly above average, there are somewhat more devices with worse ratings. However, clear purchase recommendations look different.

» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.

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Current Prices
Lenovo ThinkPad T430-N1RLTPB
Lenovo ThinkPad T430-N1RLTPB
Lenovo ThinkPad T430-N1RLTPB
Lenovo ThinkPad T430-N1RLTPB
Lenovo ThinkPad T430u-N3U89PB
Lenovo ThinkPad T430u-N3U89PB
Lenovo ThinkPad T430u-N3U89PB
Lenovo ThinkPad T430u-N3U89PB
Lenovo ThinkPad T430u-N3U89PB
Lenovo ThinkPad T430u
Lenovo ThinkPad T430u
Lenovo ThinkPad T430u
Lenovo ThinkPad T430u
Lenovo ThinkPad T430u
Lenovo ThinkPad T430s
Lenovo ThinkPad T430s
Lenovo ThinkPad T430s
Lenovo ThinkPad T430s
Lenovo ThinkPad T430s
Lenovo ThinkPad T430s
Lenovo ThinkPad T430s
Lenovo ThinkPad T430
Lenovo ThinkPad T430
Lenovo ThinkPad T430
Lenovo ThinkPad T430
Lenovo ThinkPad T430
Lenovo ThinkPad T430
Lenovo ThinkPad T430
Stefan Hinum, 2012-07-26 (Update: 2019-04-30)