t440s vs thinkpad yoga vs rMBP

[ultimate99]

I thought I should start fresh as I'm down to specific models.

 

I'm down to choosing between the T440s, TP Yoga, or rMBP 13" (refurbed). Main concern is thickness, i'd like something around 0.75" thick.

I'm open to other brands, but these three have the same thickness.

 

Budget: $1000-1200 Canadian

 

Primary tasks: Web Surfing, Office and Productivity Software, Listening to Music, Video Chat and Conference, Movie Streaming and Viewing, Output Video to TV or Large Monitor, Casual Gaming

 

Max Resolution (1920 x 1080)

 

At least 8gb ram (or 4 + expandable).

 

Thanks

[The_Observer]

if your going for rMBP hold off, refresh should be here within a month or two tops.

[Dashel]

I like the T440s personally.

[Hakaslak]

I have the rMBP 15", T540p and T430s.

 

I prefer the T540p - the T430s is too slow and I don't think the T440s is any faster, so I replaced it with the T540p since it has a quad core available.

 

It's a tossup between the rMBP and T540p. Feel free to ask me any questions.

[Roger H. Veteran]

Well you already know my choice and I think for those requirements it should be fast enough.

 

The Yoga is not much different than the T440s in that it basically has the same CPU options and such.

 

A T430s might be better off for you since you can get full mobile CPUs instead of ultra-low voltage stuff.

 

I can't say much about the MacBook so I wont go there :p

 

ASUS would be the only other options it seems for you, nothing specific but take a look over there and see if anything catches your eye.

[tsupersonic]

I was in the same dilemma as you were 2 weeks ago. My choices were T440S, X1 Carbon, X240 and rMBP 13". I wanted 8 GB RAM, Core i5, SSD, FHD (or higher) with the same use case scenario as you and add on some development work. Ended up getting the rMBP because it was the cheapest of the bunch with the configuration I wanted (and also Best Buy had a $150 off for students). I'm very happy with the rMBP - build quality is excellent. 

[T3X4S]

I have the rMBP 15", T540p and T430s.

 

I prefer the T540p - the T430s is too slow and I don't think the T440s is any faster, so I replaced it with the T540p since it has a quad core available.

 

It's a tossup between the rMBP and T540p. Feel free to ask me any questions.

What are you doing with your laptops where a 1 year old ThinkPad "is too slow" ?  And to say you prefer 1 model over another because 1 model is too slow without mentioning why isnt helpful to the OP.

I say this because:  Not sure what "too slow" really means

- could be you dont know what you're talking about

- could be you run some crazy software that is too much for most laptops

- could be you got the weakest config offered on a T430

- could be that you are having problems with your laptop

- could be you think the slowness you experience is the result of a bad laptop model, but it is really something else.

 

I realize this is nitpicking 1 sentence in a post aimed to help someone make a decision, but I hear things like this all the time - and it is 99.9% of the time from people who dont know anything, and are mistakenly blaming their computer.

 

Not saying you are clueless, but it would be helpful for the OP to decide if you said why you think ALL T430 are too slow.

(you can get the T430 with a quad-core)

[satysin]

I used to love ThinkPad machines but I can't help but feel the quality is not what it was. Personally I would go for a rMBP or wait for the retina MBA which will no doubt come out in the next few months. If you have to get a new machine now then rMBP is what you want IMHO. The machine is pretty much perfect.

[+Fahim S. MVC]

I used to love ThinkPad machines but I can't help but feel the quality is not what it was. Personally I would go for a rMBP or wait for the retina MBA which will no doubt come out in the next few months. If you have to get a new machine now then rMBP is what you want IMHO. The machine is pretty much perfect.

 

Except the RAM can't be upgraded and it isn't entirely easy to update the SSD either.

[Zoom7000]

I've checked many of the new laptops lately at trade exhibition shows and although the quality of the builds are improving, I have to say I still don't think anything comes close to the quality of the MacBook Pro. The device just feels on another level in terms of design and durability over other laptops. Plus, I love the flexibility that you get with the ability to run Mac or Windows (with Boot Camp)

[offroadaaron]

A few people at work have chosen to go the T440s I personally don't particularly like them as I'd rather a MBPr for the price or resale value after. Though saying this I'd go the T440s over the Yoga

 

If you want to use a dock go for the T440s if you're not going to be docking the laptop I personally would go the MBPr.

[+virtorio MVC]

Except the RAM can't be upgraded and it isn't entirely easy to update the SSD either.

As long as you get a kit that comes with two screw-drivers you need, upgrading the SSD is incredibly easy.

[ultimate99]

The rMBP are morbidly expensive, even the refurbed ones: http://store.apple.com/ca/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/macbook_pro/13

 

I don't think I need a digitizer pen on a 13", so the yoga is out. (and expensive, 1500+ eek!)

 

So what remains is the T440s. Other than that, i'm out of ideas.

[T3X4S]

The rMBP are morbidly expensive, even the refurbed ones: http://store.apple.com/ca/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/macbook_pro/13

 

I don't think I need a digitizer pen on a 13", so the yoga is out. (and expensive, 1500+ eek!)

 

So what remains is the T440s. Other than that, i'm out of ideas.

I bought an X1 carbon about a month ago -- maybe you can find last year's model for something in the price range you are wanting to stay in.  It is an excellent machine

The one I bought was same price as a corei7 MBP, but I am sure you can find one that is a Core i7 from last year for around $1300-$1500

 

[ultimate99]

I'm very close to buy a T440s, as I got a good deal: original price $1400 CAD, after sales rep call + coupon, it's down to $1100 CAD. Very tempting, thin (0.8") and I can add ssd + extra ram (max 12gb). 

 

However, I'm not sure what's next in the T series line, and what other laptops that have similar form factor and upgradablity as the T440s to compare....

[game_over]

The rMBP are morbidly expensive, even the refurbed ones: http://store.apple.com/ca/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/macbook_pro/13

 

I don't think I need a digitizer pen on a 13", so the yoga is out. (and expensive, 1500+ eek!)

 

So what remains is the T440s. Other than that, i'm out of ideas.

 

It depends what you class as expensive.. my rMBP is the best purchase i have ever made, yes it cost an awful lot but was it worth it? yes. the build quality and the display is amazing and of course it's blazingly fast - no need to upgrade

[RommelS]

Actually using the T440 everyday, and I even have three 24" monitors connected (DVI, Display Port, VGA) to it if you go for its docking station. Granted, I have to update the firmware of the dock for it to work properly.

 

As for the laptop itself, it is easy to carry because it is light for its size, and it is pretty fast. Well, at least mine is an i5 with 8 GB of RAM.

[#Michael]

As long as you get a kit that comes with two screw-drivers you need, upgrading the SSD is incredibly easy.

 

Anything post early 2013 models and you can't update the ssd drives at all.  The drives are soldered on.  My early 2013 rMBP was the last model in which you can do a ssd upgrade.

[FrostAM]

Personally, I think my Macbook is the best computing purchase I've ever made. It's an absolute joy to use. I know people hate this phrase, but it just works. Being able to run both OS X and Windows at the same time is a HUGE plus, especially since I'm in front end development. 

 

It's expensive, but worth the price of admission IMO. 

 

 

Anything post early 2013 models and you can't update the ssd drives at all.  The drives are soldered on.  My early 2013 rMBP was the last model in which you can do a ssd upgrade.

 

Technically you can; provided someone comes out with a drive that works with it. The SSD isn't soldered on, the RAM is. It's just a proprietary drive in a PCIe format. We just have to play the waiting game :p

 

https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/MacBook+Pro+13-Inch+Retina+Display+Late+2013+Teardown/18695

[Dashel]

I know people hate this phrase, but it just works. Being able to run both OS X and Windows at the same time is a HUGE plus, especially since I'm in front end development. 

We hate it cause its a bloody stupid and novice thing to say.  Are you saying that there isn't a 'magical' conjoining of software and hardware that makes it oh so specials?  On hardware and software merit alone, it comes up short for the price.

[#Michael]

Personally, I think my Macbook is the best computing purchase I've ever made. It's an absolute joy to use. I know people hate this phrase, but it just works. Being able to run both OS X and Windows at the same time is a HUGE plus, especially since I'm in front end development. 

 

It's expensive, but worth the price of admission IMO. 

 

 

 

Technically you can; provided someone comes out with a drive that works with it. The SSD isn't soldered on, the RAM is. It's just a proprietary drive in a PCIe format. We just have to play the waiting game :p

 

https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/MacBook+Pro+13-Inch+Retina+Display+Late+2013+Teardown/18695

 

Interesting...did not know that.  Cause crucial has an ssd in pcie for my early 2013 rMBP but it is crazy expensive.  The 512gb one is like $500 on amazon.

[tsupersonic]

We hate it cause its a bloody stupid and novice thing to say.  Are you saying that there isn't a 'magical' conjoining of software and hardware that makes it oh so specials?  On hardware and software merit alone, it comes up short for the price.

I also am not a huge Mac/Apple fan, but it is really a nice piece of hardware. I've never seen build quality this excellent on a laptop, and this is after playing with everything that my local Bestbuy had in stock. I got my late 2013 rMBP at a discounted rate. When I configured the T440s or X1 carbon, they were well above what the rMBP cost. Bestbuy actually has decent deals on Mac's- $100 off (I think on MBA) and then additional $150 off for .edu folks.

[Dashel]

I also am not a huge Mac/Apple fan, but it is really a nice piece of hardware.  When I configured the T440s or X1 carbon, they were well above what the rMBP cost. Bestbuy actually has decent deals on Mac's- $100 off (I think on MBA) and then additional $150 off for .edu folks.

 

I don't necessarily disagree about the hardware, but unless you are getting it at discount, I'm not sure the what, $400-500 difference for a smaller screen is worth it at the entry level, retina or not.

 

Your config does make it a harder choice as they are within a couple hundred or so, but I think I'd still take the touchscreen. ;)

[offroadaaron]

The rMBP are morbidly expensive, even the refurbed ones: http://store.apple.com/ca/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/macbook_pro/13

 

I don't think I need a digitizer pen on a 13", so the yoga is out. (and expensive, 1500+ eek!)

 

So what remains is the T440s. Other than that, i'm out of ideas.

 

Okay so to the people that say they're expensive they're kinda right but wrong.

 

Say I have a 2yo MBPr that cost me $3k in 2 years time I wanna upgrade, I put it on the market for $2200 and it sells.

 

Now try putting the T440s on the market....... Good luck selling it for anything 1, good luck if it's still in good plastic condition after 2 years to actually sell!

 

You paid for what you get....

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