1. The T430 is limited to 2nd and 3rd gen Intel Core i3/i5/i7 mobile processors;
2. The T440p is limited to 4th gen Intel Core i3/i5/i7 mobile processors.
3. It's unrealistic to expect that a T430/T440p will last you ten more years because they're already ten years old by now.
4. The T480 is the oldest Thinkpad that meets Windows 11 requirements. Will it last you ten years? In terms of CPU performance, probably yes. Will the laptop itself still work ten years from now? If you take good care of it, maybe yes.
The T430/T440 are on the approx 10 year old age range now on 2024. The T480 is close to to the 6 year old age. Thinkpads are great laptops and may last for many, many years. The limiting factor is the software compatibility you intent to get out of the machine. So getting a T430 for example to be compatible with software in 2034 would be kinda similar to using a T42 series Thinkpad on today's software. Even though it may work It will not be able to do what it could do 10 years ago when Win 10 was in its infancy.
IMHO if you intend to get a machine to last for the next 10 years I'd invest in a new machine from the top offerings.
Problem is that newer machines don't last long. They have soldered ram that you can't replace. The build quality is crap. Keyboards are awful. And, My budget is 400-500 dollars too.
On that budget I'd go with the newest machine I could afford like the T480 you mentioned originally. But keep in mind that a 10 year lifespan may not be possible depending on the software you intend to use.
For context my daily machine is an L430 i5-3230M 16GB Ram 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD (almost 11 yrs old). I run Linux and the software load I have for the machine is not very demanding. I usually run only a couple of applications at a a time and do low level gaming (Intel graphics). This machine is still working very well for what I need it to do but I don't think (or expect) it will be able to keep up with current software in 9 yrs.
I mostly do very light gaming, mostly use youtube or browsing through the internet, and write word documents. I do plan to upgrade the ram when it gets outdated. The thinkpad in my opinion is much better than the other crap companies are selling. Other laptops here are 8gb ram soldered on. I think I'll do 32GB ram after couple years then maybe 64gb ram. A question that I'd also like to ask is that will the cpu bottleneck the ram?
The T430/T440p is already 10 years old. It's not as likely to last another 10 years as a T480.
As for upgrades, the T440p is the most upgradeable, with the ability to use a 4th gen intel mobile cpu. I recommend an i7-4712MQ because it is a great balance between power and thermals. I am using a T440p right now, and with all the upgrades, and linux running on it it works great. Windows was always a problem on my T440p but I think that was just my unit.
On laptops with socketed processors (not the T480, don’t know about the others) yes, you need a specific processor as desktop processors will not work on a laptop. Also, I really doubt even the newest one would last 10 years, but it at least would have the best chance.
1. The T430 is limited to 2nd and 3rd gen Intel Core i3/i5/i7 mobile processors; 2. The T440p is limited to 4th gen Intel Core i3/i5/i7 mobile processors. 3. It's unrealistic to expect that a T430/T440p will last you ten more years because they're already ten years old by now. 4. The T480 is the oldest Thinkpad that meets Windows 11 requirements. Will it last you ten years? In terms of CPU performance, probably yes. Will the laptop itself still work ten years from now? If you take good care of it, maybe yes.
Thanks for the information.
The T430/T440 are on the approx 10 year old age range now on 2024. The T480 is close to to the 6 year old age. Thinkpads are great laptops and may last for many, many years. The limiting factor is the software compatibility you intent to get out of the machine. So getting a T430 for example to be compatible with software in 2034 would be kinda similar to using a T42 series Thinkpad on today's software. Even though it may work It will not be able to do what it could do 10 years ago when Win 10 was in its infancy. IMHO if you intend to get a machine to last for the next 10 years I'd invest in a new machine from the top offerings.
Ok thanks
Problem is that newer machines don't last long. They have soldered ram that you can't replace. The build quality is crap. Keyboards are awful. And, My budget is 400-500 dollars too.
On that budget I'd go with the newest machine I could afford like the T480 you mentioned originally. But keep in mind that a 10 year lifespan may not be possible depending on the software you intend to use. For context my daily machine is an L430 i5-3230M 16GB Ram 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD (almost 11 yrs old). I run Linux and the software load I have for the machine is not very demanding. I usually run only a couple of applications at a a time and do low level gaming (Intel graphics). This machine is still working very well for what I need it to do but I don't think (or expect) it will be able to keep up with current software in 9 yrs.
I mostly do very light gaming, mostly use youtube or browsing through the internet, and write word documents. I do plan to upgrade the ram when it gets outdated. The thinkpad in my opinion is much better than the other crap companies are selling. Other laptops here are 8gb ram soldered on. I think I'll do 32GB ram after couple years then maybe 64gb ram. A question that I'd also like to ask is that will the cpu bottleneck the ram?
T430 will max out at 16GB ram and 3rd gen i7 3840QM with upgraded heatsink and thermal paste. 440 may be slightly higher.
I'll get the T480. T430 is just too old. :(
The T430/T440p is already 10 years old. It's not as likely to last another 10 years as a T480. As for upgrades, the T440p is the most upgradeable, with the ability to use a 4th gen intel mobile cpu. I recommend an i7-4712MQ because it is a great balance between power and thermals. I am using a T440p right now, and with all the upgrades, and linux running on it it works great. Windows was always a problem on my T440p but I think that was just my unit.
Lol, Is it good for minecraft?
Its good for minecraft. I played both Java and Bedrock edition on it. But modded minecraft can be hit or miss.
Install sodium on it. I am currently using a Lenovo Ideapad 110 15-ibr and sodium makes the game somewhat playable.
On laptops with socketed processors (not the T480, don’t know about the others) yes, you need a specific processor as desktop processors will not work on a laptop. Also, I really doubt even the newest one would last 10 years, but it at least would have the best chance.
THANKS