Currently running mint on a 15+ year old HP laptop but I want to update to a ‘modern’ second hand Thinkpad. The second hand market is just full of different model numbers and I’m not sure how to filter to what I’m after.

I get most tech basics (ram, ssh) but I’m not sure what all the models numbers, generations or processors mean.

Looking for something with a memory card spot, HDMI output and ideally touchscreen.

I don’t use it for gaming but have an ultra wide screen high res monitor (possibly 2k cant quite remember) that I’d like to take advantage of.

Larger SSD and 16gb ram wouldn’t hurt too but I assume I can upgrade them.

I don’t need the Yoga tablet style folding.

  • shiroininja@lemmy.world
    1·
    2 hours ago

    I really really like my 2019 X1 Carbon I got from a business auction on eBay for a little over $250 a few years back. Perfect for productivity and light gaming pre 2019 titles. Mostly morrowind, Skyrim and oblivion. It’s got an i7 and runs vms well.

  • rbtms@lemmy.world
    2·
    4 hours ago

    Personally I like the T490 a lot. Mine has an IPS screen, usbc, a really comfy keyboard and it’s not too heavy. I got it for 280€ish before the RAMapocalypse.

    A thing you may want to be aware of is that thinkpad models might have different configurations. That is, the screen or RAM amount, or internal components might differ between instances of the same model, so it’s good to keep an eye on the specifics of each offer.

    As a general rule I would look at the different thinkpad series (the letter before the model number) and then at the different models (newer is usually better, but some changes like the keyboard have been controversial).

  • GooeyGlob@lemmy.worldEnglish
    4·
    8 hours ago

    Sadly more and more modern thinkpads come with soldered RAM, which IMO is a deal breaker. Work gave me an X1 Carbon Gen 13 to use, which was indeed both shockingly fast and lightweight, but had soldered RAM and a mobo failure in the first 3 months, so I kept looking for a personal device.

    Ended up with a Thinkpad E14 Gen 7 with a Ryzen 7, SODIMM ram and built like a tank. Also much cheaper than the X1. It’s heavy, but I’m also not worried about it getting thrown around in my bag.

  • zecg@lemmy.world
    1·
    8 hours ago

    My choice is any gen T14 as long as it’s Ryzen graphics (for hassle-free Linux drivers), refurbished.