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.

  • osbo9991@lemmy.world
    2·
    24 hours ago

    I picked mine by referring to the Wikipedia articles for the “good” Thinkpad series (T, P series mainly). Here’s the one for T series: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ThinkPad_T_series

    Under “Lenovo branded models” is a giant table of all the variants of each model (CPU, display, etc). It also tells you whether the RAM is socketed or soldered, and whether they have external batteries. To gauge performance I just look up the CPU for the model I considered on a CPU benchmark site. Take those with a grain of salt, but they are good for generalizing performance.

    I ultimately settled for a Thinkpad T580 (instead of the smaller T480), since I like large 15" laptops, I liked the port layout, and I liked the hot swap dual battery system (also available on T480, T570, T470, and other earlier models). It also has socketed ram and USB C charging. Performance isn’t great for most gaming, but it is very good for browsing and office work.