Lenovo ThinkPad T430

Lenovo · ThinkPad T

ThinkPad T430

Released June 2012

A 14-inch business laptop with third-generation Intel Core processors, USB 3.0 and a six-row keyboard, with replaceable memory, storage and batteries.

Model history · 2 models, 2011–2012
  1. 2011ThinkPad T420Compare
  2. 2012ThinkPad T430
Size
14″
Display
–
Processor
Intel Core i5 or i7
Memory
4 GB – 8 GB
Weight
2.17 kg
Battery
9.7 h

What reviewers say

Reviewers praise the comfortable new keyboard, strong office performance and long endurance with the nine-cell battery. The display is the main weakness: Laptop Mag finds its base screen dim, while Notebookcheck criticises contrast and viewing angles on the HD+ version. Both find the touchpad small.

From laptopmag.com and notebookcheck.net

Display

Screen size
14″
Resolution
1366 × 768 or 1600 × 900
Brightness
200 nits or 250 nits
Touchscreen
No
Display type
14-inch 1366 × 768 (200 nits) or 1600 × 900 (250 nits) LED-backlit LCD; 300:1 contrast
Screen finish
Anti-glare

Performance

Processor
Intel Core i5-3210M or Intel Core i7-3520M
CPU cores
2
CPU threads
4
Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 4000 or NVIDIA NVS 5400M
Memory
4 GB or 8 GB
Storage
320 GB to 500 GB
CPU
Third-generation Intel Core i5 and i7 dual-core processors; some i5-2520M models; QM77 chipset
GPU
Integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 on Ivy Bridge processors, HD Graphics 3000 on i5-2520M; optional NVIDIA NVS 5400M with 1 GB and Optimus
Memory type
DDR3-1600; two SO-DIMM sockets, up to 16 GB
Storage type
Removable 2.5-inch SATA HDD or SSD; removable Ultrabay Enhanced DVD burner; selected models support mSATA SSD instead of WWAN

Battery and size

Battery life (maker's claim)
Up to 9.7 hours
Battery capacity
57 Wh
Weight
2.17 kg
Thickness
29.9 mm
Width × depth
340.5 × 232 mm
Battery life detail
Integrated graphics: six-cell 57 Wh up to 9.7 hours, nine-cell 94 Wh up to 16.2 hours, nine-cell plus 94 Wh slice up to 32.5 hours; Optimus up to 9.4 / 15.8 / 31.6 hours; weight shown with six-cell battery
Charger
65 W on integrated graphics models; 90 W on Optimus models
Materials
Carbon-fibre/glass-fibre hybrid display cover; carbon-fibre reinforced plastic bottom; magnesium roll cage
Colours
Black

Connections

Ports
4 × USB-A, Ethernet, SD card slot, headphone jack
Wi-Fi
802.11b/g/n or 802.11a/b/g/n
Bluetooth
Optional Bluetooth 4.0
Webcam
Optional 720p
Operating system
Windows
Port detail
Two USB 3.0, two USB 2.0 (one powered), VGA, Mini DisplayPort, Gigabit Ethernet, audio combo, SD/MMC/SDHC/SDXC reader and ExpressCard/34; docking connector
External displays
Up to 2560 × 1600 at 60 Hz via Mini DisplayPort; 2048 × 1536 at 75 Hz via VGA
Keyboard
Six-row spill-resistant keyboard; TrackPoint; optional backlight and ThinkLight overhead illumination
Trackpad
UltraNav multi-touch touchpad
Speakers
1 W × 2 stereo speakers
Microphones
Dual-array microphone
Biometrics
Optional swipe fingerprint reader; TPM 1.2

Configurations

ProcessorMemoryStorageGraphicsScreen
Intel Core i5-3210M4 GB320 GBIntel HD Graphics 40001366 × 768
Intel Core i5-3210M4 GB500 GBIntel HD Graphics 40001600 × 900
Intel Core i7-3520M8 GB500 GBIntel HD Graphics 40001600 × 900
Intel Core i7-3520M4 GB500 GBNVIDIA NVS 5400M1600 × 900

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Two USB 3.0 ports alongside two USB 2.0 ports
  • Two memory slots supporting up to 16 GB
  • Removable DVD drive and optional backlit keyboard

Cons

  • Screen options stop at 1600 × 900
  • No HDMI or USB-C
  • At least 2.17 kg with a six-cell battery

Closest rivals

Model
SizeDisplayProcessorMemoryWeightBatteryReleased
14.1″–Intel Pentium M 735512 MB2.3 kg4.6 hMay 2004
14″OLED, 144 HzIntel Core Ultra 9, Core Ultra X9 378H or Core Ultra X9 388H32 GB1.65 kg32 hFeb 2026
14″–Intel Core i54 GB2.2 kg9 hMar 2011

Previous model: ThinkPad T420. Newer model: ThinkPad T440.

Sources

  1. psref.lenovo.com/syspool/Sys/PDF/withdrawnbook/ThinkPad_T430.pdf
  2. news.lenovo.com/pressroom/press-releases/lenovo-previews-next-gen-business-ultr…

Photo: psref.lenovo.com

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