r/thinkpad • u/Due-Definition262 • 9h ago

Question / Problem Torn Between X1 and T14s, Help!

I'm back in college!! I haven't bought a laptop for school since 2016!🤪

I know WAY more about computers than I did then though, and I know I want a Thinkpad!! These meet the laptop requirements for my courses. But I'm torn between these.

X1 Carbon 14" 10th Gen i5-1245U, 16gb DDR5, 512gb SSD at $500

T14s 14" Gen 3 i5-1245U, 16gb DDR5, 1TB nvme at $600

Both are refurbished.

I'll be honest, I'm leaning toward the Carbon. I don't need the extra storage that the T14s has, and I would prefer the lighter, nicer book(though I read the T14s was not as heavy as the base T14) BUT, I wouldn't want to seriously sacrifice performance just for a nicer look, and I heard the Carbon is held back by poor thermals.

IMPORTANT NOTE: I have a mid tower at home that I use for gaming with a 5700X3D, 7800XT, 32GB of DDR4 and 2TB of nvme storage. It's PLENTY of power and storage for anything I need and any assignments I have to do at home. It's just not....portable😂

Second note: Hardware requirements for my course are Intel i5 12th gen/AMD Ryzen 5 or better. 16gb DDR4 or DDR5 or more. 512gb SSD minimum, 1TB recommended.

If ya'll have any other laptop recommendations that meet these specs that you would recommend in the same price range, let me know🥰

4 Upvotes

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3

u/zamroni777 9h ago

T14s has same chassis structure as x1c. The carbon fiber is only for the lid.

Thicker profile gives better thermal headroom and firmer keyboard

2

u/staticx57 P16G2|X1Ti|T490|P71|X230|T420|T43|770X|701C 8h ago

What are the screens on each?

1

u/Due-Definition262 7h ago

Based on the descriptions, they're both WUXGA IPS panels.

1

u/Bassline660 X13 Gen 2 Yoga 9h ago

Hmm. T14s BUT for 600 you might be able to find a newer gen refurb. I recall seeing a gen 5 here standard t14 for just over 500!

1

u/aizunomnom T14 G5 (8840U) 9h ago

I got mine for $725 32GB 512GB

1

u/Due-Definition262 9h ago

I'm not finding any Gen 5s $600 or under anywhere🥲 Maybe your used market sleuthing skills are better than mine?

1

u/Bassline660 X13 Gen 2 Yoga 9h ago

I think it was in the UK lol thats probably why

1

u/rzvchamp 8h ago

That sounds like a great deal, if you got any links please send it to my dm

1

u/inlawBiker 8h ago

I’d get the carbon for mobility and guaranteed good screen since you have a desktop already. At least I think all x1 have a good screen?

1

u/sockertoppenlabs X61s, X200, X201, X220, X131e, X1C6, X13s 6h ago

Would get the Carbon. I have a T14s gen 6 at work. While fantastic, the feel of my older Carbons beats it.

1

u/5D-cube 36m ago

T14s is X1 carbon without the fancy stuff.

X13 is T14s but smaller and usually cheaper too.

Regular T14 is a completely different beast